Turn Off Your Brain Cells And Enjoy Yourself

Sat., Aug. 17, 1996

Michael Saunders The Boston Globe

With a name like “Bordello of Blood,” there’s no way to misunderstand this film’s intent to take its audience on an express train to hell. Lucky for the filmmakers that it’s a funny trip.

It’s a film propelled by flesh and blood, the titillating combination of sex and gore that has driven the horror genre since “Nosferatu” was in pre-production. It’s the second creepy installment in the “Tales from the Crypt” trilogy, and the sort of movie some in the audience might feel ashamed going to. It’s definitely a low-brow escapade, a check-your-cerebrum-at-the-door sort of film that requires little from its audience besides $6 and a pulse.

That said, it’s still a film with genuine laugh-out-loud moments, most provided by comedian Dennis Miller. On first glance it would appear Miller is horribly miscast in this predictable fang flick. But Miller’s ceaseless verbal machine gun of one-liners salvages the movie.

Miller’s role is a slightly more erudite version of the Darren McGavin gumshoe in the “Night Stalker” television series of the 1970s. Miller’s character, Rafe Guttman, is a likable private detective without two pennies to rub together. Tossing wisecracks like a welterweight throwing jabs, Guttman weasels his way into working for Katherine Verdoux (played unremarkably by Erika Eleniak), whose hard-case younger brother has gone missing (Corey Feldman plays the fraternal knucklehead with his usual slack-jawed aplomb).

The result is as predictable as a pro wrestling match, but Miller’s twisted discourse makes the outcome fun.

The decision to see this film should probably be left to a basic time-and-money analysis. Anyone who has to pay for parking, dinner and a baby sitter for a night in the theater should probably spend the time elsewhere. For anyone looking to numb a few brain cells for a while and have a few laughs in the process, “Bordello of Blood” might fit the bill.

xxxx “Bordello of Blood” Locations: North Division and Coeur d’Alene cinemas Credits: Directed by Gilbert Adler, starring Dennis Miller, Erika Eleniak, Corey Feldman, Angie Everhart and Chris Sarandon Running time: 1:27 Rating: R

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.