Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 12, 2016

1982’s “Creepshow” is famous for many reasons. While it didn’t invent the anthology movie, it certainly popularized the storytelling format during the 1980s, giving filmmakers the inspiration to collect their own miniature tales of torment, most born from the mind of Stephen King. The picture was also a big hit for director George A. Romero and arguably one of his best movies, tapping into the comic book aesthetic with purity and impishness, paying loving tribute to the world of EC Comics and their frightening tales of death and punishment. “Creepshow” isn’t high art, but the effort showcases an engaged Romero, who’s having a blast arranging all sorts of macabre events and antagonistic encounters, scratching a boyhood itch for ghoulish fantasy that translates wonderfully through five tales of doom. It’s a treat.

“Just Desserts: The Making of ‘Creepshow’” is a 2007 exploration of the production process, originally created for a UK DVD release, but now finally making its debut in America, where more movie fans will have the chance to devour this informational journey, directed by Michael Felsher. This isn’t a slick production, often resembling the supplementary addition it was meant to be, but what’s provided here is 90 minutes of pure adoration for “Creepshow,” identifying its creative accomplishments with help from a large group of interviewees, including key crew members, Romero, make-up artist Tom Savini, and actors such as Tom Atkins, Adrienne Barbeau, and Ed Harris.

The group is collected for one reason, and that’s to celebrate “Creepshow,” with “Just Desserts” tracking its initial development, where Romero was introduced to King, with the pair planning to bring the celebrated novel “The Stand” to the big screen. Instead of tackling an immense epic, the pair decided to combine forces and bring comic book terror to the mass audience, with King in charge of collecting five short stories (along with the creation of a wraparound tale) that best emphasize the strange world of dark fates and twisted humor that were often found in EC Comics. A brand name in the world of horror, Romero charged ahead with the independent production, massaging a limited budget with help from his Pittsburgh “family” of filmmakers, using unique visual techniques and graphic transitions to transform the screen into literal comic book panels, underlining the feature’s origins and its tonal intent. As traditional as the production was, what Romero was going for was experimental in a way, challenging audiences to enter a world of evil instead of passively appreciating it.

Wicked mischief defines the chapters of “Creepshow,” and “Just Desserts” dissects every short to the best of its ability. Casting is a priority, with Romero (clad in his signature vest, never far from a lit cigarette) particularly fond of King’s turn as a reckless, dim hillbilly messing with a meteor in “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill.” It turns out King was intentionally overacting himself into a stupor, delighting Romero, who pushed for cartoon insanity to make the material work. “Just Desserts” also explores choices in locations and facilities, with an abandoned high school transformed into the effort’s primary set, while production designer Cletus Anderson is largely credited as a lifesaver, delivering bigness to production that didn’t have much money to spend.

“Just Desserts” is filled with anecdotes, but it plays very safe when it comes to behind the scenes stories. Everyone was “lovely” and everything was “great,” making a true assessment of the endeavor impossible to find. Even Romero is all sunshine here, sharing his recollections of the shoot, showering praise everywhere. Typically, documentaries with the most candor make the strongest impression, yet Felsher keeps “Just Desserts” inviting, gifting the viewer time to inspect Savini’s accomplishments, with the make-up maestro recalling little from his days on set besides hard work creating creatures and perfecting the movie’s excellent make-up. Also interesting is a long explanation of how the drowning effect in “Something to Tide You Over” was achieved, while a study of the cockroach explosion found in “They’re Creeping Up on You” is highly amusing, with everybody sharing their own insect encounter. As Romero says, “Roaches don’t take direction.”

Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) delivers a straightforward viewing experience, mixing interview footage with movie clips. Equipment limitations are evident, but interviewees look detailed, with facial particulars easy to study, along with textured clothing choices. Colors are also natural, with stable primaries, and skintones are spot-on. Delineation isn't problematic. Some banding is detecting, along with a few mild bursts of noise.

Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is equally simple, emphasizing conversations with the filmmakers, finding voices pleasant and deep, without distortive extremes. Scoring remains unobtrusive but consistent, making silence a rare event in the documentary. Instrumentation is intact. Film clips are smoothly introduced, never disturbing volume levels.

Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director/editor Michael Felsher.

• Commentary #2 features interviews with actor John Amplas, property master Alan Miller, and make-up effects assistant Darryl Ferrucci.

• "Creepshow Days" (8:01, HD) is a conversation with cinematographer Michael Gornick, who discusses artistic choices and his previous collaborations with George Romero.

• "Tom Savini's Behind the Scenes" (26:31, SD) is a compilation of home movies shot on the "Creepshow" set, with a VHS camera capturing work on puppets and make-up applications, spotlighting one-set playfulness and camaraderie, including time in the make-up trailer with Stephen King.

• Extended Interviews (23:45, HD) goes in-depth with George Romero, Tom Savini, and artist Bernie Wrightson.

• "Horror's Hallowed Grounds with Sean Clark" (14:56, HD) is an episode of a web series devoted to visiting the locations of famous genre productions. Not much is available for "Creepshow," but Clark brings in Tom Atkins for an interviews and some scene recreation, giving an otherwise disappointing adventure some value.

• "Vintage 1982 'Evening Magazine' Segment" (7:31, SD) is a clip from a popular entertainment show (also known as "P.M. Magazine"), which spotlights the creation of "Creepshow," offering interviews with key production participants and BTS footage, helping to publicize the theatrical release.

• Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery (8:30, HD) gathers snapshots of the production at work and play as they create the movie.

• "Scream Greats: Volume One" (52:54, SD) is a 1986 television special dedicated to the artistry of Tom Savini. Primary focus is placed on his work for "Day of the Dead," but a career overview is provided, offering ample commentary from the subject and his closest associates, including Romero and Greg Nicotero. Technique is celebrated, gruesome imagination is detailed, and Savini's acting career is covered, making for an entertaining education on the master of make-up. Commentary is provided, featuring Savini.

Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Just Desserts" doesn't go into the strangeness of "Creepshow 2," and King is unfortunately absent from the documentary. However, fans of the 1982 endeavor will likely be delighted with Felsher's extended overview of creative highlights and happy memories, with everyone sharing praise for the feature. It's a cleanly detailed picture, moving from the creation of the first draft to a theatrical release, delivering an appealing understanding of how "Creepshow" came to be and how it achieved much of its grim, pulpy appeal.