The time is 1979. Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg, Training Day) is respected and loved as the neighborhood protector. When he is betrayed and brutally murdered by a corrupt cop (Michael T. Weiss, The Pretender), Bones’ elegant brownstone becomes his tomb. Twenty-two years later, the neighborhood has become a ghetto and his home a Gothic ruin. Four teens renovate it as an afterhours nightclub, unknowingly releasing Jimmy’s tortured spirit. It’s thrills and chills when Jimmy’s ghost sets out to get his revenge.

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Video Quality

Bones debuted on Blu-Ray in 2020 courtesy of Scream Factory with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer derived from a new 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative. The remaster retains the rich natural film grain of the source free of digital manipulation that would dampen the raw details. This may be a studio horror film, but the care put into the cinematography is readily apparent in every frame. The texture is especially prominent in the ‘70s flashbacks, but modern day has its own unique facet in the special effects such as the goopy gore and the wall of human bodies. Clarity and detail are exceptional with the costumes and the production design rendering perfectly.

Colors are highly stylized to evoke the bold colors of Italian cinema, and the effect lands with purpose. The light sources in the hellish domain of Jimmy Bones never fail to inspire awe. We also love the warmth that radiates off the screen when in flashback. Skin tones are detailed and consistent across the ensemble. Black levels are very deep and hold up well with crush not emerging as an issue. Highlights seem to be accurate to the creative intent and controlled well. Print damage has been eradicated without any notable blemishes making it through the remaster. Scream Factory has treated this one with respect.

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray presents the film with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings the soundscape to life with the necessary resonance. From the opening scene, numerous thrilling moments make an impact with environmental sounds emerging from the appropriate spots. The sounds of intruders getting snatched by Bones and dispatched in spectacularly gory fashion is a treat. Dialogue comes through clearly without being overshadowed by competing information. Every exchange is steady with no crackling or sibilance. The soundtrack is another key aspect of the film which flows out with ideal fidelity. This presentation could scarcely be improved. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Ernest Dickerson, writer Adam Simon, and star Snoop Dogg provide an archival commentary track that is pretty entertaining as they discuss the evolution and structure of the story, creating the look for the film, shooting in Canada, working with the performers, and more.

Building Bones – Interview with Ernest Dickerson: A new 20-minute interview with the director in which he reflects on the pleasure of working with Snoop Dogg, the scene in which he insisted Snoop not be high, casting the various performers, meeting his wife during production, and more.

Bringing Out The Dead – Interview with Screenwriter Adam Simon: A new 17-minute interview with the screenwriter in which he discusses his background in filmmaking, developing a project for Snoop Dogg, why he had to pass on directing Bones, the craftsmanship in the film, the reception of the film upon its original release, and more.

Urban Underworld – Interview with Director of Photography Flavio Labiano: A new 12-minute interview with the cinematographer in which he discusses his background, breaking through in Hollywood, his use of color in Bones, turning the haunted house into a character, his disappointment in the box office reception, and more.

Blood ‘n’ Bones – Interview with Special Effects Artist Tony Gardner: A new 15-minute interview with the special effects artist in which he discusses wanting to bring a throwback ‘80s quality to the material, working with Dickerson and Snoop Dogg, how they pulled off certain effects, the marketing of the film, and more.

Digging Up Bones: A 24-minute archival piece in which the cast and creative team discuss the development and production of the film.

Urban Gothic – Bones and Its Influences: A 19-minute examination of the influences on Bones from the old school gothic cinema to Italian horror and beyond.

Deleted Scenes: A 25-minute collection of unused footage is provided with optional commentary from director Ernest Dickerson.

Dogg Named Snoop Music Videos: A nearly eight-minute collection of music videos is provided.

Theatrical Press Kit with Behind-The-Scenes Footage: An 11-minute extended look at the movie.

Trailers: This disc provides the Theatrical Trailer (2:08) and the Teaser Trailer (0:31).

Final Thoughts

Bones was deemed a failure upon its initial release, but the idea of Snoop Dogg as a new boogeyman is too much to pass up for a reevaluation. The film is certainly flawed in numerous ways, but there are plenty of interesting ideas we enjoy seeing played out to mixed results. The greatest strength of the film is the presence Snoop brings to the titular character, lending empathy to the man when he was alive and menace to the ghoul that will end your life. Ernest Dickerson does his best behind the camera to bring everything together perfectly, but studio meddling and some script issues made things a bit of a mess. You have to love the practical bits of special effects work deployed that hold up as well as ever. For every criticism you can lob at this movie, we have something to compliment. It is a very watchable mixed bag of a movie. Scream Factory has delivered a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation and a terrific selection of new and archival special features. Recommended

Bones is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.