American
Guinea Pig: Bloodshock (2015/Unearthed Films/MVD Blu-ray w/DVD &
CD)
Picture:
B/B- Sound: B/B-/B Extras: B Film: C+
Unearthed
Films presents the newest addition to the 'american guinea pig'
genre, which originated in Japan many years ago and famously
convinced Charlie Sheen that it was real. Upping the ante in terms
of gore (if possible) is Marcus Koch's Blockshock (2015) -
which is nearly a silent film that is comprised of mainly torture and
bizarre surgery on a man to whom we aren't familiar, who is trapped
up an undisclosed location.
Locked
up in his white-walled cell, the man (Dan Ellis) soon starts to
discover handwritten notes on small pieces of paper and soon realizes
that there is a woman (Lillian McKinney) in the cell next to him, to
whom is also subject to this extreme torture. Said torture isn't
limited to cutting open legs, chests, and even heads with grotesque
medical equipment over long periods of time. All of this culminates
in one of the more disturbing climaxes I've seen in a film in a while
and some moments that will truly make you squirm regardless of your
tolerance to blood and guts.
What
works in the film is the fact that 97 percent of it is in high
contrast black and white - which adds to the gritty feel and almost
makes it seem like an experimental film. The special effects are
impressive as well (which the director Marcus Koch is also a master
at as seen in other films by Unearthed head Steve Biro), with one
scene involving a heart that when you see it, you'll agree on how
real it looks and how twisted the filmmakers are.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a
lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 track, the low budget film looks and sounds
as good as it can on Blu-ray disc - with some moments of grain and,
as noted, great contrast throughout. Also included is a standard
edition DVD of the film with the same widescreen and audio features
that aren't quite as clear and detailed as the Blu-ray, but being the
title of film this is makes it more passable.
Special
Features...
Bloodshock:
The Making Of
Steve
Nemeth's Bloodshock Production Cell Phone Videos
Days
of Dead Atlanta 2016 Q&A features Stephen Biro.
Commentary
with Marcus Koch and Stephen Biro
Commentary
with Andy Winton, Gene Palubicki, and Alberto Giovannelli
Biro's
Bloodshock Introduction
Dan
Ellis Interview
Lillian
McKinney Interview
CD
soundtrack of the film that sounds as good as it possibly can
Collectible
packaging
Definitely
not for the faint at heart, Bloodshock is a film that you
won't want to watch in the dark alone.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
