On the Cultural Gutter, “Heavy Light” traces the origin of Heavy Metal and the important part it played in encouraging me to seek out weird sci-fi, especially if it contained nudity and space janitors.
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The Bloodstained Butterfly is a cross between giallo and poliziotteschi, as cops and lawyers struggle to unravel a typically Byzantine murder case.
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When people imitate or spoof the style of hardboiled detective fiction, they’re imitating Mickey Spillane. Because when it comes to elevating tough-guy talk to sublime and absurd levels, it’s hard to beat Spillane.
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Donald E. Westlake, best known for his “Parker” series of thrillers, was hired to write a James Bond movie. In the end, the script was not used, but Westlake reworked the story into an original novel.
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Argento would go on to direct bolder, more visually dynamic films, but he would rarely achieve the same level of empathy as he does in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
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Over on Diabolique, I’m indulging my passion for Shaitani Dracula. Main Hoon Dracula! is the next step in my quest to promote Harinam Singh’s baffling, beautiful horror masterpiece.
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The Sister of Ursula is like watching a Jess Franco film without that director’s flare. Everything seems to operate under the directive of “Well, this should be good, but we’re going to mess it up.”
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