Director – Ernest R. Dickerson (Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight, Surviving the Game)
Starring – Snoop Dogg (The Addams Family, Hood of Horror), Khalil Kain (Baadasssss!, CSI: Miami), and Merwin Mondesir (Grave Encounters, Godsend)
Release Date – 2001
Rating – 3/5
Blu Release – 4/5
Tagline – “Unleash the Dogg”
When I was in middle school I was coming into my own as a rock and metal fan while my best friend was a rap and pop fan. He would let me torture him with Black Sabbath, Lamb of God, and so on while I would listen to Wu-Tang, Bone Thugs, and so on. Honestly, I really enjoyed the old late 80s and 90s rap and hip hop so I wasn’t suffering. It was around this time that Snoop Dogg starred in the horror film Bones.
My friend was obviously a Snoop fan and I loved horror so we begged his mom and dad to take us to pick up the movie when it was released. We couldn’t find it on DVD so we settled on the VHS release. My friend didn’t care for the movie after we started watching it but I really liked it. I would watch it several times over the years but the last decade I have not. Recently Scream Factory released the film on blu and I figured now would be the perfect time to revisit it. I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. Thanks guys!
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows a group of up and coming DJs and their manager who purchase an abandoned building that was once the home to Jimmy Bones (Dogg) in the 70s. He was murdered by a pimp, cop, and his best friend when he refused to sell drugs to the people on his block and they hid his body in the basement. The group want to fix the building up and turn it into a club but their father’s dark past comes back to haunt him and his family when they accidentally resurrect Jimmy Bones. **Spoiler Alert**
I’ve been revisiting a lot of movies from my elementary and middle school years. I guess that means I’m getting old but it’s cool to see movies on piss poor quality VHS and DVD get the blu treatment. As fun as it is to revisit some of these films I’m discovering that nostalgia can’t cover up a film that did not age well. When I got Bones in to review I was excited to rewatch it after all these years but I was afraid it didn’t hold it. Most of it did but there was a few instances that made me a little embarrassed for the people involved.
The acting in this one never really sit well for me. Snoop and Pam Grier deliver amazing performances with Snoop stealing the show. His character is fucking fantastic and unforgettable. With that being said, the remaining cast deliver forced performances that always made me roll my eyes. Even now I feel somewhat embarrassed for the cast and their performances.
The story for this one is a gothic influenced blaxploitation film that works very well for a horror flick. My love for blaxploitation really makes me a little biased but I really love how this film uses 70s urban culture before transitioning to a modern haunted house look that is heavily influenced by gothic imagery. Honestly, I think it works but there is several instances that came across as a little too goofy for the film itself. The overall look works for me and the story flows very well within the film.
Finally, the film has several on screen kills. Personally, I’m a fan of the bright red blood but here it is out of place. The kills have great practical effect but the impact of the gag is lessened by the use of the bright red blood. With that being said, there is some horrible visual effects used that is not only goofy but it looks like shit all these years later. Overall, Bones may not be for everyone but for those of us that appreciate horror and blaxploitation we will find entertainment in this one. The blu looks fucking great as well. I highly suggest picking up this blu from Scream Factory.
Special Features:
Commentary
Building Bones
Bringing out the Dead
Urban Underworld
Blood N’ Bones
Digging Up Bones
Urban Gothic
Deleted Scenes
Music Video
Theatrical Press Kit
Teaser Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
