"Tales Of Fear" is a feature length horror anthology film based on the same E.C. Comics that "Tales From The Crypt," "The Vault Of Horror," and "Creepshow" are. It does a very good job at sticking with the theme of bad karma getting those who have it coming to them in very unique and creative ways. It won the Directors' Choice Award at the 2017 Indie Horror Film Festival near Chicago, IL and has also screened at the Bram Stoker International Film Festival in England.
It begins in a small town local diner, introducing different characters from different segments, giving small hints of what is yet to come later in the film. It then takes the audience to the graveyard for the first segment about a group of young kids messing around there after hours with a lesson to be learned about disturbing the dead. That segment includes plenty of humorous entertaining dialogue before getting to the suspense with overall well done acting performances, along with a very great look and performance from a ghoul who appears later in the segment. The ghoul's costume and make up is overall well done, while the actor Kenny Joslen, does an amazing performance bring out that role.
The next segment takes the audience to a nosy neighbor who is not only bored with her current life, but also suspects their troubled neighbor, Norman, who is rumored to have a sick other living with him, might be up to no good. One thing she needs to think about is that things are not always as they appear, and to make sure all of her facts are accurate before making any final decisions, even more importantly before making any straight accusations. All performances in this segment are very well done, and actor Joe Hammerstone does an amazing performance with the role of the troubled neighbor, Norman.
The third segment takes the audience back to the small town diner with a traveling hunter coming to town hunting coyotes out by a local farm. When told he is doing that out of season, he says that when a farmer is offering $100 per coyote head, it is open season all year round. One thing he needs to realize is that there are more and much worse consequences that could be possible than a lot of people realize or even think about. All performances in this segment are very well done as well, especially from Matt Albers, Tarrell Robinson, Kenny Joslen, Chad Curtis, and Dan Irwin. That is not to mention a cool looking werewolf in there as well.
The fourth segment starts with a couple of bank robbers on the run when their car breaks down. They end up having a local family take them in, letting them stay at their house, while the man is still yet to see if he can fix their car. One thing they are yet to discover is that the family knows what they did, and has deep dark secrets of their very own. This segment is very dark and intense, with more great performances, especially from the children; Alleh Nellebulin, who really takes this segment to a whole new level, and Dan Irwin, also appearing in this segment.
The fifth segment features a scientist who believes to be on his way to discovering a formula that could regenerate human cells for if somebody were to lose an arm or leg, the potion he is attempting to create would then be able to regrow that arm or leg. He accidentally hits a young girl with his car, takes her to his lab to try his potion for the first time ever on her, only to turn out he needs cells from another person as well to complete the experiment. He hopes to reanimate the cells from human parts of those who are already deceased, sending him to the graveyard, only to get trouble with the law on two counts before making it three counts. The actor playing the mad scientist does an amazing job portraying and bringing out this very intense role. The man playing the local Sheriff is a police officer in real life, to normally make it no problem playing and bringing out that type of role perfectly.
The sixth and final segment is about a creepy pedophile who stalks and kidnaps two small children, only yet to learn about what he did in the past could come back to haunt him unexpectedly, at any time, and in a lot more than just one way. The performances are all well done in this segment as well, while the actor playing the creepy pedophile really nails it perfectly.
Each segment is good and unique in its own way. There is not really one better than another. Bad karma always makes it appearance in overall unique, entertaining, and original ways. That is also not to mention creepy looking but well done zombies making a surprise appearance in one of the segments. The sound and picture qualities are also looking and sounding great on Prime. It should definitely appeal to fans of "Tales From The Crypt," "The Vault Of Horror," "Creepshow," "The Twilight Zone," and the like.
