Starry Eyes
Starry Eyes
7/10 - nice idea and decently made, but a near miss. Needed some adjustments to differentiate it more from vampire mythos - after the period line, I was sure she'd be sucking blood in no time.
Re: Starry Eyes
9/10 Film of the day. Great performances, great score, stylish, violent and compelling
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- Twitching Corpse
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Re: Starry Eyes
I can see why this would score with the gore-hounds, but I thought it was a good idea which was squandered. There was ample opportunity for a Hollywood horror satire about ambition but after an intriguing first act, the film becomes dramatically inert. Like the similarly monotonous Contracted for much of the main section we simply watch the main character physically and mentally disintegrate after an ill-advised sexual encounter. Then the last act turns into a straightforward slasher film. Kind of disappointing that after some early hints at a Rosemary's Baby style conspiracy with sinister elderly satanists that all which is required of the ambitious starlet was There is no interesting twist in the tail, the ending is one we expect all along with the title being made clunkinly literal. There was a nice Drive style electronica score and a good turn from the lead actress, but for me this was the worst film of the day.
Spoiler:
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- Undead Horde
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Re: Starry Eyes
The story isn't especially original as it's a variation on the selling-your-soul trope and it doesn't do anything interesting with the concept, but there are some beautifully composed visuals and sound that contribute to a dream-like quality that the film has. There are some nice characterisation touches in the script, and I particularly liked the protagonist's passive-aggressive friend who was always trying to undermine her. Good acting, good makeup and a reasonably satisfying ending. 6/10
- The Soapmaker
- Undead Horde
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Re: Starry Eyes
I thought it was well done, but after the long buildup our heroine(?)'s physical corruption and rebirth seemed to happen too quickly, and we never actually got to see her achieving any of the celebrity status and success she longed for (budgetary constraints presumably played a part!)
The gory scenes reminded me of Alyce, which I watched quite recently.
The gory scenes reminded me of Alyce, which I watched quite recently.
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- Twitching Corpse
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Re: Starry Eyes
I'm glad that quite a few people seem to be on the same page with this one. It was a really great concept, it just didn't really reach it's full potential. There was too much time spent with her being ill and staying in doors.
Re: Starry Eyes
A superb little shocker that reminded me of classic Argento at times - surprisingly he wasn't quoted as one of the influences. A film that stays with you. A classic Faustian tale set in Hollywood with sufficient mystery remaining at the end to allow for a sequel. The lead was good value, the plot was intriguing and there were plenty of memorable visuals. 9 / 10
No tears, please. It's a waste of good suffering.
Re: Starry Eyes
Mulholland Drive meets Rosemary's Baby. Well acted and paced with some nice icky moments towards the end. A solid effort if not one that will live long in the memory.
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- Running Zombie
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Re: Starry Eyes
For me it was one of the hits of the festival. In a year when a lot of my favourites turned out to be satirical, darkly funny or just outright splatire this one was a proper dark horror tale which built tension a little unevenly but finally delivered a proper finale. Stunning lead performance and, exposing my hidden shallows, she's also gorgeous.
- TheDukeAbides
- Braaaains!
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Re: Starry Eyes
This film just ambled along.
The film was all about Alex Essoe and she carried the film very well.
Well made, shot and plotted even if it was unoriginal and very linear.
The effects and make-up were stunning for what I believe was a small budget, so in the end, compared to other films of the weekend it was something that passed the time in an entertaining way.
The film was all about Alex Essoe and she carried the film very well.
Well made, shot and plotted even if it was unoriginal and very linear.
The effects and make-up were stunning for what I believe was a small budget, so in the end, compared to other films of the weekend it was something that passed the time in an entertaining way.
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Re: Starry Eyes
Currently on FreeVee and Plex
LAST FILM- Turistas 2006
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious." - Bill Hicks
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"It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious." - Bill Hicks
twitter @nottsey
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