Argento Gives Blockbuster An Early Treat

Last year, the “Italian Hitchcock” released Giallo to a handful of film festivals and in a limited theatrical run. Unseen by many horror fans, this murder mystery is a nod to the films that have helped elevate Dario Argento to cult status. Originally, fans (including myself) would have to wait till October 19 for the eventual DVD release . . . not so is the case for Blockbuster members. If you are a member, you can go to your local store right now and rent a copy! For those who are confused over where the title of this film stems from or who this Italian guy is, click below for info on the film and its famous director.

“Giallo” is a term that means yellow in Italian. In Italy, many novels that were released through Mondadori Publishing were designed using their trademark yellow background on the covers. A few staples of these popular stories include sex, crime, a masked killer, plot twists, and grisly murders. . . the good stuff of horror. Following in the steps of Mario Bava’s Blood and Black Lace, widely considered the first Italian film to incorporate all the elements of a Giallo, Dario Argento decided to try his own hand at it. What came from it was the 1970 film The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (the first film in what is dubbed his “Animal Trilogy”). Known as more of a visual director, Argento has always staged creative and gorgeously shot murders in all of his films. As an ode to the genre that defined the director as the “Italian Hitchcock,” Argento has made Giallo. A more fitting title couldn’t of been used. Having previously used such American actors as John Saxon and Karl Malden, the director maintains the tradition by casting Adrien Brody as the lead in the film. Brody, aided by the sister of a missing girl, plays a detective on the hunt for a killer that goes by the name Yellow. Though it initially received a limited release in theaters, Argento fans from all over will now be able to get an early peak at the film thanks to Blockbuster. If you can’t wait till October 19 for the DVD release, head on over to your nearest Blockbuster store right now. If you want to sweat it out a little longer, you can pre-order the film using the link below.