Anne (Florence Guerin), a popular horror actress, takes the lead role as Levana (a legendary witch burned at the stake in 13th Century Prague) in her director husband's (Urbano Barberini) newest effort; described as an updating of SUSPIRIA. Levana seemingly returns from the grave as a clawed, maggot-infested, lumpy-faced ghoul who causes death for the cast and crew members and makes Anne have a LOT of disorienting nightmares/delusions. Adding to the fun/confusion are scenes in outer space (?!), a TV set that spews guts and green slime, a helpful little girl "fairy" who shows up on a TV, a neck slashing, an exploding body, sexy Caroline Munro in a bubble bath and in lingerie (sorry fellas, no nudity!), a car going through a house and lots of pointless shots of black cats (the movie has nothing to do with Poe, although the full screen title is EDGAR ALLAN POE'S THE BLACK CAT).
Cozzi's nutty movie is chock full of Italian horror movie references, as he pays due homage to the inventive directorial styles of directors Mario Bava and Dario Argento. Everything is drenched in bright color and the camera-work, music score (borrowing riffs from SUSPIRIA and even the White Lion's cover version of "Radar Love!") and sets are good, along with special attention made for Bava-esquire zoom shots. Though this is not really a very good movie, it's enjoyable absurd and definitely interesting enough.
Cozzi's nutty movie is chock full of Italian horror movie references, as he pays due homage to the inventive directorial styles of directors Mario Bava and Dario Argento. Everything is drenched in bright color and the camera-work, music score (borrowing riffs from SUSPIRIA and even the White Lion's cover version of "Radar Love!") and sets are good, along with special attention made for Bava-esquire zoom shots. Though this is not really a very good movie, it's enjoyable absurd and definitely interesting enough.