Italian and Italian-language Films
The Case of the Bloody Iris: trashy serial killer entertainment set in a changing Italy during the early 1970s
Giuliano Carnimeo, “The Case of the Bloody Iris” (1971) Known also as “What are those
Tag: Horror
Shadow of a Doubt: innocence, a happy family and insular small town America menaced by an outside force
Alfred Hitchcock, “Shadow of a Doubt” (1942) A dark film that explores the potential for
Stoker: psychological thriller let down by stereotyped characters and poor scripting
Park Chanwook, “Stoker” (2013) Appropriately Chanwook Park’s Hollywood directing debut is a psychological thriller featuring
Battle Royale (Director’s Cut): satire on Japanese society and militaristic values with plenty of teen angst and splatter gore
Kinji Fukasaku, “Battle Royale (Director’s Cut)” (2000) For all its extreme violence and other liberties
Persona: visually stunning minimalist meditation on identity, duality and the art of film-making
Ingmar Bergman, “Persona” (1966) A visually stunning film, shot in black and white film and
Upstream Color: how love and hope can overcome a cycle of evil and bring about healing
Shane Carruth, “Upstream Color” (2012) Since making “Primer”, Shane Carruth’s career as film director and
Frankenstein (dir. J Searle Dawley): horror films are born in short film lesson on the evils of humans playing God
J Searle Dawley, “Frankenstein” (1910) Made by Edison Studios in 1910, this is the first
The Banquet: a much loved cartoon with wry gallows humour
Zofia Oraczewska, “The Banquet / Bankiet” (1976) Its style seems outdated for a short animation
Ichthys: a caustic commentary on institutional religion
Marek Skrobecki, “Ichthys” (2005) For once I didn’t need to look up an English translation
House of Wax: realism versus art and artifice in horror cult film
Andre de Toth, “House of Wax” (1953) “House of Wax” was the movie that established