Im not getting Argento so far. Should I continue?

[chinton]

Hey you guys well after so much praising here and there about how great Dario Argento I thought I would finally try some of his films. And boy I am very dissapointed so far. I got Bird With Cystal Plummage and aside from a brilliant opening murder scene and a great climax the movie bored me to death. The dialogue and characters were unbelivably flat. And for a mystery it really wasnt all that mysterious in the end.

But I thought that may be one of his weak film so i tried Deep Red and was really dissapointed by that too. Dont get me wrong there are some phenomenal murder sequences, great use of color and framing, and some great stalking sequences but whenever the movie turned to the mystery or the two lead characters talking it just got so unbelievably slow. What really annoying about this is two things. First he is obviously a great visual director. In Deep Red alone there are some really great scenes visually. It just makes me mad then they are stuffed between some bad to mediocre films. Secondly I love the BlowUp idea behind both films in which the movie plays with memory. What did he really see. That stuff was great which makes even more angry that they couldnt be explored a bit more competently.

So my question is for those Argwnto fans out there should I stop now or are Tenebre and Suspira worth seeing

[X-Nightcrawler]

Well, try Suspiria. If you don't like that, don't try Argento again. He has a very unique style (me personally really like him) and he's not really versatile so most of his movies are similar.

[chinton]

Thanks I appreciate it

[mary lou 102]

Well Suspiria is probably the last one you should see. Try Tenebre. It is a little bit like DePalma's Dressed To Kill. It's not as slow as Deep Red. Actually many characters are brought up and discarded pretty soon. There is zero character development, unlike Deep Red so you don't have to worry about the film being bogged down by exposition and that sort of thing. Tenebre is also his most mainstream film. It has an amzing last 10 minutes and there are twists galore. It's actually very enteertaining. Still, go in with no expectaions and you will probably be pleased.

I didn't reccomend Suspiria yet, because many people seem to hate it cause it has no plot and stupid characters. Well let me point out that it has a plot, a good one in fact, but at times it seems to go nowhere. The middle half is just a little slow. The opening will kick your ass, though. Work your way up tot hat one and Inferno.

Phenomena is a fun one, but it lacks any logic whatsoever, but that's why I like it. It's a creepy surreal nightmare. Besides it has Jennifer Connely, that is never a bad thing.

Sleepless has an o.k. opening 20 minutes and then the rest is boring.

Opera is pretty cool, but it can drag at times and the police are very stupid in the movie. The ending is also not needed.

Inferno is much like Suspiria, so I reccomend it last.

[Cronos]

well, stay away from Phantom of the Opera, i found Suspiria to be wonderful visually but storywise and acting wise it was crap.

ive only seen a few of his films but the only one i really liked was Sleepless

but he seems like a visual director (the characters, acting and script tend to suck) to me and if you dont like that i doubt youd like any of his other stuff

[ERIN_LoJ]

Phantom of the opera was basically terrible. Opera was pretty good, didnt like Suspiria the first time around but since I was exhausted and impatient to go to bed (didnt watch to the ending), will give it another chance one of these days

[Inglorious]

Okay, a little bit off topic... once I read this and a few other threads... I got the strange imagining of these boards as a Horror Movie Psych Ward.

Hmm... good stuff.

[EvilDeadGirl]

I started watching his films only recently. My first viewing was Opera. A bit slow in some places but otherwise a pretty good ride. We get a lovely neck stabbing that well it made me smile. :)

I tried Suspira from Netflix and wouldn't ya know it the damn thing won't play. :(

[Jason13thh]

Chinton I suggest you to watch Opera this giallo is really accessible and maybe his most entertaining movie.

This killer is cruel and sadistic, it is very gory,too.

Believe me with Opera you cannot be disapointed but be careful watch the uncut version.

Otherwise Sleepless is not a bad giallo.

[dark-angel]

Apart from those already mentioned (Tenebre was great, Suspiria is a masterpiece-but I suppose it takes an acquired taste or an ability to forget about logic etc. Phenomena & Sleepless were decent as well) you might like to try Trauma.... Its fairly new, by comparison with Dario's other work, and is an under-rated movie IMO

[meltingman]

I had the same thoughts Chinton.

I also have read how several horror fans love Argento. I saw Suspiria many years ago and liked it, but would not categorize it in my top ten.

When I found a double set of Deep Red and Tenebre at Best Buy, I felt I struck gold. I couldn't wait to get home and watch them and relish the ultimate in Horror.

As you stated, I felt disappointed by both. Don't get me wrong, they were fun to watch, but I was not overwhelmed.

I think these films may have been extremely good in the 70's or 80's when they previewed in the movie theatres..

I guess films lose a little over time.

As much as I loved DANCES WITH WOLVES, After seeing it numerous times, I guess it is now a little boring for me. I was totally blow away when I saw THE THING, but now, after many years, although it is a classic, time is beginning to take it toll... Sort of Sad.

On a happy note. I caught the old Clint Eastwood, spagetti western FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, on my new big screen TV in High Def and was floored. So, great films of the past can return in their full glory, if the timing is right.

For an older film, I suppose the moral of the story is... Expect little, but be happy if you enjoy it!...

[Rokyracoon68]

wouldnt it be cool to have some flash light come with every movie and when you flash it in your eyes youll forget about the movie and it could be a new experience again and again....

[ParileseMonster]

I love his movies. I wish I could watch some of them with Bridget Fonda and have a conversation. I hear she really loves his stuff as well. :D