Schizoid (1980) Klaus Kinski stars as Dr. Fales, a therapist with some serious boundary issues, whose clients are being killed off one by one. Meanwhile, his patient/girlfriend Julie (Marianna Hill) keeps getting threatening letters at her work, but no one, including her soon-to-be-ex-husband Doug (Craig Wasson) appears to take her seriously. Although filled with red herrings galore, the big reveal of the killer isn’t much of a surprise (Spoiler: Surprisingly, it’s not Kinski). Watch for Christopher Lloyd in a small role as a handyman/therapy group patient.
Rating: ***.
Available on Blu-ray and Tubi
The Sister of Ursula (1978) In this would-be giallo by writer/director Enzo Millioni, two sisters travel to Italy to clear their heads after their father’s death. While Dagmar (Stefania D’Amario) tries to make the best of things, her younger sister Ursula (Barbara Magnolfi) remains withdrawn and reclusive, overwhelmed by grief and paranoia. The film compensates for its threadbare plot with copious nudity and a handful of underwhelming murder scenes, culminating in a less-than-thrilling climax (I guessed the killer in the first reel). There are a few stunning shots of the beautiful Amalfi coastline, but if that’s your bag, you’re better off watching a travel show.
Rating: **. Available
on DVD and Tubi
Revolt of the Zombies (1936) Archeologists in World War I-era Cambodia make a terrifying discovery: a stone tablet depicting an ancient ritual to turn men into zombies. Seeing the potential military benefit of a mindless, unstoppable army, a devious general (Roy D’Arcy) steals the tablet. His possession of the artifact proves to be short-lived, however, when it’s appropriated by Armand Louque (Dean Jagger) for his own nefarious purposes. Rather than focusing on the inherent horrors of a zombie hoard, the movie spends an inordinate amount of time with a bland love triangle, comprised of Louque, his former colleague Clifford Grayson (Robert Nolan), and Grayson’s capricious fiancée Claire (Dorothy Stone). Filled with unappealing cardboard characters, a confusing plot, and a generous helping of racism (“This might mean the end of the white race!”), Revolt of the Zombies is a must-miss.
Rating: **.
Available on DVD and Prime Video
Spontaneous Combustion (1989) Tobe Hooper made some of the most memorable horror films of his generation. This is not one of them. The usually reliable Brad Dourif (who seems to be phoning in his performance) plays Sam, whose parents were part of a top secret ‘50s hydrogen bomb experiment gone awry. As a consequence of the experiment, he possesses the power to make people spontaneously combust at will (at least when the plot demands it). The plot is a confusing mess, with underdeveloped characters and hazy motivations. Skip it.
Rating: **.
Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Tubi
Wow, Barry!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Schizoid is the one to watch and Spontaneous Combustion is the most disappointing with the potential it had, especially, with Tobe Hooper at the helm and Brad Dourif!
I wouldn't say Schizoid was a great film, but it entertained me. Spontaneous Combustion had an interesting premise, and I like Hooper and Dourif, but somehow it never gelled for me. Thanks for stopping by, John!
DeleteIn what circle of Hell is Klaus Kinski a therapist?! I'm not sure if I've seen Schizoid -- plot descriptions don't always help, as for me many gialli blend together in one amorphous mass. But Kinski's presence usually means that it won't be boring.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Spontaneous Combustion, but then it sounds like it's deservedly obscure. Could it have been a very late attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Firestarter?
LOL! Yeah... Kinski as a therapist is a hard pill to swallow - and his character does some (ahem) very questionable things that made me question how he ever got his license. All the same, Schizoid was a fun flick. Spontaneous Combustion had to be my biggest disappoint of the lot. I didn't think of Firestarter, but it makes sense. I also wouldn't be surprised if this movie sat on the shelf for a while before it was finally released - just a guess. :)
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