Occhiali neri

Occhiali neri begins with a promising entrée however goes blind with the progress. With It's extended chase and the stank killer apparently taking a breather during two thirds of it really was a drag.

However on the plus side Occhiali neri creates a sense of uniqueness with it's dialogues and character set up. It's blunt on the edges but when it cuts there's puddles of blood.

Occhiali neri is eerily fun but with a little bit of extra work it could have been a even superior creation. For the aforesaid newness in characters , the dialogues full of emotion and their sharp delivery deserves admiration.

Music - awesome. Photography - decent.

Everything else - lame.

Still better then Argento's Dracula, though.

All in all - for diehard Argento fans only.

Dario Argento - I really have to rewatch some of his earlier work. Things that are (supposedly?) really good. I remember liking Suspiria for example. But I am not sure, why he ever got the name that he did - considering that most of his output was not really that good. And if you only see the last two decades ... well I know that his fans do not want to talk about that. I totally understand.

Maybe that is the reason this movie got so much praise. It actually isn't really that good, but compared to something like Giallo (did Adrian Brody really star in that one?) ... it almost feels like a masterpiece. It isn't of course. It does start off quite good, even if the nonsense is there for everyone to see (looking straight into the sun - very not smart of our main character) ... but it is supposed to be foreshadowing.

There is nudity (not from his daughter, whom I almost didn't recognize I have to admit, at least at first, because you can clearly tell it is her), even in scenes that did not need them. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, just telling you so you are aware of it. But the heart of it all is the killings. And they are well done. You may feel almost no sympathy for the victims, considering their poor choices that mostly nullifies their chances of survival, but the make up is good (the screaming can be annoying but let's not go into the "acting" rabbit hole we get served here) and the music/soundtrack is also what you would expect. And I mean that in a good way.

There is no mystery about whodunnit, it is almost like the movie is hitting you on the head with the information. Even if there is a flashback when the "reveal" is being made at the end - for the viewers who didn't bother to actually pay attention. I envy them - anyway, if you are a hardcore Argento fan, you probably will find something to like here. And I kind of envy you too. Not bothering with story, acting or anything that makes sense ... and I am not being sarcastic ... or shaming anyone. You go and enjoy what makes you happy and don't let anyone tell you what to like or not. Or the "inspiration" Argento felt probably was just him needing money ... that would be a mean thing to say.

It's safe to say this is far from argento's best work but certainly not his worst. One or two good kills and some decent cinematography. Plus the soundtrack is a good listen. Overall no classic but worth tracking down.

I've already seen this movie twice in a 3 days time.

The first time i mostly noticed what was NOT there:

• many choreographed murders
• the surprise/shock of finding out who the killer is
• the close ups of gloved hands and weapons to kill the victims

And in a Dario Argento's movie, for anyone familiar with his style, that is A LOT missing.

But the second view made me appreciate more the film in its own right to "exist".

I recognized in it the same sort of empathy towards the main character that i felt in Phenomena, Opera, Trauma.

Technically thumbs up for the score and cinematography.

Good performance from Asia Argento.