Crack House Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Crack House Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 29, 2025

The unrelenting brutality of Los Angeles is explored in 1989’s “Crack House,” finding director Michael Fischa (“Death Spa,” “My Mom’s a Werewolf’) on a quest to sell the horrors of gang life and drug addiction in the gritty feature. However, exploitation interests are prioritized in the Cannon Films endeavor, keeping the helmer on a short leash when it comes to addressing the real sins of the big city. “Crack House” isn’t out to change the world, which is something of a shame as any message-minded intent dissipates after the first act. The rest of the offering is devoted to sleaziness and arcs of personal corruption, inspiring Fischa to capture the end of innocence for a few of the characters, while others are faced with the bleakness of life itself, trying to endure its casual cruelty. And, if there’s time, the production is ready to train camera focus on as many bare breasts as possible. It’s all about priorities, people.

Rick (Gregg Thomsen) is an ex-gang member in Los Angeles trying to stay out of trouble as he finishes high school, caring for his little brother, who was severely injured during a drive-by shooting. Rick has a girlfriend in Melissa (Cher Butler), who has dreams of becoming a fashion designer, with the pair hoping for a bright future together. When gang leader Jesus (Louis A. Rivera) is murdered, Rick is enraged, returning to his old life as he seeks revenge. He ends up with time in jail, and Lt. Johnson (Richard Roundtree) is eager to use him to capture more dangerous criminals. Without her boyfriend around, Melissa is targeted for exploitation, first by B.T. (Clyde Risley Jones), who introduces the teen to the crack experience, which transforms her into an addict. She’s soon taken by Steadman (Jim Brown), a local gangster itching to destroy her, leaving Rick to stew behind bars, cooking up a way to rescue her.

“Crack House” isn’t trying to be pretty. It’s a reasonably stark look at the L.A. way, often sweetened a bit by melodrama as it tracks the downfall of Rick, who returns to a life of crime when an old gang connection is killed in a drive-by shooting. There’s an assortment of characters to follow in the feature, which sets Rick aside after he’s caught by the police, turning attention over to Melissa, who’s left to fend for herself, picked up by B.T. and his practiced charms. The van-driving predator also has access to drugs, using cocaine and crack to help numb Melissa after she’s nearly sexually assaulted, commencing an arc of ruin as her bright spirit is dimmed by addiction.

Dreams die hard in “Crack House,” and there are shady people sprinkled all over the endeavor. Chico (Albert Michel Jr.) is a gang member remaining hostile to Rick, fueled by his own rage and addiction issues. Dockett (Anthony Geary) is a school administrator who’s not quite the concerned adult he initially appears to be. And there’s Steadman, a towering figure in local crime, and he’s very interested in controlling Melissa, keeping her and other women in “The Rock House,” his fortress. The screenplay hints at a few more thoughtful directions, especially with Melissa’s downfall, as she’s already dealing with her struggling mother before being claimed by criminals. And there’s a little something with Rick’s attempt to stay clear of street temptations. However, Fischa isn’t committed to concern, finding ways to transform tragedy into B-movie fodder, often using scenes of torment to get uncomfortably lustful with his actresses, which obviously neuters any real dramatic pull he’s attempting to offer.

Crack House Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive." The viewing experience delivers decent detail throughout, exploring ample skin particulars on the cast, noting various ages and states of distress. Period costuming is fibrous. Textures are also decent when exploring interiors, noting elements of disrepair. Exteriors retain depth. Color is consistent with the darker feature, though brighter primaries on clothing choices and street tours make their impression. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, losing nothing to evening activity and shadowy events. Grain is decently resolved. Source is in good condition.

Crack House Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers clear dialogue exchanges, making sense of accents and some mumbled performances. Scoring delivers capable support with defined synth instrumentation and suspenseful escalation. Sound effects are appreciable, including various scenes with heavier gunfire and property destruction.

Crack House Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Shooting 'Crack House'" (12:54, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Arledge Armenaki, who forged special relationships with others in the industry, allowing him to acquire gigs, including 1988's "Death Spa." Connecting to director Michael Fischa, the interviewee matched interests with the helmer, allowing him to pursue a grittier tone for "Crack House." Technical achievements are celebrated, including the careful lighting of a real prison, and the staging of stunts to bring rawness to the project. Armenaki supplies a strange tale about his crew, arriving one day to find his entire team fired and replaced, though he doesn't share much more about the situation. Locations are examined, handling work in some rough places, also permitted to tear up a house during a key sequence. He recalls a visit to a theater to see the picture as well, happy to be surrounded by an engaged audience.

• "Gang Territory" (9:38, HD) is an interview with Gregg Thomsen, who was pulled away from beach life to become an actor, initially offered some career guidance by Burt Reynolds. He shares his audition story, getting through the process fairly quickly, hired for "Street Dreams," which was turned into "Crack House." "Shooting a gang movie in gang territory," the interviewee recalls the atmosphere of the set, watching director Michael Fischa push for more realism. Not a trained actor, Thomsen endured early humiliation on the set, struggling to get through his lines. Co-stars are remembered, including Jim Brown, experiencing his natural physical power and serious demeanor. Memories from the premiere are provided, including an unexpected reunion years later with a gang member who attended the screening.

• "Hitting the Streets" (3:56, HD) is a video essay by Elijah Drenner.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Crack House Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Crack House" is an unwieldy feature, going from television-style drama to R-rated violence. Fischa doesn't really know what kind of movie he wants to make here, and the swings from sincerity to exploitation are periodically whiplash-inducing. It can be a frustrating viewing experience, but there are certainly many positives to the endeavor, as half the cast (the veterans) know what they're doing, playing up the broadness of the material. And if one accepts the film as a form of cinematic junk food, there's entertainment value for the taking, especially as misery comes for all and Fischa starts managing physical encounters, including a prison fight and a few shootouts. There's definitely appeal here, but those looking (or hoping) for a more meaningful viewing experience are left hanging by a picture that seems like it wants to address the ills of the world at times, but mostly desires to be a grindhouse distraction.