Bava lays a foundation with ‘Blood and Black Lace’ (1964)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): But later works would put his style innovations to scarier use than this procedural murder plot.
Foreign Films
Bava lays a foundation with ‘Blood and Black Lace’ (1964)
‘A Bay of Blood’ (1971) shows where ‘Friday the 13th’ came from
Frightening Friday (Movie review): The style and practical gore effects remain outstanding, but the plot of this Bava film has never been strong.
‘Stendhal Syndrome’ (1996) is stupid but rather engaging
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Asia Argento plays the least plausible cop ever, but her father Dario’s directorial style remains a high point.
‘Rebecca’ (1997) is more faithful to du Maurier’s gothic tragedy
On a Hitchcock kick (TV review): It’s a tad less masterful than the master’s version, but this longer, faithful adaptation isn’t lost in the smoke.
Argento comes stateside for hidden gem ‘Trauma’ (1993)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Rydell and Asia Argento are excellent in this serial-killer mystery that blends giallo with noir.
Hitchcock stumbles into sound era with ‘Juno and the Paycock’ (1930)
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Although Sean O’Casey’s play is well-regarded, Hitchcock’s adaptation is rightly cited by many as his worst film.
‘People on Sunday’ (1930) explores human nature, cinema’s potential
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): At the time, it was an experiment in using non-actors; today, it’s a time capsule of peaceful, pre-Hitler Germany.
Argento makes horror operatic in ‘Opera’ (1987)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Though not totally eye-opening for fans of Argento’s work, this is one of the director’s most focused productions.
‘Phenomena’ (1985) won’t bug Argento acolytes
Frightening Friday (Movie review): But even with Jennifer Connelly as an insect whisperer, the film doesn’t diverge from his formula.
‘Tenebrae’ (1982) a brainy exploration of human violence
Frightening Friday (Movie review): And don’t worry, it’s bloody too, as Argento keeps up with trends in the slasher genre he helped popularize.