Horror 2021 Countdown: Two Evil Eyes (1990)

Two Evil Eyes (1990) dirs. George Romero, Dario Argento, ADC Films/Gruppo Bema 

And thus we have reached the end of another horror filled year. We've seen terror and tragedy, and much of it from Ohio. As per tradition at this point we end with a Romero film, but this was the first time he codirected with Italian master of horror, Dario Argento and the first time both men worked on an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe. 

"The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar" (Romero)

Jessica Valdemar (Adrienne Barbeau) heads to the office of Mr. Pike (E.G. Marshall), a lawyer. The meeting is largely a formality. She's transferring her husband Ernest (Bingo O'Malley)'s estate into cash. Not unusual, but given that Mister Valdemar is twice her age and apparently at death's door, Pike has some concerns. 

Concerns that are cooled when he calls the house and Ernest makes it clear he is weak but of sound mind and for Pike to just do his job and stop bothering his darling wife. Pike is satisfied, but he makes it clear if anything were to happen to Ernest in the next three weeks, Pike will make sure Jessica is investigated by the police. 

Turns out Pike was right to be fearful. Jessica returns home to where her husband is almost a corpse. Dr. Hoffman (Ramy Zada) is a hypnotist and a live-in doc. He's also been sleeping with Jessica and keeping Ernest in a trance. Jessica takes out three hundred thousand in cash but during the night Ernest straight up dies. 

Unable to notify anyone without blowing their plan, plus Ernest is far beyond any help medicine can give him, they do the most dignified thing. They stuff him in a freezer in the basement. Which is fine, except Ernest starts to moan. The next day, Hoffman uses his hypno trick to get Ernest to shut up, but Ernest refuses. Seems he isn't alone, and there are people watching him. 

Jessica is naturally freaking out but Hoffman is fascinated. Ernest begs to be woken up but Jessica shoots the corpse and they plan to bury it. Pity they were a bit late, as Ernest rises again and he brought company...

"The Black Cat" (Argento)

Rod Usher (Harvey Keitel) is a crime scene photographer. Detective LeGrand (John Amos) often calls him to document the usual aftermath of violent crime that seems to plague the city. After a particularly nasty mauling, Usher retreats to his basement darkroom when a black cat interrupts him. His girlfriend Annabel (Madeline Potter) falls in love with the thing.

The relationship starts to breakdown, more so after Usher strangles the cat and uses its corpse as the centerpiece of his new exhibit. Usher's drinking grows worse, especially after he dreams of being murdered by a group of medieval witches. When Annabel sees the cover of his art book featuring her now missing cat, things get worse. 

A barmaid gives Usher a new black cat, but this one has a white spot that looks like a gallows. Usher brings it home with plans to kill it, but this is the final straw for Annabel. She tries to protect the cat but Usher kills her. 

Bricking her corpse up behind a wall, all Usher has to do is wait but what's that noise coming from behind the wall?

Pretty good and solid work from both men. Poe's yarns are both faithfully adapted although in Argento's yarn you have to wonder if Usher would have been better off if everyone stopped bothering him. Seriously, the cat invades his darkroom and every time he turns around there's students, neighbors, seemingly the whole neighborhood has running conversations with Annabel.

Romero's tale is workman like but serviceable. Nothing really stands out but the actors all do a wonderful job and the comeuppance is nicely done. 

Anyway, have a good fright and creep it real folks.