Carlin gives a review of 1974 Italian giallo film Spasmo, which was directed by Umberto Lenzi and written by Lenzi, Pino Boller, and Massimo Franciosa.
Another great and thorough review with some deep comments, more genre food for thought. I love Spasmo so much it's even in my Top 5 of gialli, probably my fave Lenzi I understand it was also one of his own cherished films and it’s easy to see why. A super well-made and nice looking giallo, has a spooky almost surreal nightmare feel, I’m glad Lenzi made it and not someone like say Sergio Martino who might’ve felt compelled to make it a little weirder as was sometimes his style. Fulci would’ve been interesting too, I think. Kendall is a welcome sight as always, not dubbed here like in Torso whereas Hoffmann evidently is here. He was sometimes referred to as the Austrian Alain Delon. Incidentally, still waiting for a few other Hoffmann classics missing in action on Blu-ray, primarily Grand Slam (1967) and Death Carries a Cane (1973). You’re right about the lack of J&B in Spasmo, that really is a minus for all us whisky lovers but its absence is made up for with a lovely Morricone score. At least we have good old Guido Alberti, he turns up in dozens of these films as well as many eurocrime. Speaking of J&B, I believe I have that same t-shirt myself you're referring to if it's green, I've also had another one made myself by a online store that allows you to upload any image for printing on shirts, mugs, etc. J&B forever. {:-]
Good to know it was one of Lenzi's favorites. Good point about the difference between Lenzi doing this and how Martino would've executed it. That's awesome that you have the J&B shirt. Such a cool giallo deep cut shirt.
I am 18 mins into the movie... 1) Christian and Xenia find a body (Barbara) on the beach. But she's not dead. Barbara can't remember what happens. Christians says she needs a double scotch. 2) Christian is in the bathroom shaving when Tatum comes into the bathroom with a gun. Christian "shoots" him in self-defense. 3) Christian won't call the police because they "won't believe us" "they can't believe us." What? I think the plot needed Christian to not want to call the police, so for no apparent reason, he didn't. *What if...* Barbara: "Call the police" Christian: "Ok." I'm thinking: What's the plan Barbara for when the police arrive? In the first 18 mins, I've gotten more than twice the FDA recommended amount of daily stupid. *But on a positive note* We got to see Christian use his car to run over Tatum
That scene of Christian running over Tatum is great. And it made me laugh. There's plenty of stupid things in the film, but I expect a certain amount from giallo films.
@@CarlinCook I rewatched Tourist Trap (1979). Tho different genre, better use of mannequins/dummies/dolls than Spasmo. Spasmo rated R Tourist Trap rated PG.
Just watched it. Pretty good. Nice twist. Great photography. Great music as always. Mannequins reminded me of Blood and Black Lace. Totally different from Lisa and the Devil actually. Spotted the J&B this time. 😄
I completely empathize with Barbara character. Within the first 40 minutes I want to punch Christian in the back of the head repeatedly. His Intense paranoia and ambivalence, he went from hot to cold sexually and his attempting to cut his beard with a pair of scissors was frustrating He was an annoying individual. If he had not been the focus of the movie I would have been trying to get killed off immediately. One thing I did think was cool but the fact that Christian had flashbacks of all his earlier murders as he strangled Barbara. It was the only time I felt sympathetic for the character. Throughout much of the movie I felt antagonistic toward Christian.
@@CarlinCook, those type of characters in other films would earn my ire as well. I do not do well with people that are overly emotional and even irrational in their thought process. Having Christian around in this film like how some people feel when fingernails are dragged down a chalkboard. I was upset that no one had killed him. What film are you going to tackle next?
@@CarlinCook, I have viewed each of those before. I am intrigued by what you shall create. I am excited. Thank you for putting me in the picture about what is upcoming.
Another great and thorough review with some deep comments, more genre food for thought. I love Spasmo so much it's even in my Top 5 of gialli, probably my fave Lenzi I understand it was also one of his own cherished films and it’s easy to see why. A super well-made and nice looking giallo, has a spooky almost surreal nightmare feel, I’m glad Lenzi made it and not someone like say Sergio Martino who might’ve felt compelled to make it a little weirder as was sometimes his style. Fulci would’ve been interesting too, I think. Kendall is a welcome sight as always, not dubbed here like in Torso whereas Hoffmann evidently is here. He was sometimes referred to as the Austrian Alain Delon. Incidentally, still waiting for a few other Hoffmann classics missing in action on Blu-ray, primarily Grand Slam (1967) and Death Carries a Cane (1973). You’re right about the lack of J&B in Spasmo, that really is a minus for all us whisky lovers but its absence is made up for with a lovely Morricone score. At least we have good old Guido Alberti, he turns up in dozens of these films as well as many eurocrime. Speaking of J&B, I believe I have that same t-shirt myself you're referring to if it's green, I've also had another one made myself by a online store that allows you to upload any image for printing on shirts, mugs, etc. J&B forever. {:-]
Good to know it was one of Lenzi's favorites. Good point about the difference between Lenzi doing this and how Martino would've executed it. That's awesome that you have the J&B shirt. Such a cool giallo deep cut shirt.
Amazing review....
Much appreciated.
Took me 1.25 hours to realize what the hell was going on and realize I liked it.
Hahaha. Yeah, things are wacky in this one.
I am 18 mins into the movie...
1) Christian and Xenia find a body (Barbara) on the beach. But she's not dead. Barbara can't remember what happens. Christians says she needs a double scotch.
2) Christian is in the bathroom shaving when Tatum comes into the bathroom with a gun. Christian "shoots" him in self-defense.
3) Christian won't call the police because they "won't believe us" "they can't believe us."
What? I think the plot needed Christian to not want to call the police, so for no apparent reason, he didn't.
*What if...*
Barbara: "Call the police"
Christian: "Ok."
I'm thinking: What's the plan Barbara for when the police arrive?
In the first 18 mins, I've gotten more than twice the FDA recommended amount of daily stupid.
*But on a positive note*
We got to see Christian use his car to run over Tatum
That scene of Christian running over Tatum is great. And it made me laugh. There's plenty of stupid things in the film, but I expect a certain amount from giallo films.
@@CarlinCook I rewatched Tourist Trap (1979). Tho different genre, better use of mannequins/dummies/dolls than Spasmo. Spasmo rated R Tourist Trap rated PG.
@@GrandpaDoesMovies1 hahaha. Tourist Trap has the BEST use of mannequins. Such a fun film.
The idea you have of a guy pretending that life-size dolls are real and are played out in scenarios reminds me of Bava’s Lisa and the Devil.
I've been meaning to get around to watching that one. I need to move it up my list.
@@CarlinCook Well, I did just spoil it for you. Sorry. :-D
Interested in Spasmo. I'll check it out on the RUclips giallo channel.
@@troubadour723 all good. I'll still watch it.
Just watched it. Pretty good. Nice twist. Great photography. Great music as always. Mannequins reminded me of Blood and Black Lace. Totally different from Lisa and the Devil actually. Spotted the J&B this time. 😄
@@troubadour723 good connection to Blood & Black Lace, which I need to rewatch soon. Glad you spotted the J&B.
I completely empathize with Barbara character. Within the first 40 minutes I want to punch Christian in the back of the head repeatedly. His Intense paranoia and ambivalence, he went from hot to cold sexually and his attempting to cut his beard with a pair of scissors was frustrating He was an annoying individual. If he had not been the focus of the movie I would have been trying to get killed off immediately.
One thing I did think was cool but the fact that Christian had flashbacks of all his earlier murders as he strangled Barbara. It was the only time I felt sympathetic for the character. Throughout much of the movie I felt antagonistic toward Christian.
Good point. He's not a great character. I do find a good amount of characters like that in giallo though.
@@CarlinCook, those type of characters in other films would earn my ire as well. I do not do well with people that are overly emotional and even irrational in their thought process. Having Christian around in this film like how some people feel when fingernails are dragged down a chalkboard. I was upset that no one had killed him. What film are you going to tackle next?
@@khambrelgreen my next one is Eye In The Labyrinth and then after that is Slaughter Hotel and Death Walks at Midnight.
@@CarlinCook, I have viewed each of those before. I am intrigued by what you shall create. I am excited. Thank you for putting me in the picture about what is upcoming.
@@khambrelgreen no problem.