Rating: Summary: Highly Entertaining Argento Thrill-Ride Review: I first saw Dario Argento's "Creepers" 5 years ago, and was vastly disappointed. It was the first Argento film I had ever seen, and for years I was not very interested in exploring his other works. Fortunately, I have finally begun to fully appreciate his genius, and now not only am I a huge fan of the director, but I am also a huge fan of what I had once perceived as a dissappointing film. Phenomena is the same film as Creepers, only with a different(and less appropriate) title and almost 30 min of footage cut from Creepers. I remember only bits and pieces of Creepers and therefore cannot compare what is missing from the US version, but I can say this: Phenomena is one hell of a fun movie. Outrageous, ridiculously violent, funny, bizarre, scary, and VERY well acted(particularly for an Argento film), it is a must own fans of midnight movies and enjoyable contemporary horror films in general. In addition to the film's restoration, Anchor Bay, which is earning a terrific reputation for rereleasing "lost" classics, gives the viewer a bundle of extras. Among them: running audio commentary, two instrumental music videos, a theatrical trailer, and a really great little interview between Joe Franklin and Dario Argento. Not only that, but the transfer is truly stunning. The sound is Dolby Digital 5.1, and the picture is stunning, with bright colors and none of the murkiness so common on most of Argento's US video transfers. A highly recommended chiller for any DVD afficionados with a taste for horror.
Rating: Summary: PHENONEMA aka CREEPERS Review: Dario Argento has again pulled out all the stops to create a most effective horror film. His style should be known by now and again his use of camera shots and colours are quite effective in this film. A daughter of a popular movie star is the protagonist in this film as she can see visions and control insects to solve, yet again, like David Hemmings in Deep Red, a series of brutal killings in Switzerland. Donald Pleasance adds the contemporary English prescence as does Jessica Connelly as the American student plagued with sleep walking disorders and out of control telekinetic powers, hence that this movie was directed at American audiences. Again, Dario Argento presents to us a situation out of control and tries to show how those who are involved in them try to cope with them. In this case a murderer is loose trying to cover up the crimes of a supposed pyschopath. Only Dario Argento can use lighting and wind effects to show a mood and he does this so well while conveying a story. This is a very moody film, a bit dark in places, but again that sets the tone for the mind of the killer. Jessica uses her telekinesis to full effect to find a brutal murderer and succeeds in spades, up to and almost including her own life. The characters are a bit woody in places, as they really are just props in this film, but the overall affect is pure horror and a showcase for more grisly death scenes. The ending of this is really a shocker and for those who do not know this, Jessica Connelly REALLY DID swim in a pool of live maggots in this film. The use of insects and a primate also keep us aware that others outside of us can sense things too, a very clever aspect to use. This film is rarely talked about or seen, but thanks to DVD and today's accessability, it will be and it's more than worth a view.
Rating: Summary: amazing Review: Yet another classic from Dario Argento's golden period. This is one of my favourites - a mesmerising blend of stunning camerawork, imagery and music that leaves one breathless by the incredible end. A must see.
Rating: Summary: A wonderful film Review: If you liked "Creepers", the butchered version of "Phenomena", you might like the unedited film. The plot makes more sense and there are some added frights, such as an entire chase sequence (with a gory conclusion), which was cut from "Creepers". "Phenomena" is a great and very enjoyable horror film from Dario Argento, with lots of terrifying atmosphere, lots of excellent music, and lots of insects. Watching Argento's film on DVD is even better, so that his often visually stunning style looks as beautiful as it should.
Rating: Summary: The Greatest Horror Movie I've Seen In a VERY Long Time Review: First of all, I'd like to start off with how I came to know this film. Ever heard of a videogame called Clock Tower? It's about a serial murderer, and has a Japanese prequal which I've also played.. Having liked that so well, I found on the internet that it was originally inspired by an Italian made, but English language, film called Phenomena.. I ordered it very eagerly,and couldn't wait for it to come in. When I finally got it, I watched it, of course...and loved every minute of it. It had everything I think a scary film should have! The characters, I believe, were developed enough, and I don't understand why so many people say Argento can't write them well. Maybe that's the case with his other films, but this one has quite well developed characters. We even learn the past of the most important characters, and I was actually sad whenever one of the more involved characters would die (The mark of good character development in horror) which is rare (In most of them, I'm alright just so that the main character lives). The plot was perfect, in my opinion. I didn't see any of the alleged plotholes. Sure, there were some things I wanted to know more about (Such as who exactly assaulted a certain person in a mental hospital) but very few, and nothing contradicted anything else in the plot: Jennifer Corvino, daughter of a famous actor, must stay in a Switzerland Boarding School for girls. Only there's a murderer around, killing girls around her age. She finds that she can communicate with insects, and has actually witnessed one of the murders while sleep walking. Along the way, she meets a crippled professor who believes her ability could help to solve the murders. It's far more developed than Halloween or Friday the 13th ever were, especially since all this was developed in (gasp) one installment (I've got nothing against sequals, but the original should also be able to stand on its own). The atmosphere in this movie was great, and it proves that the 80's really WERE the decade of the best horror films. The gore, while I don't need a lot of it in a movie, did add to some of the primal fear that the movie can generate. I only have one complaint with the music--when there are lyrical vocals, it sort of takes away from the effect. Otherwise, the music was wonderfully memorable! The special effects? Well, I'll never forget one of the more gruesome deaths. Here's a hint: It's the one Jennifer witnesses in her sleepwalk. One character in the movie is, in a sense, more terrifying than anything in any other murder movie. I love this movie! But if you're looking for more of the same, with a guy in a mask chasing people, look elsewhere--you never see the the films killer while in the process of a chase until the end. You just see the weapon. To me, that makes it better. Part of the suspense is wanting to see the killer, and boy is it ever worth the wait when you finally do! But it's not good for those who HAVE to see the murderer through every part of the film to enjoy it. This movie, as well as MANY aspects of it, lives up to the name. It is a real Phenomena. Perhaps the only thing more fascinating would be the reason why anyone would dislike it!
Rating: Summary: 4 words... Review: Jennifer Connelly, Iron Maiden.That says it all. Any movie with Jennifer and the Maiden in it is just freaking awesome!
Rating: Summary: One of Argento's Best Review: Presented in a wonderful remastered edition with interesting extras, this Dario Argento film wonders the genre of horror, bluring the edges between suspence, graphic horror and metaphysical terror. The film's rich script provides us with an interesting and lovely young lady played by Jennifer Connelly who can communicate on a psionic level with insects. The girl gets drawn in to a study in terror when a killer begins to murder those around her. The late Donald Pleasence (Halloween) has a supporting role which is worthy of his talents.Graphic and bloody but also literate and strangely fantasy like, Phenomena, as presented in this wonderful video edition, is the perfect "watch it with the lights out" horror film. If you saw it in its cut form as "Creepers", you really have not seen this fine example of Italian horror.
Rating: Summary: Highly Entertaining Argento Thrill-Ride Review: I first saw Dario Argento's "Creepers" 5 years ago, and was vastly disappointed. It was the first Argento film I had ever seen, and for years I was not very interested in exploring his other works. Fortunately, I have finally begun to fully appreciate his genius, and now not only am I a huge fan of the director, but I am also a huge fan of what I had once perceived as a dissappointing film. Phenomena is the same film as Creepers, only with a different(and less appropriate) title and almost 30 min of footage cut from Creepers. I remember only bits and pieces of Creepers and therefore cannot compare what is missing from the US version, but I can say this: Phenomena is one hell of a fun movie. Outrageous, ridiculously violent, funny, bizarre, scary, and VERY well acted(particularly for an Argento film), it is a must own fans of midnight movies and enjoyable contemporary horror films in general. In addition to the film's restoration, Anchor Bay, which is earning a terrific reputation for rereleasing "lost" classics, gives the viewer a bundle of extras. Among them: running audio commentary, two instrumental music videos, a theatrical trailer, and a really great little interview between Joe Franklin and Dario Argento. Not only that, but the transfer is truly stunning. The sound is Dolby Digital 5.1, and the picture is stunning, with bright colors and none of the murkiness so common on most of Argento's US video transfers. A highly recommended chiller for any DVD afficionados with a taste for horror.
Rating: Summary: Horrors fans only Review: Occasionally I watch a gross-out horror movie, if I like the actor and it has high reviews. I tend to forget that the high reviews always come from horror fans. And I have yet to see such a movie that was really good by ordinary film standards. This is no exception. Basically the story and logic is sacrificed for cheap horror effects, like maggot-eaten faces. The one good thing about it is Jennifer Connelly, who even at this tender age was the prettiest thing on two legs.
Rating: Summary: One of the VERY BEST horror films of all times Review: Before I have seen this movie I saw Tenebre, Suspiria and Opera in order. The order also shows how I liked them. Yes, I liked Tenebre better than Suspiria. Here is my rating for Phenomena: acting=4 stars effects=5 stars ending=5*** star atmosphere=5** stars directing and editing=5 stars storyline=5 stars replay value=4 stars Now I can understand why this film is Argento's fav. Simply because it is one of his very bests if not the best one. If you haven't seen it, go and watch it NOW,you won't regret it! I don't want to talk too much about the story, you can read it elsewhere if you wish. The atmosphere of the film is excellent, end the ending (last 20 minutes) makes you breathless. Believe me, it's THAT good. This movie is simply timeless and shows how a perfect horror film can be done.
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