Comments on: The Painter of Agonies http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:23:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-1869 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:58:06 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-1869 I'm glad you enjoyed House with the Laughing Windows, Adrien! As for the lighter, my mind is drawing a blank at the moment. I'm afraid I'd have to watch the film a third time to focus in on what it might mean. One thing I love about the two Avati films I've seen, is all the layers they seem to have. I've watched both House with Laughing Windows and Zeder twice, and each time I caught something new. I’m glad you enjoyed House with the Laughing Windows, Adrien! As for the lighter, my mind is drawing a blank at the moment. I’m afraid I’d have to watch the film a third time to focus in on what it might mean. One thing I love about the two Avati films I’ve seen, is all the layers they seem to have. I’ve watched both House with Laughing Windows and Zeder twice, and each time I caught something new.

]]> by: adrien http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-1863 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:13:27 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-1863 Finally got around to watching <b>House with the Laughing Windows</b> and found it to be one of the better Italian thrillers of the 70s. I liked the similarity to <b>The Wicker Man</b> in terms of a protagonist who, in his search for the truth, is slowly getting himself into more trouble than he can handle. And it terms of eeriness it's just about up there with <b>Deep Red</b>. I thought Lino Capolicchio did a great job, and although Francesca Marciano was not exceptional in terms of acting, she has a face that's pure poetry. I can see how Daniel may have found the reveal at the end unintentionally funny, but it quickly turns chilly when we realize what it means for Stefano. I also didn't realize that we are hearing actual police sirens at the end, they blended in with the soundtrack music (which is excellent) rather too well. One question: was there significance to the monogrammed (with the painter's initials) gold lighter Francesca had or was a red herring? Finally got around to watching House with the Laughing Windows and found it to be one of the better Italian thrillers of the 70s. I liked the similarity to The Wicker Man in terms of a protagonist who, in his search for the truth, is slowly getting himself into more trouble than he can handle. And it terms of eeriness it’s just about up there with Deep Red. I thought Lino Capolicchio did a great job, and although Francesca Marciano was not exceptional in terms of acting, she has a face that’s pure poetry.
I can see how Daniel may have found the reveal at the end unintentionally funny, but it quickly turns chilly when we realize what it means for Stefano. I also didn’t realize that we are hearing actual police sirens at the end, they blended in with the soundtrack music (which is excellent) rather too well.
One question: was there significance to the monogrammed (with the painter’s initials) gold lighter Francesca had or was a red herring?

]]> by: Will E. http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-906 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:22:00 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-906 I quite enjoyed <b>House of Laughing Windows</b> and found it to be very well-made and structured, with a gorgeous soundtrack that actually heightened eerie sequences and a lovely color palette. I'm a sucker for films about deranged artists and bloodlust, so I was hooked right away with that opening monologue--which I didn't find funny, just awesome. Definitely up there with <b>Deep Red</b> for me--which I wasn't expecting, as I was disappointed with <b>Zeder</b>, mainly because it seemed meandering, not as tightly controlled as <b>House</b>, but also because the dubbing and picture on the DVD were atrocious. Cool story, though, decent finale. I quite enjoyed House of Laughing Windows and found it to be very well-made and structured, with a gorgeous soundtrack that actually heightened eerie sequences and a lovely color palette. I’m a sucker for films about deranged artists and bloodlust, so I was hooked right away with that opening monologue–which I didn’t find funny, just awesome. Definitely up there with Deep Red for me–which I wasn’t expecting, as I was disappointed with Zeder, mainly because it seemed meandering, not as tightly controlled as House, but also because the dubbing and picture on the DVD were atrocious. Cool story, though, decent finale.

]]> by: Daniel Hui http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-894 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:55:59 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-894 The ending had such a memorable image stuck in my mind that I doubt I could've gotten it wrong. In any case it has been a few years since I've seen it. Probably we do have a different sense of humor, though. I really couldn't stop myself from wildly laughing from the moment I sat down, and the audience couldn't control themselves by the film's end too. But as much as I love Italian horror, I must confess that I can't take them with a straight face. Lucio Fulci's The Beyond, for example, must simply be watched with your sensibilities turned off. Pupi Avati has made some good dramatic films too. His recent The Heart is Elsewhere is very charming. The ending had such a memorable image stuck in my mind that I doubt I could’ve gotten it wrong. In any case it has been a few years since I’ve seen it.

Probably we do have a different sense of humor, though. I really couldn’t stop myself from wildly laughing from the moment I sat down, and the audience couldn’t control themselves by the film’s end too. But as much as I love Italian horror, I must confess that I can’t take them with a straight face. Lucio Fulci’s The Beyond, for example, must simply be watched with your sensibilities turned off.

Pupi Avati has made some good dramatic films too. His recent The Heart is Elsewhere is very charming.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-892 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:50:13 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-892 Steve - Thanks! It's nice to come across someone else who can appreciate Avati's films. Hopefully I'll get the chance to see <strong>The Arcane Enchanter</strong> soon. Daniel - I personally don't find the film very funny at all. Obviously we've got very different senses of humor. "Campy" isn't a word I associate with Avati at all. I obviously make a point of not adding spoilers to my reviews, especially when I'm writing about a suspense film so I removed yours. For the record, you had the ending wrong anyway. Steve - Thanks! It’s nice to come across someone else who can appreciate Avati’s films. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to see The Arcane Enchanter soon.

Daniel - I personally don’t find the film very funny at all. Obviously we’ve got very different senses of humor. “Campy” isn’t a word I associate with Avati at all. I obviously make a point of not adding spoilers to my reviews, especially when I’m writing about a suspense film so I removed yours. For the record, you had the ending wrong anyway.

]]> by: Daniel Hui http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-891 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:34:34 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-891 The House with Laughing Windows is one of the most hilarious films I've ever seen. The opening sequence with the fevered and delirious commentary about syphilis and blood is absolute comic gold. You have to watch it with a sense of humor, I think. The House with Laughing Windows is one of the most hilarious films I’ve ever seen. The opening sequence with the fevered and delirious commentary about syphilis and blood is absolute comic gold. You have to watch it with a sense of humor, I think.

]]> by: steve Langton http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-890 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:33:37 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-890 Really nice to read such a good piece on Avati. I was introduced to his work via a bootleg tape of ZEDER quite a few years ago, and purchased the Italian DVD of HOUSE which I rate highly. I'd love to see a DVD of THE ARCANE ENCHANTER.I was lucky enough to see this at a film festival in London and it contains some remarkable visuals. Really nice to read such a good piece on Avati. I was introduced to his work via a bootleg tape of ZEDER quite a few years ago, and purchased the Italian DVD of HOUSE which I rate highly. I’d love to see a DVD of THE ARCANE ENCHANTER.I was lucky enough to see this at a film festival in London and it contains some remarkable visuals.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-882 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:08:35 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-882 Thanks for sharing your link to the piece about Avati's Incantato, Peter! It sounds interesting and I should give it a look. The Avati film I really want to see is <strong>Thomas and the Bewitched</strong>, but I've been looking for it for 5 years with no luck so far. Thanks for sharing your link to the piece about Avati’s Incantato, Peter! It sounds interesting and I should give it a look.

The Avati film I really want to see is Thomas and the Bewitched, but I’ve been looking for it for 5 years with no luck so far.

]]> by: Peter Nellhaus http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-873 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:50:48 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-873 I wrote <a href="http://www.coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee.com/archives/2006/10/italian_film_fe_2.html" rel="nofollow">a paragraph</a> on the one film by Avati I have seen theatrically last year. His film titled <b>Incantato</b> for US release is on DVD. I wrote a paragraph on the one film by Avati I have seen theatrically last year. His film titled Incantato for US release is on DVD.

]]> by: dave s http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-872 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:47:38 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-872 Thanks for the comments, Kimberly. I'm anticpating the flick even more now. Thanks for the comments, Kimberly. I’m anticpating the flick even more now.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-871 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:24:24 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-871 Keith - As I mentioned above (and my previous post), I think a lot of people just haven't seen his films and his work obviously gets mixed reactions, which frankly really surprises me actually since I find his films so interesting and effective. I hope you'll enjoy Avati's movies if you ever decide to give them a look. Dave - I think (or at least hope) that you'll really be surprised and impressed with the film. I noticed you mentioned Don't Look Now and The Wicker Man in your list of "31 flicks that give you the willes" so I'm pretty sure you'll find some things to enjoy about House with the Laughing Windows once you see it. Keith - As I mentioned above (and my previous post), I think a lot of people just haven’t seen his films and his work obviously gets mixed reactions, which frankly really surprises me actually since I find his films so interesting and effective. I hope you’ll enjoy Avati’s movies if you ever decide to give them a look.

Dave - I think (or at least hope) that you’ll really be surprised and impressed with the film. I noticed you mentioned Don’t Look Now and The Wicker Man in your list of “31 flicks that give you the willes” so I’m pretty sure you’ll find some things to enjoy about House with the Laughing Windows once you see it.

]]> by: dave s http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-870 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:29:55 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-870 It's a conincidence that you've just posted about Pupi Avati since I've just ordered a DVD copy of "The House With Laughing Windows". I've never seen any of his films, but when I saw the trailer for "House" on the Bloody Blood website, I as impressed. The trailer gave me the creeps with its unusual camera set ups and what looks like a quietly scary atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to checking this movie out when it arrives. It’s a conincidence that you’ve just posted about Pupi Avati since I’ve just ordered a DVD copy of “The House With Laughing Windows”. I’ve never seen any of his films, but when I saw the trailer for “House” on the Bloody Blood website, I as impressed. The trailer gave me the creeps with its unusual camera set ups and what looks like a quietly scary atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to checking this movie out when it arrives.

]]> by: Keith http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-868 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:30:14 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-868 Great blog, Kimberly. I've actually never seen any of his films. I've heard mixed reaction about Avati and his films. Personally I'd like to see some of his work. This blog definitely inspired me to try to watch what I can. Thanks for such a wonderful article, enlightening me about about this filmmaker. Great blog, Kimberly. I’ve actually never seen any of his films. I’ve heard mixed reaction about Avati and his films. Personally I’d like to see some of his work. This blog definitely inspired me to try to watch what I can. Thanks for such a wonderful article, enlightening me about about this filmmaker.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-866 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:12:54 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-866 Jonathan - I'm not sue what you'll think of Avati's films if you get a chance to see them, but if you do. I'd be curious to see what you have to say about them. I also hope you'll find The Demon interesting. I'm glad you enjoy my random movie rambles. I hope to write about a few more of the films on my "31 Films That Give Me the Willies List" soon. Mike - I seem to be in the minority when it comes to my admiration for Avati and I really can't understand why, since I find his films fascinating and extremely effective. I don't own The Eyeball Compendium, but I obviously should. Hopefully Avati's latest film will get a wide release. Due to the current popularity of horror films in the U.S. at the moment I assume it has a good chance of getting released here. Jonathan - I’m not sue what you’ll think of Avati’s films if you get a chance to see them, but if you do. I’d be curious to see what you have to say about them. I also hope you’ll find The Demon interesting. I’m glad you enjoy my random movie rambles. I hope to write about a few more of the films on my “31 Films That Give Me the Willies List” soon.

Mike - I seem to be in the minority when it comes to my admiration for Avati and I really can’t understand why, since I find his films fascinating and extremely effective. I don’t own The Eyeball Compendium, but I obviously should. Hopefully Avati’s latest film will get a wide release. Due to the current popularity of horror films in the U.S. at the moment I assume it has a good chance of getting released here.

]]> by: Mike http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-865 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:34:07 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-865 I'm not the biggest fan of <i>House With the Laughing Windows</i> (there were elements I liked a lot), but I do find Avati to be pretty fascinating and plan on watching <i>Zeder</i> sometime soon. There's a pretty great article on Avati in the fabulous <i>Eyeball Compendium</i> from FAB Press. I'm especially curious about his 1996 <i>The Arcane Enchanter</i>, as I always like comparing a directors work from the hyper-creative 70s and the (closer to) present. I’m not the biggest fan of House With the Laughing Windows (there were elements I liked a lot), but I do find Avati to be pretty fascinating and plan on watching Zeder sometime soon. There’s a pretty great article on Avati in the fabulous Eyeball Compendium from FAB Press. I’m especially curious about his 1996 The Arcane Enchanter, as I always like comparing a directors work from the hyper-creative 70s and the (closer to) present.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-864 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:32:05 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/10/16/the-painter-of-agonies/#comment-864 I'll try not to accidentally bold this entire comment like I did before. Foreign horror films are one area where I am sorely lacking in knowledge. But the whole idea of less is more appeals to me greatly and Avati sounds just like that the way you describe him. It's one of the reasons I have a little fondness for movies of today where even period dramas like the second <b>Elizabeth</b> are weighed down with cgi. No one seems to know how to just make it simple anymore. My queue is so filled up that these will take a while to get to me but <b>The Demon</b> is finally coming in my next batch and that's one I never would have even known about without you. Who knows, within a year or so I might be able to comment on the actual films instead of just what I've read from you. Thanks for the continuing education Kimberly. I’ll try not to accidentally bold this entire comment like I did before.

Foreign horror films are one area where I am sorely lacking in knowledge. But the whole idea of less is more appeals to me greatly and Avati sounds just like that the way you describe him. It’s one of the reasons I have a little fondness for movies of today where even period dramas like the second Elizabeth are weighed down with cgi. No one seems to know how to just make it simple anymore. My queue is so filled up that these will take a while to get to me but The Demon is finally coming in my next batch and that’s one I never would have even known about without you.

Who knows, within a year or so I might be able to comment on the actual films instead of just what I’ve read from you. Thanks for the continuing education Kimberly.

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