Review: Schlock
Written, directed and starring the great John Landis (albeit in a prehistoric ape ‘Schlocktropus’ suit), Schlock is a very low budget movie that is a quirky homage to 1950’s monster movies (even including footage of The Blob).
Not only did Schlock kickstart the career of Landis, it was also a pivotal point for Rick Baker too…mostly due to the fact that he was the only effects artist that Landis could afford to do the Schlocktropus make-up effects and suit.
When Schlock goes on a (hilarious) rampage across a quiet Californian suburb, the local townsfolk live in fear of ‘The Banana Killer’. Chased by the police (who regularly get limbs ripped off and/or thrown large distances), Schlock kidnaps a blind girl and a series of misadventures lead to an ultimate ‘King Kong style’ standoff.
Schlock lays the humorous groundwork for Landis’ next movie Kentucky Fried Movie, whereas that had quick fire sketches, this has a continuing narrative that is often punctuated by irreverent, and very silly, set-pieces that keep everything flowing along at a crazy pace.
At a lean 80 minutes long, Schlock definitely doesn’t outstay its welcome, and every few minutes there is always something happening that will raise a smile at the very least…especially if your taste in humour includes Monty Python, The Goons, and even Benny Hill.
It is in the superb commentary track by Landis and Baker though where the huge belly laughs are to be found. Swapping stories and memories that will have you immediately rewinding and listening again, this partnership rivals the fantastic commentaries by John Carpenter and Kurt Russell on their collaborations.
If you like your comedy quick fire and wacky, then Schlock is the monster movie you were looking for.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
- 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
- Original lossless mono soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary by writer/director John Landis and makeup artist Rick Baker
- New video interview with author and critic Kim Newman
- Birth of a Schlock, a 2017 video interview with John Landis
- Archival video interview with cinematographer Bob Collins
- 1972, 1979 and 1982 US theatrical trailers
- US radio spots
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Joe Bob Briggs.
Schlock is released on 15th October 2018 and you can buy it by clicking HERE. ALL money raised by purchasing from Amazon via our website is given back to our listeners and followers in upcoming competition prizes. The more people buy, the bigger our prizes.
Review by Dave (host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Fetch Publicity.
