Aftershock

Aftershock: A small earthquake or tremor that follows a major earthquake.

"Aftershock" the movie: A rare combination of disaster movie and horror film that offers mixed results. This Eli Roth-penned film takes place in Chile and harkens back to those '70s dramatic disaster films (think "The Towering Inferno"). Of course, the blood, body count and gore are much, much higher.

After an excruciating 35-minute intro where we're introduced to each character on vacation in Chile, the earthquake we've all been waiting for occurs at a nightclub. With a situation recalling the prom scene in "Carrie," the earthquake and its aftershock are seen through the eyes of all the characters, including Roth, who has a main role.

The aftershock referred to in the title is a tsunami warning, slyly putting the action into overdrive and creating much-needed tension.

I'm not sure what's more amusing... the fact that the quite handsome Roth can't get laid in the film, or that "Aftershock" spoofs the very movies it's paying homage to. Roth, he of the "Hostel" movies that ushered in the torture porn genre, throws as much mayhem into the mix as possible.

But with an all-too-late, if clever, twist ending, "Aftershock" could've used more of a jolt.

Blu-ray special features are the norm: A casting process featurette featuring most of the actors being interviewed, and a making of "Aftershock" with behind the scenes footage. Two separate audio commentaries are with Eli Roth and director Nicolas Lopez.

"Aftershock"
Blu-ray
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