2006, Rated R

Completely lacking in speculation and/or allegory, this latest installment of the tired horror genre, put out by HBO Video plays like a direct-to-video toss-off made without an ounce of the network’s input or even a screening for the janitorial staff who certainly would have known what to do with this stale piece of excrement. Creepshow III purports to offer both fun and chills, but its five tales wouldn’t even shock the 1950s audience who grew up with the original horror comic-book premise, despite the fact that the movie nearly drowns itself in buckets and buckets of fake blood. The mini-narratives never draw characters worth investing time in or situations that have any meaning beyond a quick gag, if that. The DVD takes audiences behind the scenes with a series of interviews (directors, writers, effects crew), but there simply aren’t any secrets to share. (tt stern-enzi) Grade: F