Dario Argento's Occhiali Neri aka Dark Glasses

[SymbioticFunction]

Received this Italian bd today. Just wanted to post that despite no mentioning on the back cover, it does have English subtitles. The set-up menu shows the option and they definitely appear on the film.

[bigrob]

saw this info posted over at a Dario Argento facebook page. needless to say that i ordered it

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by bigrob

saw this info posted over at a Dario Argento facebook page.

That was my facebook post.

[CompleteCount]

As an Argento fan, I'm really not sure if I want to see it.

book.jpg

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by CompleteCount

As an Argento fan, I'm really not sure if I want to see it.

A friend of mine went to the Berlin premiere (which had English subtitles). Afterwards, he said it was best Argento since Sleepless. Later he decided it was best Argento since Stendhal. So I would give it a fair chance. Unfortunately I won't be watching till Monday as my wife (who is also an Argento fan) is away until then and I think we should both experience it at the same time. Roll on Monday.

[Funktion]

Thanks for the heads-up.

Looking forward to watching my copy in the weekend.

[SymbioticFunction]

I couldn't resist a viewing. My thoughts:

Enjoyed Dark Glasses. My friend thinks it's the best Argento film since Stendhal. Dunno about that but it's easily the best since Card Player. Massive improvement over Giallo and Dracula!! Would need to rewatch to properly assess the film (which I will be doing on Monday, this time with my wife). I was a bit surprised by how bloodless it was, since it had an extremely graphic opening. Lead actress gives excellent performance successfully portraying both strength and vulnerability. Also her relationship with the young boy was quite touching. I can recommend the film. Considering that it was very low budget, I'm quite happy with the end product. And I am really glad that there was English subtitles as there was quite a lot of dialogue! (btw the sole five minute extra doesn't have any).

[3Maters]

Ugh I wanna buy this and watch immediatley but its premiering with Argento in person here in NYC in June. Gonna wait for the first viewing to be on the big screen. With Shudder having the USA rights, will it even get a physical release here?

[SymbioticFunction]

btw The disc is locked to region B if anyone was wondering (someone in an Argento facebook group tested it).

[NeilZ]

Just ordered. I like that it has the Italian title too.

[theosh]

Does anyone now of an online retailer in Italy that would ship this to Australia at a reasonable price (since none of the international Amazon stores ship to Australia anymore)?

I was lucky enough to catch DARK GLASSES on the big screen here in Melbourne (on a one off screening) and liked the film a lot. It’s not classic Argento, but as mentioned above, it is a massive step up from “giallo” and especially the woeful “Dracula 3D”.

[the13thman]

It does unfortunately descend into a generic "running about in the woods" movie but overall I still enjoyed it. However, the

[Show spoiler]water snake attack

scene was ridiculous and the

[Show spoiler]dog attack

could have done with better editing. Good soundtrack though.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by sleeperbloke

It didn’t even feel I like I was watching a giallo.

That's probably because it isn't a giallo.

[SymbioticFunction]

I just see it as an Italian thriller. Much like how I see Soavi's Stagefright as an Italian slasher. There's no mystery about the identity of the killer in Stagefright and in Dark Glasses, the killer is soon revealed. Doesn't actually bother me. Now cue other members telling me that a mystery whodunnit element is not essential for a giallo (I don't mind, would be interesting to read!).

[Guillaume P]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

I just see it as an Italian thriller. Much like how I see Soavi's Stagefright as an Italian slasher. There's no mystery about the identity of the killer in Stagefright and in Dark Glasses, the killer is soon revealed.

Yes, i also see it as a thriller and "survival" but not a giallo. Or an unusual giallo like "The Stendhal syndrome" or..."Giallo"!

[gap]

Watched this tonight. It's not half bad at all. Argento's best in a long time, definitely since Sleepless. Very much a film of two halves; I preferred the urban-set first to the rural-based second. Relatively bloodless for an Argento thriller (I wouldn't call it a giallo due to the lack focus on the kills), save for a nasty initial murder, it has moments that quicken the pulse and a great, pounding score. The acting is pretty poor overall, but Asia gives her best performance, maybe ever. There are a few unintentionally hilarious moments along the way (snakes, the poor fight choreography, the denouement) but overall it was fun watch and a decent film to go out on if that's it.

[3Maters]

Attended the US premiere tonight. Yes, Occhiali Neri is nothing groundbreaking but a wonderful little movie that I am so happy to join the Argento Canon. Some of the slickest cinematography since Stendhal! Many moments could pass for 35mm film. Loved the pounding score (definitely the hightlight of seeing it on the big screen) And Dario even manages to conjure a genuine sinister atmosphere, suspense and some disturbing moments.
I call any Italian thriller a giallo (Dario referred to it as a giallo multiple times when he introduced the movie tonight). It might not follow the giallo rulebook, but it's absolutely told in that cosmic, dreamy "all'Italiana" style. Moreso than any of his recent movies.

[Guillaume P]

I agree 100% with your review. I really liked Illeania Pastorelli's performance and character, and the airport scene is one of my favourite ending in an Argento film, i think.

Originally Posted by 3Maters

Many moments could pass for 35mm film

Yes, i thought about it when i saw the film on the big screen two months ago. The use of HD cinematography was more obvious and uneven in "Dracula" for example.

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by the13thman

It does unfortunately descend into a generic "running about in the woods" movie but overall I still enjoyed it. However, the

[Show spoiler]water snake attack

scene was ridiculous and the

[Show spoiler]dog attack

could have done with better editing. Good soundtrack though.

I saw the movie earlier tonight, and I agree with your assessment. The movie started off with a bang but didn't build off that. The climax had potential, but it lacked tension or drama, something better editing could have probably fixed. Still, though, it wasn't a bad movie. As others pointed out, it's probably Argento's best movie since Sleepless or The Card Player.

[Guillaume P]

Originally Posted by Surge92

The climax had potential but it lacked tension or drama, something better editing could have probably fixed.

I liked the short use of the subjective POV, the music, and the very graphic side of this scene was quite pleasing too. But the film is fast, I liked its tight rhythm, unlike most of his other films Argento doesn't really make the scenes last, which can confuse some viewers. The very last scene for example is very beautiful but here again concise, brief, the emotion is really there but in a low key way.