This film seems to be the least loved post-Deep Red Argento film. It's not one of his better movies, overall, but I actually think it's better than 'The Stendahl Syndrome' or 'Sleepless', and certainly better than that crapathon 'Phantom of the Opera'. (Though those films would probably be a lot more enjoyable if they had a decent DVD relase) Yeah, it is fairly American-ized, but this isn't an entirely bad thing. To wit, it isn't nearly as incoherent as most of his other recent films. Furthermore, this has some of the best performances of any of his films. It's sad that he didn't put a bit more into the death scenes, or this could've been one of his best movie. (Course, that's quite a big just, as the death scenes and setpieces are what make his best films so cool) They aren't bad, certainly, a lot nice gliding steadicam, but the kills themselves are kinda dull, as they're all the same. (The killer has an automatic decapitating machine, which is less interesting than it sounds.) Still, despite the straight thriller trappings, the plot does degenerate into your standard giallo-ism, i.e. false endings, faked deaths, killer whose identity is incredibly unlikely for a variety of reasons, clues which a so subtle and esoteric as to be virtually worthless etc. Oddly enough, this combination kinda works, combining a somewhat more believable, controlled investigation with a wild, over the top final act.
All right, the plot's like this, there's a murderer, who is murdering people, and a variety of characters who do not wish to be murdered, and thus decide to prevent it. Also, one of these people is troubled and anorexic, which doesn't get too much in the way of the main plot, fortunately. (Also, they don't try and get the police too involved in all this, cause that wouldn't be very sporting.) The main not wanna be murdereders are Aura and David, played by Asia Argento and Christopher Rydell. Neither of them are particularly interesting, but what do you expect. They're certainly more naturalistic than your typical Argento protagonists, but they kinda lack presonality, in spite of Aura's problems. (She's the anorexic one_ Other than that no one matters too much, though you do have an assortment of oddball random characters i.e. dorky little kid who sees too much, crazy as hell doctor etc.
What can I say, this movie is a little more wacky than your typical Argento movie, kinda like 'Phenomena. It just kinda lurches from each plot development to the next, each more random and unusual than the last. Still, the individual scenes do tend to work on a conventional dramatic level, again partially due to the conventional American styling. The scene where Aura's parents get wasted is particularly nice, if conventional, and the major stalking scene in the hospital is very well done. If it had some nice gruesome, traditional Argento butchery in it it would be totally top notch. Still, this film has some interesting violence. Tom Savini does the gore, so it's naturally of heigh quality. It mostly consists of a few severed head props and various shots of wire digging into the victims neck.
Sadly, it's got a traditional, orchestrated Hollywood score, nowhere near as good as the stuff you'd usually here in an Argento film. But, you can't have it all.
All in all, a pretty cool film. It's probably more of an Argento film than you'd think, considering what you've likely heard about it. Also, I'm feeling stupid right now, so this excessively informal review might make it seem like I view this as a camp film. I don't. It's got some weirdness, for sure, but it works if you can get into it, which I can.
p.s. Asia Argento briefly gets nude in this movie. She was only a teenager at the time, so if you find yourself.... aroused by this scene, you need to report yourself to the FBI immediately. Sorry. It's your duty. Though lotsa people are bound to mention this, it is kinda weird to have your teenage daughter get naked in your movie. I don't care what country your from. Also, it's utterly gratuitous, which makes it all the more... odd.
Argento in Minnesota!
Trauma is Argento's American giallo film. It's quite Americanized, but unmistakably Argento. The plot concerns Rydell(who looks a little like Brenden Fraser at times) who stops a young anorexic girl(Asia Argento) from committing suicide, and then gets tangled up with her psychological baggage as well as a black gloved killer(of course) who's after Argento. The killer's modus operandi this time around is decapitating victims with a handy dandy little power tool soon to be available at your nearest Sears Craftsman Tool department. Why is the killer doing this? Who is the killer? Watch it and see. Naturally this is a wonderfully shot film, but a bit toned down from Argento's previous works. Good performances all around, but Rydell and Argento are especially good together. We also get a cameo from everyone's favorite B movie character actor, Brad Dourif. It's also a bit creepy that Asia has a brief topless scene considering she was only 16 at the time, and her father is the director. Those wacky Italians! All in all Trauma doesn't make my Aregento top five films list, but because it is Argento it's better than just about everything else out there in the same genre. See it before they remake it.
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Why are there reviews for this release that date 3 friggin years ago?? This is a totally different release with the uncut footage, widescreen transfer, extras whatever. If you like Argento get this, you won't be disappointed it is good whether or not it's his best. Don't listen to people that haven't even watched this cut of the film.
In deciding to go for a very different and toned down style, Dario Argento certainly took a gamble(get it?). You're gonna see some harsh reviews here, but Argento's harshest critics are always his biggest fans. Most folks figure something really got lost in the shuffle when Argento did this one. No, it certainly isn't Argento's best work, but a subpar Argento movie is miles ahead of any suspense film Hollywood tries to make. The plot is Argento to the hilt, dealing with a psycho who's not playing with a full deck. It's pretty much a giallo updated to the 21st century. Only this time, the black gloved killer plays online poker with the police, and if the killer wins the game, his female victim cashes in her chips via webcam. Yes, it does sound better than it plays out, but a... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Dario Argento DVD Release Date: Released the 23 August 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante) is an American reporter living in Rome who witnesses what appears to be a murder. Trapped by a glass wall, he can't intervene, but does manage to scare off the killer. Wounded, the victim survives, and Dalmas's curiosity drives him to look further into the story, but he soon finds himself and his girlfriend in jeopardy and stalked by the would-be murderer. Director Dario Argento's debut film is a remarkable work, more restrained than many of his later films. Based on an obscure 1950s pulp novel, Bird draws heavily on Hitchcock, as well as on American novelists such as Dashiell Hammett and Cornell Woolrich. At the same time, its execution makes it a highly original, inventive, and fast-paced film that plays with the conventions of the thriller genre. As... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Tony Musante - Suzy Kendall Director(s): Dario Argento DVD Release Date: Released the 24 October 2000 Usually ships in 24 hours
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We (the Eurohorror fans) are already waiting more than a year for this release.Where is it?? I haven't seen the film yet,but according to many this is better than Don't Torture A Duckling. All we can do is wait I suppose :-( Only one star for the waiting...will be more when/if it arrives.... Cheers, "Crystal Plumage" More Info about this DVD Director(s): Lucio Fulci DVD Release Date: Released the 22 February 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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"Just Before Dawn" falls into the same type of horror movie as "American Gothic," "Motel Hell," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Wrong Turn," and "Deliverance" only it is more like the typical unoriginal slasher flick than the four above mentioned movies are. However, what makes this movie worth watching is the eerie atmosphere permeating throughout it and the lonely isolation of the dark mountains and forests and man's (and woman's) vulnerability against the primitive forces of nature as represented in the inbred redneck psychopathic brothers that spend the entire movie stalking and hunting a group of young adults spending a few nights camping in the wilderness. The only reason I gave this movie three stars instead of four is because the story was one I had seen a million times before and the... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Jeff Lieberman DVD Release Date: Released the 26 July 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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The opening ten minutes are a little rough, with an overdose of crash zooms, distorting lenses, clunky dialogue and poor model work. After the first story twist, however, the film becomes a superior giallo, worthy of comparison with Bava and Argento. Director Sergio Martino stages some strong set-pieces, displaying a visual flair only hinted at in THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH. It's possible Dario Argento saw SCORPION'S TAIL before making DEEP RED, as some scenes are remarkably similar (check out the murder in the theatre). There's even a bold female reporter, who helps unmask the killer at great personal risk. While DEEP RED is the better film, Argento owes Martino a debt or two. George Hilton is a solid lead - is it his own voice on the Italian soundtrack? - and spaghetti western... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Sergio Martino DVD Release Date: Released the 31 May 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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