Pick #2. Twitch of the Death Nerve (1971) - Stiddy's pick (as we call'em). Early Italian horror by legendary director Mario Bava. For some reason this movie is said to be known by more alternate titles than any other in film history, don't believe me:
Bay of Blood, The Ecology of Murder, Carnage, Bloodbath (UK), Bloodbath Bay of Death, Bloodbath Bay of Blood.
Glad we got that out of the way. Twitch of the Death Nerve is also considered by many horror film buffs to be very influential in the slasher film genre. For me, someone who isn't very well versed in horror in general, the film was what I expected from an early staple in what's become a very popular & indeed bloated & overly imitated genre. That said, I liked the film - kind of.
The story (confusing & at times difficult to follow) takes place near a bay where the characters all play their murderous part in picking off each other as they vow for an inheritance/possession of the bay for financial reasons. The audience is tricked into thinking the last remaining characters have succeeded in riding themselves of any & all competition until the surprise ending where some clever foreshadowing reveals itself.
Violent, gratuitous, over the top & during a scene or two, hilarious, the film remains Bava's most controversial & shares mixed opinions from critics & horror fans alike. Enjoy, or don't.
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