5/9 'Suspiria'

SUSPIRIA

"Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors, but by broken minds."

IMDB.com Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Availability: Still in-print and moderately-priced.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8zbV_fFkYs

Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IrPcsJLD7c
OH SHIT! Moment: Stefani Casini, without realizing the fate that awaits her, takes a swan dive into a room filled of razor wire.

Beverage: A Suspiria

Ingredients:

½ ounce Cinzano Rosso Vermouth

½ ounce Carpano Punt e Mes

½ ounce Cynar

½ ounce gin (preferably Tanqueray)

½ ounce Nardini Ruta Aquavit

½ ounce Campari

½ ounce Luxardo Bitter

½ ounce Tempus Fugit Gran Classico

1 small pinch kosher salt

2 lemon peels

Method:

In a cocktail shaker, add the Cinzano Rosso, Punt e Mes, Cynar, gin, Aquavit, Campari, Luxardo Bitter, Gran Classico and salt. Stir clockwise 25 times, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish by squeezing the lemon peels over the surface of the drink to express the oils. Place 1 peel into the glass vertically (discard the other) and serve.

_________________________________________________________________________________

American girl, Suzy, goes to Germany to study at a dance studio run by three evil hags; and furnished by an interior decorator, who was probably on acid. Tonight's film, of course, is 'Suspiria'.

You know, those dancers are crazy. The diets they're put on to keep their figure -- I can't handle that. I watched 'Black Swan' recently, which side note: in a way, originally began as a remake to this. Natalie Portman was signed on to star as the lead; but as plans fell through, the studio went with a similar themed script with Portman still manning the lead the role. I'm sure most of you saw 'Black Swan'. Those dancers are bitches to each other. And if their you-know-whats synced up -- which they can and sometimes do -- that'd be hell on anyone in or near a 100 yard radius of the studio. But all that, I can handle. It's just a matter of saying "I love you, honey", "You're not fat, honey", "What do you mean 'big butt'? Your butt is perfect, honey"; and force-feeding them cake and wine in ten-minute intervals. I mean, I couldn't be a ballet dancer just because of the food. Of course, on the other hand; maybe eating less is just what I need. I mean, I ate day-old White Castles for breakfast the other morning, and I'm positive that's 'rock bottom' for a food junkie. It likely provides nothing good for the body. Clearly something has to change. I mean, starting the morning off with last night's White Castles remnants is a way of telling the world, "Hey, I'll eat what I want! And I'm not gonna wear pants today!"

So 'Suspiria'. I have a love and affinity for Italian films because they are unconventional and surrealistic. Often times, they're trashy, too; but that isn't the case with this. Imagery and relatable-themes of paranoia in a new place make 'Suspiria' a frightening picture. It's abstract and bizarre; with a dreamlike score from the band Goblin. Goblin is most known for this soundtrack, but they also did the music for 'Deep Red', 'Dawn of the Dead' and 'Tenebre'. Stylistic, 'Suspiria' is a truly beautiful horror film which mixes colorful imagery with dark tones. In the lead role of Suzy, we have veteran actor Jessica Harper. Harper -- who later went on to act in Woody Allen's 'Stardust Memories', 'Pennies from Heaven' with Steve Martin and 'Shock Treatment', reprising Susan Sarandon's 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'-role of Janet Majors -- was cast after Director, Dario Argento, saw her in Brian DePalma's 'Phantom of the Paradise'.

Suzy leaves New York for Freiburg, Germany to enroll in a prestigious dance academy. From the time of her arrival, she begins to suspect strange things afoul -- probably because of the vicious double homicide her first night there. Generally a double murder begins to raise a few eyebrows. With the help of her friend, Sara; Suzy realizes the school heads are actually a coven -- *wait for it* -- of WITCHES! The closer she gets to learning the dark truth, the more terrible her stay becomes; leading up to a frightening, climactic ending.

Now this film also features a young Udo Kier. Unfortunately, his voice is dubbed over, masking his awesome, real-life German accent. He's found his way into a couple Argento films; including the third in the Three Mothers Trilogy (with 'Suspiria' being the first), 'Mother of Tears'. And of course, this picture also has one of my favorite Argento trademarks -- partial defenestration, meaning someone was pushed out a window. With Argento, several of his films show women dying in that manner. It's hard to imagine how, but he always captures it beautifully.

So, what makes 'Suspiria' a great film? To start, Jessica Harper gives a fantastic performance as the movie's protagonist. It's also a completely original plot, written by Argento and 'Tenebre' star Daria Nicolodi. The superb and creepy score by Goblin also adds to the tension. This isn't the template for surreal horror, -- being that Mario Bava was the grandfather and creator -- but 'Suspiria' definitely set the bar. Vibrant colors and dark themes make this a hallucinogenic masterpiece.

On my scale:
Overall Enjoyment ----16
Redeeming Qualities---18
Rewatchability---------8
Fun/Special Effects----10
Directing/Quality------10
Plot/Storyline----------8
Pacing-----------------6
Dialogue/Acting-------7
TOTAL---------------83

For those keeping score at home, 83 is the new all-time high. Like I said, this movie is probably Argento's best. I'm still torn if I like 'Tenebre' better; but both films are magnificent. 'Suspiria' is relatively cheap in price, so I urge everyone to buy a copy. It's well-worth a watch. There's a reason why this is such a well-received film (because it's fucking awesome). It's a picture that matters. In fifty years, 'Suspiria' will still be a work of art. It's beautifully shot and well-executed. The acting is great where it counts. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone. Watch it. Best of 1977. 4 Stars.