How is this rated 3rd best Argento movie in the IMDB? - Opera (1987) Discussion

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Red-Barracuda 20 years ago

No! You cannot be serious?

But it does appear that a lot of people must agree with you.

Can't see it myself mind you.

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[–] Coventry 20 years ago

On the contrary...Opera was Argento's LAST really good movie. For a second, it was even hopefull that he had recovered himself from the annoying and irritant Phenomena. I love Opera and I think it's his best movie, along with Profondo Rosso and Tenebrae. Haven't seen Bird with The Crystal Plumage yet. I didn't really care for Inferno

No tears, please...Those are a waste of good suffering.

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[–] mamamiasweetpeaches 20 years ago

I just saw OPERA and I didnt think it was anything great.

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[–] Red-Barracuda 20 years ago

Thank you. Someone talking sense at last. Opera is not a good movie at all. I love the old Argentos and am just amazed that Opera has a higher IMDB rating than many of them.

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[–] psychicaudio 20 years ago

Threads like this encourage the truth of the old statement "There is no disputing about taste". I love Phenomena and I love Opera. Opera is a crowning achievement for my two cents.

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[–] kungfusucka 20 years ago

I didn't enjoy Opera at all either and I agree, it's a matter of taste. I have always thought that Argento creates too many tangents in his films, though he is one of my favorite directors. His films need more editing to create a more coherent story line. Now don't misunderstand, his movies are easy to follow. I simply would like to see a sleaker, more sophisticated film with less mess to weed out. Also, for you fans, watch the scene when the dress needs to be fixed. The one where they are looking for the magnifying glass. During one of the chase sequences here, you can catch a glimpse of Argento's cameramen in the mirrors. Just for fun, of course. I still love Argento.

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] bradleynath 20 years ago

i actualy love phenomena its one of my faves im undecided about this movie i hate the dubbing but i did find it quite scary at times so mmmmm i will watch it again

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[–] RandolfCarter 20 years ago

Opera is Argento and his best...and worst at the same time. I ask that anyone who loves this film can justify this given the huge WTF ending.

You Can Run From Suspiria...You Can Hide From Suspiria...But You Cannot Escape Suspiria!

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] apocalypsewhen 20 years ago

Yeah the ending did seem cheap and drawn out. It had so much potential, given the incredible Opera house setting etc.

Opera is a better, more thought out and garnished film than Inferno, and is my 3rd favourite Argento film after Suspiria and Deep Red.

--- apocalypsewhen ---

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] OhDaeSu 19 years ago

These are my rankings:
1. Suspiria
2. Tenebre
3. Opera
4. Deep Red/Crystal Plumage
6. The Stendhal Syndrome
7. Phenomena

There is definitely some wiggle room there. I wouldn't have any qualms putting Crystal Plumage or Deep Red at #1.

I suppose that depends on whether you prefer supernatural horror or giallo films...

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[–] jcmcm 19 years ago

As far as I'm concerned, the bigger question is, why is Deep Red ranked Argento's best? I enjoy it and it has some great scenes, but it's soooo slow between the deaths. Suspiria, Inferno, Tenebrae, and Opera are all better paced. I think Suspiria is the obvious #1.

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] killed_dream 19 years ago

MY RANKING

1-SUSPIRIA
2-OPERA
3-INFERNO
4-PROFFONDO ROSSO
5-TWO EVIL EYES

¿Que no oyes ladrar a los perros?
Juan rulfo.

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[–] gax007-1 19 years ago

My Ranking

1-profondo rosso
2-suspira
3-animal trilogy (4 flies then cat and last bird)
4-tenebrae

I love argento movies but opera was a real let down after waiting years to get a copy it had bad acting bad dubbing and the end is over long and what is that monalog is pure tripe along with phenoma and truma, phantom of the opera

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[–] Golgo-13 19 years ago

…because it’s quite entertaining. With a simple but fair plot and loads of style, Opera is a very good Argento film. Even the “what-the-heck” ending was amusing in a way. I agree with Coventry above; along with Deep Red and Tenebre, Opera is one of Argento’s best films!

Inferno, on the other hand, was boring, nonsensical, and, well…craptastic. OK, the first and last ten minutes were fair but that hardly saves this movie.

G13

Peace through strength.

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[–] cheitman23 19 years ago

I am a fan of Dario's older films, but this one bored me terribly. The film is predictable, slow, and the heroine behaves like a sleepwalking imbecile throughout. I would have to say my favorite Argento movies are the ones with over-the-top gore but when he tries to be suspenseful it's not very good. He has more in common with Romero or Fulci than Hitchcock in my eyes.

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[–] Golgo-13 19 years ago

”The film is predictable, slow, and the heroine behaves like a sleepwalking imbecile throughout.”

I can only agree with the latter, and only to a point at that. She wasn’t the best of actresses and I believe the featurette on the DVD tells how Dario had problems with her. Also, Opera does offer up some good gore scenes. The “bullet through the door” was very cool. Oh well, each to their own.

G13

Peace through strength.

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[–] cheitman23 19 years ago

She's cute, anyway.

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[–] olenhancock-1 19 years ago

have you people forgotten about a certain movie by argento called DEEP RED. i've never been so scared. i'm suprised that isn't first or at least second (only to suspiria) on you people's list. deep red is my favorite. heres my list.

1. DEEP RED
2. SUSPIRIA
3. BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMMAGE
4. TENEBRAE

i don't really like the rest. Argento is my favorite director, just because those 4 mentioned movies are so damn scary, creepy, and atmospheric. oh yeah, you people hear about the suspiria remake. lol, its going to SUCK!!

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[–] lennonforever 19 years ago

Just got done watching Opera. It was OK . I agree that the"heroine" was an idiot though. And what about the stupid "kill music". Ugh,

I also can't believe that everyone raves about Suspiria. I thought it was just so-so. It hardly had any really gory scenes. Yes it was suspenseful at times, but this doesn't seem to make it the best of Argento, in my mind, I think
Crystal Plumage is better. Deep Red's gore was great, but it was way too slow between kills, and the protagonist just got on my nerves.

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[–] Tridentmovies 19 years ago

>>>>>>I also can't believe that everyone raves about Suspiria. I thought it was just so-so. It hardly had any really gory scenes.<<<<<

Well it was certainly gorier than Opera.

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[–] drdebacle 18 years ago

"He has more in common with Romero or Fulci than Hitchcock in my eyes."

So, now George Romero is only equal to the man that made a career by totally ripping off his most groundbreaking creation (the modern zombie)?

Don't get me wrong, Fulci has some ok material, but come on! Comparing Romero to Fulci is completely disregarding the elements that make Romero's films so unique. Romero has some crap, don't get me wrong, but over all, he is still a superior filmmaker to Fulci. Anyone can tell you that.

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[–] andell-2 18 years ago

i think Opera was beter than the at parts extremly chezy and lousy Tenebrae.

ok Tenebrae is not a bad movie it is just not as god as Phenomena and Opera.

Tenebrae and Phenomena dont have as mutch blood and gore as Opera.

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[–] Kit_Carruthers 18 years ago

How is this rated 3rd best Argento movie in the IMDB?

I know!! It's a travesty that it's not number 1.

This is Argento's best movie by quite some distance. Tenebrae in a close second. I also don't find anything great about Suspiria.
When you watch an Argento movie, you cannot expect master plotting because quite frankly, Argento lacks that ability. The acting is nearly always quite poor also but I watch Argento's movies (and am a big fan) for the aesthetics and violent set-pieces, and in those departments Opera excels. The peephole shot is one of the most visually pleasing sequences I have ever seen.

She shivers in the wind, like the last leaf of a dying tree.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] elden-4 18 years ago

"When you watch an Argento movie, you cannot expect master plotting because quite frankly, Argento lacks that ability. The acting is nearly always quite poor also but I watch Argento's movies (and am a big fan) for the aesthetics and violent set-pieces"

Are you sure you are speaking of the same Argento that made Suspiria, Profondo Rosso, Tenebre and L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo? The plots in these movies are great, the acting is terrific, the cinematography (camera angles, lenses, colours) superb and the music is creating the perfect atmoshphere. That's at least what I appreciate in Argento's movies. Those four films happens to be his best (too bad that only olenhancock-1 has reached that conclusion).
If you're after gore alone go see Premutus or Bone Sickness (two extremely bad films with insane amounts of gore).

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[–] Kit_Carruthers 18 years ago

Please... the plot to Suspiria is poor and so is the acting and Profondo Rosso contains more exposition hell than anything else. What was that with David Hemmings walking around that house about?? But I agree, the plot to Tenebrae was very good, but exceptions hardly break the rule.

She shivers in the wind, like the last leaf of a dying tree.

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[–] elden-4 18 years ago

Okay, I admit the plot in Suspiria isn't brilliant but the overall style of the film makes up for it. As for the acting, I think it's mainly due to the dubbing, I watch the movies in Italian (which I don't comprehend) with English subtitles, and there's nothing wrong with it IMHO (yes, of course we aren't talking about award winning acting here, but compare it to 95% of horror films and it's very good).
I'll rewatch Opera and Stendhal Syndrome (it's a while since I saw them) but I recall Tenebre was his last really good picture (Phenomena is at times good but the overall impression is lacking), his style (cinematography, camera angles, colour usage) is lacking in films like Non ho sonno and Il cartaio.

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[–] Kit_Carruthers 18 years ago

The Stendhal Syndrome is terrible - don't bother with it.

She shivers in the wind, like the last leaf of a dying tree.

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[–] DirtyGrainius 18 years ago

How many of more of you are going throw away any credibility you may have thought you had, and promote yourselves to legions of Argento "FanBoys/Girls". If you truly love something, you must be able to criticize it. For the most part this board is disgusting sycophantic leeches. There is nothing special or redeeming about Opera whatsoever. And nothing that has not been done previously and/or better in another movie ,or even genre. Just another peice of neo-giallo crap that is being thrown around all over the place recently. Opera is weak, much like the opinions of those that laud it.

"Inside the Dusters there were 3 men... So?... Inside the men there were 3 bullets." - d{^_^}b

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] RobertUK 18 years ago

Why attack people just because they like a movie??

Harsh, indeed...

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[–] DirtyGrainius 18 years ago

It has nothing to do with "someone liking a movie". It has to do with the fact that this board reads like it was the Kissing of Argento's Butt Story.

"Inside the Dusters there were 3 men... So?... Inside the men there were 3 bullets." - d{^_^}b

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[–] RobertUK 18 years ago

Then leave them to it..

Your original post came across kinda hostile..

This Argento movie isn't a particular favourite of mine but there are people who do like this film. Don't knock them because of it..

There are some great scenes in this movie ( the bullet through the peep-hole being just one of them ) and the whole needles-under-the-eyes thing was pretty unique particularly at the time of the movie's release back in the eighties.

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[–] campbell_james_c 18 years ago

I took the title of this thread completely the wrong way. I thought fbcaird1 was asking how Opera could be rated so low. I certainly understand why some people might not like the film, but it’s personally my favorite. Deep Red, Tenebre, and Suspiria were all great films, but I think Opera, in addition to being his last great film, was also his greatest.

A lot of the dialogue comes off as hokey and the camera movements were out there at times, but what film is a better analogy for the experience of watching a horror film?

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[–] elden-4 18 years ago

Overall I liked the film, there were some good scenes. However, I also disliked many things in the movie, the soundtrack did not fit in (the Heavy Metal music) and the ending was bad.
I still think that Profondo Rosso, Suspiria, Tenebre and L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo are all better than Opera...

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[–] liutenantsalt 16 years ago

>>A lot of the dialogue comes off as hokey and the camera movements were out there at times, but what film is a better analogy for the experience of watching a horror film?
<<

. . . a good one?

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