A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971, Lucio Fulci)

Just released by Mondo Macabro is one of the Italian Godfather of Gore Lucio Fulci’s giallo masterpieces, A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin. I first saw this film more than five years ago and it totally blew me away. I’ve been planning on checking it out many times since then and I’m glad I waited because I had forgotten much of the film and also because this new Blu Ray is a such revelation, both in quality and for its wealth of extras.
Florinda Bolkan plays Carol Hammond, the daughter of a rich lawyer, who also employs her husband Frank (Jean Sorel). Carol is plagued with strange, sensual dreams which frequently involve her neighbor Julia Durer (Anita Strindberg). After one of these dreams turns violent, Julia’s body is found murdered in the same way as in Carol’s dream. Police Inspector Corvin (Stanley Baker) is assigned the case and has to determine what role Carol’s dreams play in the murder. Did she do it? Is someone trying to drive her crazy and frame her?
A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin is one of the most vivid, artful and gory giallo films that I have seen, and also one of the best. As soon as you think you know the killer’s identity, a new plot device is revealed, throwing your assumptions out the window. I’ve seen Bolkan in many Italian films and she is easily one of the most diverse actresses of the genre. Just watch this alongside Fulci’s equally twisted giallo Don’t Torture a Duckling and you’ll see what I mean. Fulci doesn’t hold back when it comes to gore here (those damn dogs!), but beyond that he lets his technical abilities shine more than probably any other film I’ve seen from his oeuvre. The dream sequences are so well shot, it’s hard to believe its Fulci…at least if you are only familiar with his low budget gore films. Plus there is a well developed story (which actually makes sense) that many of his later films (even some of his classics) lack. I can’t forget to mention one of the absolute greatest scores Ennio Morricone has ever written. Its funny because I have listened to the soundtrack many times over the past couple years and even included a song on a Morricone mix I made, so it’s neat to hear the songs along with the film now that I am more familiar with them.
Mondo Macabro’s new Blu Ray (which was first released as a limited edition of 999 and sold out very quickly) is a dream come true for genre fans. It features one of the most beautiful restorations I’ve seen in a long time. The disc is also packed with extras including interviews and commentaries. Full list of extras below:
-Complete version of the feature, 104 minutes 11 seconds, with alternative English and Italian audio tracks with newly created English subtitles.
-Documentary Shedding the Skin, with optional commentary from director Kris Gavin. (34 minutes).
-When Worlds Collide - Interview with Stephen Thrower author of Beyond Terror: the film of Lucio Fulci. (30 minutes).
-Dr Lucio Fulci's Day for Night: An interview with Lucio Fulci. (30 minutes)
-From Burton to Baker - interview with actor Tony Adams about his experiences of working on the film. (11 minutes).
-Feature Length audio commentary with Pete Tombs and Kris Gavin.
-Radio spots for the Schizoid release of the film.
-Alternative Italian title sequence.
-Original Trailers

What Have You Done to Solange? (1972, Massimo Dallamano)

Another classic Italian giallo from the saviors at Arrow Films, you say? SIGN ME UP! What Have You Done to Solange? is a film I watched several years ago in the throws of giallo passion, but for some reason remembered almost nothing about. So Arrow's new release couldn't have come at a better time for me to become reacquainted with this rough slice of celluloid. The fact it is from Massimo Dallamano, the cinematographer for A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More and director of much loved (by me) classics as Colt 38 Special Squad, Super Bitch (it's better than it sounds) and The Secret of Dorian Gray, I definitely knew I wanted to see it again. Oh and Fabio Testi, one of my favorite Italian actors. I could go on....and I will.
In What Have You Done to Solange?, Mr. Testi plays Enrico, a married gym teacher at a private girl's high school who is messing around with Elizabeth (Cristina Galbo), one of his students. After Elizabeth witnesses a murder, the two try to figure out the killer's identity while trying not to get caught by Enrico's wife. All the while, the killer begins targeting a group of girls at the school and murdering them in the same gruesome way.
What Have You Done to Solange? is a well made, yet fairly graphic example of the giallo genre. Not only do we see full frontal nudity but the method the killer uses is itself pretty extreme. The film takes its time to get going, but I didn't find myself bored at all, thanks to the plot's twists and turns. The cast are all great and it was interesting to see a young Camille Keaton (I Spit on Your Grave) as the mysterious Solange. Arrow's new DVD/Blu Ray combo does the film justice with a pristine transfer and lots of great supplements. If you are a giallo, Italian film, horror or exploitation fan, you shouldn't be disappointed by this film. Hopefully those that may have missed Solange in the past will give it the exposure it deserves.
Bonus Features include:
-Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
-Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
-Newly translated subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
-Brand new audio commentary with critics Alan Jones and Kim Newman
-Newly filmed cast interviews
-Original Theatrical Trailer
-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by MALLEUS www.malleusdelic.com (to be revealed)
-Booklet featuring brand new writing on the film, illustrated with original stills
Purchase this film directly from MVD HERE

Wake Up and Kill (1966, Carlo Lizzani)

New from Arrow Films is another obscure classic from the Italian crime genre - Wake Up and Kill (Svegliati e uccidi). Not really a polizioteschi, more of a violent docu-drama, but still a wonderful slice of 60's Spaghetti action. Directed by Carlo Lizzani (Requiescant), this film pre-dates many of the classic Italian crime films that came after, but no doubt features lots of what makes them great.
Wake Up and Kill stars "Alain Delon-lookalike" Robert Hoffman (who I recently watched in Umberto Lenzi's trippy giallo Spasmo) as Luciano Lutring, a small time jewelry thief who, despite his hot temper, can't seem to get caught. He falls for a night club singer (Lisa Gastoni) who desperately tries to change him, but still supports him even when he becomes headline news. Luciano has to flea the country and ends up entangled with other groups of criminals who use his infamy to their advantage.
Wake Up and Kill is quite different than what I was expecting. Missing is the bloody violence, scantily clad women and simple story of your typical Italian Crime film. This one is far more dramatic, with complicated characters and a gripping story. If I had to compare this to one other film, I would compare it to the Giuliano Carnimeo's Secrets of a Call Girl, which was far deeper and character driven than I expected. I might even compare it to Lizzani's own early Bandits in Milan, which itself had a pseudo documentary feel (though much more pronounced). The cast here, especially Hoffman, Gastoni and one of my favorites Gian Maria Volonte (as the cop who tries to help Lutring's wife bring him in) are very convincing and carry the admittedly long running time (over 2 hours). I should also mention another great performance in Claudio Camaso (ne' Volonte - Gian Maria's brother) who plays Gastoni's ex flame and thorn in Lutring's side. Also worth mentioning is a classic score by the great Ennio Morriccone.
As with all of Arrow's releases I have seen, this release is nothing short of spectacular with two cuts of the film and a wealth of extras. Amazing for such and obscure film, but one that deserves it nonetheless. Full list of Extras are:
-Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
-High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray and Standard Definition DVD presentations of two versions of the film: the original full-length Italian release, and the shortened English-language cut
-Italian and English soundtracks in uncompressed PCM mono sound on the respective versions of the film
-Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English cut
-Theatrical trailer
-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Reinhard Kleist
Purchase Wake Up and Kill directly from MVD HERE

Requiescant (1967, Carlo Lizzani)

Arrow Films, the leading purveyor of classic, cult and foreign films is back with another lost gem from one of my favorite genres - The Spaghetti Western. Requiescant is another film I had never heard of, but much like Day of Anger, soon after viewing moved to the top of my list of favorites of the genre.
Requiescant (which is part of the latin phrase "Requiescant in Pace" or Rest in Peace) tells the story of a young Mexican boy who witnesses his village massacred by the rich tyrant George Ferguson (Mark Damon). The boy is taken in by a preacher and his family and grows up with his step sister Princy. When Princy runs off to join a traveling theater, he promises to get her back. He finds Princy, who has become a prostitute, and becomes entangled with her pimps, who just happen to work for Ferguson. After being dubbed Requiescant, he has to use his cunning wits and his expert shooting skills to find a way to exact his revenge.
Requiescant has everything I love about the best Spaghetti Westerns - a quiet hero, a lot of gun play and an actual story. So many Spag Westerns suffer from being boring and Requiescant fortunately kept me interested from start to finish. Lou Castel (who I was familiar with from another classic Spaghetti Western - Damiano Damiani's A Bullet for the General) was perfect as Reqiescant and frequent star of many Italian films Mark Damon was very entertaining as the slightly mad Ferguson. Also included in the cast are famed Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini as a priest and two of his frequent stars Franco Citti and Nino Davoli. I really hope Arrow continues to release Spaghetti Westerns because so far their track record is perfect.
Arrow's release of Requiescant is another well put together, essential Blu Ray/DVD combo featuring a beautiful print and a bevy of extras. Bonus Features include:
-Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
-Optional English and Italian soundtracks in uncompressed PCM mono audio
-Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
-An all-new interview with Lou Castel, recorded exclusively for this release
-Archive interview with director Carlo Lizzani
-Theatrical Trailer
-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
-Illustrated collector's booklet containing new writing on the film by Pasquale Iannone
Purchase Requiescant directly from MVD HERE

Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats (2015, Sergio Martino/Lucio Fulci)

Sadly Halloween has come and gone. I am still trying to get over the fact that I have to wait another 11 months for the spooky Samhain season of tricks, treats and really nutty gothic Italian horror films. Wait! What's that you say? I don't have to wait? Arrow Films recently released a box set just for me featuring a pair of films by two of my favorite Italian directors? Let the celebrating commence!
Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats box set features two films loosely based on the classic poem by the master of macabre. The first film, Lucio Fulci's The Black Cat stars David Warbeck (The Beyond) as an inspector investigating a series of murders in a small English village. Along the way he meets a photographer named Jill (Mimsy Farmer) whose post-mortem photographs may hold some evidence that a frisky feline might be responsible or at least hold the key to these murders. Also included is one of several expertly crafted giallo films by Sergio Martino, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key. This classic mindbender stars Luigi Pistilli (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) as an abusive, alcoholic writer who tries convincing his wife (Anita Strindberg) that he is not responsible for the odd murders that keep occurring in and around their sprawling villa. His mysterious young niece (the astonishingly beautiful Edwige Fenech) comes to visit and tries to find out who is responsible for the murders as well.
What can I say except that this box set is one of the best releases I have seen in a long time. It hasn't taken long for Arrow to win me over and I have to say they are probably my favorite DVD/Blu Ray releasing company around now. Their Criterion-level care for obscure, yet usually brilliant, films is a dream come true for fringe film lovers. Overall, I'd say Your Vice is the stronger of the two films but gore lovers won't want to miss Fulci's underrated gothic classic. The fact this box set includes two of my favorite Italian film starlets (Fenech and Dagmar Lassander) just makes the whole thing even sweeter. This limited edition box set features two blu ray discs as well as an amazing 80 page book featuring Poe's original story and detailed writings on the two films. Whether you are a fan of Italian horror, gothic, gore or gialli (or all 4 like me), you can't go wrong with this set. Included in this set are:
-Brand new 2K restorations of the films from the original camera negatives
-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
-Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
-Newly translated subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks
-Brand new interview with director Sergio Martino
-Dolls of Flesh and Blood: The Gialli of Sergio Martino - a visual essay by Michael Mackenzie exploring Sergio Martino's unique contributions to the giallo genre
-Stephen Thrower, author of Beyond Terror - The Films of Lucio Fulci, on The Black Cat
-Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin
-Limited Edition 80-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the films, Poe's original story and more, illustrated with archive stills and posters
Purchase this set directly from MVD HERE

Salad Days (2014, Scott Crawford)

New from MVD is a long-awaited document of the Washington DC punk scene from 1980-1980. I have been a fan of many of the bands in this documentary since I was a teenager so this was one doc I did not want to miss.

Directed by scenester Scott Crawford (there is some great footage of him as a teen outside of a punk show back in the day), Salad Days is a chronicle of one of the most beloved and important time periods in punk rock history. Named after a Minor Threat song, this film features interviews with Minor Threat's Ian Mackaye, the most important figure from the DC hardcore scene and possibly of independent music itself, with his philosophies on affordable, youth oriented music through his Dischord record label and all ages shows. Also included are interviews with Henry Rollins, SNL's Fred Armisen and members of such integral DC bands as Fugazi, Government Issue, Minor Threat, Dag Nasty and many more.

Salad Days is a very welcome documentary for the punk community. Both informative and entertaining, with an amazing soundtrack (including a score from DC staple Michael Hampton from The Faith/Embrace/S.O.A.), this film excels on all levels. Well written, visually exciting are the words I would use to describe this great documentary. And the music! What great, great music.


Purchase Salad Days directly from MVD HERE

Eaten Alive (1976, Tobe Hooper)

"Name's Buck... and I'm rarin' to fuck."

Just released from Arrow Films is Eaten Alive, an obscure horror classic that is sadly overshadowed by director Tobe Hooper's masterpiece The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. I first saw this film several years ago and didn't really know what to make of it. A few viewings later (including a beat up print on the big screen) and I finally realized how great this weird, off-beat treat really is.

Eaten Alive stars veteran character actor Neville Brand as Judd, a psychotic war veteran with a hate for prostitutes and a love for crocodiles. In fact, he keeps one right outside his dumpy motel. An odd mix of folks pass by, providing victims for Judd's scythe and food for the croc.

What makes Eaten Alive so great are the claustrophobic sets, the trippy red lighting and most importantly the cast. Rarely have I seen such an amazing cast of B movie greats: Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund, William Finley (Phantom of the Paradise), Marilyn Burns (Texas Chain Saw Massacre), Mel Ferrer, Roberta Collins (Death Race 2000), Janus Blythe (The Hills Have Eyes), Stuart Whitman (Big Bad Mama) and more round out this stellar cast. Now what Arrow did with this film is nothing short of a miracle. The transfer is beautiful (much better than the beat up print I saw) and the bonus features, which include some archival as well as brand new interviews with Hooper and cast round out this amazing DVD/Blu Ray combo. Another nice thing about this release, like most Arrow releases, is that it comes with a very informative booklet and newly designed cover artwork. Though maybe not as well known as some of Tobe Hooper's other films, Eaten Alive is a sick little goody sure to please horror and exploitation fans alike.

Special Features include:

-Brand new 2K transfer from the original camera negative

-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations

-Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

-Audio commentary with co-writer and producer Mardi Rustam, make-up artist Craig Reardon and stars Roberta Collins, William Finley and Kyle Richards

-New introduction to the film by director Tobe Hooper

-Brand new interview with Hooper

-My Name is Buck: Star Robert Englund discusses his acting career

-The Butcher of Elmendorf: The Legend of Joe Ball - The story of the South Texas bar owner on whom Eaten Alive is loosely based

-5ive Minutes with Marilyn Burns - The star of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre talks about working on Eaten Alive

-The Gator Creator: archival interview with Hooper

-Original theatrical trailers for the film under its various titles Eaten Alive, Death Trap, Starlight Slaughter and Horror Hotel

-US TV and Radio Spots

-Alternate credits sequence

-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin

-Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

Purchase Eaten Alive directly from MVD HERE