The Dario Argento Box Set (DVD)

This new collection of creepiness from Anchor Bay contains five more-recent films from the "Italian Master of Suspense", Dario Argento. There's nothing from his heyday decade (the 70s), but a few of his more bizarre and gory works (1982's Tenebrae, '85s Phenomena, and'93's Trauma) find their way into the impressive package along with his more mainstream suspensers (The Card Player from 2004, and Do You Like Hitchcock? from 2005).

If I am not mistaken, this is the first time Do You Like Hitchcock? has been available on Region One DVD — or at least, it's the first time I have seen the movie in any form (it hasn't aired on pay cable yet). It was made for Italian TV as a pilot for a show that wasn't picked up —  and it's certainly less-gory than Argento's hardcore fans may want or expect — but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nerdy film student Giulio (Elio Germano) is a lifelong voyeur. We first spy him spying on a pair of lewd lesbians enjoying some illicit kisses in an isolated shack in the woods; and he's still getting wood years later window-watching his apartment-neighbors through binoculars. (Think: Rear Window)

Later, he goes to his favorite local video store (festooned with wink-nods to Hitchcock and Argento fans) and overhears one of his more attractive neighbors, Sasha (Elisabetta Rocchetti), discussing criss-cross killings with a mysterious blonde. (Think: Strangers on a Train)

The next night, Sasha's mother is brutally attacked and killed, immediately alerting Giulio's inner-sleuth. His way-too-pretty-for-him girlfriend, Arianna (Cristina Brondo), is called into action, but at first she doesn't believe him and thinks he is becoming obsessed over nothing. (Think: Dial M For Murder)

There are several Hitchcock homages in Do You Like Hitchcock? But they're not overt enough as to make for a Hot Fuzz like pastiche by any means. The material is handled seriously (or, as seriously as the histrionic-prone director can manage), and the suspenseful moments are beyond white knuckle. The score is subdued (no Claudio Simonetti here! Instead, Pino Donaggio channels Hitchcock fave Bernard Herrmann), and the cinematography (by Frederic Fasano) is cerebral, slick, and cool.

Argento certainly hasn't lost his touch; he takes up the challenge on the oft-thrown gauntlet ("Dario Argento: The Italian Master of Suspense!"), and handles it with finesse, giving us just the right balance of his signature top-overage and Hitchcock's trademark wry restraint. I'm not saying this is a return to form (i.e., his early gialli and 80s horror classics) by any means, but it's definitely entertaining and well-executed.

The extras on the Do You Like Hitchcock? are pretty sparse. There's an untranslated behind the scenes montage, plus a text bio on the director. I would have liked to have seen maybe a 'pop-up' featurette, showing exactly where the Hitchcock nods are in the movie (I am sure I missed a lot) or something along those lines, but the movie itself is definitely worth the price of admission.

The boxed set is beautifully presented in a sturdy tin, and the cover art is beautiful, bright and alluring.

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The five films in this collection have been remastered from original vault elements and are presented uncut and uncensored for an all-new look at one of the most controversial and influential filmmakers in the history of modern cinema.

TENEBRE SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

•           New remastered widescreen (1.85:1) transfer, enhanced for 16x9 televisions

•           Audio Commentary with writer/director Dario Argento, music composer Claudio Simonetti and journalist Loris Curci

•           Voices of The Unsane

•           The Roving Camera Eye of Dario Argento

•           Creating the Sounds of Terror

•           Alternate end-credit music

•           Theatrical trailer

•           Dario Argento biography

PHENOMENA SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

•           New remastered widescreen (1.66:1) transfer, enhanced for 16x9 televisions

•           Audio Commentary with writer/director Dario Argento, special makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, music composer Claudio Simonetti and journalist Loris Curci

•           A Dark Fairy Tale

•           Luigi Cozzi & The Art of Macrophotography

•           Dario Argento on “The Joe Franklin Show”

•           Claudio Simonetti Music Video (“Jennifer”)

•           Bill Wyman Music Video (“Valley”)

•           Theatrical trailer

•           Dario Argento biography

TRAUMA SPECIAL FEATURES

•           Widescreen (2.35:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions

•           Audio Commentary with Profondo Argento author Alan Jones

•           Love, Death & Trauma featurette with an interview with director Dario Argento

•           Never-Before-Seen, On-Set and Behind-The-Scenes Footage

•           Exclusive Special Effects home movies from Tom Savini

•           Deleted Scenes

•           Theatrical Trailer

•           Poster & Still Gallery

•           Dario Argento biography

THE CARD PLAYER SPECIAL FEATURES

•           Widescreen (1.85:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions

•           Audio Commentary with Profondo Argento author Alan Jones

•           “Playing With Death” featurette including an exclusive interview with director Dario Argento

•           Maestro of Fear featurette with composer Claudio Simonetti

•           Electronic Press Kit

•           Behind-The-Scenes Footage

•           Theatrical Trailer

DO YOU LIKE HITCHCOCK? SPECIAL FEATURES

•           Widescreen (1.66:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions

•           Do You Like Hitchcock?: Backstage

•           Dario Argento biography

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson