Blu-ray Review: ATROZ (2015)

ATROZ
Directed by:  Lex Ortega
Distributed by Unearthed Films / MVD Entertainment

 I have seen some brutal movies in my time, but ATROZ probably stands alone at the top as the most brutal film I have ever seen.   Here is the basic plot from the film's imdb.com page:

A woman has been brutally struck down by a car and the two drivers have been obtained by the police. The unorthodox commander-in-chief decides to check out the assailant's car for himself and makes a gruesome discovery on a camcorder. The video recorder features the relentless torture and murder of a prostitute. The police decide to deal out some justice of their own -- justice that would make even the criminals cringe -- by interrogating their perpetrators, they discover more videotapes exposing even more sexually deviant torture and murder.

  If I had to compare this film to another, I would say it most reminded me of the AUGUST UNDERGROUND TRILOGY.   Those films were basically home videos of a killer torturing his victims.  ATROZ is basically the same thing, except much better done with a bigger budget and a better story line.  

  The acting in this film is pretty remarkable, it was extremely realistic which really added to the unnerving feeling of the film.   Also worth noting area the gruesome special effects.   ATROZ has some of the most realistic looking blood and gore that I have ever seen put on film.  Some of the effects are so real looking that I actually questioned rather some of this was actually real or not.  Now I know that is a silly thought, but the effects were that good that I actually had that thought for a split second.  That is a huge compliment coming from me, as I have seen tons of gory films in my lifetime!

  ATROZ won't be for everyone, but if you are a fan of the "torture porn" movies such as the aforementioned AUGUST UNDERGROUND films, or such films as the GUINEA PIG series, or even the HOSTEL films, you will definitely want to check this one out for sure.   It's extremely brutal, vile, and downright disgusting in some parts, so take this as your warning! 

  ATROZ is available now on an awesome Limited Collector's Edition DVD/BD/CD combo pack, and contains the following special features:

*  ATROZ:  ORIGINAL SHORT FILM
*  CROWDFUNDING VIDEO
*  BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN
*  BEHIND THE SCENES: PRACTICAL FX
*  BEHIND THE SCENES: PRODUCTION
*  UNEARTHED TRAILERS
*  BTS IMAGE GALLERY
*  CD SOUNDTRACK



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the BD/DVD/CD combo pack

DVD Review: SNUFF (1976)

SNUFF
Distributed by Blue Underground

  Blue Underground continues to put out some great DVDs and Blu-rays, and one of their latest is the 1976 shock films, SNUFF!   Here is the plot synopsis from the Blue Underground website:

  Deep in South America, a Manson-like cult leader named Satan cavorts with his bevy of beautiful biker-chick followers while compelling them to kill in his name. When sexy American actress Terry London arrives with producer Max Marsh to shoot a new movie there, the creepy cult targets her and her friends with plans of murder, mayhem and the grisly sacrifice of her unborn baby. Is the final bloody massacre only a movie? Or is it the shocking footage of an actual murder committed before the camera?
  Originally lensed as THE SLAUGHTER by notorious filmmakers Michael and Roberta Findlay (SHRIEK OF THE MUTILATED, TAKE ME NAKED), the movie sat on the shelf for five years until enterprising producer/distributor Allan Shackleton devised a controversial new ending and released it as SNUFF. Freshly transferred in High Definition from one of the only remaining prints, now the fascinating true story behind this infamous piece of trash cinema can finally be told... by those who survived!

  I had seen this movie years ago, but I really didn't remember anything about it.  Its a very unique film as it almost feels like 2 movies in one. The first part feels like your watching a movie about the Manson family, with a cult leader that sends his women followers out on a killing streak. Some of the kills are very good and especially brutal for the 1970's.  

 The 2nd part of the film is where we get into the real selling point for the film.   The last part of the film we see a woman strapped down and brutalized, beginning with her fingers being cut off with a pair of pruning shears. This was a remarkably well done effect, as it looks completely real..  In fact, I'm still not sure how they did this effect.  The only thing that lets you know it's fake is the fake blood that is used throughout the film, that looks like a very bright red thick paint.  Other than that, this scene will make even the most veteran horror fan cringe.

  I'm not sure if there were any movies like this before SNUFF, if there are I am not aware.  If this was a first, then this film helped pave the way for movies such as the Japanese Guinea Pig films from the 1980's to the more recent HOSTEL films.  This is one you will definitely want to check out if you are a gore fan.

  SNUFF is available now from Blue Underground and contains the following special features:

*  Shooting Snuff - Interview with Filmmaker Carter Stevens
*  Up To Snuff - Interview with Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn
*  Porn Buster - Interview with Retired FBI Agent Bill Kelly
*  U.S. Trailer
*  German Trailer
*  Poster & Still Gallery
*  Controversy Gallery
*  SNUFF: The Seventies And Beyond by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
*  Nicolas Winding Refn Intro

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