Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)

A professional rock drummer finds himself in a compromising position after leaving the studio one evening. He's later blackmailed by a mysterious voyeur who wants the musician to know that what he did was not unseen.
In some ways it's a kind of reversal of what the previous two films in the unconnected trilogy did (Bird + Cat), but like its immediate predecessor it has major pacing problems. I was fighting heavy eyelids after just sixty minutes.
The lead actors are mostly apathetic, their friends are perfunctory filler, and the semi-comedic private investigator was like salt in an open wound. The violent giallo kills are the highlight, as usual, but they're few and far between.

2 cushioned silences out of 5

The Black Cat (1981)

We see a very different film from Lucio Fulci this time with this loosely based Poe adaptation. Known for his gore, the director instead creates a restrained vision. The violence is mainly isolated to bloody cat scratches. As opposed to his other works around this time (The Gates of Hell, The Beyond, The House by the Cemetery), the editing is quick to cut away from human destruction and its remains. The only menace is of the dark tormentor; its unusual prowess and resourcefulness to kill. Unfortunately, the creature fails to instill much fear. We are treated to tight gazes from the cast (Patrick Magee, Mimsy Farmer, David Warbeck), and the sauntering POV of the cat. Pino Donaggio's exceptional score works well, giving the titular feline a brooding yet whimsical nature while heightening tension in climactic scenes. Underrated, The Black Cat is only lesser in Fulci's trademark style.

3 Exorcist beds out of 5

The Perfume of the Lady in Black (1974)

Early on in this film, I got my impression that my overall enjoyment of this film would heavily depend on its ending. This wound up being true, but not in the way I was expecting. It's a slow burn that sometimes drags, but is stylistically interesting. In moments, it almost feels like a play, and having seen it through to its finish, I'm almost sure it's intentional.

There are films of this type that are better done, and there are plenty of things about the movie that bother me. I'd have to rewatch it to decide how much. Still, there's something about this that really worked. One sequence in particular will remain in my head for a very long time. Warning: don't image search this unless you want to be spoiled.

3 unusual plates of cat food out of 5.