#giallo movies

[666frames]

Tenebrae Japanese trailer (1983)

[theersatzcowboy]

Five Dolls for an August Moon / 5 bambole per la luna d'agosto (1970)

Director: Mario Bava

Cinematographer: Antonio Rinaldi

Starring: Ira Furstenberg, Edwige Fenech, William Berger, Howard Ross, Helena Ronee, Teodoro Corrà, Justine Gall, Edith Meloni, Mauro Bosco, and Maurice Poli.

[schlock-luster-video]

On September 14, 1990, Deep Red was screened as a single-feature on USA Up All Night.

[lilaclunablossom]

Deep Red Review

I saw Dario Argento’s 1975 movie Deep Red (or Profondo Rosso) for my October horror marathon. The first giallo movie I’ve ever seen. I saw it in Italian, with subtitles.

If you don’t know what giallo movies are, they’re Italian slasher movies famous for being extremely violent. However, what I didn’t know before watching this, is that they’re also very plot-focused mystery stories. In fact there aren’t even many violent scenes in this movie, but when they happen, they’re gruesome.

It’s written by Argento, and Bernardino Zapponi. A jazz musician named Marcus, played by David Hemmings, witnesses a murder in his apartment building from outside, and becomes obsessed with finding the culprit. There’s also a reporter named Gianna, and his best friend Carlo who’s also a musician. Like most mystery stories, the set-up is pretty simple, but the plot builds up in many ways.

I didn’t really take away any themes from my viewing, but after seeing someone else’s analysis, it’s clearly at least somewhat focused on the idea of gender and sex. I kinda don’t like how Carlo is a common archetype of the only gay character being mentally unwell. It’s really my only critique of this amazing movie, but I feel like Carlo’s character is still mostly handled with empathy. And maybe it has some meaning that’s going over my head, I don’t know.

The acting is great, as far as I can tell with the language barrier. I could really feel the passion from Gabriele Lavia, who plays Carlo. The thing is, even aside from the language barrier, most, if not all of the dialogue, is ADR. I guess it was common for giallo movies to ditch the original audio for artistic effect? I dunno, but it doesn’t bother me when I don’t even know the language to begin with. I saw a couple people on Reddit saying it’s “unwatchable,” which is really funny.

I really love the way this movie looks. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen something shot with the lens and film they used. It has such a specific film grain that’s so cozy, but strange. The locations and set design are equally as atmospheric. I love the place Marcus and Carlo go to talk a few times, with the Ancient Greek-looking statue.

The soundtrack, mostly done by Italian prog rock band Goblin, is fucking insane. There’s a lot of variety, but what stands out most is some SUPER groovy and aggressively psychedelic jazz/rock fusion. It does sound scary at times, but the soundtrack overall is just SO much fun to listen to. The movie isn’t afraid to play fun tracks during horrific violence, too, which creates an interesting apathetic feeling toward the characters.

I can’t wait to eventually see how other giallo movies stack up to this one. Deep Red is an audio-visual masterpiece, and a super fun introduction to the genre. 4.5/5

[esqueletosgays]

DEEP IN THE WOODS / PROMENOUS-NOUS DANS LES BOIS (2000)

Director: Lionel Delplanque Cinematography: Denis Rouden

[movies-tv-more]

TV Show & Movie Collection Releases for March 19, 2024

[fortheloveofgiallo]

BONUS POST: Suspiria (1977)

dir. Dario Argento | R

first things first. Suspiria is not really a giallo film, which is a bit amusing considering it is the king of giallo himself, Dario Argento's most well known film. because of that, it does not necessarily count for this project. however, Suspiria is UNDOUBTABLY a perfect horror film.

there is nary a more beautiful horror film than this gorgeous masterpiece. the vivacious colors keep your eyes glued to the screen, stealing your attention with harsh reds and cementing its dizzying mysticism with swirling purples.

speaking of mysticism, the soundtrack melts into the film, inundating the tone with whispers of witches. Claudio Simonetti and Goblin's masterful execution of the soundtrack truly pushes this film over the edge, setting Suspiria's mood perfectly. (but maybe that is my bias speaking, because i've seen Goblin live and it was amazing!)

if you would like to listen to the soundtrack, i've linked it for your listening pleasure :)

personal rating: 5/5

[ladamarossa]

Death Steps in the Dark (1977)

[phone-in-the-attic]

honestly one of the greatest soundtracks from a horror movie i've ever heard?? it's amazing lmfao

[ahauntedblog]

Horrorthon 2023: (Day 9)

Tenebrae (1982)

[giallofever2]

[666frames]

Strip Nude For Your Killer (1975)

[theersatzcowboy]

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times / La dama rossa uccide sette volte (1972)

Director: Emilio Miraglia

Cinematographer: Alberto Spagnoli

Starring: Barbara Bouchet, Ugo Pagliai, Marina Malfatti, and Sybil Danning

[schlock-luster-video]

On August 9, 1971, The Cat o' Nine Tails debuted in France.

[groovydaikaiju]

Original Italian theatrical poster for Dario Argento’s Four Flies on Grey Velvet.

[esqueletosgays]

NON HO SONNO / SLEEPLESS (2001)

Director: Dario Argento Cinematography: Ronnie Taylor