Inside: French brutality

I recently rented Inside from Blockbuster after I had heard how artsy and brutal it was.  Unfortunately, Blockbuster rents out only the rated version (is blockbuster Christian Coalition? Or is that a rumor?).  I was not aware that BB filters their offered cinema.  I assumed since Inside was a smaller release in America, there would only be one version.  I was wrong.  There is an Unrated edition, i.e. the way the film is intended to be seen.  Even though I have not seen the unrated edition, I’m sure it is better.  That is not to say that the rated version is bad.  Inside is a wonderful gory dose of feminism that makes Haute Tension appear as a frolic through the park on a sunny morning.   

The French know what they are doing. Effectively scary horror focuses on atmosphere first, suspense second, and action later. Inside does this very well. Ineffective horror focuses on action …only. Example of such contrast can be found between Carpenter’s masterpiece Halloween and Zombie’s futile attmept at Halloween.

Cheers.

Introductions / Argento’s Mother of Tears / Rereleases

INTRODUCTIONS

“The Allure” is a blog which will review new / old films (mostly Euro-horror ), dark fiction books, and discuss the craft of writing dark fiction and the horror lifestyle.  Yes, horror is a lifstyle – that does not mean goth either – horror fans know what I mean. 

If you are easily offended by graphic and “offensive” art, you will not agree with my choice of cinema or literature.  If you are into edgy material, you will hopefully find my reviews to be helpful in discovering new frontiers – and allow me to discover as well.

MOTHER OF TEARS

Mother of Tears is Dario Argento’s third movie of the Suspiria trilogy.  MOT will make its American national theatrical debut on Friday June 6th (6/6 at 6:00 – at some theaters – awesome!). For Euro-horror fans, MOT is something we have been looking forward to for quite some time.  The fact that we can watch an Argento movie in a theater is mind blowing considering I have never had the privilage of doing so.  MOT will be Argento’s goriest feature film to date according to Rue Morgue magazine. From the looks of the stills, it also appears to be his most evil movie to date as well.  I am seeing the film on Sunday the 8th at the Ritz in Philly.  I’ll post a review soon after.

ARGENTO RERELEASES

The release of the movie also spurred the rereleases of Tenebrae and Phenomena by Anchor Bay.  Phenomena could have been easily found at horror conventions; however, I had yet to find Tenebrae at a con (only for 50$ on Amazon).  My wishes were answered with this Tenebrae rerelease. I have seen both priced around $16.  Phenomena is tied with Suspira as being my favorite Argento film.  The atmosphere (thanks Goblin!) and cast (Jenny Connelly and the great Donald Plesence) are remarkable.

Next post will address the recent French film: INSIDE.