Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971) aka La Tarantola del Ventre Nero aka Tarentule au Ventre Noir

 4 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: With needles dipped in deadly venom the victims are paralyzed - so they must lie awake and watch themselves die!
Directed by: Paolo Cavara
Written by: Marcello Danon, Lucile Laks
Actors include: Giancarlo Gianni, Claudine Auger, Barbara Bouchet
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 98 minutes
Banned: Finland
Country: Italy/France

Review:
This was a rather strange and bloody giallo as it features a killer who paralyzes their victims (much like a Tarantula), then slices their bellies open while they are still alive! It's very stylish and creepy (especially with the mannequins) and the plot is an interesting one, also a bonus is Ennio's expertise on the soundtrack for the film. It's just a bit irritating because of the ridiculous red herrings and loose ends. It's one thing to add a bunch of suspicious characters to a film, but then to create these big plot points that are pointless...well it actually detracted a bit from the film I'm afraid. Overall it was fairly enjoyable, it was just not quite as tight as I'd wished it had been.

Availability:  On DVD

Macabro (1980) aka Macabre aka Frozen Terror

4 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Lamberto Bava
Written by: Antonio Avati, Pupi Avati
Actors include: Bernice Stegers, Stanko Molnar, Veronica Zinny
Genre: Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Finland, Norway
Country: Italy

Review:
This is one weird tale, classier than one might think for most of the time, but the ending is sheerly delightfully trashy! Our story is about a woman who is distressed over her cheating Husband's demise. She moves into a strange boarding home that she happens to share with a sweet blind man. He is rather puzzled by her unusual lover as he often hears moans and her spicy activity yet he keeps hearing her call her Husband's name. Will he be able to figure out her secret? I think more than anything his is a really weird and grotesque drama with horrific elements, so if you like story driven films this should be right up your alley. For those who like horror if you are patient you should be more than rewarded too. I haven't seen a ton of Lamberto Bava films, but after seeing this one, I'll be seeing more.

Availability:  On DVD

The Car (1977) aka DeathMobile aka Wheels

 3 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no way to stop... THE CAR
Directed by: Elliot Silverstein
Written by: Michael Butler
Actors include: James Brolin, Kathleen Lloyd, John Marley
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 96 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA

Review:
Well...it's beautifully filmed...that's a good thing because that is about all it has going for it. A strange dark car shows up in a small town and it's trying to run everybody down...unless you hide in a cemetery of course! It's bloodless, thrilless...the car wouldn't frighten a squirrel! The most irritating part was the lack of explanation...why was this car evil, why was it after people...some back story was required...but no we get NONE! It's funny that James Brolin is in this one though...also strange is that it appears to have a decent budget. It was drenched in stupidity but I suppose bad movie fans will want to take note.

Availability:  On DVD

Short Night of the Glass Dolls (1971) aka La Corta Notte Delle Bambole di Vetro aka Paralyzed aka Das Todessyndrom aka Kratka noc Leptira aka Unter de

 4.5 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Aldo Lado
Written by: Ernesto Gastaldi, Aldo Lado
Actors include: Ingrid Thulin, Jean Sorel, Barbara Bach
Genre: Horror
Length: 92 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy/West Germany/Yugoslavia

Review:
This Giallo takes place in Prague and it revolves around a reporter who Doctors believe to be dead...only he isn't! Luckily the Doctors decide to try to revive him even though they think he's beyond hope. From there it's kinda split up between past and present as we learn about his girlfriend Mira (the glassy eyed Barbara Bach) who disappears. We watch the reporter try to put the pieces together and figure out what's going on before it's too late...or is it too late already? It's an interesting story driven film that is visually gorgeous and disturbing in a way. It's creatively assembled and although a bit confusing at first it's really quite easy to get into otherwise. Ennio made a beautifully depressing soundtrack for this film to put the icing on the cake. It's definitely a film that gialli fans will want to see, but although it's a bit bloody it's far from one of the more gruesome ones. One to watch, but maybe not the first one to aim for!

Availability:  On DVD

Theatre of Blood (1973) aka Much Ado About Murder

 4 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: At your own risk
Directed by: Douglas Hickox
Written by: Anthony Greville-Bell, Stanley Mann
Actors include: Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry
Genre: Horror
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Norway
Country: UK

Review:
I must admit that I was a little worried I wouldn't quite understand this one as it's based around Shakespeare. After just a few minutes I was put to ease when I realized that even someone who had never heard that playwright's name could follow this one. Vincent plays an actor who will only star in Shakespearean films that is presumed dead. He received hilariously horrid reviews so along with a group of homeless play enthusiasts they exact revenge on critics. What's so funny is that they use scenes from Shakespeare to kill or rather they adapt the stories to gruesome murder. The deaths are gory and fantastic, it's filled with kill after kill making it easy to understand plus we get briefed on anything we may not know before it happens. You couldn't ask for a tighter and more colorful slasher comedy, it's quite a treat for nearly anyone I'd imagine.

Availability:  On DVD

Shock (1977) aka Schock aka Beyond the Door II aka Suspense aka Al 33 di Via Orologio fa sempre freddo

4 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: Beyond this door the every-continuing cycle of evil is about to occur again! In the ALL NEW... BEYOND THE DOOR #2
Directed by: Mario Bava
Written by: Francesco Barbieri
Actors include: Daria Nicolodi, John Steiner, David Colin Jr.
Genre: Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
Considering this has been titled as a sequel to "Beyond The Door" at one point, it's actually better or at least much classier than the original. It's quite different in either event. It's about a woman named Dora (Bava's love interest Daria Nicolodi) who happens to have problems. Her husband died under mysterious circumstances, and was a drug addict who mistreated her so she's bound to have issues right? After she gets out of the mental hospital she starts to have issues with her son who is acting downright bizarre! Her new husband doesn't seem to making anything easier on her either. It's hard to tell who is responsible for what for a little while but it all comes together in a neat little nifty package. A pretty cool tale artfully shot so that just about anyone should enjoy this, even if it's not his best.

Availability:  On DVD

The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972) aka Perche Quelle Strane Gocce di Sangue Sul Corpo di Jennifer? aka Erotic Blue aka What Are Those Strange Drops of

 4.5 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo
Written by: Ernesto Gastaldi
Actors include: Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Annabella Incontrera
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 94 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
This is definitely not the most bloody giallo out there, nor is it the strangest, but it's a goodie all the same. Patterning itself heavily after "Blood and Black Lace" this in many ways is sort of a stylistic update and with weirder plot turns. It's about a model named Jennifer (the lovely Edwige Fenech) and her friend who move into a place where the previous tenant was viciously murdered in of course. Soon there are many suspects and people stalking Jennifer therefore many red herrings (including a lesbian, a weird old lady and her mutant son, and even the handsome lead who suffers from a phobia of blood). The story was actually quite captivating and I was really dying to know who did it, so it's a clever mystery! So yes this is a good story, highly entertaining with a great cast, the soundtrack is a good one and definitely a must see all around!

Availability:  On DVD

Blood and Black Lace (1964) aka Sei Donne Per L'Assassino aka 6 Femmes pour L'Assassin aka Blutige Seide aka Fashion House of Death aka L'atelier de l

 4.5 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: The greatest shocks ever filmed
Directed by: Mario Bava
Written by: Giuseppe Barilla, Mario Bava
Actors include: Cameron Mitchell, Eva Bartok, Thomas Reiner
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 88 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
Considering this was one of the first gialli films, it's certainly no weakling! It's filled with garish colors, gruesome deaths and beautiful girls! The story takes place in a house full of models, one is murdered then when her diary turns up it seems many more must die! It's a traditional black gloved, masked killer which is interesting, has some tense moments and lots of blood and colorful backdrop. It's a shame there isn't a really nice version available for purchase as of yet, but hopefully it will turn up remastered on Bluray so it will be even more visually appealing. A definite must see for gialli fans and fans of slashers alike, there is a reason Bava is so well regarded!

Availability:  On DVD

House By The Cemetery (1981) aka Quella Villa Accanto Al Ci Mitero aka The House Outside the Cemetery aka Zombie Hell House

3.5 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: BEWARE THE DEMON FORCES OF THE...BLOOD BEASTS
Directed by: Lucio Fulci
Written by: Lucio Fulci, Elisa Briganti
Actors include: Catriona MacColl, Paolo Malco, Ania Pieroni
Genre: Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: UK/West Germany
Country: Italy

Review:
So this is the third part of a series from Fulci which begins with "City of the Living Dead" then goes to "The Beyond" and then now this one. Unfortunately this is the weakest in the set as there aren't nearly as many unforgettable scenes nor is the story as fascinating as the other two. Still it's sure to please with plenty of cheap gore effects and strange characters. The story revolves around a couple that moves into a house....next to the cemetery of course! For this reason some Amityville style haunting stuff happens (only more extreme)! The dubbing on this one was particularly bad, but it's more of a funny film than a scary one so it really doesn't detract too much. Something Fulci fans will need to see but not something to rush out and grab for newcomers though I should mention that you can see any of the three without having seen the others first. It could have been more but it's certainly good enough for me!

Availability:  On DVD

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972) aka La Dama Rossa Uccide Sette Volte aka Blood Feast aka Cry of a Prostitute: Love Kills aka Feast of Flesh aka

 4 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Emilio Miraglia
Written by: Emilio Miraglia
Actors include: Barbara Bouchet, Ugo Pagliai, Marina Malfatti
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 98 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy/West Germany

Review:
This is a rather different sort of giallo film. The thing is it's really more of a grim fairytale than anything! The story is about a painting which has a picture of 2 girls, one stabbing the other and it's about the legend of the "Red Queen". While the painting is hung we meet two little girls who get in a vicious fight over a doll who end up in a rather odd situation. The thing is, it's not totally bloody but it's still got nice shares of death, it's really the vivid colors and the creepy nature of the film's villain that makes this work ever so nicely. It may not please those looking to solve a puzzle so much as those willing to experience a creative and interesting story. Recommended for those looking for something a little different!

Availability:  On DVD (but OOP) as part of this box set

The House on Sorority Row (1983) aka House of Evil aka Seven Sisters

4.5 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: When the Nightmare ends...the Terror begins
Directed by: Mark Rosman
Written by: Bobby Fine, Mark Rosman
Actors include: Kate McNeil, Eileen Davidson, Janis Ward
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Baltimore, MD, USA

Review:
Someone likes giallo films...(aside from me), this one is definitely influenced by the genre although it's a relatively easy to solve puzzle. The story is about a group of girls who live on sorority row (but I'm sure you finished that much out). The stern headmistress slits open one of the girl's waterbeds and refuses a party so they decide to play a prank on her. Of course things go wrong, then the girls are bumped off in a gory giallo way! Who could be doing the killing though and why? Will any of them survive? They did try to give personalities to the girls (which was nice I suppose) and they did try to weave an interesting tale whilst not scrimping on effects. Also appreciated was the creepy nature of the film (beware those with clown phobias!). It's definitely one of the better and more involved slashers from the '80s, highly recommended!

Availability:  On DVD (but OOP), being reissued Jan 2010

Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972) aka Il Tuo Vizio e una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave aka Your Vice is a Closed Roo

 4 / 5 Jun '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Sergio Martino
Written by: Ernesto Gastaldi, Adriano Bolzoni
Actors include: Edwige Fenech, Anita Strindberg, Luigi Pistilli
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 96 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
So this is Sergio Martino's follow up to "The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh" and in fact many of the people who were in that film appear here too...only as different characters. Edwige's character is rather similar as she is still a horny lustful creature who sleeps with everyone but the cat! The cat I say...what do I mean? Well this is a take off on Poe's "Black Cat" story and quite a different one at that. It has a weird musical orgy scene, many soft core porn moments but most of all lots of red stuff and gore! I didn't think this one was quite as alluring as the other title, because the plot is a little stranger and more obtuse, but rest assured it will all come together if you are patient. This is one heck of a weird colorful cat related giallo that I'd definitely recommend but I would say to watch the other one first!

Availability:   On DVD (but OOP)