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Shock 'Em Dead
Martin is a total loser, who nobody cares for. When he fails to get a position as guitar player in Lindsay's band and loses his job on the way, he makes a deal with a Voodoo priestess. She promises him the fulfillment of all his dreams if he swears obedience to her. He becomes a rock star and has many women - but to stay alive, he has to kill other people.
Release : | 1991 |
Rating : | 4.9 |
Studio : | Noma Productions, |
Crew : | Production Design, Director of Photography, |
Cast : | Traci Lords Stephen Quadros Troy Donahue Aldo Ray Karen Russell |
Genre : | Horror Thriller Music |
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Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.
The Worst Film Ever
Let's be realistic.
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
The delectable Traci Lords is the star attraction of this howler of a B flick. Another addition to the "horror & heavy metal" sub genre, it stars a dude named Stephen Quadros as Martin, a loser employee at a pizza joint. Ordered around by the gruff boss Tony (Aldo Ray, in his last film role), he craves success as a rock 'n' roll guitarist. Unfortunately, he sucks, but after a bungled audition, he makes a deal with Satan via a voodoo priestess (Tyger Sodipe, who deliciously overplays her role). He is reborn as a guitar god named Angel with awesome 80s hair. Of course, his newfound abilities come at a price: he can no longer consume ordinary food, but must derive sustenance from peoples' souls.Traci, looking as ravishing as ever, may have been hired for her name value, but this is more Quadros' story and movie. He's believable as both the hopeless nerd and his head banging alter ego. Markus Grupa is amusing as the effeminate singer Jonny, whom Angel replaces in a rather aggressive manner. Tim Moffett is the requisite hero as bass player Greg, who is engaged to Tracis' band manager character. Also hired for name value is another veteran, Troy Donahue, who is good as a sleaze ball record executive.The movie is much more campy & cheesy than scary *or* creepy, but this does give it some entertainment value. Both the visual and the makeup effects are very damn crude; they must have been done for next to nothing. The music is sometimes fun, and sometimes it's cringe-inducing yet catchy in spite of itself. Best of all is when the movie focuses on Angels' new entourage of babes: Karen Russell ("Tenement") as Michelle, Gina Parks as Marilyn, and Laurel Wiley as Monique. There's no shortage of very sexy women to fill out roles (and costumes).Dopey beyond belief, but it's not without its pleasures, such as when Angel satisfyingly deals with Jonny.Six out of 10.
Lindsay Roberts (an appealing portrayal by luscious onetime 80's porn queen Traci Lords) manages a rock band that's on the verge of making it big. Complications ensue after Lindsay discovers that cocky and flamboyant new guitarist Angel Martin (a solid performance by Stephen Quadros) has sold his soul to dark forces in order to ensure that his talent will prevail.Director/co-writer Mark Freed really delivers the terrifically tacky'n'trashy goods with this jaw-dropping piece of perfectly putrid junk: Plenty of choice clunky dialogue ("That's negative energy, man!"), big poofy hairdos, copious gratuitous female nudity, an absurd script, chintzy (not so) special effects, some deliciously dreadful acting (Tyger Sodipe in particular contributes a laughably hokey turn as an uproariously unconvincing "old" voodoo woman), gloriously ghastly songs, and an insanely insane story that thankfully isn't played completely serious. The pulchritudinous presence of several hot babes helps a lot: Enticing Karen Russell, ravishing redhead Laurel Wiley, and cute perky brunette Gina Marks. Aldo Ray grumbles his way through his final film role as grouchy pizza joint owner Tony while Troy Donahue pours on the smarm as a sleazy record company executive. A total schlocky hoot.
The delectable Traci Lords stars in this tatty and at times crude, but rather amusing heavy metal rock comic b-grade shot-on-video horror item. Even with its minor budget, there's so much enthusiasm and creativity streaming through it that I found it hard to dislike. It's campy, but its tongue-in-cheek script and animated performances play it that way. Silly and Juvenile, but continuously engaging. Martin is a gawky nobody, until he pays a visit to a mysterious voodoo lady who offers him the chance to live his dream of being the greatest ever rock star with everything that he could want in exchange for his soul. It's a dream come true. No more Martin, but here's Angel Martin. However it comes at a catch when he finds out he must kill and suck out the life of others to survive. Here come the glowing green eyes.It's the usual be careful what you wish for statement and someone longing for something that isn't meant to be, but in all it's agreeably pulled off. Director Mark Freed keeps it snappy and does well in its low end look from its dingy sets and cheaply absurd effects. It's illustratively resourceful with some enjoyably goofy sequences. Stephen Quadros brings energy and the right style to his characters Martin/Angel. Lords might be on the deadpan side, but that's more so her character's straight manner and it's a solid turn as the band's manager. The fun can be had by the three perky, but dangerous ladies by Angel's side; Gina Parks, Karen Russell and Laurel Wiley. They are there to fulfil *all* of his needs and of course numerous topless shots or to fit into skimpy outfits. There's also good spirited support by Tim Moffet, Markus Grupa, Christopher Maleki, Troy Donahue and Aldo Ray.
My theory is that Traci was at this time still trying to get people to take her seriously as an actress and so she could not be choosy as to what came to her. She is getting better roles since this movie came out though. I have seen Extermarital as well as others that she has done and she is good. She was great in Melrose Place, Roseanne, Married with Children, and other television shows.