Music

Horror

Thriller

Shock 'Em Dead

Noma Productions

United States of America

English

Traci Lords

Stephen Quadros

Troy Donahue

Aldo Ray

Tim Moffett

Karen Russell

Markus Grupa

Gina Parks

Laurel Wiley

Christopher Maleki

David Homb

Madison Monk

Mark Richardson

Suzanne Ager

Jackie Moen

Big John Studd

Andrew Cross

Mark Freed

Dave Tedder

Terry Blythe

Randy Lapin

Ron Chapman

Jacqueline Aronson

Robert Decker

Eric Louzil

Gerald I. Wolff

Steve Cotroneo

Steve Bentley

Phil O'Dell

_**Colorful, campy hair metal horror**_

A nerdy dude in the Hollywood area works at a pizza joint while dreaming of being in a rock band (Stephen Quadros). When a strange Voodoo woman encourages him to make a deal with the forces of darkness, he accepts and becomes a killer guitar player with serious edge. But, of course, there’s a sinister price. Can his band, their manager (Traci Lords) and the recording execs handle him?

“Shock ’Em Dead” (1991) is straight-to-video rock/metal horror with a little camp and cheesy effects mixed with some pretty serious evil. It only cost $100,000, which is amazing because it’s quite entertaining despite its low-budget limitations. It’s not as good as “Trick or Treat” (1986), but it’s far superior to “Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare” (1987) which had half the budget.

Quadros is reminiscent of Kevin Bacon and works well as the dark rock star. Meanwhile the flick scores well on the female front with the youthful Lords, Gina Parks (Marilyn), Laurel Wiley (Monique), Karen Russell (Michelle), Kathleen Kane (Pizza Girl #2) and a couple others, e.g. Madison Monk (Jimmi Wolf). Several of these women have no qualms about showing their breasts (although not Lords) so, if that offends you, you might want to pass.

Standing-in for Angel Martin (Quadros), Michael Angelo Batio of Nitro performed the guitar wizardry, which wasn’t sped up, it’s just how great he is.  Four original songs were recorded for the movie, written by director Mark Freed and Robert Decker: “Virgin Girl,” “I'm In Love with a Slut,” “Casualty Rap” and “Get a Band.”

“Shock ’Em Dead” was shot in 1990 at the tail-end of the 80’s hair metal movement and totally looks it. A mere eight months after the film’s debut Nirvana released their uber-successful NEVERMIND in late September, 1991, which changed the musical landscape overnight. Hair metal was out and grunge rock was in, immediately dating the flick.

I suppose many people would consider this 'bad' due to its cheesy late 80's hair metal vibe, but it entertains and has some surprisingly well done bits, like the creepy Voodoo woman and elements of the deal-with-the-devil angle. Plus, despite some campiness early on, there are some scary thrills. And the rockin' music ain't bad either.

The movie runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in Hollywood, Hollywood Hills (Martin's mansion) and Burbank (Starlight Amphitheater).

GRADE: B-/B

Shock Em Dead Trailer

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Shock 'Em Dead

Cast & Crew

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Cast

Traci Lords

Stephen Quadros

Troy Donahue

Aldo Ray

Tim Moffett

Karen Russell

Markus Grupa

Gina Parks

Laurel Wiley

Christopher Maleki

Box office

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