troll (2022)

"You do know that there's some truth to every fairytale."
Norwegan road builders are tunneling through a mountain range when they disturb an ancient creature. Could it be in fact a troll? Paleontologist Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) is brought in to give her assessment and soon realises that maybe the storybooks were true!
Yes we've seen this all before, and its not a patch on Troll Hunters, but it is a fun watch. So cut the carping and just let it entertain you.

the stone tape (1972)

"What I want for Christmas is for you to go away."
An audio research team convenes in a Victorian house in an attempt to find a new recording format. But things start to go off tack when Jill Greeley (Jane Asher) witnesses a ghost and the director Peter Brock (Michael Bryant) decides to record the apparition but also to exorcise it...
A made for TV horror by Nigel Kneale that came up with some genuine scares

the painted bird (2019)

AKA Nabarvené ptáce
"You're not from here are you?"
A young boy Joska (Petr Kotlár) suffers many trauma's as he travels across an indeterminate Slavic country during its occupation by Germany.
Based on the novel by Václav Marhoul this is an extremely dark tale making it a compelling but difficult watch.

naked as nature intended (1961)

"Nobody who looked like that ever gave me a lump of sugar."
Three young women, including Pamela Green tour the delights of South-West England and are introduced into naturism.
What was an early foray into nudie cuties by Markx, is viewed today as more of a delightful tourist film. Due to it being made in colour and restricting the nudism to the last few minutes of the film. Surely this was the basis of the spoof nudism film shown in Carry on Camping?

klokkenluider (2022)

"Don't tell him you told me!"
Ewan, a government whistleblower, and Silke, his Flemish wife are hidding out in a rural rental house waiting for a journalist (Olivia Coleman) to arrive so they can tell their story. Meanwhile they are joined by two protection officers, and cannot help but argue and reveal secrets as the officers also bicker.
Tightly driven talky.

baron blood (1972)

AKA Gli orrori del castello di Norimberga
"If he were really to come back he would be a monster."
Peter Kleist (Antonio Cantafora) travels to his ancestral castle in Austria to researh notorious "Baron Blood" a renowned sadist who was reputedly cursed by a witch he had burned to death. At the castle Peter meets Eva (Elke Sommer) who is helping with renovations and they stupidly read an incantation which is supposed to bring the Baron back to life! Following their reading murders start occurring and the castle is subsequently sold to millionare Alfred Becker (Joseph Cotton). But why does he want it and who is the serial killer?
An evocative gothic horror, from a horror master, but this somehow lacks something.

the vourdalak (2023)

"It was unbearable."
A French envoy (Kacey Mottet Klein) is waylaid whilst travelling in the Balkans. Lost and alone he is advised to seek out Gorcha who will be able to help him. On arrival at Gorcha's house he finds he has left a note with his family stating that has gone to fight the turkish bandits and if he returns after 6 days he is to be considered a Vourdalak! As expected Gorcha is found collapsed...minutes after the 6 days has expired!
Based on Tolstoy's gothic novel this is a stylish and atmospheric tale, reminding me of the Italian horrors of the 60's.