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. 

Schock (1977)

So, I have discovered that mentally, I am in a very retro mood and needed to continue down that road. After searching through some of my services, I decided on the 1977 Mario Bava entry Schock (AKA Shock and Beyond the Door II).

Plot/ A couple is terrorized in their new house haunted by the vengeful ghost of the woman's former husband who possesses her young son.

I love the work of Mario Bava and the entire Italian horror scene of the 1970s and this film is one of the reasons. Although it had been years since I watched it the first time, Shock continues to build on me. This film cries atmosphere and offers an interesting storyline that offers some decent twists. The performances from the minimalistic cast are solid and as usual, Bava delivers some incredible technical work and the ending is one that I truly enjoyed. Yes, some of the effects and gore may feel dated and it may feel somewhat predictable and ordinary by today’s standards, but those are but minor flaws within this film. In the end, there are enough elements inside this one to keep every fan of classic Italian horror satisfied. Sure, it is not perfect, but really, what movie is? Not only is this a good movie, with it being Bava’s last film, it is definitely a must see. Find it and check it out.

The Whip and the Body (1963)

As I sat here on the eve of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, I had originally intended to watch one of he classics based on his works. However, after some thought, I decided to venture into something that could have been inspired by Poe, with the 1963 Mario Bava classic The Whip and the Body.  

Plot/ In the 19th century, a sadistic nobleman terrorizes the members of his family. He is found dead, but his ghost soon returns to haunt the residents of his castle.

I am sure that when this one came out, it was controversial with the mixture of gothic horror with some sadism mixed in for good measure. In 1963, movies such as that were considered taboo, and likely would have not been well received. Starring Christopher Lee, this Mario Bava entry is an entertaining movie, and one that has many of the elements that made his movies memorable. Between the beautiful cinematography and the stylistic use of colors, solid performances, and an interesting storyline, this movie has everything a Bava fan could ask for. Yes, the ending does feel lacking and there a many illogical moments, but those almost seem to be part of Bava lore. In the end, this movie is an entertaining watch and one that should be viewed. If you have not seen it, but love gothic horror cinema, give it a shot.

Lisa and the Devil (1973)

After hanging out with “He Who Walks Behind the Rows,” last night, I decided that I wanted to venture back into some classic horror. After searching Shudder for something interesting, I decided on the 1973 Mario Bava entry Lisa and the Devil.

Plot/ Lisa is a tourist in an ancient city. When she gets lost, she finds an old mansion in which to shelter. Soon she is sucked into a vortex of deception, debauchery and evil presided over by housekeeper Leandre.

As a fan of surrealistic movies and horror, it is awesome to get a chance to watch some of the films that possibly served as inspirations to the modern masters of the art. In this one, horror maestro Mario Bava creates one of his most entertaining and original films, and it has the perfect surrealism that I was looking for. Butchered as House of Exorcism here in the United States when it was originally released, the original vision is much more atmospheric, powerful, and coherent in the original form (Lisa And The Devil). The cast is solid and features some tremendous performances (Telly Savalas is awesome), the atmosphere is just creepy enough, and the cinematography, setting, and storyline work together to create a special movie. Yes, some of the pacing may feel slow and there are some head scratching moments, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, this is one of my favorite Mario Bava movies, and a movie that fans of that era and genre must watch.

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?

Black Sunday (1960)

After watching some Italian horror with A Bay of Blood on Saturday, I remained in that mood on Sunday. This is usually how it works, as once I go down a path, I tend to stay there a little while. With that in my head, I decided to kick back and watch a classic, the 1960 Mario Bava masterwork Black Sunday.

Plot/ A vengeful witch and her fiendish servant return from the grave and begin a bloody campaign to possess the body of the witch's beautiful look-alike descendant. Only the girl's brother and a handsome doctor stand in her way.

I could not help myself after watching some Bava, I needed more. After some thought, I felt that Black Sunday (AKA The Mask of Satan) was perfect for my mood. This film is a masterpiece. Everything about this flick works really well. The cast featuring Barbara Steele is amazing and the performances are solid, the atmosphere is dark, heavy and dreadful, the scenery is tremendous and the cinematography is top notch. More importantly, the effects work well for the period and the storyline is layered and very enjoyable. In the end, this is one of the most influential films of the horror genre and a movie that must be seen. If you are a horror fan and have not seen it, what are you waiting for? See it!

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.

Black Sabbath (1963)

After watching Phantasm IV: Oblivion, I stumbled upon, Mario Bava’s classic, Black Sabbath from 1963 on Netflix. That masterpiece is always a joy to watch.

Plot/ A trio of atmospheric horror tales about: A woman terrorized in her apartment by phone calls from an escaped prisoner from her past; a Russian count in the early 1800s who stumbles upon a family in the countryside trying to destroy a particularly vicious line of vampires; and a 1900-era nurse who makes a fateful decision while preparing the corpse of one of her patients - an elderly medium who died during a séance.

This is a great example of what made Mario Bava one of the greatest names in horror. Full of atmosphere and creepiness, his cinematography, with his signature lighting and unique camera work, remain an art form all its own. While the three segments are a bit uneven, and at times even predictable, the solid direction and acting keep the film alive. All-in-all, this is a great flick and one that is truly a joy to watch. Check this out, you will not be disappointed.

Kill Baby Kill (1966)

Now that I have finished the Gorehouse Greats Collection it is time for me to move on to my next collection of films, Cult Horror Collection. The first flick I chose was the 1966 Mario Bava gem Kill Baby Kill.

Plot / Dr. Eswai is called by Inspector Kruger to a small village to perform an autopsy on a woman who has died under suspicious circumstances. Despite help from Ruth, the village witch, Kruger is killed and it is revealed that the ghost of Melissa, a young girl who, fed by the hatred of her grieving mother, Baroness Graps, exacts her revenge on them, has killed the dead woman, as well as other villagers. Dr. Eswai, along with Monica, a local nurse, is lured into a fateful confrontation at the Villa Graps.

This is a true classic of the era, breathing a great Gothic atmosphere full of chills and mystery. This movie is an awesome example of how a great script with the perfect set can leave a lasting impression on ones mind with the right director at the helm. Combine the eerie textures with a great score that accentuates the visual flair, and quite a tense mood is set. The plot is a bit odd, but interesting and the acting was not the greatest, however, the special effects and make-up are some of the best examples of the decade. If the movie has a major drawback, it is the ending, which seemed a bit too easy and scripted. In the end, this movie was a great way to start a new collection and a perfect film for a stormy night! I highly recommend it to any horror fan!