After being imprisoned in the U.K. as a special feature for almost ten years, Synapse Films brought over Just Desserts to the U.S. on its own blu-ray and we take a look at it.
Studio: Synapse Films
Release Date: October 22nd, 2007 (U.K. Creepshow DVD)
July 12th, 2016 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 90 mins
Region Code: FREE
Picture: 1080p (1.78:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: None
Slipcover: No
Digital Copy: No
Starring: George A. Romero, Tom Savini, Stephen King, Richard P. Rubinstein, Tom Atkins, and Adrienne Barbeau
Written by N/A
Directed by Michael Felsher
Rating: Not Rated (violent images)
THE FILM
A retrospective look at the making of the George A. Romero classic, CREEPSHOW
CREEPSHOW is one of my favorite anthologies out there, combining horror and comedy in a way that many horror anthologies want to but few can achieve. In 2018, Scream Factory released CREEPSHOW in a proper Collector's Edition featuring a brand new restoration for both the video and audio, along with a ton of brand new special features. The thing is that there was one thing missing from this package: Michael Felsher's JUST DESSERTS.
Released in 2007 as a special feature on the U.K.'s special edition of CREEPSHOW, JUST DESSERTS is a look behind the scenes of Creepshow from the very people who made the film. George A. Romero and Tom Savini, along with a handful of people who worked both in front of and behind the camera, tell the story of CREEPSHOW from its origins all the way through filming to Warner Brothers picking the film up and its legacy.
Felsher does a great job of covering just about everything a CREEPSHOW fan would ever want to know about the making of the film. Everyone recounts their experiences on the film with a warmth and joy that you wish more film sets would be like and we get plenty of stories involving hijinks and laughter. There are even some cringe-worthy stories like how the escaped roaches that were used in the story "They're Creeping Up On You" ended up furniture that was donated to the local Salvation Army.
JUST DESSERTS doesn't rise about being a bonus feature given front and center attention but that doesn't matter in the long scheme of things as it gets the job done in a very satisfying way. I am happy that this was brought over to the States where more people can enjoy it. In the end that is all that matters.
THE PICTURE AND THE SOUND
Presented in the film’s original aspect ratio of 1.78:1, JUST DESSERTS looks good. You can tell that this was originally a dvd special features but there is nothing wrong with that. It just shows the limitations this presentation faces. Detail is nice for the interviewees and the footage from CREEPSHOW looks decent. The included DTS-HD Master Audio track sounds nice as well with nothing intruding on anything else.
THE PACKAGING
THE MENUS
THE FEATURES
Creepshow Days with Michael Gornick (8m 1s, HD) Gornick talks about shooting the film and what he did to make the film stand out.
Tom Savini’s Behind-the-Screams (26m 31s, HD, 1.33:1) Here we have almost half an hour of behind the scenes footage shot during production. This footage was shot on VHS, but it contains some great looks at what the creatures and effects looked like from start to finish.
Extended Interview Segments (23m 46s, HD) We get more interview footage of George Romero, Tom Savini, and Bernie Wrightson
Horror’s Hallowed Grounds with Sean Clark (14m 56s, HD) Clark takes us around to the different areas of Pittsburgh where the film was shot. Tom Atkins even makes an appearance.
Vintage 1982 Evening Magazine Segment (7m 31s, SD, 1.33:1) Shot as publicity for a news magazine, this segment shows us some behind the scenes stuff while interviewing some key players.
Behind-the-Scenes of Creepshow Photo Gallery (8m 30s, HD)
Scream Greats Volume One: Tom Savini, Master of Horror Effects (52m 54s, SD, 1.33:1)
-Play Documentary
-Play with Tom Savini Commentary
Now, this is a find. SCREAM GREATS was a program produced by Fangoria and focuses on Tom Savini. We see a lot of behind the scenes footage of the films that Savini has worked on as it goes through his life in film up until about 1984. Lots of great stuff here,
Audio Commentary with writer/director Michael Felsher
Audio Commentary with actor John Amplas, property manager Bruce Alan Miller, and makeup effects assistant Darryl Ferrucci
THE CONCLUSION
This blu-ray of JUST DESSERTS is really a big win for fans of CREEPSHOW who have been hearing about the doc for almost a decade. There is a lot of great stories to be told as well as some great behind the scenes footage and photos. The special features package is really something with SCREAM GREATS VOL. 1 leading the pack. Add this disc to your CREEPSHOW collection so you can have the whole experience.
THE SCREENSHOTS
 Blu-ray Review){kind=link}
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