Concrete Playground

"The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of this film are the first 92", so states the tagline of the Dario Argento film Suspiria, and, unlike the tagline of 2006's Wicker Man remake ("some sacrifices must be made"), it's true.

Speaking of sacrificial lambs, Suspiria will be remade in 2010, but please don't shoot the messenger! As Argento demonstrates, there are far more dramatic ways to be killed, and I for one will be at the Chauvel's Argento Festival this February and March to bask in the giallo gory glory.

Teaming Argento films with horror classics from the same era is an interesting idea, much more suitable than the double bill I saw aged nine in an outdoor cinema in Illawarra. Turner & Hooch followed by Dead Poet's Society (I laughed, I cried). The beauty of Argento's films isn't just in their sheer bloodiness (see image above); they're beautifully shot, particularly Suspiria and its 70s-does-art-deco production design. Blood! Guts! Witches! Zombies! Udo Kier (briefly)! It's all here for you to enjoy. That is, if you are over 18 and don't have a weak stomach.

Friday 26th February
Suspiria (1977) Dir. Dario Argento
Ancient witchcraft at a dancing academy, all set to an incredible Goblin score. One of the very best horror films ever made.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dir. George A. Romero
No flesh is too big or...mall for these zombies!

Friday 5th March
Tenebrae (1982) Dir. Dario Argento
Murdery mystery mimicry! I would have put this on a double bill with The Eyes of Laura Mars, but I am not the curator, and so...
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Dir. Tobe Hooper
The ultimate midnight movie, hard not to get all cut up over this one.

Friday 12th March
Phenomena (1985) Dir. Dario Argento
Jennifer Connolly talks to bugs, extreme boarding school creepiness ensues.
Last House on the Left (1972) Dir. Wes Craven
Extreme rape/sexual torture scenes, be warned. It was based on the same Swedish folk tale as Bergman's beautiful film The Virgin Spring but you'd never know it.

Friday 19th March
Deep Red (1975) Dir. Dario Argento
A psychic is killed, then, well, so is everyone else. One of his best, with a fantastic Goblin score.
Eaten Alive (1976) Dir. Tobe Hooper
The ultimate in crocsploitation (here I refer to the giant reptile, not the horror that is the shoe brand).