The Stendhal Syndrome (1996) aka La Sindrome di Stendhal

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Dario Argento
Written by: Graziella Magherini, Dario Argento
Actors include: Asia Argento, Thomas Kretschmann, Marco Leonardi
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Giallo
Length: 120 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm not sure why this has such a terrible reputation, I mean it's certainly not one of Dario Argento's best but it's not his worst either. I suppose some may be disappointed because it is unusual for a horror flick and the story is a bit strange plus it is a bit too long. The story is about a Detective called Anna (Dario's daughter Asia Argento) who we meet in a museum where she loses herself and passes out looking at a painting. This is apparently what Stendhal Syndrome is (yes a real problem that affects quite a few I guess), getting lost in art and getting confused. Anyhow Anna has temporary amnesia making her job extra difficult since she's trying to track a serial rapist/killer. From there it's a strange journey of hallucinations, rape, obssession and blood...even a blond wig! According to some, this is the first Italian film to utilize CGI which generally I hate but it was small doses and it did work here. It certainly does feel like a giallo and one of the best late entries I've come across so far. Sure it's not something that you'll need to rush out and see but I think fans of the genre and of Argento should give this a try.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Demons 2 (1986) aka Dèmoni 2

3.5 / 5
Tagline: The nightmare returns
Directed by: Lamberto Bava
Written by: Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava
Actors include: Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Nancy Brilli, David Edwin
Genre: Horror
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well I'm not so sure this was a necessary sequel it still offered some good moments. Somehow one of the corpses of the demons from the first one is brought back to life and a young girl gets possessed watching a documentary on the matter. Then she goes o to terrorize the entire apartment building she lives in. It's an odd way to bring the film back really but at least it's nearly the same film as the last one be that good or not. The gore is here but not as impressive as before and it's not quite as amusing but I suppose if you are into this kind of thing you'll want to see this one too.

Availability:  On DVD

Demons (1985) aka Dèmoni

4 / 5
Tagline: They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs.
Directed by: Lamberto Bava
Written by: Lamberto Bava, Dario Argento
Actors include: Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Karl Zinny
Genre: Horror
Length: 88 minutes
Banned: Iceland, West Germany

Review:
This one is actually a great deal of fun, a bunch of movie goers are trapped in a movie theatre with....demons!!! What's so great is that everything is exaggerated and hilariously ridiculous from the music right down to the acting. Still we get some gross out stuff to keep the Italian horror fan gorehounds happy and it's very easy to enjoy. This isn't frightening in any way but most horror films should enjoy the heck out of this little treat. I will definitely check out more from Lamberto Bava in the future.

Availability:  On DVD