Phenomena (1985)

While I have been spending some time on the subject of shadow people and the hat man,  there are times when I need to take a break.  When I do,  I love to jump back in time to some of the horror films that made me love the genre.  This 1985 Dario Argento film is one of those,  Phenomena (AKA Creepers)

Plot: A young girl who has an amazing ability to communicate with insects is transferred to an exclusive Swiss boarding school, where her unusual capability might help solve a string of murders.

This has always been a polarizing work,  much like a lot of Argento's works. For me,  it was one of the first movies I encountered by him and helped me fall in love with his imaginative and stylistic approach to horror.  The cast is alright and the performances are uneven,  but this do little to bring diem things interesting story filed with the concepts, visuals,  and details that always cry out in an Argento film.  Yes,  the storyline does have some plot holes and there are side technical issues,  but this one is one of the better Argento films and one that everyone should see.  

Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)

It was definitely nice being back home in Virginia Beach, although I will say I miss the quiet that came with being in Pennsylvania. Now at home,  I wanted to do what I do every year on this day,  celebrate the birth of the great Edgar Allan Poe. This year I chose the underrated 1972 loose adaptation of the Black Cat, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key.

Plot: Oliviero is a drunk, burned-out writer who amuses himself by hosting orgies and humiliating his wife. When a number of women are murdered in grisly fashion, Oliviero becomes a prime suspect.

This is dungeon one in a long line of "loose" adaptations of Poe's work.  Yet,  this stylized giallo is rather entertaining. This one did drag a bit and seemed longer than it needed to be,  but to me this is offset by the solid performances,  gore, outstanding soundscape, nudity, and cinematography. Plus,  it did actually have interesting dialog and eventually did venture into some of Pos's tale,  which was the goal for the day.  Sure, there is a low body count and it wasn't as eye catching as did of the giallo movies of the era,  but they didn't hurt the movie much.  In the end,  this one is definitely for fans of the genre and a fun film to stream.  Giallo fans should check it out. 

Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970)

Wow, it was a cold one here in Pennsylvania today.  It was definitely a far cry from what I am used to at the beach.  Oh well,  what can you do? After picking up a few things for the toy store,  I decided to stay warm by watching a movie,  my choice was the 1970 Italian horror, Five Dolls for an August Moon. 

Plot: When an inventor takes a group of investors for an island vacation, an unseen murderer kills them one by one.

While there are many elements in this one that screams Bava, there is definitely something lacking in this one.  Artistically this one features some solid work with with the direction and cinematography, but it definitely does not match the quality of did of his other works. The storyline and scripting are lacking, leading to what eventually spirals into a mess. Fortunately, Bava does enough to keep the movie from being boring and it isn't a total waste.  In the end,  this is far from his best work, but he still manages to create an entertaining and watchable film. It's not perfect by any means,  but you can still give it a shot. 

Watch Me When I Kill (1977)

After another day of miserable weather and just sitting around the house,  I decided to venture back into some classic Italian horror.  My selection was the 1977 giallo,  Watch Me When I Kill. 

Plot: When a pharmacist is murdered and a woman happens to see the culprit leave the scene, she soon finds herself being stalked by the killer. Her boyfriend tries to identify the murdered and stop him, but discovers there is more to the murder.

This giallo definitely pays homage to easily Dario Argento with many elements feeling like they are right from his classic Deep Red. While not a rip off,  the elements are noticeable. However,  this is an entertaining movie to watch featuring some good kills,  an interesting story,  and a fun soundtrack that takes you back into the 70s and classic Italian horror.  Technically,  there are some flaws with the audio flow and the language dubbing, and the effects are somewhat minimalistic, but those flaws are really covered by the storyline and performances.  In the end,  this is a solid movie and one that probably should be watched if you are a fan of giallo. 

Mother of Tears (2007)

I sat down to find something to watch earlier after deciding to end my Hellraiser marathon and decided to give Tubi a try and I have to say,  I'm hooked.  After searching through their titles,  I decided on the finale of Dario Argento's Three Mothers Trilogy, 2007s Mother of Tears.

Plot: Grisly deaths await Italian citizens after an archaeology student (Asia Argento) accidentally releases a demonic witch from her ancient prison.

Let me start with the typical this one isn't for everyone, especially those looking for an Argento classic or something remotely close to the groundbreaking horror that put him on the map.  This definitely isn't they.  Although,  there are some good elements that can remind you of that era. The stylistic colors,  the soundtrack,  and even some of the pacing definitely have that feel. Even the gore is over the top,  like many of the Italian horror classics. What this one lacks is a solid script and is a bit disjointed with uneven performances.  Of the three movies,  this one is definitely is definitely my least favorite. Is it worth watching? Possibly,  if you are like me and wanted to finish the Trilogy,  it's a must. Other than that,  there are better Argento entries. 

StageFright (1987)

It has been a slow few days with only a handful of sales coming through the store.  Skills It does make it easy to get the packages out,  it leads to trots to the post office that rings the flow of my day.  I really haven't made the progress in the shop that I had hooked for this week.  When it finally time to relax,  I decided to kick back with another classic 80s horror flick,  1987s giallo StageFright.

Plot: A group of stage actors lock themselves in the theater for a rehearsal of their upcoming musical production, unaware that an escaped psychopath has sneaked into the theater with them.

I love the giallo subgenre of horror. Since of my favorite films fall under that category and this is one that I hadn't seen.  Of course,  this is one reason I have Shudder because they offer many films that I haven't experienced along with a wide variety of newer horror.  Also known as Aquarius, this movie has to be regarded as one of the best slasher films or the era. Going away from the traditional slasher tropes of the day,  this one succeeds with outstanding and vivid cinematography that mixed with the uneven soundtrack works to create something dark and atmospheric. Yes,  some of the movie seems dated today, if you remember the 80s as well n as I do,  you should find it as refreshing as I did.  Directed by Argento apprentice Michele Soavi, you can see the influence with the combination of colors, thrills, and murders held tight within an interesting script.  This one is definitely a must watch for fans of classic Italian horror and the giallo subgenre. Check it out!

Suspiria (2018)

I know that I keep saying that I am going to make more of a concerted effort in writing reviews of the movies I watch or at least, keep you updated on what is listed on the Ringmaster’s Realm over at ETSY. Unfortunately, between kids and then being sick, I haven’t been able to do everything that I wanted to do. That should all change soon, as I am definitely ready to buckle down and knock some stuff out (it also helps that I brought my Mac back to life). With that, the next movie for review is the 2018 remake (reinterpretation) of Suspiria.

Plot/ A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up.

I had mixed feelings about this movie when I originally heard about it. I am a huge Argento fan and next to Deep Red, the original Suspiria were my first forays into his works. Because of that, I was unsure how I would feel about this one and wanted to stay away. Now, having finally watched it, what I found was something much better than I could have ever imagined it would be. Yes, this film is not for everyone and will likely fall into the love/hate spectrum of movies. For me, I loved it. While it does lack the transcending beauty of a classic Argento film, the cinematography is amazing; capturing every shot flawlessly, the atmosphere is dark and heavy, the performances are strong, and the soundtrack was a perfect match for the darkness on the screen. Sure, it isn’t the original (which will turn some people off) and some of the elements are difficult to totally put together, but those are easy flaws to overlook. In the end, this version of Suspiria will never overtake the status of the original and shouldn’t. This is a different version of a great story and it should be judged on its own merits. If you have not watched it yet, give it a shot. There are other films out there that are much, much worse.

A Blade in the Dark (1983)

After spending a lot of time binging on a few different television series, I decided that it was time to take a look at something a touch older and in ways darker. That is when I stumbled on the 1983 giallo A Blade in the Dark in Shudder.

Plot/ A killer stalks a composer staying at a posh Tuscany villa while writing the score to a horror film which has an incriminating clue to the killer's identity.

To me, there is nothing more fun in cinema than sitting back and taking in a classic Italian giallo flick and that is what this Lamberto Bava entry is. This one has enough mystery and suspects to offer many different avenues for Bava to orchestrate the formula perfectly. While there are some flaws (which we will get to), it is the positives that make this one an entertaining watch.  The pacing is solid, the atmosphere dark, and heavy, the performances are decent, and the storyline is detailed and layered (plus, there is a decent amount of blood and gore). Sure, there are some head scratching and uneven moments, the body count is relatively low (up until the ending), and there are times where things do feel a touch rushed with the dubbed dialog, but those elements are easy to overlook when thinking about the entirety of the film. In the end, this is both an entertaining and finely crafted thriller that is a solid entry into the giallo archives. Sure, there are things that could be debated, but for me, I think it is a great entry in the Bava catalog and a movie that should be seen.

The Cat o'Nine Tails (1971)

Tonight was an awesome night as I finally was able to see Not Always What It Seems performed in front of an audience, and it was an amazing experience. This was an amazing moment and one that left me wanting to write more things for the stage. After a great dinner with PJ and AJ, I decided that it was time to review the one movie I did watch last week before all of the craziness started with the schedule. That movie is the 1971 giallo The Cat o’Nine Tails.

Plot/ A newspaper reporter and a retired, blind journalist try to solve a series of killings connected to a pharmaceutical company's experimental, top-secret research projects and in so doing, both become targets of the killer.

As a fan of Dario Argento, I often view this movie as one of his more overlooked films. While I do understand, why people overlook it, I don’t necessarily agree with them. Sure, it does lack many of the more memorable attributes of a typical Argento giallo, but it does offer an intriguing (albeit sometimes incoherent) storyline that is quite entertaining. Besides that, the performances are solid, the atmosphere is heavy, and as usual, the soundscape is outstanding. Yes, the film does lack the typical violence of an Argento flick, the camera work is not as crisp, and the surrealism that became an integral part of his later works just is not there. Plus, the scripting does seem to be all over and at times unfocused and the character development is uneven, but those elements would not be a huge issue if this wasn’t one of his films. In the end, while this is nowhere near Suspiria, it is a memorable giallo that would definitely be viewed differently if it wasn’t part of the Argento catalog. If you have not seen it, give it a shot. You may be surprised.

Suspiria (1977)

Over the past few days, I have been working another 10-minute play potentially for an event later in the year in Pittsburgh. I have been so amazed by how my first play, Not Always What It Seems, continues to grow as the performance date approaches. Personally, I think I am hooked and love the process. Getting back to the blog before finishing my next play, I decided to venture into some darkness for some inspiration. My selection was the 1977 classic Suspiria.

Plot/ A newcomer to a fancy ballet academy gradually comes to realize that the school is a front for something far more sinister and supernatural amidst a series of grisly murders.

Staying inside the 1970s can be a fun time for any horror/sci-fi fan, as there are many classics that left an imprint on the genres to choose from. Suspiria is one of those films, and one of the movies that left a lasting imprint on me when I first started watching horror in my youth. In revisiting it this week, I found what I already thought; this Dario Argento masterpiece stands the test of time. Filled with a tremendous color pallet, a perfectly unsettling soundtrack from Goblin that blends into the atmosphere like a character, decent performances, and an incredibly dark and heavy atmosphere that that is woven into every second. Yes, the plot is thin with some giant holes in the storyline and the vibrant use of colors may turn some viewers off, but those are but minor flaws inside this mesmerizing journey into the depths of horror. In the end, this trip into darkness is one of the greatest Italian horror films ever made and a classic that every horror fan should watch. Find it and check it out.

Evil Eye (1963)

Now that I finished my last movie from Family Video, it is time to dive back into some of the great films I have caught on Shudder. The next one in line from the string of flicks (now interrupted by a Supernatural marathon with Jillian), is the 1963 Mario Bava classic Evil Eye (AKA The Girl Who Knew too Much).

Plot/ Nora is a young tourist traveling through Rome which takes a sudden turn when she witnesses a murder by a serial killer that the police have sought for years for the so-called Alphabet Killings, and Nora soon finds herself in way-over-her-head trouble when the police want her cooperation to catch the killer while the mystery killer soon targets her for his next victim.

There is nothing like a classic Italian giallo, and in many ways, the origin of that horror subgenre can be traced to the Mario Bava standard. This one has every aspect one would look for in that movement. Full of atmosphere and tension, this is a great mixture of thriller and suspense that draws the viewer in and keeps them enthralled throughout. The performances are solid, the cinematography masterful, and every scene and set matches the anxiety that emanates from the storyline. Plus, with perfect black and white elements, this one definitely transports the viewer back to one of the greatest eras of horror cinema. Yes, it is quite tame and some gore fans will not like it, but for me, it is one of the best films of the genre. In the end, this one is definitely worth watching and is a must for fans of the giallo subgenre. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?

City of Lust (2014)

I always enjoy spending time with micro-budget independent cinema. To me, there is nothing better than watching some of these titles as they are often journeys into strange worlds that at times make little sense. Of course, they also tend to take on more than their budgets will allow, and lead to some strange inconsistencies. The next movie does come from that cloth, the 2014 entry from Brain Damage Films, City of Lust (AKA Yellow).

Plot/ A modern Giallo horror film, This tells the story of a lonely young woman who begins an unlikely relationship with dire consequences.


As a fan of the classic giallo film of the 1970s, I was a bit torn when I saw this one of the shelves. On one hand, a modern giallo is much needed, as the classic Argento tales need a new vision. However, being a low budget flick, I knew it might be hard to capture that feel. Sure, there are many of the elements one would expect in this one, complete with the non-linear but interesting storyline, the contrast of color, strange angles of cinematography, and an intriguing vision. Yet, while interesting the uneven performances, the clear lack of a budget, and some scripting holes keep it from becoming all that it could be. In the end, I did find this an entertaining trip into a weird world.  Yes, it is nothing close to a classic giallo, but it is a flawed but interesting ride. While it is definitely not for everyone, it should be given a shot!

A Bay of Blood (1971)

After spending a lot of time over the past few weeks living in the different post-apocalyptic worlds that grace our screens, I decided that I needed to go in some different direction on Saturday night. This was somewhat of a challenge as the kids would not go to sleep early and I had to stay awake. Once they were out, I decided to venture into the 1970s with the 1971 Mario Bava flick A Bay of Blood. 

Plot/ An elderly heiress is killed by her husband who wants control of her fortunes. What ensues is an all-out murder spree as relatives and friends attempt to reduce the inheritance playing field, complicated by some teenagers who decide to camp out in a dilapidated building on the estate.

I always enjoy sprinkling in some Argento or Bava into my viewing, as I usually have an idea of what I am about to see. That was the case with this one, as it definitely had some of the trademark foundations that Bava was known for. Yes, it is not his best work. However, even though it has an aged feel, one can see the influence it has had on modern cinema. More of a slasher than giallo, this low-budget gorefest walks a fine line between elements of those movies. The acting was solid, the effects were subpar and there were some strange characterizations, but in the end it was the twisted and layered plot that took its toll. Honestly, it was way too convoluted for the short run time. In the end, this was an entertaining gorefest with enough blood to make horror fans happy. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy low budget slashers from the 1970s give it a shot.

Schizo (1976)

I have been spending quite a bit of time living in some type of post-apocalyptic world. Whether that was influenced by Jericho, or possibly the abrupt change in the weather, I have no idea why I have been trapped in that arena. Of course, that did change last night as I decided to venture back to my youth and the 1976 mystery / thriller / giallo Schizo.

Plot/ Samantha and Alan are getting married, but William Haskins isn't pleased. He grabs a train south to London and begins shadowing Samantha as she tries to get on with married life. Haskins' attempts to frighten her drive Samantha to desperation, but she's having trouble convincing anyone that she's being stalked. Even her psychiatrist dismisses her concerns as part of her neurosis. As bodies begin turning up, Samantha's story becomes more believable, and her dark secret from the past begins to reveal itself.

When I think of 1970s horror, I usually think exploitation or giallo, as both were responsible for some awesome entries from the decade. This one fits somewhere in the middle. Yes, it has some interesting stuff going on with solid performances, some gruesome kills, and some of the trademark elements from the giallo scene. Unfortunately, there are some pacing issues, the storyline is uneven, and it is actually somewhat predictable. In the end, there was some potential to be better, but it is still an entertaining journey into the world of the 1970s giallo influenced thriller. Is it for everyone? No, but that whole movement in film leaves quite a few behind. If you like giallo, check this one out. 

Dressed to Kill (1980)

After taking a few days off to work on some different prospects, it was time to jump back into some reviews. To me, it is often a challenge to find something fun and intriguing to watch, as much of today’s horror is so uninspired or rehashed, there is always hope though. In the end, I decided to take a trip back a few decades and watch the classic thriller Dressed to Kill from 1980.

Plot/ A mysterious, tall blonde woman, wearing dark sunglasses murders one of a psychiatrist's patients, and now she goes after the high-priced call girl who witnessed the murder.

I remember when this one originally came out and the stir it caused with some of the erotic elements that were littered throughout. Today, many of these elements are still visible as the film aged extremely well. While many say this is a Hitchcock rip-off, and there are some similarities, I feel an overwhelming nod to the classic giallo’s of Argento. The stylistic camera angles, the lack of dialogue with an atmospheric score, and some artistic uses of blood and camera effects make this extremely enjoyable. More importantly, the acting, characters and storyline really work together. In the end, this is clearly one of the better thrillers from the 1980s, and a movie that must be seen. 

The Bloodstained Shadow (1978)

After watching the Crimson Rivers last night, I decided to venture back into the world of vintage 1970s giallo. Of course, I had to wait until the Pirates defeated the Giants today so I could Raise the Jolly Roger here at the house, before I could get started. Fortunately, for me, I have a ventriloquist dummy here in the living room that holds the flag perfectly. Now let’s move on to the movie, the 1978 giallo The Bloodstained Shadow.

Plot/ The body of a schoolgirl is found in a meadow. The murderer is never caught, and years later; a young man named Stefano returns to the island and is reunited with his brother, the local priest.

While this was not the best giallo I have watched, it definitely had all of the elements except the dark leathers gloves. Sure, the story drifts a bit and some of the pacing draws it to almost a complete crawl, but those are the only major flaws (unless you count a lack of chemistry between some of the actors). This one has a great combination of cinematography, setting and score with some decent kills thrown if for good measure, not to mention some solid acting (even with the dubbing issues). In the end, it may not be a great giallo, but it was an entertaining flick that should be seen by fans of the genre.

Who Saw Her Die! (1972)

Battling this stomach flu has been absolutely no fun, as I lack the energy to do almost anything. I have not even had a chance to finish the UFO Detector I am building with the daughters. I have had a chance to watch some good flicks, the next one that was up is the 1972 giallo, Who Saw Her Die!

Plot/ A young girl is brutally murdered somewhere in France. Sometime later, the same thing happens to the daughter of a well-known sculptor. This time the parents (the sculptor and his wife) start investigating, and soon find they are in way over their head. Meanwhile, the body-count keeps rising as the killer now starts butchering all those who find out too much.

This is one of the better and more underrated Giallo’s out there. A film by Aldo Lado, from the opening moments, this one cries atmosphere. Complete with solid tension, a tremendously gripping storyline and some brilliant cinematography, this has everything (including the soundtrack) that makes this genre tick. I will admit that the story may be a bit complicated to truly digest in one sitting, but that is only a minor flaw that does not detract from the overall feel of the movie. In the end, if you love this genre as I do, this one is a great choice and one that should be seen.