'Shock' review by MartialHorror(include s video review)
Source: http://freewebs.com/mhshock
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SHOCK(1977)
(Directed by Mario Bava)
"The only thing shocking about this is how bad it is."- Signed by MartialHorror.
Plot: A family moves into a house, which is haunted by the wife’s dead husband.
Review:
I have to admit, I was excited to watch “Shock”, and when netflix finally got it, I became giddy. I love Mario Bava and would even consider him to be my favorite director(along with Sergio Leone and Takashi Miike, respectively). Most of his films are simply great, and his 2nd-to-last film(which was released in the 90’s), “Rabid Dogs”, was arguably his greatest movie. While I was preparing to do my first online video review, in which I would review bad movies, I had no idea that “Shock” would be my first. I was genuinely upset at how bad “Shock” turned out to be. The next part of my review will be a video review, so be sure to check that out.
VIDEO REVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11H1n0wvptA
Now what else can I add? Well, the film isn’t scary. I personally think that Mario’s son and assistant director, Lamberto Bava, directed most of this. Now, I like Lamberto Bava. “Macabre” has one of the best endings of all time and “Demons 2” is great fun, but those films came when Lamberto had a bit more experience. For now, it’s just cheap scares that come across as unintentionally funny. The film actually seems intent to not scare us. The characters are annoying and not very sympathetic, the plot twists are predictable and the special effects are cheesy.
I am shocked to see that people seem to be liking it. It has no real style, no atmosphere, no suspense and…..Well, everything I’ve listed above. It’s just a low rent rip-off of “The Shining”(the book, not the movie). But oh well, at least this isn’t Bava’s worst movie. Bava’s comedies are much scarier than this……”Roy Colt and Winchester Jack” was downright painful.
Violence: Some harsh moments.
Nudity: Some.
Overall: The acting is pretty good(annoying kid aside) and it had potential for some thematic material, but it fell flat on its back. At least it isn't the worst to come out of Italy. Also, what does the title even mean? There is no ’shocking’ in the entire movie……Unless you’re talking about how shockingly bad it is. Bava should’ve known better.
1.5/4 Stars
my reviews of martial arts and horror films
http://freewebs.com/martialhorror