Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Tenement Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 21, 2017

Exploitation goes pure and uncut for 1985’s “Tenement,” a film that takes great pleasure in being incredibly violent, with particular attention to the massacre of its characters. The effort comes from Roberta Findlay, a practiced helmer of sleaze, and she’s in a particular mood to deliver a truly uneasy viewing experience detailing the horrors of urban living, taking on the nightmare of the Bronx with full attention to B-movie suffering, sold under the guise of a siege picture. Because of its ‘80s creation date, some of this aggression hasn’t aged particularly well, but sections of “Tenement” still manage to summon their intended noise, with Findlay making sure to linger on unsavory business for as long as she can -- a fixation that inspired the MPAA to slap the endeavor with an X rating for its initial theatrical release, making it even more irresistible to admirers of low-budget hellraising.

The residents of a Bronx slum are sick and tired of a gang that’s taken up residence in the basement, using and selling drugs, while threatening anyone who challenges them with extreme violence. Loudmouth renter Rojas (Larry Lara) has had enough, badgering the police to come to the apartment and arrest the hooligans, who are led by Chaco (Enrique Sandino). Celebrating the extraction of the leather-clad plague, the locals arrange a celebration that carries on into the night, only to be horrified by the return of Chaco and his pack of goons, with the cops failing to charge them with any crimes. Arriving to collect their hidden weapons, the gang decides to stay and murder everyone in the building, forcing the residents to hole up on the upper floors and prepare some type of defense as Chaco and his soldiers work their way up the building, delighting in the painful slaughter of those cheering for their arrest.

Viewers are welcomed into the world of “Tenement” via a rap song credited to the “Kool Krew,” which details, over a “Breakin’”-esque beat, just how awful the neighborhood is, promising vile punishment for those who choose to stay. It acts as a warning for the feature to come, which is equally locked in the decade’s trends, delivering an unnamed gang for Chaco that’s pulled right out of a comic book, with matching leather outfits, bizarre facial ornamentation, and a token female in Chula (Karen Russell), presumably the leader’s girlfriend, as she’s open to allowing Chaco opportunities to rub fresh blood all over her exposed breasts on more than one occasion. She’s a keeper. The opening sequence of “Tenement” sets up troublemaking for the group, with their arrests permitting the residents a rare feeling of peace, hoping their troubles are behind them. This glorious naiveté is a bit hard to swallow, but Findlay needs the gulp of gang-free air to arrange conflict to come, requiring the view to relax concerns about logic and simply enjoy the ride.

Renters include a blind man with Bonbo, his seeing-eye dog (don’t grow attached to the pooch); Mrs. Edelstein, a 40 year veteran of the building, who’s watched it crumble into a hellhole; Anita is a young pregnant woman prone to physical troubles during the siege; Leona is a dedicated mother and the only person who understands how stupid any celebration is; and there’s Mr. Washington, the superintendent and a man shoved into a leadership role when the carnage begins. It’s a colorful bunch, and the screenplay (by Joel Bender and Rick Marx) keeps them broad and loud for the duration of the effort, finding Rojas perhaps the real villain of the story, with his drunken ways causing the most trouble for everyone. Once the gang returns to the property, the big hurt begins for “Tenement,” watching as Findlay orchestrate viciousness against the residents, taking matters to the extreme with one death, which has the gang raping a character with a broom handle. Perhaps there’s some subversion in play with a female director cooking up all this violence against women, but Findlay is more of a blunt instrument, playing scenes precisely for shock value, trying to make something marketable, not a statement.

Tenement Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as a "Brand New 2k HD Restoration." I'm not sure about the restoration claim, but the feature does appear refreshed for its Blu-ray debut. Detail is strong throughout, picking up on crumbling, filthy locations and sweat-slicked characters clad in textured costuming. Facial particulars are acceptable and violence is vivid, while distances and set dressing are open for exploration. Delineation is tight, preserving evening sequences. Colors are bright and satisfying, leading with bolder clothing choices and fresh skintones, which remain natural throughout. Source is littered with speckling and scratches, some flash-frame discolorations as well, which certainly preserves the movie's grindhouse origins. Still, those sensitive to evidence of wear and tear will find it here.

Tenement Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM mix is so crisp at times, it's easy to detect the production's sound limitations, where the cast is often competing with neighborhood activity. Dialogue exchanges in more secure areas are nicely panicked and angry, delivering verbal rage as the war takes over the building. Scoring cues are inherently chaotic at times, but always loud to provide attitude, with heavy percussion keeps the urban beat. Sound effects are sharp and somewhat hilariously unsweetened (gunshots sound like cap guns), but they manage to communicate daring escapes, beatings, and glass breakage.

Tenement Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Roberta Findlay.

• Interview (10:48, SD) is a 2004 chat with Findlay, who describes her work on "Tenement" as a chance to reconnect with her own history growing up in the South Bronx. Findlay isn't one to mince words, describing the crew as "sissies from Queens," and she communicates the on-set atmosphere, with the production caught in the middle of a real-life gang war. The helmer explores casting highlights, including a few famous faces in the ensemble, and she also covers the feature's X-rating, which helped "Tenement" acquire notoriety. Keeping up the rather graphic description of directorial challenges, Findlay shares anecdotes concerning the discovery of bear and human body parts on the set, and the lack of restrooms in the near area, encouraging accidents from the crew.

• Photo Gallery (1:21) collects publicity snaps.

• Radio Spot (:29) is offered.

• T.V. Spot (:39, SD) is presented.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:09, SD) is included.

Tenement Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tenement" takes a while before it becomes "Home Alone," with the renters finally wising up and mounting some type of defense. Findlay takes her time before she gets to the cheerable elements of the tale, embracing its darkness long before she gets to real combat. Perhaps in this day and age, the feature doesn't carry quite the X-rated impression it once did, as murder scenes are fairly crude in design, covering basic stabbings, shootings, and slashings. One poor sap makes the mistake of trying to crawl down from a window. "Tenement" isn't pleasant, but its desire to offend is fascinating to watch, wrapped in sustained attitude and acts of intimidation, with Findlay working well within the tight confines of the apartment building, delivering exploitation poundage (sold with a punk-ish score by William Fischer and Walter E. Sear) with a clenched fist and a smattering of spandex.