Fatal Frames

Giallo meets the 80s - in a movie made 1996. If Fatal Frames was made in the 80s, then it would be just a styleless 80's movie, but at least contemporary at the time of release (like Le Foto di Gioia by Lamberto Bava). The movie is looking like a music-video from '83, also the score was 100% outdated.

The plot is quite OK if you manage to watch the whole movie - the end is quite logical (for giallo-standards).

Stefania Stella - the lead - also produced the movie, which might be the reason for Festa to cast her. If you are used to female actresses like Daria Nicolodi you could experience serious damage: The acting is practically not present, and her looks - ehh - okay, just forget about her.

So if you are a giallo-collector get this flick, if you're just starting your exploration of the giallo-genre (which you are probably not, if you're reading this on IMDb) please forget about this or you will never catch the giallo-spirit. Start with Argento, Bava(s), Fulci or even Michele Soavi - and then turn to Festa, smile and shake your head.

Brought to Rome to film a music video, a famous director is attached to the project for an up-and-coming artist, but after witnessing a murder on one of the costars and being blamed for the crime he sets out to solve the crime spree as more deaths occur around the shoot that point to him as the culprit.

This was an underwhelming if still somewhat decent enough modernized giallo. One of the better elements here comes from the seemingly old-school setup that allows for the film to appear as a fine homage to the classic era of the genre. With the affair starting in the performing arts as a music video director on holiday in Rome to shoot a new project who gets entangled in the crime spree the longer it goes on, the main launching point for what's going on is a generally serviceable enough feature. That is suitably enhanced with the advent of the killer removing the bodies from the scene of the crime but leaving a videotape behind to showcase what's going on, and with the implication of him as the culprit through some ingenious connections to another crime spree all gives this a workable story. As well, there's also quite a lot to enjoy with the better-than-imagined stalking and chasing scenes. Starting with the opening murder in the alleyway that comes off with the explicit aping of old-school aesthetics, there's a rather enjoyable dynamic incorporating television commercial stylings into the genre. That creates a wholly unnerving dream-like atmosphere during later scenes such as the brutal encounter in the park following a foot chase through the city or another victim sliced up at a tourist attraction which are both further enhanced with some graphic effects-work. A dream sequence stalking at a fountain makes for a strikingly red-lit stalking scene, while the thrilling final half provides quite a lot to like in terms of keeping the mystery going with some fine action which is enough to make this likable. There are some issues with this one. The major drawback to this one is the most obvious and straightforward feature in the overwhelmingly unnecessary running time that never needs to be this long. The inclusion of so much unrequired filler, with setpieces and meetings to discuss the video's production going on far too long for their own good, while other scenes could've been trimmed down or removed entirely while serving little purpose here. The photoshoots trying to amp up her sex appeal are nothing more than teases in the grandest sense, while performances that are captured in slow-motion or a visit to a medium's bizarre mansion just seem to drag out the running time are simply useless filler that could've been taken out without disrupting anything. The other factor on display here comes from the films' rather ham-fisted production that draws out several obvious flaws. The fact that so many of the major advertised cameos are just useless throwaways with a one-and-done sequence all feels like a waste, much like the strange profiler character introduced into the film. The character is somewhat unnecessary due to other characters on the police force doing much of the same work and proves so unworthwhile that he gets replaced shortly after being brought on board through an incredibly clumsy body double that's present due to real-world factors that are quite obvious to those who know their history. Such laziness is present through numerous other factors here that keep this one on the lower side of the genre.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Nudity, and a Clothed Sex Scene.

Fatal Frames should have become the next big giallo. But what a trouble this flick had. Shooting started in 1993 but being ripped-off by investors the first trouble came. From their on it really became a flick full of disasters. Donald Pleasence, Rossano Brazzi and Ciccio Ingrassia made their final appearances in this flick. So a lot of rewriting.

Putting in some famous names of the genre like Pleasance, Angus Schrimm and Linnea Quigley didn't made it even worth viewing (small appearances). The lead, the so-called sex symbol being used to make video clips is another failure, Stefanie Stella, aged only had one feature, her exaggerated boobs. Complete miscasting on that era. Even as she go into a sex scene she is still wearing her knickers while having sex, really?

The beginning of the flick is okay but once the killings are done, even that isn't that good on part of shooting, the effects were laughable (machete not going into bodies while hitting them hard) and low on blood, this flick turns into a blah blah flick, sometimes showing the shoot of the clip with Stella.

It do has the giallo atmosphere, the use of blue and red lighting. The black glove is in tact and the whodunit is overall in this flick but nothing is worth seeing. Like the title said, fatal frames indeed for the production team never to arise again in the scene.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0,5/5 Effects 1/5 Story 1,5/5 Comedy 0/5

With Fatal Frames, Italian music video director Festa turns out a sub-par schlockfest that has little entertainment value. Even as a flawed modern tribute to the 80's Italian horror genre, viewing this film is recommended for completists and genre fans only.

The choice of Stefania Stella as leading lady is nothing short of bizarre. At her age, and with her mannish looks (despite considerable enhancement in the chest department), she lacks any credibility as a pop singer or sex symbol. Her credit as producer is probably the only way to explain her acting role in this film, because on her talents and looks she fails miserably.

The small cameos by Pleasence (in his second last film), Scrimm and Quigley are almost completely incidental to the plot. Warbeck's performance is totally over the top. With classic Italian horror film logic, several plot points are only explained in deleted scenes included on the DVD. In short, Fatal Frames is a confusing and unsatisfying viewing experience.

Although the film exhibits some visual flair, Festa's heavy hand on the zoom lens, poor dubbing and the overbearing 80's soundtrack detract from the overall film. A substandard transfer to DVD doesn't help either.

According to IMDB neither Festa nor Stella has worked again in film since Fatal Frames was filmed in '93. Many of the other cast either died within a few years of this films release (Pleasence, Warbeck, Brazzi) or are working sporadically in B grade movies. Frankly, after viewing this film, it isn't any great surprise that none appear to have gone on to greater success.

Rating 3/10

'Fatal Frames' is a curious blend of Italian and American film-making, combining elements of both styles, and actors but one which, ultimately, ends up as a disappointment due to amateurish acting and a general sense of monotony which permeates throughout the film.

To reduce the tedium and monotony, this film should have been better edited and less than an hour and a half long. It should have never exceeded the two hour mark.

To mention a positive aspect, on the other hand, the ending contains an interesting plot twist of sorts which I did not expect. The concept certainly had potential, and it is a shame that this film did not have more overall finesse which would have improved its quality considerably.