THE CARD PLAYER (Dario Argento - Italy 2004).
It starts out pretty good. To get you in the right mood, the accompanying music for the DVD menu is the unforgettable tune of "Suspiria." (!)
No interesting soundtrack in this film though. Sadly, within the first twenty minutes it becomes clear this film has absolutely nothing on offer. There's a paper thin premise of an internet killer who likes to play card games online with the police with his victims on screen through a webcam. When he loses he lets them go. Off course, he never loses, so a teenage boy is called in, who is some genius at card games, and they play a few more times. The acting already sunk to sub-zero levels, but this boy really was the worst "actor" I've ever seen. How did he end up in this one? A cousin of Argento?
Now, we don't watch Argento movies for interesting story telling but this mongrel of a movie is just incredibly dull. The average TV-movie in Belarus looks better than this film, with Argento's panache in visuals, cinematography or stylish executions completely lacking. It's hard to believe this is the same director who made small masterpieces like "Deep Red" and "Suspiria."
A real shame to see this from a man his caliber. There is absolutely nothing of merit in this film. Forget about this one.
Camera Obscura --- 1/10
It starts out pretty good. To get you in the right mood, the accompanying music for the DVD menu is the unforgettable tune of "Suspiria." (!)
No interesting soundtrack in this film though. Sadly, within the first twenty minutes it becomes clear this film has absolutely nothing on offer. There's a paper thin premise of an internet killer who likes to play card games online with the police with his victims on screen through a webcam. When he loses he lets them go. Off course, he never loses, so a teenage boy is called in, who is some genius at card games, and they play a few more times. The acting already sunk to sub-zero levels, but this boy really was the worst "actor" I've ever seen. How did he end up in this one? A cousin of Argento?
Now, we don't watch Argento movies for interesting story telling but this mongrel of a movie is just incredibly dull. The average TV-movie in Belarus looks better than this film, with Argento's panache in visuals, cinematography or stylish executions completely lacking. It's hard to believe this is the same director who made small masterpieces like "Deep Red" and "Suspiria."
A real shame to see this from a man his caliber. There is absolutely nothing of merit in this film. Forget about this one.
Camera Obscura --- 1/10