DBH Presents-The Eye of Argento:Part III "Giallo" and "Suspiria"

By Eric Polk-
Sup Reaps! Eric back once again as I conclude this apparent trilogy with a look at both a recent return to his roots and a revisit of one of the finest horror movies ever made.

                                                       
Giallo(2009)-Dario returns to his roots and casts a rather known international actor in Adrian Brody for this one.  The movie is an A-Z crime drama in which Brody plays a detective on the trail of a kidnapper, a pervy  deviant,  who has taken a series of beautiful foreign women(Beau-ti-ful he says in perhaps the most non-scary kidnappers voice ever). Joining Detective Blunderful on this quest is the sister of his most recent victim. Needless to say, Brody takes this case personal because of something that happened in his past though you can't tell he's actually affected by his personal tragedy the way he's so wooden in this film.

The killer is your stock deviant, nothing extremely different from others you've seen other than he's a cross between Rambo and Jimmy Durante and is afflicted with jaundice(oh boy, the actor gets to wear makeup!).
I can't really go on any further because this movie is rather predictable. There is nothing that really holds your attention other than a few scenes of brutal Argento-style violence.

Now, from what I've read Argento was a victim of major producer interference and didn't get the cut that he wanted.  Of course, he's not helped by the way Adrien Brody acts(or doesn't act) in this film. For a former NYC cop, his character is about as emotive as a mannequin on 'Ludes.  It's no wonder he didn't get paid for this. I wouldn't have scratch a check to him either. Missing, too, are Argento's filmmaking touches except for a few childhood flashback scenes. There's nothing really that portrays the beauty of Turin, Italy and the violence isn't accompanied with any great music. It's a sad way to close out Italian Horror Week....at least until we get to what's next.

Ah yes. There are no words to describe my love for this film. Everything Giallo is not, Suspiria is. I won't go into a plot synopsis because I've reviewed this movie before. Rather, I'd like to say that this movie was a game changer in my horror movie life. As I mentioned on Monday, Argento-when allowed or motivated-injected beauty and class into the Neanderthal world of horror(not that there's anything wrong with that at all). Suspiria is my proof that horror of this assessment. It was one of the last movies shot in Technicolor and by gawd, Argento takes full advantage of this. The opening death scene is considered by many(including, oddly enough, Entertainment Weekly) to be the greatest death in a horror film. Not to mention, inside this elegance, there is an unflinching sinister aesthetic prevailed throughout this movie. Plus, the main theme is a musical interpretation of Argento's good films are about. Goblin had a great relationship with the man and it shows in this movie.

And there you have it, Reaps. I bid fare-thee-well to my look at Dario Argento. However, it doesn't mean Italian Horror Week is over here on DBH. This weekend, look for the Reaper herself to join in with a look at Lady Frankenstein. From what I hear, it's rather...interesting.