Dario Argento is one of the greatest directors ever. That's my take on it, anyway. The guy can do no wrong. Yeah, he can fall off track from time to time (take "The Card Player" for example), but even when he's not on top of his game he still delivers a better-than-average picture. You got to hand it to Argento.....he's a legend and his filmography is filled with exceptional films, and here he is, 40 years after his directorial debut, and he's still a master of the genre.

His latest, "Mother Of Tears", proves that the old boy has still got it. The final film of the "three sisters trilogy" (following "Susperia" and "Inferno"), Argento gives his fans everything they've come to expect from him and a little more. Now we've all read the mixed reviews for "Mother Of Tears", some love it, some hate it, and some are just torn down the middle. But I'm here to tell you that "Mother Of Tears" is on par with anything he's ever done and is a fitting ending to his unholy trinity of films.

"Mother Of Tears" begins with the excavation of a grave. An urn is discovered that contains a mystical turbin and the breaking of the seal unleashes the Third Mother, the titular "Mother Of Tears". Rome is plunged into chaos and it is up to young archaelogical researcher Sarah Mandy (Asia Argento, daughter of director Dario) to end the terror. As Sarah begins to unravel the mystery behind the Third Mother, she discovers that she is being followed by some witches as well as Rome's police force, and soon finds out that she has special powers of her own, passed down from her mother, a "white witch".

There are some truly disturbing things that happen in this film, and that's what we expect from Argento. But some of the things he throws at us are just plain fucked up. I'm talking some of the sickest murder scenes in recent memory, including infantcide, as well as some imagery that will stick with you a while after viewing. Plus there is some nudity in this one, including a nice shot of Asia's fun bags. Asia Argento's boobies + me = happy time!

Some have noted the ending is rather anti-climatic, a bit lackluster. I found it to be a fitting ending to not just this story, but to the entire "three sisters trilogy". The previous films are referenced in passing via several characters that we are introduced to along the way, including the always welcome Udo Kier. The movie plays on it's strengths well and there is plenty to like about this movie.

I have to mention that I saw the film with subtitles and at times it was hard to follow. I imagine by the time it crosses over the pond to America we'll be able to see a dubbed version which should make the movie easier to understand.

With "Mother Of Tears" Argento delivers yet again. When this one hits the home video market I'd suggest making an evening of the "Three Sisters Trilogy", watching each one back to back and treating yourself to some of Argento's best work. Now we just have to sit patiently and await his next film, "Giallo", which starts filming this February. Hopefully he'll knock that one out of the park too.

Argento, you are the man. And "Mother Of Tears" is definitely a KILLER FILM.