Deep Red: Dario Argento

I usually take offense when people dismiss Dario Argento's work as simple slasher fodder.  He worked within the slasher and horror genre, to be sure.  But he used the genre as a springboard to create stunning stories of suspense, mystery, and carnage.  Deep Red is one such film.  It involves an investigation over a series of axe murders that all seem to stem from the killing of a psychic medium.  Music teacher Marcus Daly becomes involved in the investigation.  Just like in many Argento films, by trying to help, he accidentally leads to the murder of several other people.  I've always felt that Argento deserved the kind of exploration and examination usually afforded to directors like Hitchcock.  His films always seem to have a certain series of tropes and plot devices.  His films are usually sinister and pessimistic in nature.  And yet, Argento's films are always thrilling to watch.  He had an eye for color and composition that stuns audiences to this day.  Even if his films are occasionally difficult to follow and understand (like Deep Red, for example), they are never boring or tedious.  And much like how Marcus Daly finds a disturbing secret sealed up behind a particular wall, Argento's films mask unbelievable discoveries for those willing enough to look for them.

7/10