Just Screenshots: 2015-09-27

Gradiva (2006 France)

Alain Robbe-Grillet's work is long, especially in the beginning. Whereas eternity is in the ending: Gradiva can't be that bad. A Robbe-Grillet's film is supposed to mix reality and dreams (no doubt!), hence Gradiva is no surprise. The actors do not necessarily understand their part (whether you decide they should or not), just as we do not understand what 'life' is, we players. Robbe-Grillet asks questions through stories, e.g. 'who is playing', 'who is being played', 'what is allowed', 'who is the director'... But he doesn't give definitive answers. He achieves his goal in the meantime. He just says that dreams can kill. So books and films can. All protect us from eternity. (IMDB)

The Playgirls and the Vampire (1960)

aka

L'ultima preda del vampiro

Das Ungeheuer auf Schloß Bantry

Daughters of the Vampire

Last Victim of the Vampire

Desires of the Vampire

The Vampire's Last Victim

Curse of the Vampire

Five show girls, their manager and his assistant end up at a secluded castle when they are forced to take a detour when the road is washed out. At the castle they are warned to stay in their rooms during the night, but one of the girls wanders out and falls to her death. Meanwhile one of the other other girls, who look is exactly like an ancestor, is wooed by the Count who owns the place. She is rightly confused when a more demonic twin of the Count shows up and tries to do her harm. Notorious horror film was once shown at adults only screenings because of the hints of female flesh, but is now quite tame. A good little Euro shocker this is quite better than its reputation and its lurid title suggest thanks to some good performances and the fantastic black and white photography which sets the mood early. Its the sort of horror movie that would be perfect on a dark and stormy movie night on the couch. (IMDB dbborroughs)