Hooptober 7.0

65/39 - Bonus Watch

My Giallo List
Dario Argento - RANKED
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Well this answers the question of what would happen if Argento tried to make one of his bonkers later period Giallo in America with American studio money and an American cast.  Of course (I’m assuming) the studio interfered and toned down his gore and bonkersniss.  Of course the American cast seems like they are badly dubbed even though they are acting in English.  Of course it was still tremendous fun.

Argento’s daughter Asia is here again and she does well playing an anorexic girl whose parents are murdered on a rainy night by a gloved killer using one of the most creative weapons I’ve seen...some kind of motorized garrote that decapitates people.   Seriously, what twisted fuck came up with this and can I buy you a coffee?  I have to call out the inexplicable and creepy topless shot of Asia shoehorned into the early part of the movie.  Sure she’s gorgeous, but she’s playing a 16 year old and your daughter??  You at least used body doubles in Stendhal Syndrome.

The movie has tons of red herrings and feels like its meandering along at times and the American lead is just sort of there.  Piper Laurie as the mom has an over the top Italian accent which is probably just there to justify Asia’s Italian accent.   The kills aren’t as gory as they obviously could/should be particularly with Tom Savini handling makeup.   Nonetheless, the movie worked for me.  

I need to look into the history of this production. So many elements seem Americanized.  Even the score isn’t your typical Argento Goblin or Goblin-esque proggyness.  I’ll have to wait till it gets a proper American release with extras.  As is the Spanish BR I watched is totally washed out and has no extras.

Still, this has enough craziness and an absolutely insane ending between the reveal of the killer’s motivation and the final kill.   So yeah, this was a lot of fun.