SCHLOCK

Directed & Written by John Landis
Produced by James C. O' Rourke
Fx by Rick Barker
Music by Chan Fei Lit
Cast: The Schlockthropus (John Landis), Eliza Garret & Saul Kahan

1972/79 mins/Color/Mono Dolby Digital
1.85:1 anamorphic/English/US/NTSC Region 1

Review from the Anchor Bay DVD

John Landis' directorial debut is simply pure entertainment. A small California town is feeling the wrath of the "Banana Murders", more precisely the Schlockthropus. The town seems to be inhabited by idiots. Tv news reporter Joe Putzman has been following the murders since the beginning, he even holds a contest where viewers could win a prize if they can guess the exact body count in each body bags! Sergeant Wino is in charge of the investigation but like the clowns working with him he can barely do anything. The Schlockthropus will find more then he would have ever imagined, it ain't easy being frozen for 20 million years. After some more killings, eating an ice cream pie with some kids, catching THE BLOB at the local theater, he finds love in the person of a beautiful red haired blind but soon not to be anymore girl, played by Eliza Garret. But as you know, love is impossible between a beauty and a beast. It is important to note that this is Rick Barker' second film. Rick went on to make more great make-up fx and actually won the first ever special make-up fx Oscar for another John Landis' film, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON.

For a low budget film released in 1972 the image is quite surprising. Colors and flesh tones are properly rendered. The film is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and it is enhanced for 16x9 tv. The Dolby Digital mono audio track sounds good and clear of any hiss or unwanted noize. As for the extras we are treated to a very good and informative commentary track with Landis and Barker. We also get an hilarious trailer, four tv spots, a great 80 still gallery which features lots of never before seen photos, a talent bios on Landis and Barker. The cool animated menus features music, there's an inlay card with the poster on one side and the chapters stops on the others, the film is separated in 27 chapters and comes in a keep case.

Thanks to Anchor Bay

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Review by Kim Dubuisson. All Right Reserved. 2003. ©