The Stendhal Syndrome
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.97 You Save: $11.98 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.70 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Stendhal Syndrome
Movie Review: Impressive DVD of Argento's Thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Troma's DVD of "Stendhal Syndrome" is quite a nice package. Although there is some slight graininess and very minor artifacting during the film, the image actually looks really Nice, especially considering Troma put it out. I was very relieved it looks as good as it does. The film itself is better on a second viewing and, although it's not amongst Argento's best, it is definitely a superior thriller by the italian maestro. The excellent Ennio Morricone score is also a major plus. And Asia is quite effective as the young woman subject to the hallucinatory nightmarish condition brought on by works of art. A psycho rapist with a razor-blade smile is killing women in Italy and Asia's art-visions lead her into his clutches. Yes, this is the film where Argento filmed his own daughter's rape scene. Extras on the disc include two interviews with Dario (the Lloyd Kaufman one and another on the set of "Phantom" which is a lot more interesting) not to mention some "hidden" interview footage of Argento in Stockholm (accessed by hitting the "9" to get the razor blade). There's also an interview with Sergio Stivaletti and for some reason, there's an interview with Ruggero Deodato who discusses "Cannibal Holocaust" (don't really know why it's on this disc) The interview with Deodato has really bad translated subtitles....he talks and talks, but the subtitles are really basic and abbreviated. Better than nothing, I suppose. The film "bios" on Dario and Asia are simply filmographies (it amusingly lists "Four Patches on Grey Velvet" instead of "Flies"! ). The disc also contains all that superfluous Troma stuff (games - trivia - Troma tours- etc.). All in all, a great disc for Argento fans!Movie Review: an unappreciated psycho-thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read so many reviews {mostly on other websites} saying that Dario Argento's films in the 90s are all disappointing compared to his past masterpieces. I totally disagree. I think Argento has yet to lose his touch.It's just after so many great horror/thriller/mystery movies, you tend to keep comparing all his movies to his earlier masterpieces. Even though The Stendahl Syndrome is not as great as Suspiria, Deep Red, Phenomena, etc., it's still alot better then the majority of thrillers out nowadays. I will not get into the plot and story line because there are plenty of other reviews to go to for that. I just want to go into why I love this film. First off the story and plot {that I just chose to ignore in this review} is pretty original but still has common elements of other Argento films. Second, the scenes where Asia "falls" or "walks" into art are great and I wish there was more scenes like that. The rape and torture scenes are kinda hard to watch but they are not over the top {atleast not by Argento standards} and halfway through Asia gets to turn the tables for a bit. The movie switches between 2 or 3 different overall feels. At first, it's got paranoia and horror with Asia having constant encounters with the villian but then it changes to a more calm and healing feel and then switches back to fear before the last scenes fall into place.
The only things that really bothered me was Asia has a cop, she didn't quite bring in the feel that she was one. And this film has alot of similar elements to Argento's earlier film Tenebre. Either way I highly suggest this film to fans of psychologic thrillers but this is not a good film to experience Dario Argento for the first time if you have yet to witness any of his great early work.
Movie Review: Vastly underrated
Summary: 4 Stars
It still astonishes me how often this film seems to get slated. From the first time I saw it, I have always rated it among Argento's best. A popular train of current thought seems to welcome Nohosonno as return to form since his last major triumph, OPERA. Apart from the fact that I think these two films are often overrated (they are still great films), this does a grave injustice to Stendhal. But then again, I also quite like Phantom of the Opera, must be the Asia factor! (rightly acknowledged by most as one of Argento's weaker efforts; however, given his pedigree, this is not as bad as it would for most).The Troma release is unusual in that the voluminous extras tend to clash with the main feature. You can easily ignore these if they are not to your taste. I bought the special edition of Smow White (largely due to the Suspiria connection), and have still to watch any of the 7 hours (or whatever) of bonus materials.
The picture quality does seem quite washed out, but having not seen the French DVD or any projected version, I don't know how much of this is directorial intent. It fits quite nicely to the atmosphere of the film / Morricone's music.
I hope this film earns greater recognition as the years progress. It may also come to be seen to as the prologue to the new trinity of giallo that Argento is working on. His new film, I seem to remember reading somewhere, also involves Asia playing a policewoman.
Movie Review: The Argento syndrome
Summary: 4 Stars
Careful: this movie is not an easy one to watch. It's crude, violent, disturbing, sick, perverted, vicious. And yet fascinating, elegant, smart, exciting. Asia Argento gives her best here, and unfortunately you can not listen to her real voice, since she was dubbed (despite most people find her voice horrible). Kretschmann is revolting and yet convincing: great phisique du role and twisted minded. Argento brings us inside the Uffizi gallery with the usual elegance is renowned for. Florence has never been so ambiguous. Troma could have helped this movie gain a five-star. But the video quality is scarce and all but clean and the audio track is forgettable. Good job with the extra features, with a commentary section by Sergio Stivaletti (special effects), an interview with Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Ferox), Lloyd Kaufmann interviewing Argento and Dario being interviewed in Stockholm (find an easter egg!). Senseless, but funny, some Troma tests and trailers.
Could have been a Master DVD. Could have.
Movie Review: Disturbing...
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this guy's movies so I'm a bit biased here. As far as horror goes, you could do better. It didn't really scare me too much, but there are the usual "look away" scenes typical of an Argento film. Plot: sicko tortures a cop woman and basically ruins her life. I stress not to watch this movie with someone who is easily offended...it will offend most! But for those of you who don't mind venturing into the bizzare and beautiful world of foreign thriller films, go for it! I doubt you'll be disappointed.