Starry Eyes

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)

Rating: 3.1/5 stars

Though It's a tad over-cranked in the final furlong, the sheer energy on display and a devilishly compelling plot ultimately win the day. Not a slow-burner so much as a strong build up, once "Starry Eyes" gets where it's going, the film becomes explosively violent and shocking.

The story is not uncommon, but its execution is grand. The movie is harrowing and insightful, unafraid to go to places both dark and deep. It has often been said that Hollywood changes people. "Starry Eyes" disturbingly, unforgettably takes this adage to the literal brink, then pushes far beyond it for chillingly good measure. The film balances Hollywood satire and splattery gore in a way that's both fresh and inviting, taking a typical struggling actress and exploiting her story with everything the horror genre has to offer. Horror fans should also watch out for the Directors, Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer, and especially for newbie, Alex Essoe, who delivers a truly star-making performance (pity it was in an indie that might not bring her just recognition).

"Starry Eyes" may take a little while to get there, but once it does you'll realize that this diabolically offbeat journey of debauchery, ambition, and masochism was worth the payoff.

Indie horror can be hit or miss, oftentimes a miss, but Starry Eyes is a surprisingly well acted story that sways toward the "hit" side.

Los Angeles, California – the land where bright eyed beautiful people go to try their hand at stardom. Some are lucky if they get a national commercial or a guest spot on a television series, most resigned to locally produced indie flicks that will only be seen by their inner circle.

Starry Eyes takes the brutally competitive and unmerciful Hollywood atmosphere and couples it with the darkest desire, the blind ambition to seize success. Alex Essoe is Sarah, an aspiring actress engaged in the LA grind: waiting tables, submitting head shots and going on casting calls. After one particularly odd audition, she earns the opportunity for a lead role in a gateway movie. Hopeful for her big break, Sarah grapples with making a deal to enter into the dark and occult world of the elite.

Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer split the dual role of screenwriter/director in Starry Eyes but produce a cohesive vision in their film. It is immediately apparent that Kolsch and Widmyer have been around the Los Angeles block more than enough times. They perfectly capture the pompous, self-serving atmosphere rife with deceptively two-faced phonies who talk more than they 'do'.

Starry Eyes is a surprisingly successful and effective film and horror. The mood is stark and matter-of-factedly vicious. As with any horror, it lulls in the middle as the characters evolve and develop so that they may transform feasibly to the climax. Also the cause for and transformation Sarah goes through is rather standard and obvious.

Alex Essoe's acting and portrayal of Sarah elevates Starry Eyes even further. Essoe subtly transforms from the hopeful ingenue to the ambitiously consumed actress hell bent for greatness. Weirdly poignant and meta, I hope Alex Essoe's performance in this role garners some attention from producers in the right place, for she has talent.

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This movie was a slow burn, with the feel of an 80's throwback. It will not however be for everyone. By no means is it action packed, filled with cgi or littered with sex scenes. It does pay homage to old school nitty gritty horror that did not reply on all of the aforementioned. The vibe is dark and somewhat quirky, but in a good way. I've read other reviews comparing it to movies such as suspiria, and I can't stand behind that opinion. If you grew up on 80's style horror and have a love for the strange, then this one might just be for you. It does have a slow start, but if you stick with it, surely it will prove to be a rewarding experience. I thoroughly enjoyed pretty much every minute of it. The ending seemed a bit lackluster in comparison to the rest of the movie, but that can be forgiven as I can't quite picture any other ending personally. I immediately found myself rooting for "Sarah." I wanted to see her acquire her goals, but somewhere in the mix of it all I found myself disliking her. Very nice character progression with her. The actors did what I thought was a very striking performance. All in all, I'd definitely say give this movie a go

Four stars positive for a fairly innovative score and Argento-esque visuals, plus some pretty solid acting by the lead and one or two supporting actors. Beyond that, I have to admit, I watched the entire thing (resisting the urge to turn it off many times) because I wanted, hoped for, the ending to bring everything together in some redeeming way. Instead, I was disappointed. The movie was difficult to watch all around but not because of horror elements - it's hard, for one thing, to feel invested in a story when you can't empathize with its protagonist - admittedly there are exceptions to that but this isn't one of them. I also felt like some of the plot devices relied on clichéd, negative stereotyping (can't say more without spoilers) and that the end just didn't make sense in any narrative or metaphor driven way. I'm sure there are some who'd argue otherwise, and they are welcome to their opinions, but overall, Starry Eyes was just a huge letdown for me.

What do you do when you come to the conclusion that the film you just started watching, probably will end up in your top 10 of the most vexing and lousy movies ever? Indeed, swiftly start another film in the hope that it will be a better one. The same happened to me tonight after watching "Muck" for 15 minutes. First there was the rather abrupt beginning where it was immediately clear what acting level I was dealing with (again some selected B-actors). And then the opening credits appeared which were more focused on the silicone attachments of a half-naked, rotating cheerleader who stumbles back and forth in what looked like a swamp. And especially when one of those bimbo's was wondering whether or not there was liquor in the house they saw in the distance. And she was wondering about that in such a way that it looked as if she was planning to start a party with her frolicsome friends, while one of them was bleeding to dead and apparently they left two others behind that were killed. For me that was the moment to grab the remote control and save myself from further suffering. Fortunately, because "Starry Eyes" is of a whole other level and the content is a lot more original. It's equivalent to "Spring", which I've seen recently. Not that the core of the story has never been used in a film before, but its impact and the way it evolves, made sure it was yet again a unique experience.

Sarah (Alex Essoe) is an actress who apparently can't manage to get a role in a film. Every day she consults a website where ads are placed by producers and movie houses that are looking for new acting talent. Mostly these are low-budget and arty film projects. Meanwhile, she works as a "Tater Girl" at Big Taters, a kind of McDonalds run by a perverse-looking manager. He's someone who always brings up some philosophical theory about how they all function as one big family, but ultimately he's more interested in certain curves of Sarah (particularly her perfect butt looks appetizing in her stretchy work uniform). Sarah shares an apartment with her friend Tracy (Amanda Fuller) and in her free time she hangs out with Tracy's friends who encourage and support her. Except Erin (Fabianne Therese) who can't resist to make arrogant and hurtful remarks all the time. Until one day Sarah needs to do an audition for Astreus Pictures and she is willing to do anything to achieve her goal.

In short you can summarize "Starry Eyes" as follows : a sort of "Rosemary's Baby" (but in another sinister way), with the terrifying consequences as in "Contracted" or "The Fly" and this mixed with the better slasher work from horror films in the 80's. The producers of this film have chosen a tranquil development of the story. Therefore it will take some time before it starts to get all gloomy and scary. But the big finale is worth it. The first part they've put enough energy into the introduction of the different characters. Sarah is a fragile and sometimes puny-looking character who's full of doubts. Doubts about her skills, her talent and her appearance. She looks like someone with an eating disorder who snatches hair from her head at stressful moments. According to her so she can concentrate herself again. She's an insecure person full of complexes. Even her smile is uncertain (and uncannily resembles that of Keira Knightley, which gives me even extra shivers). The friends of Tracy, however, is a hotchpotch of libertines who live from day to day (sleeping in a van in someone's garden) and give the impression as if they walk around constantly drunk or high and party all the time. A group of hedonists, but with envy and hypocrisy just around the corner.

"Starry Eyes" won't be appreciated by everyone. On the one hand, it 's sometimes quite bizarre to observe. The two people at the table during the audition at Astreus Pictures and the manager of Big Taters are a living proof of that. Bizarre characters who undoubtedly deserve a place in a mental institution. On the other hand the slow transformation that Sarah undergoes isn't exactly appetizing to look at. The reward that she gets by meeting certain requirements that were asked by the producer Astreus Pictures, is preceded by a period in which Sarah deteriorates both physical and psychological. She slowly turns into an unreal individual with psychopathic tendencies resulting in a bloody final piece. The way Alex Essoe gives shape to the character Sarah, is at times brilliant. The final transformation leaves an overwhelming impression and shows the natural beauty she possesses. Hopefully we'll see her again as a leading actress in another movie. Also Fabianne Therese as the fake girlfriend who's constantly trying to undermine Sarah's confidence and the eccentric Taters boss (Pat Healy) were enjoyable. And finally Mary Olsen and Marc Senter as the casting director and her assistant fitted perfect in it.

Of course, some will say that the final story is not too original, and it eventually became a typical horror with some gore clichéd images. But for me this was a successful and impressing film that after a patiently build up beginning, bursts out into a climax. Perhaps the macabre character of this film and the quirky way of elaboration made it into a memorable one. The only thing I was slightly disappointed about was the total lack of background information about the satanic (if you can call it that way) sect. It remains a bit mysterious. However, I am sure this film left that monstrosity called "Muck", effortlessly behind. A fascinating film!

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