Blu-ray Review: SHOCK WAVES (1977)

SHOCK WAVES
Directed by:  Ken Wiederhorn
Distributed by:  Blue Underground

"Beneath The Living... Beyond The Dead... From The Depths of Hell's Ocean!"

  As much of a fan of zombie movies as I am, I am even more a fan of Nazi zombies.  There is something about these two evils that come together into one truly barbaric monster.  SHOCK WAVES is one of the earliest of the Nazi zombie sub-genre.  It is also one of my all time favorites as well.  Here is the synopsis of the SHOCK WAVES blu-ray courtesy of the Blue Underground website:

  In the dark days of World War II, the Nazi High Command ordered its scientists to create a top secret race of indestructible zombie storm troopers - un-living, unfeeling, unstoppable monstrosities that killed with their bare hands. They were known as The Death Corps. No member of this horrific SS unit was ever captured by the Allied Forces - and, somewhere off the coast of Florida, they have survived...
   Peter Cushing (STAR WARS), Brooke Adams (INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS) and John Carradine (THE BOOGEY MAN) star in this suspenseful and genuinely creepy shocker co-written and directed by Ken Wiederhorn (RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD PART II). One of the great horror "sleepers" of the 1970s, SHOCK WAVES has been freshly transferred and fully restored in High Definition from the only known surviving materials!

  One thing you'll immediately notice with this film is the lack of gore.  Unlike a lot of the zombie films of this time period, this film does not rely heavily on the blood and gore.  In fact, most kills are very tame, especially by today's standards.  What the film lacks in gore is completely made up by the film's creepy vibe.  There is something about seeing these zombies rise from the water after being down there for who knows how long, that is very frightening.   The film is very atmospheric and is perfect viewing for a dark, rainy night.

  The new 1080 HD transfer looks extremely good, especially since the last time I watched this film was back on VHS!  The film is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and is an ALL REGIONS disc.

SHOCK WAVES is available now on Blu-ray from Blue Underground and contains the following special features:

* Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Ken Wiederhorn, Make-Up Designer Alan Ormsby and Filmmaker Fred Olen Ray
* Nazi Zombies On A Budget - Interview with Producer/Cinematographer Reuben Trane
* Notes For The Undead - Interview with Composer Richard Einhorn
* Sole Survivor - Interview with Star Brooke Adams
* From FLIPPER To SHOCK WAVES - Interview with Star Luke Halpin
* Theatrical Trailer
* TV Spot
* Radio Spots
* Poster & Still Gallery


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: NAZIS AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (2012)

NAZIS AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
Directed by  Joseph J. Lawson
Distributed by The Asylum Home Entertainment

  Ok, let's be honest. The Asylum isn't exactly known as the company that creates blockbuster movies. In fact, they are known as the company that makes films based on blockbuster movies.  They are usually cheap knock-offs with crazy plot lines, and sub-par acting.  Well, NAZIS AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.....is no different.  It's exactly what you would expect from an Asylum film
  Ok, maybe I am being a little hard on this film, with all it's faults, I guess I need to admit that it was fun, and that is what movies are for!  Before I go into any further detail, here is the plot of the film from the film's imdb page:

  Researchers in Antarctica are abducted by a team of masked storm troopers. They are dragged deep underground to a hidden continent in the center of the earth. Here Nazi survivors, their bodies a horrifying patchwork of decaying and regenerated flesh, are planning for the revival of the Third Reich

 

  So the film starts off with some bad CG gunfire and explosions, but when  the research team is taken to the center of the earth, there is actually some pretty cool scenery and cool futuristic landscapes.   The film actually has some pretty good gore effects, some of which are actually practical effects as opposed to CG.  At least they look like practical effects to me.  One in particular is a man who has his face skin peeled off while he is still alive.

 

  The dialog is ok, but is pretty cheesy at some points.  The acting is actually better than most Asylum films I have to admit. Dominique Swain and Jake Busey do a pretty good job headlining the film. 

 

 As crazy as the film's plot is, nothing prepares you for the end of the film, when a giant Hitler/Robot makes an appearance.  Apparently the Nazis have kept Hitler's body (or at least his head, since that is all we see) and have fused it with a mechanical robot body, creating one crazy RoboNazi!!

 

 So, overall, not a great movie by any means, but probably fun if you have a group of friends over and just want to have a good time and laugh a lot.   The movie is available now on DVD and contains the following special features:

 

*  Original Widescreen Presentation

*  5.1 Surround Sound

*  The Making of "Nazis at the Center of the Earth"

*  Gag Reel

*  Trailers

*  Director's Commentary

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer and purchase the DVD
 

 

Check out the new Red Band trailer for the upcoming film, FRANKENSTEIN'S ARMY!!

 
 








  Just a couple of weeks ago I made a post about an upcoming film called FRANKENSTEIN'S ARMY.  I posted a couple of the promo trailers, but now we have  a full "Red Band" trailer to feast our eyes on.  I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a trailer. I can't wait for this film!  It is listed as having a limited release next month.  I doubt I will see it in any theaters around my area, but hopefully a DVD/BD release will follow shortly!

CLICK HERE to watch the Red Band trailer

Check out the upcoming film, FRANKENSTEIN'S ARMY

 









  Check out these awesome teaser trailers for the upcoming film, FRANKENSTEIN'S ARMY, directed by Richard Raaphorst. I love a good Nazi zombie movie, and this one looks like it is going to be a lot of fun! Here is the plot summary from the film's imdb page:

Toward the end of World War II, Russian soldiers pushing into eastern Germany stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades -- a desperate Hitler's last ghastly ploy to escape defeat

 

  FRANKENSTEIN'S ARMY premiered last month in the U.S.A. at the Tribeca Film Festival. It is listed as having a "limited" national release this July. 

CLICK HERE to watch the teaser trailer #1
CLICK HERE to watch the teaser trailer #2