Dario Argento -- Genius or Hack?!

[frogjunk65]

I remember seeing Suspiria for the first time. The opening just blew me away. The lighting, music, atmosphere. I couldn't watch enough of his past work and the few he released after. Unfortunately for me anything after Opera becomes very hit or miss. But great director's can't put out top quality their entire careers.

[Shingster]

Genius, if he were truly a hack then we wouldn't be here having this online conversation. Hardly anyone would of heard of him.

[Abby is Q]

Dario Argento + Daria Nicolodi = horror magic.

Those two were responsible for some of the best stuff that has ever come out of Italian horror. It's painfully obvious (to me at least) that she inspired him greatly, as well as being the idea person behind a lot of the movies they made together. While Trauma is okay, it's a clear step down from Opera (the last film they made while together). His movies since have ranged from bottom of the garbage bin to watchable.

So I guess to answer the question, yes Dario Argento is a genius... BUT genius sometimes needs inspiration, direction, revision, and harsh criticism from those closest to you.

[Shingster]

It's kinda ironic because the OP obviously started the thread because he knew he'd get a response, I mean it's not like a thread like this is going to throw up any new insights on Argento or his career, but merely starting a thread about Dario Argento literally inspires discussion, and that's because of both the strengths and the weaknesses of his filmography. So basically we get back to what I said in my previous post, the very existence of a thread like this on a relatively "mainstream" film discussion site kinda answers its own question. You don't see anyone here starting a thread like "Joe D'Amato - Genius or Hack?"

[MJD64]

I'd have to say Argento's nadir is his 3D Dracula; Unspeakable!

[lolwut]

Suspiria is a classic. Opera is great. Deep Red, Tenebrae, and Inferno are decent. Phenomena and Jenifer are terrible.

[Kill Bren]

Genius, but like so many horror film-makers still with us, his time has come and gone.

[Guillaume P]

According to this video Dario Argento is going to direct next year his new thriller OCCHIALI NERI, a twenty years old personal project...:

DARIO ARGENTO - FRIGHTFEST 2019 INTERVIEW - YouTube

[jess1581]

Ah yes, another thread attempting to be edgy...

Argento is legendary, and deserves his accolades.

[mar3o]

I thought Iron Maiden's music was incredibly distracting in Phenomena. To the point where it almost ruins the film for me actually. But it is a pretty good film minus the awful Iron Maiden music. And I do enjoy some metal - but I think it's totally out of place in this film.

I haven't seen all of his films but I love Tenebre, Suspiris, Opera, and Inferno. My favorite is probably Deep Red. I still need to see Bird with the Crystal Plumage. I'm afraid to watch hs more recent films based on all the bad things I've heard about them. Dracula 3D got awful reviews.

I think as others have said, what his films lack in plot are made up for in set pieces and cinematography. I do think Deep Red and Tenebre are very effective in terms of the mystery elements, and I enjoy the humorous aspects of Deep Red.

[Pedderrs]

Originally Posted by mar3o

I thought Iron Maiden's music was incredibly distracting in Phenomena. To the point where it almost ruins the film for me actually. But it is a pretty good film minus the awful Iron Maiden music. And I do enjoy some metal - but I think it's totally out of place in this film.

My sentiments exactly.

I am not averse to the idea of incorporating a metal soundtrack into a film, but it must lend itself to the action on screen in some way otherwise you are left with scenes that are jarring and intrusive. A soundtrack should never serve as a distraction to the visuals it is accompanying. Honestly, the Iron Maiden song in Phenomena is so out of place that I can only conclude that Dario Argento had ulterior motives for using it. I wouldn't expect this level of poor judgement from a 1st year film student let alone a well established director.

[Guillaume P]

Genius, after all he's one of my favourite directors, with other genius like Michael Mann and Big John Carpenter!
Dario Argento's golden era were the 70's and the 80's, after OPERA his style was less flamboyant (in part because of the weak shape of the Italian movie industry, thanks to Berlusconi and others...) but i still find things to enjoy even in his lesser works.
My favourite movies from the Maestro...PHENOMENA, THE STENDHAL SYNDROME, OPERA, INFERNO, BIRD, DEEP RED...well, even DRACULA was kind of fun and enjoyable on the big screen (saw it in its cool 3D, in a huge theater!)!

Originally Posted by AKORIS

Argento films are very much like Mario Bava's efforts...

it's all about the visuals.

Plot, acting, script.... doesn't really matter.

and visually, both film makers are genius..

I like many of Bava's works but i prefer Argento, his view of the world seems less "cynical" to me and he has directed more character driven movies (i like the lead characters of PHENOMENA, THE CARD PLAYER, THE STENDHAL SYNDROME, TRAUMA, DEEP RED, OPERA, Max Von Sydow in SLEEPLESS, etc)

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

I bet the pop outs were good.

Indeed! in theaters i enjoyed the howl flying over my head, the eye popping "Fulci" bit, the sword through the screen, the swarm of flies surrounding the viewer, the final shot, etc. Some nice depth of field too (the girl walking in the woods, for example)

[MassiveMovieBuff]

My appreciation for Argento has grown quite a bit these last few years. I've seen Deep Red during that time and absolutely love it. I've also grown to love Suspiria as well thanks to the fabulous Synapse blu ray. I didn't care for Tenebrae when I first saw it a few years ago but since my love for Giallo horror has grown more I want to give it another shot. Been wanting to check out his other films.

[CreasyBear]

Somewhere in the middle, but leaning more towards hack. His lighting and aesthetics can be very eye catching, but the scripts, performances, and overall tone is just wildly inconsistent and silly, sucking any life out of the admittedly fantastic visuals.

[drush9999]

He's a genius if you forget his post 90s work. The way he edits the awesome visuals to the music is sublime. One of top 10 directors for me. So genius.

[Zivouhr]

Phenomena - Flash Of The Blade - Iron Maiden - YouTube

Above is Phenomenon by Argento, which I enjoyed overall as a horror film with the exception of the rocking music choices (which actually made the movie a little more fun to watch and much less fearful), with the original music that Argento wanted in his horror film. Argento seems to enjoy more upbeat, rocking soundtracks to his films overall from the films I've watched.

The Shining Soundtrack OST - The Awakening of Jacob (HQ) - YouTube

Now if possible, detach oneself emotionally from the original Phenomenon soundtrack, and press play on the Shining soundtrack while pressing play on the Argento film/score but muting the volume, and imagine if something like this Shining 1981 soundtrack music was in place of the metal 80s rock music of Phenomenon's scenes.

What is the goal of the filmmaker is the most important question, but if provoking the feeling of fear is the goal for a pure Horror movie (not action horror or comedy horror), which music suits horror better? Rock music, or eerie horror music?

[HipsterTrash]

Goblin is eerie.

Not all horror movies goes for the intention to scare. Sometimes it's to unsettle or discomfort.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by HipsterTrash

Goblin is eerie.

Not all horror movies goes for the intention to scare. Sometimes it's to unsettle or discomfort.

Thanks.
That is true, not all horror filmmakers intend to scare the audience. The music sets the tone for the type of horror they wish to convey.

It's definitely interesting how much impact the soundtrack music has on the tone of a horror film.

Looking back on Argento's films, he wanted a lighter, more fun rock beat tone to a number of his films based on his music choices. Nothing wrong with that, if that was his intention.

[Member-682067]

Neither. Some are decent: The Bird with Crystal Plummage, Suspiria, and Deep Red. A lot are crap.

[Gacivory]

Phenomena has music from Goblin and a song from Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden rules. So therefore Phenomena’s music is pretty great to rules! Oh also there’s a Motörhead song. No one says anything bad about Motörhead!