Das unheimliche Auge (1987)

Das unheimliche Auge: Directed by Lamberto Bava. With Serena Grandi, Daria Nicolodi, Vanni Corbellini, David Brandon. A former hooker runs a successful men’s magazine. An obsessed admirer systematically slaughters her models (occasionally increasing the magazine’s output) and supplies the mistress with pictures of their disfigured corpses taken in front of her semi-nude posters visible in the background. Is she going to be the psycho’s next victim?

“Itu0026#39;s all about director Lamberto Bavasu0026#39; style in this decent Giallo with a merely okay story but lots of sex and violence. Beautiful Serena Grandi (known as the u0026quot;Dolly Parton of Italyu0026quot;) stars as Gioia (Gloria in the English language version), a former model who now owns and operates an adults only magazine. Her models begin to be slaughtered by a psycho admirer of hers, who arranges their dead bodies in front of a photo of her. Naturally, this leads her to believe that she will eventually become the killersu0026#39; ultimate victim.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe lighting and camera work are exemplary. Certainly if Lambertosu0026#39; father Mario had seen this one, he likely would have been proud. There is also some effective suspense at times. Simon Boswell supplies a score that alternates between pounding rock u0026#39;nu0026#39; roll and more conventional arrangements. (One climactic chase scene would have done better to do away with the rock score.) The screenplay by Gianfranco Clerici u0026amp; Daniele Stroppa does at least succeed in keeping fans of this genre interested in determining which of the possible suspects will eventually be unmasked as the real culprit. The most original touch is when things are shown from the killersu0026#39; warped perspective, and itu0026#39;s too bad that we donu0026#39;t see a little more of this throughout.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe performances are adequate enough for the material. Nothing award worthy, but entertaining. Grandi is well supported by Daria Nicolodi, Vanni Corbellini, David Brandon, Karl Zinny (whou0026#39;d acted for Lamberto in u0026quot;Demonsu0026quot;, and who here plays a horny, sleazy, surly, wheelchair bound kid), and the most welcome of all, Italian cult u0026amp; exploitation icon George Eastman, playing Gioiasu0026#39; ex fiancée, an actor. There are several very attractive female cast members and numerous breast shots for those who are interested. Veteran sex symbol Capucine appears as Gioiasu0026#39; bitter business rival.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf you enjoy the genre or the films of Bava Jr., this should be an agreeable hour and a half exercise in style and sleaze.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSeven out of 10.”