DVD Review: Combat Shock (2-Disc Uncut 25th Anniversary Edition): Rick Giovinazzo, Veronica Stork, Mitch Maglio, Asaph Livni, Nick Nasta, Michael Tierno, Buddy Giovinazzo: Movies & TV
DVD Review: Combat Shock (2-Disc Uncut 25th Anniversary Edition): Rick Giovinazzo, Veronica Stork, Mitch Maglio, Asaph Livni, Nick Nasta, Michael Tierno, Buddy Giovinazzo: Movies & TV
Review
Combines the New York City angst of Taxi Driver, the gritty nihilism of Fassbinder and the unfiltered dementia of Eraserhead…ONE OF THE GREAT CULT FILMS OF THE 1980s. –Shock Cinema
Product Description
Nearly 25 years after its original release, Combat Shock returns from the cult underground to reclaim its title as perhaps the most shocking independent film of the ’80s. Writer/director/producer Buddy Giovinazzo made his indelible debut with this nihilistic saga of a Vietnam vet’s desperate pursuit to save his family from the horrors of poverty and urban squalor. Culminating in one of the most brutal climaxes ever committed to celluloid, this unforgiving masterwork remains as controversial and relevant as it was at the height of Reagan’s America. Get ready to be blown away: Combat Shock is back like you’ve never seen it before.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
-American Nightmares (100 mins): The Never-Before-Seen Director s Cut
-Combat Shock (90 mins): The Theatrical Cut
-Audio Commentary with Director Buddy Giovinazzo and Jorg Buttgereit (Nekromantik)
-Post-Traumatic, An American Nightmare All-new documentary exploring the continued impact and influence of Combat Shock, featuring:
John McNaughton (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), William Lustig (Maniac), Richard Stanley (Hardware, Dust Devil), Jim Van Bebber (Deadbeat at Dawn, The Manson Family), and many more
-The Early Works of Buddy Giovinazzo: 8 Never-before-released short films and music videos
-New interview with Buddy Giovinazzo on Combat Shock
-Unscarred: The first interview with Combat Shock star Rick Giovinazzo
-Buddy interviews Nekromantik Director Jorg Buttgereit at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival
-Der Combat: Buddy Giovinazzo and Lloyd Kaufman (President of Troma Entertainment and the creator of The Toxic Avenger) discuss Combat Shock at the 2006 Trominale in Berlin
-Hellscapes (10 min): A Look at the Locations from Combat Shock as they appear today
-Original Press and Photo Gallery
-Original Theatrical Trailers
-Solider of Misfortune: New Liner Notes by Steve Puchalski (Shock Cinema, Slimetime)
See all Editorial Reviews
An underrated gem! Inventive no-budget art!,
By Ramzi Abed (LA, CA) -
This review is from: Combat Shock (DVD)
“Combat Shock” is one of those rare microbudget films that has a lasting impact on its viewers. Originally titled, “American Nightmares”, “Combat Shock” plays like a really grimy, amateurish version of “Eraserhead” with a little bit of “First Blood” and “Taxi Driver” thrown in. The commentary is extremely helpful, and Buddy went on to direct “No Way Home” with Tim Roth. If you’re expecting an over-the-top satire Troma style, you’re in for a surprise. The last 15 minutes of the movie may very well blow your mind. Also, the plotline predates “Jacob’s Ladder”, which is an almost exact word-for-word descendant of this sometimes cheesy, but mostly honest film of urban decay and psychopathy in the mind of a Vietnam vet. Lloyd, you sure know how to pick ‘em! Buy the dvd and see what I mean. Remember, it is pretty shocking though, with that special graphic violence that will Tromatize you forever!
The waking nightmare of a Vietnam Vet,
By J from NY (New York) -
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Combat Shock (DVD)
“Combat Shock” is more raw in terms of the emotional impact it has than other films in the same vein: “Platoon”, “Jacob’s Ladder”. Which isn’t to say it is better or even equals either of those films, but with a bit more of a budget and some of the cheesier aspects cut out, it very well could have.
The acting isn’t exactly Oscar material but the mood the film creates is undeniable. Frankie, a Vietnam Veteran down on his luck in a major way, suffers from almost hourly flashbacks to his time in the war when he was tortured after his squad was killed (or did he kill them? this question is never answered definitively). Frankie wakes up from these nightmares to a living one: he is completely destitute of money, he has what seems to be a mutant baby (this element of the move is so whacked out–the baby looks like a miscarried ET–that you wonder if it’s supposed to be funny or sickening; it’s both), and a wife who constantly nags at him to call his father who he had a falling out with in order to obtain some money at least to feed his family.
Frankie is essentially a good guy, but this does not last very long. Constantly muscled by the neighborhood toughs who dress like they watched “The Karate Kid” one too many times, trying to help his deathly looking junkie friend Mike, and trying with no success to get a job, his mind slowly comes apart.
The thing is, it is never explained how Frankie all the sudden goes from being a solid guy (Rick Giovinazzo does turn in a fantastic performance here) to a homicidal maniac. The timing simply isn’t right. He mugs a woman after an extremely rough day, massacres the thugs who have been tormenting him, kills his wife and bakes the baby/thing in the oven, treating himself to some rotten milk before blowing his head off. The movie is so believable up to this point that it is actually hard to watch.
There is not an ounce of hope in this film. Frankie is on a downward spiral from the time he wakes up till the time the movie ends and catches no breaks whatsoever.
This is not standard Troma fare, fortunately. This is undoubtedly the best movie they ever made, which wouldn’t be saying much normally, but “Combat Shock” stands on it’s own. If you’re in the mood for an “Apocalypse Now” type film with a Grade Bish flavor, this is a must.
An excellent low budget shocker!,
By Jeffrey Leach (Omaha, NE USA) -
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Combat Shock (Sp) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Boy, is this a downbeat movie. If you’re looking for something redemptive, look elsewhere. From the opening Vietnam sequence full of gore to the sorrowful conclusion, Combat Shock is a nightmarish trip through a warren of haunting images and sounds.
Frankie came back from Vietnam and has had nothing but trouble. He has a deformed baby, a nagging woman, and no job. He is also in dutch with a loanshark. Frankie walks the desolate streets of the slums, wondering what he’s going to do. He eventually explodes in a fit of despair and rage, resulting in some bloody and gory scenes.
What makes this movie so effective is the voiceovers and the flashbacks of Frankie. They are truly haunting and they give the film great atmosphere. So do the settings, especially Frankie’s apartment, which is so gritty and sleazy looking that I felt like taking a shower after watching the movie. It’s that sleazy!
This movie will bring you down, so don’t watch it on a rainy day or if you’re depressed. If you aren’t exhausted at the end of the film, there might be something wrong with you. This is distributed by Troma, so look for some nifty trailers. Also, pay a little more and avoid the Extended Play tape.
Search Combat Shock (2-Disc Uncut 25th Anniversary Edition): Rick Giovinazzo, Veronica Stork, Mitch Maglio, Asaph Livni, Nick Nasta, Michael Tierno, Buddy Giovinazzo: Movies & TV from AmAzon
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