hecklongtree

I'm on a Spaghetti Western kick. Of the pictures I've seen recently, Sergio Corbucci''s "Django" really sticks in my mind: Django (Franco Nero) traveling around dragging a coffin behind him, the ubiquitous mud, the quicksand, the infamous ear cutting scene--much more graphic than the one in "Reservoir Dogs."

Damiano Damiani's "A Bullet for the General" is supposed to be one of those political Italian Westerns (AKA Zapata Westerns), but I'm at a loss to tell you the film's political import. Great performance by Gian Maria Volonte ( "Fistful of a Dollars," "For a Few Dollars More") as Chucho, the bandit/ Mexican revolutionary. He was a great actor and definitely my favorite non-Mexican Mexican, narrowly beating out Eli Wallach.

Giulio Questi's "Django Kill, " despite its title, has nothing whatever to do with "Django." The producers stuck Django in the title to capitalize on the popularity of the earlier film. A star-making performance by Tomas Milian Very violent. Lots of fake blood, the kind used in the 60's and early 70's that looks like bright red paint. So-so screenwriting, good cinematography, and excellent editing by Franco Arcalli, best known for his work with Bernardo Bertolucci.

I'm in the mood for more Spagehetti Westerns. Any suggestions?