Posts
Directed
by Mario Bava, Blood and Black Lace is one of the most famous Giallo
horror movies, as it was perhaps the film that kicked it all off.
It’s about a guy who stalks and kills fashion models. It’s not
quite as bloody as later Italian Horror films, but it’s a classic of
genre.
The
Eyes of Laura Mars isn’t a great film, but it has all the
ingredients to be a great film. It’s directed by Irvin Kershner
(the director of the best Star Wars film) written by John Carpenter
(Halloween) and stars some good actors (Tommy Lee Jones and Faye
Dunaway). It's about a fashion photographer who can see through the eyes of a killer (who stages murders like her provocative pictures), sounds good right? However, it’s only an average film, Dunaway has done
better work than this, but the biggest drawback is the least convincing love
story ever written. It really did ruin the film to a worrying large
degree, but picked this because I doubt this will be picked by many others and there are moments that
are impressive.
Nicolas
Winding Refn’s films always seem to get a reaction out any viewer whether its positive or negative, you
don’t normally leave the cinema following a Refn film and think
‘meh’. Refn’s latest film is a satire of the fashion industry,
it has strong words about an industry in which people would literally
eat you up and spit you out (at least according to the film they do).
I haven't seen two of these but I think I'll give the first one a shot, I picked another Italian giallo film myself so I can compare the two.
ReplyDeleteRefn's films can be a challenge so I'll have to think about that one.
HA we match in the most unexpected way!! Like you I didn't expect Laura Mars to show up at all, and you're right it's just an average film but what a cast and it was a major film when it came out.
Our picks are pretty kindred this week in fact:
Women He Undressed (2015)-Mix of documentary and reenactments tells the story of Australian born Hollywood wardrobe designer Orry-Kelly. THE major Warner Brothers designer throughout much of the Golden Age and a favorite of Bette Davis among others he also designed for films ranging from Some Like it Hot to Les Girls and Casablanca. Covers his often rocky early life-he was seriously involved with Cary Grant before either were famous, working in mob controlled nightclubs etc. though his successes and later struggles with alcohol laced throughout with interviews with those who knew and worked with him including Jane Fonda and Angela Lansbury. Directed by Gillian Armstrong.
The Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)-High fashion photography Laura Mars (Faye Dunaway) is much in demand for her provocative layouts that have a violent often blood splattered tinge. She is climbing ever higher until she suddenly starts seeing actual murders through the eyes of the killer and he seems to be moving closer and closer to her. Stylish, with a theme song sung by Barbra Streisand, but rather sick this provided an early spotlight role for Tommy Lee Jones.
Strip Nude for Your Killer (1975)-Italian giallo film of a leather clad and motorcycle helmeted killer who is wreaking havoc within the Albatross modeling agency systemically knocking off nearly everyone associated with it. Unsurprisingly based on the title full to the brim with nudity both female and to a lesser degree male as well grisly knife killings all in gaudily lit 70’s colors. A definite precursor to the slasher film craze that swept American films a few years later this bloodbath is set to a striking jazz score.
Haha. I was thinking The Eyes of Laura Mars wouldn't be picked but I saw it twice this week (not including my pick). I like the sounds of Stripe Nude for Your Killer...sounds like atypical Giallo.
DeleteIf I participated in those weekly picks I'd choose Neon Demon too - great look at the fashion world and how awful it is for all those young girls who are trying to make it
ReplyDeleteYou should =)
DeleteBut, yeah, its quite a hard look at a problematic industry.
I haven't seen any of these but Blood and Black Lace sounds so interesting. I'm one of those who hates the fashion world.
ReplyDeleteSame. I have very little interest in it.
DeleteI need to see Neon Demon Asap. Blood and Black Lace sounds like it's right up my alley, so I should watch that, too.
ReplyDeleteYou should, if you like your Italian horror films.
DeleteI haven't seen the Mario Bava film as he's someone I want to explore in the future. Eyes of Laura Mars I am intrigued to see largely because it was written by John Carpenter.
ReplyDeleteYeah. That was one of the reasons I wanted to see it as I like the works of John Carpenter...but this is one of his lesser works.
DeleteI picked The Eyes of Laura Mars and actually saw this in the theatre when it came our:) it isn't great but, for some reason, I can watch that movie over and over again. I haven't seen the other 2 but the first one intrigues me.
ReplyDeleteI saw it on Amazon Prime. To me it quite strange seeing a young Tommy Lee Jones...
DeleteOnce again I found Eyes of Laura Mars in a post! I bet I need to see it :D
ReplyDeleteThe Neon Demon, as I mentioned in other post, gave me some ambivalent feeling. You can check my full review about it here: https://sinekdoks.com/2016/12/14/the-neon-demon-2016-review/
Eyes of Laura Mars is an ok film...so you would not miss too much by missing it.
DeleteI'll check your review out.
The Eyes of Laura Mars sounds insane! I got to see it. Great pick on The Neon Demon - can't believe I forgot about it for this!!
ReplyDeleteI like BLOOD AND BLACK LACE and I love THE NEON DEMON. I've never even heard of THE EYES OF LAURA MARS.
ReplyDelete