 Click to Enter The CinemaZone |
Occupation : ..........Director
Also : .................Screenwriter, producer, composer
Born : .................Rome, Italy, 1943
Children : .............Asia Argento
.......................Aiore Argento
Before 1970
Dario Argento was born of Italian/Brazilian descent in 1940 and he is the son of movie producer Salvatore Argento. Dario Argento's first memory is said to be sitting on Sophia Loren's lap ! Dario Argento made his debut as a screenwriter in 1968 with the movie : Oggi a Me...Domani a Te! Later that year he wrote the story for the film : C'era Una Volta il West. The next year (1969), Argento made his directing debut with the film : L'Ucello dalle Piume di Cristallo (The Bird With the Crystal Plumage) He Also did the screenwriting for this one too. Later in 1969 he did two more screenwriting jobs : Metti, una sera a Cena and Un Escercito di 5 Uomini.
1971-1974
Argento got himself a breakthrough with the 1971 Cat o' Nine Tails Argento directed it, as well as he did the story and the screeenwriting. He also in 1971 directed : Quattro Mosche di Velluto Grigio (4 Flies on Grey Velvet) He also did the screenwriting for Cat o' Nine. The it took almost two years before the next release : Le Cinque Giornate (5 Days in Milan)
1975
In 1975 Argento made his sickest film, the classic Profondo Rosso better known as Deep Red. A young journalist (Daria Nicoldi) tries to solve the local tale of "The House of the Screaming Child" (YOU MUST SEE THIS ONE, IF YOU ARE A TRUE HORROR FAN !), but you must be sure to see the full 122 min, uncut version. This film still stands as one of the greatest horror movies ever !
1977-1980
Another Great movie was to be seen two years later when Argento directed : Suspiria He also was score composer and screenwriter for this horror classic. One of my own favourite scenes is at the beginning of the movie when the young student falls through the glass on the roof, after she has been slayed down and stuck several times in the hart by the killer ! (THIS SCENE RULES !). After Suspiria he took a three year break from directing, but was partially included in the post-production of George A. Romero's classic Dawn of the Dead (Which also is one of my favourite films)
1980-1984
In 1980 came Inferno A dark story where a music student travels to New York to find his vanished sister, and try to solve the mystery of the book "THE THREE MOTHERS". His next movie was to be Sotto gli occhi dell'Assassino Better known as Tenebrae or Unsane. This was Argentos project to use the "Luma Crane". There some awesome shots, and filming in this film, but the story is a little thin
1984 (History in Making!)
Then in 1984 Argento was to prove he is "The Master of Horror". He directed the movie Phenomena (Creepers) Which is by todays date the greatest horror movie ever made ! (and probably ever will be made too) This movie is great from the beginning till the end. The opening sequence when the Danish girl misses her bus, and is left behind in the Swiss hills, and starts to walk down to the house is the greatest scene that has ever been shot ! Also when the Luma crane is in use when the credits are coming in the opening of the film. Great music, and I dont just mean the heavy metal, but the original score is just fantastic. I just can't say enough about this film. The main Character is played by Jennifer Connelly.
1985-1987
After the greatest movie of all time Phenomena Argento did not direct for another three years. But he is included in both Demoni (Demons) and L'Incubo Ritorna/Demoni 2 (Demons 2) as Executive Producer and screenwriter. The directer Lamberto Bava gives all the credits to Argento for the Demons success in 1986 and 1987.
1987-1990
In 1987 Argento directed his 10th film. And what an anniversary that was. Opera a.k.a Terror at the Opera is by my opinion the second best Argento movie. The murder of main role character Betty's (Cristian Marsillach) boyfriend in the beginning of the movie is just great, and the camera work by Ronnie Taylor is also fantastic, you really crawls down under your dune when you see this movie.
The year after Argento produced La Chiessa a.k.a The Church The film is directed by Michele Soavi (Argentos apprentice). It's a great film, which the tale of old ancient mysteries will reveal for you as you see the movie. The camera work in this film is magnificent !
1990-1993
Then in 1990 he and George A. Romero joined forces and made Due Occhi Diabolici a.k.a Two Evil Eyes. This is a good horror story and great work from special effects maestro : Tom Savini. Argento also did the screenwriting for "The Black Cat"
Argento used the years from 1990 to 1993 to teach some of his great skills to his young apprentice Michele Soavi. Soavi made : The Sect and the film was produced by Argento. I really like the opening sequence of The Sect because of it's 70's look (I love the 70's films)
1993-1995
In 1993 Argento teamed up with his lovely daughter Asia Argento for the psychic horror/thriller Trauma. Asia Argento plays a young runaway, who's a drug addict and has just lost her parents to a serial killer known as "The Head Hunter". Another great Argento movie, and you can see that Argento has keept his feeling, unlike (Sam Raimi his 90's films sucks !) Trauma has the chilling and the suspense that Argento is known for. In 1994 Dario was given a Lifetime Achievement award at the2nd Montreal Festival International Cinema Fantastique
1996
Argentos latest film Stendhal Syndrome Asia Argento reunites with her father to make a thriller. This is not like the old Argento, but you can understad that he wants to try something new. (Not like Darkman or Vampire in Brooklyn though!) Asia plays a young policewoman whos suffering from a rare disease called "Stendhal Syndrom". The disease can cause hallucinations, split personalities, and self inflicted injuries. I haven't watched this yet, but i'm sure it's pretty good.
1997 -
Argento is currently producing an remake of the classic "Phantom of the Opera". He has also produced a movie called : Maschera di Cera. I've just seen this movie, and it's OK, I enjoyed it but I have seen better, but it is worth seeing.
Click to Enter The CinemaZone |