Movieline Online

Every genre has its formulaic trappings; and the Italian  giallo  is no exception.  But the predictable stalk n’ slash structure also offers endless variation depending on who’s behind the camera.  Arrow Film’s latest  Giallo   Essentials  box set collects three titles new to the Region A market, each taking a drastically different approach to deliver the same sexy thrills.   Smile Before Death  (1972) sets the bar high with its sleazy plotline centered around Nancy, a young girl returning from boarding school to mourn her mother’s death, ruled a suicide but under suspicious circumstances.  Her stepfather and mother’s best friend seem to be keen on ridding themselves of unwanted guest.  But Nancy turns the tables on the pair, seducing them both with an ease beyond her years, setting the stage for a surprising comeuppance.      Written and directed by Silvio Amadio,  Smile Before Death ...

As traditional  classic rock  fades off the FM radio radar and oldies are relegated to niche channels on Sirius XM, there are certain groups that somehow avoid artistic extinction.  Whether is by virtue of talent, charisma or cultural timing, bands like  The Rolling Stones ,  Pink Floyd , and  Nirvana  (just to name drop a few) never become irrelevant, but simply introduce themselves to a new generation.  And the grandaddy of them all,  The Beatles , not only continue to dominate the historical musical landscape, but inspire their fair share of cinematic profiles as well.   Following on the heels of Peter Jackson’s recent documentary, viewers of  The Beatles and India: An Enduring Love Affair  (2021) can’t help but feel a little shortchanged what with the previous film’s archival footage, rare demos and firsthand accounts.  But director A Joy Bose’s subject matter is much more focused and streamlined, e...