Being an adaptation of horror maestro Edgar Allan Poe’s 1843 short story The Black Cat, this film begins the only way it could; with a baby in the womb super-imposed with images of the cosmos.
A visit to a movie set, some hair metal, and a baby having apocalyptic dreams later, and we know well and truly that Luigi Cozzi (Starcrash, Contamination) is following the original story to the absolute letter in such a slavish fashion that would make literary scholars the world over to rise up and shout “Skeet, skeet skeet!”
Anyway, there’s also a freaky ass witch, and Caroline Munro involved in these goings-on as well. Not a lot of cats here so far, but I’m sure they’ll chuck one in at some point. (Edit: they do)
So what exactly is going on in this picture? The long and the short of it all is; some folks want to make a horror movie about the aforementioned legendary evil witch, and she isn’t having it in a major way… so much so that she is resurrected, blasts through a mirror, and proceeds to vomit all over a woman’s face… it’s more direct than a lawsuit or copyright claim I guess…
A lil’ reincarnation, an intestine vomiting video game cabinet, (much) more sleaze rock (courtesy of Bang Tango and White Lion), exploding women, magic laser beams… all of it ensues, all of it has nothing to do with Poe, and all of it is absolutely fucking glorious!
The Black Cat is a full on gore drenched fever dream presented by one of my all-time fav directors… this is like a music video created by a madman; all screamin’ guitars, raspy lyrics, showers of gore, rando explosions, lurid cotton-candy hued lighting… and lets not forget some of that good ol’ black magic the kids are so crazy about these days!
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the one-of-a-kind look of the witch Levina; this lady is a full on nightmare of diseased flesh, gnarly nails, and cataract eyes and I loved her from top to bottom!
Adding to the fun to be found here, Severin have included a few beastly bonuses on the Blu-ray release including interviews with Cozzi and Munro, and the film’s trailer.
Cozzi is a flat-out genius, and The Black Cat is by far his most batshit creation… there’s nothing else my arcane ass can say; just pick this up now my cats n’ creeps and prepare for your mind to become a neon puddle of ghoulish goo!
