Until You're Alone

Director - Christopher Wesley Moore (When the Trash Man Knocks, Children of Sin)

Starring - Derek Robert Hull Bond (Broad Daylight, A Time for Romance), Keni Bounds (Triggered, Blessed are the Children), and Jeff Buchwald (Bastard's Crossing, The Wilderness Road)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The only thing more terrifying than being alone... is discovering that you arent"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love that we have a rise in LGBTQ+ films in the genre.  I love seeing all the representation in horror and, honestly, some of my favorite horror and exploitation flicks over the last decade or so has been LGBTQ+.  If you haven't seen Fags in the Fast Lane then do yourself a favor and check it out!  Anyway, I've been reviewing the films of actor/director Christopher Wesley Moore for a long time now.  It started with his film Perversion and hasn't stopped.  A few weeks back I was asked by Moore to review his newest giallo inspired murder mystery Until You're Alone.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but I worked it into my schedule as soon as I could.  I want to thank Christopher for sending this one along for review!

     The film follows a man who returns home early to find a sex worker in his home along with his dead husband.  The police suspect him for the murder forcing him to track down the sex worker to get some answers.  He soon learns that he is not responsible for the murder but one of his regulars may be the one behind the string of deaths targeting gay men.

     I've reviewed a good bit of Moore's filmography and I've enjoyed most of his work.  With that being said, this is easily my favorite film of his.  I loved the characters, a lot of the story elements, and how well the story was put together.  Honestly, this may be one of my favorite indie productions of the year.  The acting in this one is very well done... for the most part.  Moore is a fantastic actor but I've met enough sex workers that also doubled as indie actors over the years and he was not that convincing as a sex worker.  However, he can fucking carry a scene.  He really gets into character and completely transforms into any character you throw at him.  The supporting cast is great as well.  We get some great performances from across the board on this one and if I was to take the time to point out every one I would be here all day.  The story for this one works.  Typically, I don't care for modern giallo style murder mysteries because it's damn near impossible to capture the look of the iconic films from filmmakers like Argento and Fulci.  However, Until You're Alone is not only able to do so but also add in current tech trends without making it the center of the story.  Horror films centered around niche social media sites, trends, and so on date themselves and are extremely goofy.  The sex work through cam sites and so on works for the little bit that it's used in the film and is a pretty clever plot point in the mystery.  We do have a few scenes near the middle of the film that does feel repetitive but it doesn't really take away from the overall film.  Finally, the film gives us several slasher-esque style deaths that gives us some make-up effects without going overboard.  While the kills are not that memorable or imaginative, they still fit the film very well and look great.  Overall, Until You're Alone is a movie that I can see a lot of genre fans getting behind.  It's a fantastic LGBTQ+ themed giallo that is not easily predictable and works.  I highly recommend it.  

Dead By Dawn

Director - Dawid Torrone (Opowie Ci o Zbrodni)

Starring - Sylwia Boron (Bloody Date, Hold Tight), Monika Frajczyk (Leave No Traces, Green Border), and Adam Machalica (Planet Single, Raspberries)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never know what to expect when I check my Horror Society email.  Am I going to get an email from a fan confused by what we do at Horror Society asking if they can get a role in a film?  Is it going to be a random actress asking for us to share their OnlyFans link?  Or, is it going to be a press release for a movie that I really want to see?  My emails can be pretty weird especially when I get the random off the wall emails from people that shouldn't have access to the internet.  However, I sometimes get emails to check out a movie that has really peaked my interest.  A few weeks back I received the press release for Polland's first giallo, Dead by Dawn.  The title, which also shares a name with the alternate title for Evil Dead II, really caught my eye with it's artwork.  I replied to the email and they were kind enough to send a link over for me to check.  

     The film follows a group of aspiring stage actors who visit an old theater that was once considered prestigious.  What they don't know is that a masked maniac is stalking the property killing everyone that is unfortunate enough to cross paths with them.  

     I went into Dead by Dawn excited to see a stylish and beautifully shot giallo but what I found was an extremely slow paced slasher with a lot of scenes that need trimmed down.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it wasn't meant to be.  It was painfully slow, uninteresting, and the slasher was very disappointing.  The acting in this one is easily one of the only redeeming qualities I could find in the film.  The characters are fairly forgettable and we don't have any outstanding performances but I liked the cast.  They really get into their roles and work well with each other.  The story for this one has an interesting premise but fails to put it all together into something truly enjoyable.  The film uses long, drawn out scenes with beautiful cinematography and locations to try to capture that giallo feel but it doesn't really give viewers the Italian mystery feel.  The movie is a slasher for the most part with an occult angle that is never fully explored as much as I would have liked.  I wish this was introduced earlier in the film and the mystery portion of the story played a bigger role.  Instead, we have a slasher flick that just doesn't have the fun that many slashers before it was able to deliver.  Finally, the kills offer up a lot of blood but they don't have the best practical effects or imagination.  The masked killer's weapon of choice is a meat cleaver but the deaths are unable to deliver on the imagination and originality that other meat cleaver killers, like 100 Tear, did before it.  Also, the killer's mask is pretty lame.  It's a mask covered in bright white eyes that does nothing for the scene.  Overall, Dead by Dawn just wasn't as fun as I had hoped it was.  It doesn't feel like a giallo.  Instead, it's a standard slasher where the killer has a stupid mask.  I want to recommend this one but I can't.  Skip it.    

Bloody Sex

Director - Manuel Esteba (Trampa Sexual, You Are a Traitor and I'll Kill You)

Starring - Ovidi Montllor (El Pico, 13 x 13), Mirta Miller (Santo vs Doctor Death, Ninja in the Claws of the CIA), and Diana Conca (Bloody Sect, Madame Olga's Pupils)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I opened up the Exorcismo set from Severin Films one title caught my eye.  As I stated in a previous review, I knew that some of these titles would be horror but I also assumed that several would be other genres.  One of the film had a title that summed up everything that I loved about horror when I was a teen.  The film, Bloody Sex, was a new one for me but the title had me sold on it.  An early 80s Spanish horror film with a title that brash had to be fun.  I've been keeping an eye on it as I progressed through the set and the second I could finally check it out I quickly hit play on it.

     The film follows a weird woman and her son who live in an old building many assume have been vacant since the world war.  They find unexpected guests with a lesbian couple and their friend arrive thinking the place empty.  A fun getaway then turns deadly when the mother and son starts picking them off one by one.  

     Bloody Sex is not the highlight of the set which I knew it wouldn't be.  It's one that is rough around the edges and struggles with it's own identity but I really enjoyed it.  It's a movie I could see myself tossing in again with an edible or a few drinks.  The acting in this one is very even and consistent.  It's not the best acting I've seen but it works for the film itself.  The characters are not that well written but the cast does the best with what they have along with what I can only assume is lack of direction.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting.  I assumed it was going to be a lot of sex and a lot of blood but that wasn't really the case.  We have a weird family dynamic, a lesbian couple and their odd third wheel, and the weird way people are murdered.  The film does have an issue with pacing and does not have to be as long as it is.  A lot of the more slower scenes could have been trimmed down a lot.  Finally, the film has some bloody sex as the title suggests but it's not as gruesome or as memorable as I had hoped.  We have some skin, some blood, and minimal effects but nothing that is noteworthy or enjoyable.  Overall, Bloody Sex could have given us a lot more blood and sex as the title suggested but it's still an enjoyable film.  I really enjoyed it but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  

Shadow with a Straight Razor

Director - Raymond Cara

Starring - Artemis Lupercalia, Carolyn McNiece, and Krista Kent

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     I watched several horror shorts during my October horror binge and they were mostly pretty enjoyable.  Creativity was a big factor in those shorts which is something you really need to make a short effective.  I started looking at the movies I had left when the month was over and realized I forgot to include a new short that was sent my way by director Raymond Cara.  The short, Shadow with a Straight Razor, looked like something I would really enjoy and I hate that I forgot to include it in my month long horror binge.  However, I still have a lot of movies left to review so I moved it up my list and kept on digging through them all.  I want to thank Raymond for sending it over.  

     The film follows a group of unsuspecting victims in the city at night that fall victim to a maniac wielding a straight razor.  

    Shadow with a Straight Razor is a solid little slasher with giallo vibes that was a lot of fun as a short.  However, if the film was stretched in further it would have fell apart.  The acting in this one is decent for the most part.  While everyone is fully committed to their roles, some show inexperience.  Their dialogue is forced and unnatural.  It doesn't ruin the film and in later scenes they seemed to have found their footing.  The story for this one works for a short but if it was to be stretched any longer it would not be as effective.  It's a film with a body count and a bad attitude which is something I love in a film.  On the downside, I left this one with more questions than answers.  A little more focus on the why he is killing rather than just killing for entertainment purposes would have went a long way with this one.  Finally, the film has several on screen deaths that utilizes the straight razor.  The deaths use fantastic practical effects and are extremely bloody.  Overall, Shadow with a Straight Razor is a seriously mean spirited short with a lot of blood.  The kills may not be the most original, but the fantastic effects make them worth watching.  Check it out.  

Shadow of Death

Director - Javier Seto (Viva America!, Long Play)

Starring - Larry Ward (The Deathead Virgin, The Manhunter), Teresa Gimpera (The Tunnel, The Spirit of the Beehive), and Giacomo Rossi Stuart (The Last Man on Earth, War Between the Planets)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "Beyond madness..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Boutique labels like Mondo Macabro don't get the credit they truly deserve.  I'm a horror and exploitation collector but I don't need every Evil Dead, Night of the Living Dead, and the Friday the 13th release that hits store shelves.  I want movies that  I've never seen before or has never mad it's way to previous formats until now.  That's why I always get excited for a new Mondo Macabro release.  Sometime back MM released the 1969 crime thriller Shadow of Death which was originally released as Macabre.  This was a new one to me and I couldn't wait to dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over my way.  

     The film follows a blonde trophy wife who has been having an affair with her husband's twin.  He's a successful business man and the pair plan on brainwashing him until he is about to snap.  However, a wrench is thrown into their plans when a professional blackmailer arrives and tries to secure himself a cut of the money resulting in paranoia and a web of lies.

     I went into Shadow of Death knowing absolutely nothing about it aside from a few giallo junkies that I know mentioned how much they enjoy it.  While I was a bit let down by how little the title and alternate title fit the film, I did have some fun with this one.  The acting in this one is a highlight of the film.  Larry Ward as twins Peter and John along with Teresa Gimpera as the adulterous wife and Giacomo Rossi Stuart as the extortionist are absolutely brilliant together.  Their characters make the film and their chemistry on screen were perfect.  While I enjoyed the supporting cast as well, it's these three that make the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is something I've seen several times from gothic horror films of the early to mid-60s.  While it is nothing new, it does work as a giallo to some extent.  With that being said, it's not deserving of the titles Shadow of Death or Macabre.  It's a solid crime thriller that fits in nicely with the pulp crime stories that giallo's got their name from.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  It does have a bit of violence and a small bit of bloodshed but that's about it.  Those looking for a body count or a bloodbath will surely be disappointed.  Overall, Shadow of Death is one of the milder giallo films I've reviewed over the years but it is very enjoyable.  The Mondo Macabro release is a must own for movie collectors.   Check it out

Gore in Venice

Director - Mario Landi (Super Sexy Market, Patrick Still Lives)

Starring - Leonora Fani (Hotel Fear, The House by the Edge of the Lake), Jeff Blynn (Weapons of Death, Blue Tornado), and Gianni Dei (Sex of the Witch, The Angels from 2000)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Full Moon is known for their little creature films like Puppet Master, Demonic Toys, Gingerdead Man, Weedjies, and Evil Bong along with monster movies like Subspecies, Castle Freak, and Killjoy. Aside from the occasional sci-fi flick and softcore porn, Full Moon is known the world over for their puppets and haunting horror tales that began with Charles Band and his Empire label. However, Full Moon has released the occasional giallo from time to time. These are fairly middle of the road films that are easily forgettable, but they are still enjoyable for first time watches. A few months back they released Giallo in Venice on blu under the title Gore in Venice. I had never seen this one before, so I reached out to my friends at Full Moon who were kind enough to send a copy my way. 

     The film follows a police detective investigating the murder of a young couple. The woman appears to have drowned while the man was violently stabbed. As they look for possible leads and speculate why they two were murdered, a deranged killer is going around town killing people after they have sex. 

      Gore in Venice is not what I would call a textbook giallo or even one I would consider a classic but the sleazy story and murders are enjoyable if you are looking for something for your late night viewing. I don’t see myself watching this one anytime soon but if some friends wanted to check it out I could sit through it without suffering. The acting in this one is extremely uneven. The film’s leads and supporting cast is done very well. In fact, I really liked Jeff Blynn as the egg eating inspector. With that being said, the performances from the smaller roles are horrible. Their eyes are bouncing all around the scene like they don’t know where to look while remaining emotionless and robotic. I think it would have been cheaper to cast cardboard cutouts instead of the talent they went with for these roles. The story for this one is sleazy and violent at times but the story feels almost like two films playing out simultaneously. The detective investigating the murder of the couple as who runs down leads, drug connections and so one was very giallo like. The mystery aspect is exactly what I would expect from a giallo. We then move over to what feels like a second story following the killer who murders those after they screw. It adds some skin and violence to the film but they never fully mesh until the end. Crossing paths throughout the film would have made it flow so much better. It’s still fun for what it is but the story just doesn’t flow like it should. Finally, the film has some skin and violent deaths. The effects are minimal, yet they find a way to work. They make your mind follow through with the acts while using classic camera tricks and angles. It’s not a gory film but it’s enough to hold your attention. Overall, Gore in Venice is not a gory flick but giallo fans will appreciate it. I liked it and those of you looking for something different would appreciate it as well. Check it out.

The Suspicious Death of a Minor

Director - Sergio Martino (The Great Alligator, Slave of the Cannibal God)

Starring - Claudio Cassinelli (The Adventures of Hercules, The Scorpion with Two Tails), Mel Ferrer (Murder, She Wrote, Fantasy Island), and Lia Tanzi (Erotic Exploits of a Sexy Seducer, Psychout for Murder)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Crime

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My October has been odd in regards to what I've been watching.  I've already dug into a sexploitation and a few gialli while I would be balls deep in zombies and slashers.  I don't mind it because I happen to love sexploitation and appreciate gialli more than I used to.  A few weeks ago MVD and Arrow Video hooked me up with the Sergio Martino Collection set on blu that included three of his more popular gialli.  I decided to hold off until October to check them out as part of my annual horror binge.  After digging into The Case of the Scorpion's Tail I decided to keep the Martino train rolling with The Suspicious Death of a Minor.  This would be the only film out of the three that I didn't like but seems to be the most popular.  

     The film follows a detective that is investigating the murder of a young prostitute.  His investigation leads him to several unsuspecting people and before long he uncovers a sex ring with ties to the city officials.  

     I went into this one expecting a stock giallo with Martino's amazing eye but what I found was an uneven film that I struggled to finish.  I see that imdb has this listed as a comedy which is an aspect that I did not notice.  Instead, what I saw was a messy crime drama with slight murder mystery moments.  I was not a fan which is a bummer because I wanted to love every film in this set.  The acting in this one left me scratching my head.  I had seen other films Cassinelli but here he was very awkward to watch.  Some scenes he would deliver a decent enough of a performance to make the film bearable but in other scenes he was very awkward to watch.  I found myself cringing more than actually enjoying the film.  The rest of the cast is solid enough but when Cassinelli was hamming it up I found myself completely oblivious to the other actors in the scene.  The story for this one doesn't really feel like a giallo.  Giallo is famous because of the murder mystery angles that were drawn from pulpy paperbacks.  However, this one doesn't really feel like a murder mystery.  In fact, aside from the original murder, it's mostly a crime dramedy with a focus on sex trafficking.  It could have been a fun film as it but the strange acting and unusual character development made is unenjoyable.  Hell, a giallo story with comedy sounds like a movie made just for me but the humor, if there was any, did not land well for viewers like me.  Finally, the film has some blood but it's not a bloody giallo like we are accustomed to.  It's obvious Martino had other plans than making his traditional gialli but it didn't land well for me.  Overall, The Suspicious Death of a Minor was not what I was expecting and it left me very disappointed.  The blu from Arrow looks great.  It has crisp images and fantastic audio but the movie itself is disappointing.  This is the low point in the set.  

The Case of the Scorpion's Tail

Director - Sergio Martino (American Rickshaw, Hands of Steel)

Starring - George Hilton (Massacre Time, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh), Anita Strindberg (Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, The Two Face of Fear), and Alberto de Mendoza (Special Killers, Horror Express)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've been fortunate enough to review several films from acclaimed Italian filmmaker Sergio Martino.  Some of these releases were sent to me from my friends over at Severin while others were from other companies like Shameless Entertainment.  For the most part I've enjoyed these films especially his giallo flicks.  A few weeks ago MVD and Arrow Video sent me the Sergio Martino collection to review.  I knew October was swiftly approaching so I decided to put the set off so I could enjoy it during my annual horror binge.  The first film that I checked out in the set was the 1971 giallo The Case of the Scorpion's Tail.  This is one I had never seen before but had knew about after scoring a DVD at a pawn shop some years back.  Once again I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for hooking me up with a copy.  

     The film follows a woman who inherits one million dollars after her husband is killed in an airplane accident.  The insurance company suspect that there was a bomb on the plane so they send in an investigator to investigate the beneficiary and the accident.  Soon he uncovers a web of murder, adultery, and fraud.

     When I was younger I never cared for giali and would often skip them when my friends would watch them.  The exception to the rule was usually the few Lucio Fulci directed and all of Dario Argento's.  However, as I got older I found myself drawn to them and enjoying the mystery aspect that delivered.  The Cast of the Scorpion's Tail was not predictable at all and I actually enjoyed it as a murder mystery.  The acting in this one is solid enough but some of the cast was a little too stiff.  The characters are very generic but they are written to fit the story perfectly.  However, some of the scenes did feel like a soap opera.  Some of the cast were flat and others were a little overdramatic.  There is some inconsistencies in the acting but it's not bad.  The story for this one is a fantastic giallo that really does follow the classic murder mystery tropes that made giallos so popular among movie goers.  A good portion of the giallos that I've seen before are predictable but this one really does leave the viewer guessing.  The characters are not that deep but they do fit with the story very well.  With that being said, some of the scenes are dry and very dull.  Editing this one a little closer to the story would have made it flow a little better and make it a little easier to follow.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood.  We get some fun bloody moments with some decent make-up effects.  The deaths are not as gruesome as some of the sub-genre's counterparts but they work for this film.  Overall, The Case of the Scorpion's Tale is a fantastic giallo that has a great story that really does work on the murder mystery level.  It's gritty at times but the cast and pacing is a little off at times resulting in difficult scenes for the viewer to focus.  The blu release from Arrow looks fantastic as well.  I highly recommend this if you are fans of Martino or giallo in general.  

Crazy Desires of a Murderer

Director - Filippo Walter Ratti (Night of the Damned, Mondo Erotico)

Starring - Corrado Gaipa (The Godfather, Marco Polo), Roberto Zattini, and Isabelle Marchall (The Terror with Cross-Eyes, The Crimes of the Black Cat)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I work my way through the third volume of the Forgotten Gialli box set from Vinegar Syndrome I've found myself having a lot of fun with these films.  Autopsy was a fantastic giallo and The Murder Mansion really surprised me.  I absolutely loved it.  This left the third and final film in the set which is the 1977 giallo Crazy Desires of a Murderer.  I was riding a wave into this one.  The other two were fantastic films and I had high hopes for CDoaM but this one would let me down.  It is, by far, the weakest film in the collection.

     The film follows a young woman who brings her friends with her to her father's home.  Her father is wheelchair bound and reluctant to have visitors.  Also in the home is her brother who is a recluse with a knack for taxidermy.  When her friends start turning up dead some dark secrets are revealed by each of the guests.

     I was pretty pumped when I tossed this one in and by the 30 minute mark I found myself drifting off to sleep.  In fact, I had to turn it off and restarted it the following day in hopes I could appreciate it a little more when I was well rested.  Sadly, I did not.  The film was extremely boring and lackluster.  The acting in this one is the only redeeming quality in the film.  The characters are entertaining and the cast does a wonderful job bringing them to life.  As the film progresses you see some of the character change to fit the story.  The cast does a wonderful job at making these changes show.  The story for this one is a giallo paint by numbers.  However, this doesn't make this one enjoyable.  The scenes are drawn out and the dialogue is completely too drab and dull.  I found myself struggling through most of these scenes.  Finally, the film has some blood and practical effects but they are nothing that really stands out or that entertaining.  The kills try to be gruesome but they just fall short.  Overall, Crazy Desires of a Murderer looks great on blu bit is not that enjoyable. This is the week link in the set but the transfer from Vin Syn looks fantastic.  

The Murder Mansion

Director - Francisco Lara Polop (Exit: Dead End, Perversion)

Starring - Evelyn Stewart (The Psychic, War of the Zombies), Analia Gade (Exorcism's Daughter, Four Nights of the Full Moon), Lisa Leonardi (All the Colors of the Dark, The Case of the Scorpion's Tail)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Welcome to home bloody home"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Vinegar Syndrome announced the third volume of their Forgotten Gialli series I started looking them up one by one.  The first film, Autopsy, is one I had heard about but I had never had the chance to check it out.  However, the second film in the set, The Murder Mansion, really peaked my interest.  I absolutely loved all the posters that I found online and it looked extremely interesting.  After I watched Autopsy I immediately tossed in The Murder Mansion and was not disappointed. 

     The film follows several people who find themselves unable to travel at night with a thick fog rolls in.  They all find themselves at an old mansion where a young woman lives alone.  She welcomes them in and tells them a story about the history of the mansion and how the locals years ago believed that the inhabits were vampires.  As the night rolls on they go to their own rooms and one by one they fall victim to something supernatural presence roaming the home.

     I've enjoyed the previous Forgotten Gialli releases for the most part but there was some of the films I liked more than others.  With that being said, I believe that The Murder Manson was probably my favorite out of all the releases so far.  I loved the sets, the atmosphere, and the characters.  It really was a solid giallo.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  The characters are painfully generic with nothing memorable brought to the screen.  However, the story has just enough to it to hold your attention.  The cast does their best with what they had but you will not remember the characters over the story.  The story for this one is a fun mystery fueled haunted house type film that keeps you guessing who the killer is...or what they are.  It really is a giallo through and through which is mostly a murder mystery with style.  I really enjoyed the story and how it all ended.  I was not expecting the reveals and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Finally, the film has several deaths.  We get plenty of blood but the practical effects are pretty laughable.  If the kills were a little more memorable then this film would be among the best.  Overall, The Murder Mansion isn't going to make the top of anyone's giallo list but I really enjoyed this one.  The blu looks fantastic as well from Vin Syn.  A solid entry in the Forgotten Gialli series.   

Autopsy

Director - Armando Crispino (Frankenstein: Italian Style, The Dead Are Alive!)

Starring - Mimsy Farmer (Body Count, The Suspects), Barry Primus (Righteous Kill, The X-Files), and Ray Lovelock (Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, The Last House on the Beach)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It'll take you...apart"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last six months or so I've found myself becoming extremely interested in giallos.  I would watch them on occasion but over the last six or so months I've been going out of my way to get them.  After watching a few back on the later part of last year I decided to go ahead and dig into the first Forgotten Gialli release from Vinegar Syndrome.  This soon spiraled into the second volume and now the third.  I received the third volume in just a few days ago and couldn't wait to see what was in store for me.  The first film I tossed in was 1975's Autopsy which was also released as The Victim and Tension.  

     The film follows a pathology student working on her thesis when a string of suicides strike Rome, Italy.  While investigating the death of a young women she becomes entangled in the search for a supposed killer by her brother, a Catholic priest.  The closer she gets to finding the real killer of the fake suicides the closer she gets to danger.

     I love the atmosphere and tension in a good giallo.  My introduction to giallo, like most Americans, was from the works of Fulci and Argento.  I often compare the giallos I watch now to these films that I first watched all those years ago.  Autopsy is a bit different.  The film is a little more colorful and bright than most of the other giallos I've seen but I really enjoyed it.  What it lacks in that traditional giallo lighting and atmosphere it more than makes up for in story and characters.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  Mimsy Farmer is fantastic as the student caught in the middle of an unlikely conspiracy involving murder.  I really liked her character and how she ranging emotionally.  With that being said, there was a few scenes where she overacted which resulted in an unintentionally funny scene.  The supporting cast is good but a little inconsistent.  Some of the cast is pretty well grounded and well rounded but there is a few scenes where the cast is a little over the top.  These overdramatic scenes were funny when it wasn't meant to be.  The story for this one is a solid whodunit that throws several red herrings at the viewer.  It's not predictable and you keep following each scene trying to figure it out before the killer is actually revealed.  I loved the story and character development.  Those, along with the pacing, makes for a great giallo flick.  The tone of the film may not be typical of those films but the story is very much a giallo.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and some very disturbing images.  The film uses pictures of actual autopsies that some may find too gruesome.  Also, the film has some blood and fun practical effects that really enjoyed.  Sadly, the deaths are off screen so you bloodhounds will not get to enjoy those.  Overall, Autopsy is a fantastic murder mystery that has a great cast and a pretty involving story.  It's not perfect but it is fun especially for a late night watch.  The transfer from Vin Syn looks absolutely amazing.  I highly recommend it.  

Naked Girl Murdered in the Park

Director - Alfonso Brescia (Iron Warrior, Star Odyssey)

Starring - Robert Hoffmann (A Black Veil for Lisa, The Lonely Violent Beach), Irina Demick (The Longest Day, Tragic Ceremony), and Pilar Velazquez (Novela, Thunder Over El Paso)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Crime/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few weeks ago I was looking at the Full Moon Features site when I saw they an upcoming release for the 1972 giallo Naked Girl Murdered in the Park.  I was not familiar with this one so I reached out to them about it.  The film wasn't available just yet but Chris Alexander requested me a review copy to check out.  Most of you may have noticed the giallo kick I've been on since last October so I was extremely excited to give this one a spin.  I want to thank Chris, Bob, and Full Moon for sending this one my way to check out.

     The begins with the murder of a wealthy man the day after he takes out a million dollar life insurance policy.  The insurance firm finds this very suspicious so they send out a detective to look into the death.  The family is recieving strange phone calls and soon the man's oldest daughter is found murdered in the park.  

      I went into this one extremely excited but after about 15 minutes or so I found myself bored out of my mind.  The movie doesn't fit into any real genre and feels like a made for television movie with some audio issues.  I've watched some pretty low brow gialli over the years but this one was one of the dullest and poorly put together I've seen in awhile.  The acting in this one is just as dull as the story.  The cast is extremely unenthused and have no energy at all.  Even the scenes that require the smallest amount of energy just feels slow and drab.  The story for this one is a murdery mystery crime drama that is almost paint by numbers.  The "twists" you can see coming from a mile away and the length between the murders is so far apart that you are stuck with almost an hour of scenes between the detective and the murdered man's daughter doing very little to move to story along.  I don't know much about the history of this film or any of the behind the scenes going ons but I feel like this movie was intended to be something else and then edited differently in post.  I couldn't imagine someone went into this with the intent to make the movie the way it was released.  Finally, the kills in this one are off screen and boring as hell.  They are approached in a manner you would expect death scenes would be handled in a made for television movie from the early 70s.  A little spot of blood and that's the extent of it.  Overall, Naked Girl Murdered in the Park was a huge let down.  I respect Full Moon and if you look at my other reviews you will see that I am a huge fan but this is one I cannot recommend.  The blu doesn't look bad but is close to DVD quality and the film suffers from audio glitches throughout the running time of the film.  I stopped counting around 5 when the audio would dull or change in tone.  Skip it.  

My Dear Killer

Director - Tonino Valerii (Brothers in Blood, Taste of Killing)

Starring - George Hilton (College, Macho Killers), Salvo Randone (Chronicle of a Homicide, Machine Gun McCain), and William Berger (Hercules, Devil Fish)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     The Girl in Room 2A, the first film in the set, had me believing that this second giallo box set from Vinegar Syndrome was going to be a bust.  However, The French Sex Murders really surprised me and put hope back into the release.  As I toss in the third film, My Dear Killer, I quickly see that the set ends on another high note.  I had heard some negative things about the film in various horror and collector's groups but I found myself really enjoying this one.

     The film begins with a man getting decapitated by heavy machinery. The investigator assigned to the case soon finds himself overwhelmed with several different murders designed to look like suicides and all are connected to the disappearance of a little girl.

     I didn't know what to really expect with this one when I tossed it in.  On one hand, I was very disappointed with The Girl in Room 2A, but on the other I was really impressed with The French Sex Murders.  My Dear Killer was a solid giallo that really caught my attention.  There was a few things I didn't care about but this was made during a different time where some of these things were considered appropriate.  Regardless, I really enjoyed this one.  The acting in this one is pretty consistent and fairly well done but the characters blend into the background way too easily.  They are cliched and stereotypical of murder mysteries from the time.  The story for this one is a beautifully shot giallo.  What fans love about giallo's is the beautiful cinematography and how the shots are glued with the story.  My Dear Killer does just that.  The shots are beautiful and work so well with the mystery aspect of the film.  With that being said, the story does hit a few dry spells causing the viewer to struggle through a few scenes.  However, if you can stick with it you will really enjoy the overall film.  Finally, the film has several death scenes but the effects are far from perfect.  In fact, a few of the death scenes will cause some unintentionally laughing.  Especially the first death of the film.  I loved the scene but it was a little on the funny side.  Overall, My Dear Killer is not the best giallo movie I've seen but it was fun.  I really enjoyed it and I'm glad it was included in the Forgotten Gialli: Volume Two.  

The French Sex Murders

Director - Ferdinando Merighi (His Colt, Himself, His Revenge; Il Sole Tornera)

Starring - Anita Ekberg (Bad Girls, Deadly Trackers), Rosalba Neri (The Arena, No Way Out), and Evelyne Kraft (The Mighty Peking Man, Assassination Attempt)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Vinegar Syndrome announced their Forgotten Gialli Volume Two box set and the contents of it I was pretty fucking pumped.  One of the films, The French Sex Murders, was the only film in the set that I had heard about previously thanks to Mondo Macabro who put it out on DVD.  I never got the chance to see it but knowing that Mondo released it on DVD and a lot of their fans loved it spoke to me.  I couldn't wait to dig into it and hopefully wash the taste of The Girl in Room 2A out of my mouth.

     After a judge wrongfully convicts a man for killing a prostitute they soon find themselves stuck with a string of murders.  The police and a local professor start investigating the murders and uncover that the murderer is closer than they suspect.

     I knew nothing about this film besides what a few genre friends have told me about it.  I often see friends share pictures of their DVD on social media talking about it but story wise it was new to me.  After hitting play I soon found myself in love with the film.  The opening death and onward I was hooked.  This is, hands down, the best film in the set.  I absolutely loved it.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part but a couple of the scenes were unintentionally funny.  The supporting cast would give very forced reactions that reminds me a lot of an adult who would listen to a child tell a story.  It was very forced and not genuine at all.  Aside from a few instances of this the acting is pretty solid.  No one actor/actress stands out but they all work fairly well together.  The story for this one throws a few twists at you.  At first you think the movie is going to end quick then it pulls out this supernatural vibe before revealing the real killer.  I really liked how the story had a lot of ups and downs to keep the viewer paying attention.  However, I was not a fan of how the film ended after the killer was revealed.  There was no follow up or real conclusion to the film.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments and one of the most ridiculous decapitations ever filmed.  The blood is super bright red, which I really enjoy, but the decapitation is so funny.  The fake head is pretty piss poor but it adds a few extra laughs to a pretty serious film.  Overall, The French Sex Murders is a little cheesy and has a few unintentional laughs but the story really does satisfy the serious giallo fans.  This one is well worth your time.  

The Girl in Room 2A

Director(s) - William Rose (The Smut Peddler, Rent-A-Girl) and Dick Randall (History of the Erotic Cinema, Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks)

Starring - Daniela Giordano (Bloody Friday, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key), Angelo Infanti (The Godfather, Savage Breed), and John Scanlon (Midnight Caller, Lovespell)

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Thriller

Tagline - "Now you can see it... a bold look at the bizarre world of abnormal sexual behavior"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

    A few weeks ago I took a few days to watch and review Vinegar Syndrome's Forgotten Gialli Volume 1.  This box set is one I had to have so I ordered it the day they launched it for fear of them selling out.  I'm glad I did because that set did, in fact, sell out.  Before I got the second in I wanted to review the first one.  I absolutely loved the set and couldn't wait to dig into this second one.  When I opened up the set I went ahead with 1974's The Girl in Room 2A.  The original poster for this one really caught my attention and I couldn't wait to dig into it.  

     The film follows a woman who was recently released from prison who secures a room in a boardinghouse.  What she doesn't know is that a cult uses that room to lure in beautiful women that they torture and kill for their sadistic rituals.  

     I was so excited to dig into this set and this film but I soon found myself very underwhelmed with this one.  The story really pulled me in with what it was about but the execution of the story and the extremely dull scenes made me lose interest in this one fairly early on.  This made it a real chore to finish.  The acting in this one is decent but the characters are pretty bland and cliched.  I really wanted to like the female lead but her underacting in a lot of the scenes made her an extremely weak lead.  The supporting cast is solid but there was several instances where they over-reacted or undersold the scene.  They all have some serious acting credits to their name so I know they were more than qualified but they just fell short here.  The story for this one really pulled me in.  I'm obsessed with horror films centered around cults.  I know giallo's are a different breed but I was expecting this one to be a little more cult-based than what it was.  The mystery aspect is definitely at the front of this one with the cult taking a back seat.  The pacing is painfully slow as well.  A lot slower than your standard giallo which made it a tough one for me to finish.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood but the practical effects are non-existent.  The blood is the bright 3M blood, which I love, but those looking for a little more will be disappointed.  Overall, The Girl in Room 2A has so much promise but didn't quite reach it's potential.  If you are binging the box set you can still find some enjoyment out of it but it is the weakest film in the set.  

The Killer is One of 13

Director - Javier Aguirre (Count Dracula's Great Love, Children's War)

Starring - Patty Shepard (Rest in Pieces, Edge of the Axe), Simon Andreu (Prince of Shadows, Fist Fighter), and Jose Maria Prada (Hotel Fear, The Hunt)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

      My New Year viewing has been amazing so far after I decided to check out Volume 1 of Vinegar Syndrome's Forgotten Gialli.  Trauma was a great start to the set and The Police are Blundering in the Dark was a great follow up.  I figured one of the three films would be a dud so I expected this last film to be that but I was wrong.  In fact, The Killer is One of 13 was easily my favorite in this release.  The movie was not a horror flick in the traditional sense but was still a phenomenal watch.

     The film follows a wealthy widow who has invited 12 others to her mansion two years after her husband mysteriously crashed his plan.  She suspects that he was murdered and one of the 12 people dining with her this evening is the one responsible.  

     I went into this one thinking it was going to be the stinker of the set and was really fucking impressed by this one.  The Clue like storyline really pulled me in while the atmosphere and suspense created the perfect giallo environment for me.  I absolutely loved almost everything with this one.  I loved it so much that I plan I digging into it again in a few days.  A day later I'm still daydreaming about it.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters are all embellished and eccentric which is typical for most giallo.  The cast does a great job at bringing out so much personality in these characters and making each and every scene enjoyable.  We also get a small role from genre favorite Paul Naschy.  I was expecting to see much more of him but having him in the film at all was a surprise.  The story for this one plays out like a game of Clue which is how the television show (released years later) plays out.  A house full of suspects but only one killer.  It really plays on the murder mystery aspect and it works.  Just when you think the killer is one person you see them die.  It's absolutely brilliant and methodical.  Some of the scenes are rather slow paced but if you still with it you will enjoy it.  Finally, the film has several bloody kills but if you want the gore you will be disappointed.  The kills are pretty bloody but the practical effects are non-existent.  The kills, like most gialli, works for the film but are nothing that memorable.  Overall, The Killer is One of 13 is an absolutely brilliant murder mystery with beautiful cinematography and an amazing cast.  The brilliant lighting and clever camera angles are absent but the film still speaks for itself.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  You will not be disappointed.  

The Police are Blundering in the Dark

Director - Helia Colombo 

Starring - Joseph Arkim, Francisco Cortez, and Richard Fielding

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I spent my New Year day binging some horror movies.  With my recent Vinegar Syndrome package hitting my door steps recently I decided it was time to finally check out the Forgotten Gialli Volume 1 set that they released several months ago but before I get into Volume 2 I decided to spin the first one.  Trauma was a strong start to this one and the next one I pulled out was 1975's The Police are Blundering in the Dark.

     The film follows a disabled photographer who finds himself in the middle of a murder spree when beautiful young models go missing.  A journalist is investigating the murders and the disappearance of a female friend which sends him into the home of the photographer.

     Most of the giallos that I truly enjoy are not listed as horror.  In fact, most of the traditional gialli, or giallo, tend to be murder mysteries that flirt with drama.  Sure, murder is the premise for all gialli but most of the film would not be considered horror.  Trauma was more of a horror tale while The Police are Blundering in the Dark was more of a murder mystery.  The story did not really flow like a typical horror tale but it did work as a gialli.  The acting in this one was solid but I found myself laughing on occasion as the cast's mannerisms.  Some of the more serious scenes are very underwhelming due to how the cast acts.  The unintentional humor does make the story miss it's mark at times.  With that being said, some of the characters were very well done aside from the few "blundering" moments.  The story for this one is a true murder mystery but with the gialli style.  We get some beautiful shots with very effective lighting, the killer's point of view, and plenty of suspense and atmosphere.  The way the story unfolds here it really works and the killer is not that predictable.  I thought I had a good guess as to who it was but I was wrong.  Finally, if you are expecting a bloody mess of a film you will be disappointed.  Like most giallo from the mid-70s we get several slasher like kills with sharp instruments but the practical effects are very limited.  The deaths work for the film but they are rather unforgettable.  Overall, The Police are Blundering in the Dark is a solid giallo by numbers murder mystery.  It's visually pleasing but there is a few moments where you catch yourself gigling at the performances.  It's definately worth a shot so check it out.