The Editor

The Editor, released in 2014, is a dark and atmospheric tongue-in-cheek homage to the Italian giallo films of the 70s and 80s, brilliantly directed by Adam Brooks and Matthew Kennedy, who both also take on roles in the film. The story was created under the umbrella of Astron-6, a small film production company from Canada, known for its audacious, creative humor and quirky themes.

Adam Brooks stars as Rey Ciso, a one-time respected film editor, now reduced to a status of meager recognition in the industry after a tragic accident leaves him with only four fingers. Ciso finds himself entangled in a web of suspense, mystery, and paranoia as the members of his current film project start becoming victims of gruesome, horrifying murders. As the bodies continue to pile up, Ciso is made the prime suspect by extraordinary detectives Porfiry (played by Matthew Kennedy) and Peter (Conor Sweeney)

Adding to the eclectic cast, the sensuous Paz de la Huerta, known for her roles in shows like Boardwalk Empire, plays Josephine Jardin, a star of Ciso's films and an alluring figure whose captivating presence and complex part in the story fare well with the plot’s eerie aesthetics.

In addition to its splendid cast, The Editor also features Udo Kier, known for his roles in numerous horror films, Laurence R. Harvey from The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence), and Tristan Risk. Each of them holds unique character nuances that add to the film's delectable absurdity.

Though The Editor is entangled in the themes of suspense, horror, and crime, its real mastery lies in how it recreates the distinct style, tone, and eccentricity of giallo films. It almost perfectly mimics their campy, over-the-top performances, vehemently colorful and vivid cinematography, and the flamboyant set designs. But at its core, it's an affectionate satire, not shy of infusing elements of humor and parody, often giving heavy nods to flicks such as Dario Argento's Suspiria and Deep Red, and Sergio Martino's Torso.

The film robustly captures giallo's notorious, characteristically visceral violence and grandeur, going overboard with artful murder sequences, bizarre plot threads, and extreme close-ups of gloved hands wielding nasty weapons. This makes the film not just homage, but an eccentric, audacious mixtape of some of the best giallo cinema has offered. The pacing is intentionally offbeat and the performances excessively theatrical, all adding to its distinct blend of murder mystery and black comedy.

The use of color and music is critically instrumental in setting The Editor's tone. Brilliant primary colors drown every scene - aesthetically making it look like a comic strip that has sprung to life. The synthesizer-based soundtrack, very reminiscent of giallo scoring patterns, effectively infuses tension and suspense in the narrative.

The Editor is very much a parody and tribute film that lovingly pokes fun at the formulaic components of the giallo genre, without intending to spoof it in any real sense. It exaggerates the trademarks with loving affection, while still constructively maintaining a chilling, suspenseful narrative of a whodunit mystery.

If you're looking for a film that expects you to dismiss the storyline's absurdity and focus more on the atmospheric aesthetics, The Editor is a perfect blend. It's a satirical love letter to the giallo genre that carries itself with a quirky confidence, featuring enjoyable performances, a cheeky script, and a vibrant visual palette, combined with a suspenseful, spooky story that keeps its audience intrigued.

In conclusion, The Editor is like a fever dream for giallo fans, drunk on the nostalgic vision of the past. If you love old school horror with a cheeky sense of humor, this satirical homage to the gory glory of 70s and 80s Italian horror is a must-watch. The visual flair, the trotting intrigue, and most importantly, the peculiar, self-conscious comedy, make it a film that you might not be able to dismiss easily. For all its eccentricities and oddities, The Editor knows precisely what it is - a playful, loving caricature of a genre that continues to baffle, thrill, and delight its viewers to date.