Embassy Of The Free Mind - 2024 - Italy

Embassy Of The Free Mind - 2024 - 6/10

 
Museum of books rare, banned and burned.  Filled with progressive ideas, dangerous ideas.
Manuscripts and books from the 15th century and later.
Mysticism, alchemy, astrology, Kabbalah, Cabbalah, Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, the Illuminati.
Not to overlook the River of Life, tying elements together.

 
The speakers, patrons and curators, are earnest idealists.
Who believe, truly, if we only pursue and connect what bygone “scientists” left unfinished, we might remake the world.
“Why are we here?” “What is the meaning of it all?”
In many ways, I felt sad for them; for me, ours is not the right world for them.
When power is held by tyrants, knaves and the deranged, books are burned and intelligence murdered.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3371357

Once Upon A Time In The West - 1968 - Italy

Once Upon A Time In The West - 1968 - 8/10
AKA - C'era Una Volta il West

 
Magnificent Western of greed and vengeance, stunningly shot and composed.
Bronson, taking over after another actor declined, excellent as the gunman of few words, few explanations.
The railroad is coming through; land is needed, by any means necessary.
The magnate has a team of cutthroats, led by colder-than-ice Frank.
Tremendous film, operatic in structure and intensity, likely too long for American audiences.
I first saw this in a revival theater in the mid-1970’s, and it was unforgettable.
Realize, going in, the three hour length.

The Visitor - 1979 - Italy

The Visitor - 1979 - 5/10
AKA - Stridulum

 
Straight off, why is John Huston in this twaddle?
Because the actor who first agreed to take lead (John Wayne!?!) was too ill.
Anyhoo, forces of light and good have been in eternal conflict with Zatteen.
Who had spawned with countless females, each gestating his seed.
In this case, Barbara, whose daughter Katy already has the power and the malevolence.
A cabal of evil schemes to have Barbara procreate a son – for Katy to conjugate with down the line.
Who can save humanity?  An old, arthritic man who smiles and shuffles along?
Incredibly bad, yet so bizarre one watches stupefied.

The Ghost - 1963 - Italy

The Ghost - 1963 - 5/10
AKA - Lo Spettro

 
“Who’s there?”
Stupid man, he tricked me with that will.  After all I did for him.
“What’s that noise?”
I don’t care if the village is talking, if everyone suspects.
Everyone knew he took poison.  Trying to cure his paralysis.
Lavishly furnished Italian Gothic crawls like a snail in the icebox.
Poorly directed or incompetence, take your pick.

A White Dress for Marialé - 1972 - Italy

A White Dress for Marialé - 1972 - 6/10
AKA - Un Bianco Vestito per Marialé

 
Friends are invited to Marialé and Paolo’s castle.  Yes, castle.
They have not seen them for a few years and are unaware of her condition.
A sumptuous dinner table is laid out and all don costumes - save for Marialé.
Everyone soon seems drugged - save for Marialé - and individuals devolve to their baser instincts.
Then the murders begin.
Opulent style over substance.  In essence, gorgeous to view, yet the plot is tissue thin and barely coherent.
Characters are mere sketches, reasons for deaths vague.
Perverse film, excruciatingly slow, not for all tastes.

The 10th Victim - 1965 - Italy

The 10th Victim - 1965 - 6/10
AKA - La Decima Vittima

To provide an outlet for violence and murderous tendencies, society permits “The Big Hunt”.
One hunter, one victim, with guidelines.  After a few successes, endorsements arrive.
Caroline is an alluring predator, nearing the apex of her craft.

Her latest assignment is Marcello, who lacks her finances and support crew.
Instead, he relies on guile and knowledge of the Italian laws.

Overly talky at times, this is, nevertheless, a sexy slice of 60’s cinema.
With a shout out to Lee Falk, this drips Guido Crepax and Italian Pop Art.
Arresting visuals, attractive leads cannot quite salvage a meandering, repetitive plot.

Shoot First, Die Later - 1974 - Italy

Shoot First, Die Later - 1974 - 6/10
AKA - Il Poliziotto è Marcio

 
Yes, they are celebrated heroes.  Stopped a heist, chased down the wheelman.
They are also on the take.
Domenico has an expensive girlfriend, Garrito likes fast cars.  Porsches.
When their crime lords want a case closed, a file retrieved, Domenico drags his feet.
The wheels of villainy are impatient, however, their methods cruel and obvious.
Italian Poliziotteschi opens in a fury, simmers down as the later conflict builds.
This one is fairly sadistic.  Caveat emptor.

The Monster - 2025 - Italy

The Monster - 2025 - 7/10
AKA - Il Monstro

 
Couples park in wooded seclusion for torrid backseat bouncing.
Unaware of the man outside with gun and knife.
Who kills and carves, then flees without a trace.
This plays like the making of countless Giallos, except it was true.
Gripping, if confusing yarn of a serial killer, active for a few decades.
This does “best guess” as to the perpetrator, but the installments can be maddening.
There are lies, fabricated stories, botched arrests, nothing solved.

Violent Rome - 1975 - Italy

Violent Rome - 1975 - 6/10
AKA - Roma Violenta

 
After bus hijackers kill a passenger for loose change, Betti and his team crack down.
A bank robbery results in even more mano a mano violence.
Ultimately, the inspector joins forces with a vigilante group.
You got it, this plot bounces more than a monkey given a bag of cocaine-laced Tootsie Rolls.
Exciting, very pulpy, dripping with sadism and vengeance.
This jump-started the career of Maurizio Merli, who played a fistful of tough cops until the end.

A Pure Formality - 1994 - Italy

A Pure Formality - 1994 - 7/10
AKA - Una Pura Formalità

 
Police find the man walking a lonely road in the middle of a downpour.
No papers, no excuses why he is out.  They detain him at the station and await the inspector.
Follows, a lengthy interrogation of Onoff, the famous novelist.
Whose answers mix lies, mistakes, flashbacks, and quotes from his books.
Difficult to ascertain whether he is devious or clouded by alcohol and trauma.
Polanski and Depardieu spar back and forth in claustrophobic, psychological thriller.
Slow going at times, but enjoyable for the acting, as well as the sodden interior.

The Last Shark - 1981 - Italy

The Last Shark - 1981 - 5/10
AKA - L'ultimo Squalo

 
The annual windsurfing regatta is scheduled for the weekend.
Meanwhile, a great white has arrived in the neighborhood, and it has a taste for long pig.
The mayor and local skippers take precautions, but this is one wily fish.
It can tear things up, it can build, as well.  It’s big, it’s fast, and it is not anorexic.
Blatant ripoff of Jaws proves laugh out action after a lethargic start.  
For viewers who slow down to gape at car accidents, there are piles of unhappy meals.

Eye Of The Spider - 1971 - Italy

Eye Of The Spider - 1971 - 5/10
AKA - L'occhio del Ragno

 
Convict Paul is freed from a prison transport van.
He was part of a three-man jewel heist earlier, but abandoned by his mates.
The mastermind (a bored Van Johnson) gets him out to recover the jewels and loot.
Paul wants likewise, but also revenge, so he keeps getting sidetracked.
This one predates the era of Euro-Crime, so the violence, chases, energy are all pretty low.
Despite nudity and Kinski, this feels / looks like TV. The Sweeney or Starsky & Hutch.
There was one scene where Paul driving a Citroen was chased by baddies in a ‘64 Corvair.
One was a rally sports car, the other my grandmother drove.  I watched and laughed.

The Reincarnation Of Isabel - 1973 - Italy

The Reincarnation Of Isabel - 1973 - 5/10
AKA - Riti, Magie Nere e Segrete Orge nel Trecento...

 
Isabel, a witch burned, is resurrected (by reincarnations of those who killed her).
No reason why or how they summon Isabel is given.
From here, the story slips, careens in varying directions.
The narrative feels like fragments of dreams, stitched loosely together.
Style over substance, yet for style points this is gorgeous.
Attractive females, kaleidoscope colors, a seedy, decadent tone.
Note: Years ago, I bought the Redemption laserdisc.
I was thrown by countless characters and random plotting.  I am still confused.

Mussolini: Son Of The Century - 2024 - Italy

Mussolini: Son Of The Century - 2024 - 8/10

 
Dazzling series of Il Duce’s rise from Fascist fringe to taking control of Parliament.
Plot encapsulated = The self-serving usurps democracy.
Luca Marinelli is utterly mesmerizing: funny, honest, brutal, manipulative, fearful.
This moves at a furious pace, compressing events and overlapping images.  Lavish production values.
Sex, violence, profanity, blasphemy, along with the treachery that accompanies politicians,
Bristling dialogue will thrill or terrify.  “Fascism is the rule of force.  It is the will of a few imposed on the will of many.  It’s the law of the stronger.  It’s hatred, it’s mass excitement, it’s anger.  It’s contempt for weakness and doubt.  And whoever gets in the way …”
The rare beast that is frightening and nervous laughter.
For whatever reason, not yet airing in the USofA.

Street Law - 1974 - Italy

Street Law - 1974 - 6/10
AKA - Il Cittadino si Ribella

 
Wrong place, wrong time.  Carlo is in a bank during an armed holdup.
He tires to retain his own money, but is kidnapped and beaten for interfering.
Manly pride wounded, he vows revenge.  Murder.
Trying to infiltrate the Underworld gives him nothing but more danger.
Euro-Crime is bookended with adrenaline and violence.
Mid-section more leisurely as Carlo plans, fails, inches closer to retribution.
Franco Nero connects as the highly strung vigilante, Barbara Bach underutilized.

Private House Of The SS - 1977 - Italy

Private House Of The SS - 1977 - 5/10
AKA - Casa Privata per le SS

 
Breasts and swastikas - for many, that will be inducement enough.
Following the botched assassination of Hitler, the SS decides to investigate the military command further.
The recruit a dozen high class prostitutes and train them (judo, fencing, ballet, shooting).
Then invite the top Wehrmacht brass to their brothel for a night of debauchery and orgies.
And when that group expends itself, the SS invites another batch.
You’d think with all the nudity and larking about this would be kinky fun.
While decadent elements recall Salo (1975), this one grows tiresome.

The Night Porter - 1974 - Italy

The Night Porter - 1974 - 6/10  
AKA - Il Portiere di Notte

 
Ex SS officer Max has been incognito, working in the Vienna hotel.
Until camp victim / lover Lucia stumbles across him.
They renew their “relationship”, best described as toxic and obsessive.
Less taboo today (especially as nations nudge toward fascism again) this still provokes.
The SS imagery, the dangers to themselves and other hiding Nazis, songs, attire.
Tone gradually gets saturated in claustrophobia and paranoia.
Enjoyment / appreciation might hinge on how ruinous were your sexual relationships.

A Fistful Of Dollars - 1964 - Italy

A Fistful Of Dollars - 1964 - 7/10
AKA - Per un Pugno di Dollari

 
Nameless gunslinger arrives in small desert town.
Sizes up the two largest families, fighting for control, hires himself out.
First to one side, then the other.  Lack of loyalty pays so much better.
Brooding Western launched Clint Eastwood and gave Sergio Leone carte blanche for awhile.
While slow, the visuals are stunning, emphasizing faces and vistas.
Westerns would never look so clean again, as this is all weathered and dust.

Ulysses - 1954 - Italy

Ulysses - 1954 - 6/10
AKA - Ulisse

 
Kirk Douglas makes an impressive Argonaut in this fantasy adventure.
The Trojan War is minimized for his ten year detour-packed return.
Highlights include Cyclops Polyphemus, and especially Circe, the sorceress.
Douglas and Silvana Mangano (dual roles) exhibit sensuous chemistry; one wishes they had shared other projects.
Too much time is given over to Penelope’s efforts to repulse her army of suitors.
Entertainment in fits and starts.  Action great, exposition dull.

The Big Racket - 1976 - Italy

The Big Racket - 1976 - 6/10
AKA - Il Grande Racket

 
A quartet of enforcers shake down small businesses for protection money.
No pay, the stores are trashed, burned.  Wives and daughters raped, murdered.
Cops hound them, but they hide behind the law.  If police get tough, lawyers cry foul.
Extremely violent Euro-Crime, heavy on beatings, misogyny, and ballistics.
Lead villains are particularly well cast, their smirking arrogance, sadistic satisfaction.
As with so many of these, even with blood vengeance, the aftertaste is bitter.