October Horror Movie Marathon

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

I watched The Love Witch last night and really liked it. It's a quirky and strange film because there are so many occasions where the homage verges on pastiche and I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to laugh or not. I don't know if it's as good as Anna Biller's previous film Viva, a film which I remember being much more tonally consistent and one I found more engaging, but I thought this was really good fun, thoughtful in its subtext, and a great love letter to the witchcraft films and TV shows from the 1950s and '60s and will probably watch it with the commentary today before selecting another film.

[Paul Zombie]

Macabre.

Jane Baker is admitted to a asylum after her lover Frank has his head chopped off in a horrific accident, and also after her son dies as well in a drowning in the bath.
Later when she is released, she returns to live in the rented apartment were her and her lover used to meet, and is lusted after by the shy and nervous landlord Robert, a blind chap who likes repairing trumpets for extra cash.

This i thought was a very good debut indeed for director Lamberto Bava, and is well shot with nice locations in New Orleons.
it is slow moving but builds up the atmosphere and suspense nicely to the horrific end.
actress Bernice stegers gives a fine performance as Jane, the lady with a bizarre secret that she hides in her freezer , and the girl who co stars as her daughter Lucy in the film is very good as well, and equally as insane as her mother, although Lucy's dubbed voice is up to the usual standard of child actors in these films.

definately a curiosty and unlike anything else released in Italian horror. and proof that Lamberto could turn out a good film as well as his father. and i award it 82.5 out of 100.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

I watched The Love Witch a great love letter to the witchcraft films and TV shows from the 1950s and '60s

Like what if i may ask?

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Like what if i may ask?

I haven't seen any full episodes, but the look seemed to echo the clips I've seen from Bewitched, and the eye make-up is very similar to Barbara Steele's famous eyes for the Black Sunday poster. Even things like Night of the Eagle and Curse of the Crimson Altar because of the protagonist being out of place at the patriarchal society and the dream sequences are, from memory, a similar plot device to those experienced Mark Eden in the latter.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

I haven't seen any full episodes, but the look seemed to echo the clips I've seen from Bewitched, and the eye make-up is very similar to Barbara Steele's famous eyes for the Black Sunday poster. Even things like Night of the Eagle and Curse of the Crimson Altar because of the protagonist being out of place at the patriarchal society and the dream sequences are, from memory, a similar plot device to those experienced Mark Eden in the latter.

I get the Bewitched references. It was about as cutting edge as that show as well.
Not too sure about the other two though as in this she knew what she was doing all along rather than being a victim ala Wyngarde and Eden.

Not that i'll ever watch The Love Witch again.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

I get the Bewitched references. It was about as cutting edge as that show as well.
Not too sure about the other two though as in this she knew what she was doing all along rather than being a victim ala Wyngarde and Eden.

Not that i'll ever watch The Love Witch again.

I'm watching it with the commentary now and Biller mentioned The Stepford Wives as a reference point which makes a lot of sense in terms of her social commentary and the costumes, particularly for the Victorian tea rooms. It's not specifically witchcraft, but it is an atypical horror film.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

I'm watching it with the commentary now and Biller mentioned The Stepford Wives as a reference point which makes a lot of sense in terms of her social commentary and the costumes, particularly for the Victorian tea rooms. It's not specifically witchcraft, but it is an atypical horror film.

It did feel more like Romero's Season of the Witch (although not as good) than any of the two films you mentioned above, Nos.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

It did feel more like Romero's Season of the Witch (although not as good) than any of the two films you mentioned above, Nos.

Yeah, I get that. It is more like a witchcraft version of a revenge film than a 'typical' witchcraft film which is told from the victim's perspective.

[bleakshaun]

My mate has never seen Blair Witch 2, so that's tonight's viewing. I love the movie, so his opinion will be interesting.

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[Justin101]

I think that tonight's viewing will be The Omen, a film I've not seen for many years! Nothing is set in stone yet though, might have a browse through sky movies as well.