By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I had never heard of this film, but my brother Geno saw a trailer and secured a copy. It’s an Italian horror which is very similar in certain ways to a Dario Argento film. The colors, setting and atmosphere all made me think of both Suspiria (1977) and Demons (1985).
The movie begins with a young girl holding a disturbing skeleton doll next to her mother who is taking a bath. With an evil look in her eye, the child takes a blow dryer and throws it in the bathtub, thus killing the woman dead.
Years later, a musical band lead by (Jasmine Maimone) is failing at her musical career and will do anything to revive it. She decides to invest in a violin that was used years prior by a maniac who sliced his wife and used her intestines as strings. She also shoots her video in the same mansion where this musical madman known as Paganini committed the atrocity.
Soon, the demon arises. His face is skeletal in nature but has a dark brown tone to it. He uses his evil powers to murder people in the most disturbing ways and then can use an illusion of the individuals he murdered to lure other unsuspecting crew members to their demise.
Paganini has an awesome look to him. In the beginning, it gave the impression that it was going to be a whodunit, but instead it turned into something in-between Killer Party (1986) and Class Reunion Massacre (1978). Though, both of those films are better movies in every way including having more frightening scenes, Paganini Horror is still worth the watch if you can find it.
Like Killer Party the musicians and crew summon a demon by going somewhere they should have never entered. Each one pays, as they slowly find themselves being massacred by the entity they bring back to life.
The similarities with Class Reunion Massacre come into play as the movie has certain religious elements. In the beginning, a deal is made
with an Mister. Pickett (Donald Pleasence) who is an odd older man that carries a briefcase with the music that the band is looking for to have a hit. A red flag should have gone off as the combination of the briefcase was 666 and the sheet of music was sealed with what appeared to be blood.
It’s quickly clear that Pickett was never interested in money as he takes his earnings and throws the money off a top of the building. He chants something regarding the demon, which may have had something to do with the summoning. The cash could have been an offer, but I interpret that scene as him attempting to recruit more to the dark-side as money is said to be the root of all evil.
That said, the ending is very interesting. There are different elements and philosophical conclusions that the movie makes about life, death, innocence and punishment that should have been further explored. Even a brief mention of separate time layers is stated without any detail. As these words are spoken by Pleasence, I certainly wish he had more lines to delve into that. Five more minutes of his explanation would have been greatly enjoyed. That said, despite it being a predictable conclusion, it was still well done.
The film certainly pays homage to the greats and does so well. Even The Sentinel (1977)came to mind as the movie went on.
It seems that this movie isn’t well-known and those who have seen it dislike it immensely. I disagree. It had a great cast who acted their parts marvelously. The demon was really neat looking and there were a few graphic deaths. It wasn’t a gore-fest nor does it have the sex scenes one expects from Italian horror. Still, I would definitely recommend it for horror fans.
For those who have seen everything, try to find this for a Halloween watch.
Scared Stiff Rating: 6.5/10
