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
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