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Description:
Buddy Giovinazzo made his indelible debut as writer/director/producer with this nihilistic saga of hopelessness, poverty, and rage that remains as controversial today as it was at the height of Reagan's America when it was first released.
Review
Uncompromising And Relentless --Dave Kehr, The New York Times
One Of 80s American Independent Cinema's Most Powerful And Uncompromising Triumphs --Film Comment
LIKE A BULLET TO TH HEAD...Giovinazzo's world is horrific and the movie's conclusion will never be forgotten. --Film Journal
Review:
4.2 out of 5
84.00% of customers are satisfied
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Top 10 GREATEST Underground Films of the 1980s!!!
The history of this film is a bit confusing and despite the fact that other reviewers have already discussed this I feel it deserves repeating. For the past 25 years fans of underground horror films, disturbing indie films, cult classics, etc. have referred to this film as both AMERICAN NIGHTMARES(those of us who saw grainy bootleg VHS copies in the 80s often saw it under this title) and its eventual domestic release title COMBAT SHOCK. The two versions ARE different. Quite substantially different actually. Which is why when Troma released this 25th Anniversary 2-DVD Edition it literally made me jump for joy! Finally, both versions (Buddy Giovinazzo's Director's Cut: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES and the theatrical cut: COMBAT SHOCK)can be viewed and examined side by side, something which only enhances my belief that this film(despite which version you view) is easily one of the Top 10 underground/indie films of the 80s and is arguably the blackest, bleakest, most disturbing indictment of Reaganomics-era America ever made. Despite its low budget, AMERICAN NIGHTMARES is an artistic masterpiece, albeit horrifying beyond belief. This is one instance where a film TRULY lives up to its reputation! The story of a poverty-stricken Vietnam veteran with severe PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), his wife and deformed, mutated Agent Orange effected child trying to survive in the wastelands of urban America is unrelenting and unforgettable. This is NOT an exploitation film! Director Buddy Giovinazzo(who also wrote the legendary book "Life Is Hot In Cracktown" which he eventually made a successful film version of) had a lot to say about 80s American society. In many ways this film was SO ahead of its time in regards to dealing with the issue of AMERICA's post-Vietnam PTSD and the joke and distraction which was Reagan's vision for America. Unfortunately, this film will NEVER receive the respect it deserves because it is just too shocking. This is the ONLY film I have WARNED a person about before viewing. Once you view it, you will NOT be able to forget it. It is NOT just some FUN gore movie...which is exactly why I feel it stands so tall as an artistic achievement. In its stark realism and unrelenting horror this film has a similar vibe to HENRY:PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER or Jim VanBebber's short film MY SWEET SATAN as well as moments of his classic DEADBEAT AT DAWN. COMBAT SHOCK's unrelenting realism is also very similar in tone to VanBebber's THE MANSON FAMILY. Also, Lustig's 1980 classic MANIAC comes to mind particularly in its visual tone(both MANIAC and COMBAT SHOCK being shot in NYC or New Jersey slum districts). But NO DOUBT, COMBAT SHOCK/AMERICAN NIGHTMARES is its own film and highly original! From the editing to the creepy narration to the amazing urban landscapes, to the unforgettably disturbing conclusion, this film is truly an AMERICAN NIGHTMARE! Thankfully, it is finally available with tons of additional material including an excellent documentary and several other Giovinazzo short films, remastered, and through this release may inch closer towards gaining a long-lasting respect as a classic underground film.
4.0 out of 5 stars Genius film
If I believed in ringtones, this movie has mine.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must see for independent B rate movie lover
This movie is not gor everyone...... it is a troma movie but it is not as goofy as toxie or nukem high. However ......it does have troma qualities. The baby is reminiscent of eraserhead and the story is surprisingly deep. Really one of the first movies to look at PTSD. The soundtrack is bizarre but, i love it. There are glimpses of great pratical effects. Overall if you are reading this....give it a watch. If had enough interest to look this far, you will enjoy it
5.0 out of 5 stars A Grim Dark Stark Look at Reality
First saw this many years ago at The Fangoria Weekend of Horrors and ever since then I have never forgot about this movie some call this movie stupid boring even a suck fest one person called this to me this is reality in the raw this independently made movie by Buddy Giovinazzo is a look at reality what this man experience during the vietnam war and the after effects after the war on his life mentally and physcially to those that are quick to say again this movie is stupid boring makes no sense are blind and stupid I have talked to as well known vets who have served and through there words I have learned a lot people I mentioned who dislike this movie should take the time and talk to vets that served and they too will learn what I have and realize life is full of sadness pain etc nothing is perfect except Animals that is my opinion cause they do not start wars they do not abuse they do not commit crimes in short they are not the ones who screwed up this world
3.0 out of 5 stars Eraserhead Meets Jacob's Ladder meets Taxi Driver
Combat Shock is the second Buddy Giovinazzo film I have watched and it reminds me alot of Eraserhead, as well as Jacob's Ladder and Taxi Driver, along with the other Buddy G film I have watched, Life is Hot in Cracktown. In fact, the phrase "Life is Hot" originated in this film! Anyway, the film itself is incredibly dark, depressing, and downright disturbing, but certainly not the most disturbing film I have ever watched. It clearly was inspired by Eraserhead, although the Taxi Driver similarities could possibly be coincidental. Anyway, I didn't particularly enjoy it, mostly because of how bleak it was, I feel that the world we live in is off two polar opposites, it can incredibly light, euphoric, and joyful, and it can be incredibly dark, hellish, and painful. Combat Shock only showed the darkness and never the light and because of that, I can't appreciate it. You could argue that the main character, an oddly likable character who despite being surrounded by lowlifes and scumbags is that light, as he tries to lead a decent life, at least at first anyway, eventually towards the end he starts to succumb to a life of crime as he begins to lose all hope. However, if it is a light, it's a dim one, and one that flickers out completely towards the end. I honestly enjoyed Eraserhead more, as well as Jacob's Ladder and what little I have seen of Taxi Driver, as they all were far more interesting, creative, and original than this film. Although I will admit I did enjoy some scenes, as well as some characters, like the wife, and that gangster guy with the oriental looking bandanna. As for the deformed baby, which is clearly a cheap parody of the baby in Eraserhead, I'm not sure whether it was supposed to be darkly funny or scary but it seemed like a bit of both. Anyway, I don't suggest buying it, although it's good for a rental I suppose, if you're into films like this.
One of cinema’s most important movies
Combat Shock proves it’s not about budget,it’s about story telling. This made for virtually no money movie is an experience that hits hard unlike anything from that time..it’s not about gore or as they say “video nasty” it’s a character study of a day in a Vietnam vets life when there’s no more ways out. Honestly take my word for it no movie fan should miss this one..it’s now on my twenty five movies every fan should watch
YOU TALKIN TO ME?
Whats really cool about Arrow's releases of cult titles,goo flicks,cheesy horrors is how by buying one title it can introduce you to another.I first came across director Buddy Giovinazzo in an interview segment on the Street Trash dvd where he was standing by a bin.I had seen Arrows release of Combat Shock whilst i was plunging Bolo for more former vhs marvels but kinda overlooked it thinking it was a Rambo knock off.What it actually is is a gritty,cheap movie concerning an ex vietnamsoldier character based on the band Suicide's terrifying number Frankie Teardrop off their classic debut album.Released in 84 by Troma its a meandering,grubby movie.Put it this way it starts off with flashbacks to Vietnam with half exploded bodies to only get even MORE bleak.Frankie lives in a filthy apartment with a nagging wife and screaming deformed baby,its all very kitchen sink stuff with a great big nod to Eraserhead,the place literally hums with paranoid claustrophobia.Frankie embarks on a day wondering the streets looking for a job bumping into junkies,pimps with the backdrop of a beautifully dilapidated Staten Island,i mean the screen virtually stinks.No one looks like they have seen the inside of a bathroom for a year or two.I really liked the soundtrack....the clamped out car alarm style synths.Buddy made this movie whilst still a film student so it is very basic but what redeems the film is the potency of the story,its rather serious subtext of what traumatised soldiers come back to and where they go.Its a film that whilst there are wars can stay relevant.Some of the narration is hamfisted but i always try to see the ideas rather then the execution.Especially in a movie with budget limitations.I would say the deformed baby may have been a mistake,it would have been infinitely more powerful if the baby wasn't.Arrow have added a few nice extras,i really enjoyed seeing Buddy's early shorts including Mr.Robbie with Maniacs Joe Spinell and Jonathan Of The Night.You got a really good documentary that unfortunately is only half an hour but i love seeing the assorted film fanatics rave and seeing the inimatable Jim Van Bebber chainsmoking.You will already know if you will like Combat Shock.For me it was a curiosity piece which has its place.I like Buddy Giovinazzo hes a cool bloke,i recently read a novel he wrote called High Times In Crack City which was cool.More please Arrow...
Excellent movie under the Troma label
Excellent movie under the Troma label, known for excellent 80's shlock-fests such as Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke 'em High and Surf Nazis Must Die. However, this film takes a more depressing turn than the other movies.
Gritty and Odd
This movie was a slow burn for sure but if your willing to stick it out.The ending will be on your mind for days.it nothing like a troma film.
Five Stars
Everything good product seeled .
Visit the Troma Store
Combat Shock (Two-Disc Uncut 25th Anniversary Edition)
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