tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post5191890378145004678..comments2024-01-31T18:37:07.424+00:00Comments on The Agitation of the Mind: GIALLO SUNDAY: Blood and Black LaceNeil Fulwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-11615400701367702842011-01-20T19:32:07.110+00:002011-01-20T19:32:07.110+00:00Tell your neighbours that they're more than we...Tell your neighbours that they're more than welcome.<br /><br />And yes, there <i>is</i> that 'Black Sabbath' connection. Which might lead me to doing a similar favour for <i>my</i> neighbours this evening!Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-53744934095530856992011-01-20T09:35:06.260+00:002011-01-20T09:35:06.260+00:00All this talk of giallo and Argento made me dust o...All this talk of giallo and Argento made me dust off my old CD of Goblin scores from Profondo Rosso, Suspiria, et al. My neighbors would like to thank you.<br /><br />Also, wasn't Bava responsible for "Black Sabbath," the film which gave a certain group of metal godfathers its name? Count me in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-51009729671219752712011-01-19T21:26:59.379+00:002011-01-19T21:26:59.379+00:00I'll get back to you on that one, Troy. I'...I'll get back to you on that one, Troy. I'll be appraising some other Bava <i>gialli</i> in the coming weeks - '5 Dolls for an August Moon', 'Hatchet for the Honeymoon' and the oft-cited first <i>giallo</i> 'The Girl Who Knew Too Much' - and I think I'll leave my take on Bava and the <i>giallo</i> till then.<br /><br />What I will say is that 'Blood and Black Lace', as iconic as it is and notwithstanding that it serves as an aesthetic blueprint for the genre, doesn't really generate much mystery, and the big reveal is nowhere near the kicker that, say, Argento delivers in 'Deep Red', Fulci in 'Murder to the Tune of Seven Black Notes' or Ercoli's double-whammy at the end of 'The Red Queen Kills Seven Times'.Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-4130463841668820892011-01-19T05:14:03.411+00:002011-01-19T05:14:03.411+00:00Bava's colors are really a site to behold in t...Bava's colors are really a site to behold in this film (and most of his films, really). His use of colored gel lights really showcases lush reds, blues, and greens on the screen in an almost surreal manner. <br /><br />My particular favorite scene is the chase through the antique shop, particularly the shot with the glowing neon sign from outside.<br /><br />Oddly, I've found that though I like Bava's work as a whole and recognize his greatness, I don't think he made any <i>giallo</i> as good as the best from Avati, Martino, or even Argento (though I'll put his Gothic films up against anyone). Curious what your thoughts on that are...Troy Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843741571724231174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-82074398364550125912011-01-17T21:26:22.254+00:002011-01-17T21:26:22.254+00:00Scott - Bava is a "must" if you want to ...Scott - Bava is a "must" if you want to explore the <i>giallo</i> beyond Argento. Like Franco says in his comment, Argento's aesthetic owes a huge debt to Bava.<br /><br />After Bava, try <i>gialli</i> by Sergio Martino, Pupi Avati, Aldo Lado and Luciano Ercoli. And, of course, keep checking back on this blog every Sunday throughout the year for as long as I can track down <i>gialli</i> to review.<br /><br />Franco - agreed: Bava was a visual stylist per excellence. Though not a <i>giallo</i>, I'm definitely going to be reviewing 'Danger: Diabolik' at some point this year, for no other reason than it's rebellious/revolutionary spirit!<br /><br />Thanks for commenting, guys.Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-5869226721324074492011-01-17T17:56:49.832+00:002011-01-17T17:56:49.832+00:00Agreed, one look at this film and you can see wher...Agreed, one look at this film and you can see where Argento got most of the inspiration for his films. Bava was his master, Argento was the young padawan. <br /><br />Loved Blood and Black Lace, such style to the film. But then again, the same can be said for most of bava's work.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-60770596475181627162011-01-16T23:41:38.809+00:002011-01-16T23:41:38.809+00:00Excellent piece. I need to brush up on my giallo. ...Excellent piece. I need to brush up on my giallo. All I really know is Argento, frankly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com