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Scarlet Diva

Scarlet Diva

List Price: $19.95
Your Price: $17.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't Believe The Hype
Review: I was very disappointed with this movie. I've never heard of Asia Argento, so I was just kinda trying it out. Yeah, she's fine. This story however wanders aimlessly all over the screen in a way that is very disruptive to the enjoyment of its artsy-ness. I was particularly disappointed with the soundtrack. It seemed that the story being so out of focus was in need of some beat poetry to bring it together. Maybe the very artsy people will like this one, but I've got a better recommendation. Sex and Lucia.
I would usually consider myself a very art-oriented person, but Scarlet Diva did nothing for me but anger me at the lack of art in an "artsy" shell. I wouldn't recommend this unless you're a huge Asia Argento fan in which case, you're gonna buy it anyways.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Any movie that begins with an apology can't be very good
Review: I was very disappointed with this movie. I've never heard of Asia Argento, so I was just kinda trying it out. Yeah, she's fine. This story however wanders aimlessly all over the screen in a way that is very disruptive to the enjoyment of its artsy-ness. I was particularly disappointed with the soundtrack. It seemed that the story being so out of focus was in need of some beat poetry to bring it together. Maybe the very artsy people will like this one, but I've got a better recommendation. Sex and Lucia.
I would usually consider myself a very art-oriented person, but Scarlet Diva did nothing for me but anger me at the lack of art in an "artsy" shell. I wouldn't recommend this unless you're a huge Asia Argento fan in which case, you're gonna buy it anyways.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Self-Indulgent Home Movie
Review: I'm not that familiar with Asia Argento, but the photo shoots I've seen of her are great. She's a beautiful girl and, from what I understand, an up-and-coming actress.

But this movie played like a self-indulgent and occasionally pretentious home movie. Characters play like caricatures. Anybody buying this film for copious nude scenes with Asia will probably be disappointed--unless you're riveted by her shaving her armpits in a long bathroom scene.
Otherwise, you're watching her catch planes, travel, score some drugs, chase a musician, etc.
And it all looks like a home movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: hey, turn on the subtitles!
Review: ignore the other reviewers because this DVD does have subtitles, you may just have to turn them on in your menu.. unless I have some sort of magical copy!?!! anyways Scarlet Diva is another love it or hate it art house flick. It all depends on if you like Asia Argento, because this is a vehicle for her. Some magazines have critized this movie as an ego trip for her but they wouldn't dare say that about a woody allen movie or any other project from a multi-talented artist..you can tell this movie was made to tell some sort of life story and you can tell it is heavily dramatized..the film itself has it's own voyeuristic feel to it and some of the scenes and transitions are just wonderful (one of my favs include a shot of asia covering her arms over her head and the arms transition into a pillow that spreads open revealing asia was sleeping..hard to explain but the small things are what make this movie beautiful)..the movie is a little shapeless and drags in some areas but for a directoral debut with a small budget, this is impressive. I hope Asia directs again with a story that it is completely different so it can show an extension of her talents.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Just falls short ...
Review: In the film Asia Argento plays Anna Battista an Italian diva whose career we follow. It follows her downward spiral into the seedier side of the business that has been so well documented in other films.

Scarlet Diva is a good go at a very difficult subject. You have to walk a thin line to make us startled at this amoral, monied world yet create a pathos for the woman who is travelling through it.

I don't really think Argento pulls it off but she gives it one heck of a try. Battista throughout the film seems to be only a few beats away from developing into someone we could care about but whether through writing or direction she just falls short.

Rent the movie but I wouldn't buy it. I can't see that it is one that you would watch repeatedly.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great DVD for brave first full length feature
Review: Media Blasters has done it again with this release of the great Asia Argento's first full length feature film. The presentation is terrific with the Italian dialogue scenes finally subtitled (something the import discs of this hadn't done) and features a revelaing 16 minute interview with Asia (by her father's biographer), a small photo gallery, original trailer and best of all a full length audio commentary by Asia. The only drawback to this US release is that it didn't carry over the import's original Italian commentary with Asia and her mom Daria Nicolodi (which could have been subtitled).
The film itself is a flawed but a very brave debut feature. Asia obviously has director's eye and the films finest moments come when she just leaves the camera on herself. These moments make up some of the most intense and personal scenes since John Cassavetes films or Zoe Tamerlis in MS45.
The casting of Kirk is a let down, original choice Vincent Gallo would have been perfect and it's a pity that he dropped out.
The film is an absolute must for fans of Asia, her father or just Italian cinema in general.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brazen, Ballsy & Brilliant
Review: Naysayers have proclaimed this neglected gem as depressing and self-indulgent, but perhaps they are just scared of seeing a movie starlet get truly "real" and show us the ugly truths about celebrity. Asia's film would make a good double bill with DOGVILLE to make audiences realize the commonality between star worship and cannibalism. Ms. Argento pulls no punches--she splatters herself all over each frame, even introducing the film in a video prelude. She should be recognized as a hero, instead a lot of critics and viewers may think she is just being a self-pitying exhibitionist. But I bet if a man made this film, these selfsame critics would line up to praise it. Obviously many self-proclaimed feminists (of both sexes) are still secretly terrified, turned-off and intimidated when a women dares to actually show her "real" self. They are all the more angry because their knee-jerk reactions remind them they are not as ready to hear the truly "liberated" female voice as they might like to think. I say Asia has created something truly new with Scarlet Diva. It's ahead of its time and will one day be recognized as the forerunner of a brave new kind of "chick flick."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Deep inside Asia Argento
Review: Scarlet Diva is an absolute gem. Asia Argento, who wrote, starred, and directed this film, was fantastic.

Media Blasters prepared an excellent DVD. The special features, which include an interview with Asia and her directorial comments over the film, reveal her inspiration and motives behind this film. The special features are worth the price of the DVD alone. I would never expect any Hollywood actress to be shown in such a role, or have the talent to write and direct such a raw look into their life.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Pointless
Review: The beginning of this film sees Asia Argento address her audience, saying that after watching this film you might learn more about her, then again, maybe you won't. There's no meaning to her statement.

That sums up this film! A series of pointless episodes in the life of an actress (supposed to be a semi-autobigraphical account). She rolls from one episode to another, taking drugs, masturbating, driving to northern Italy, taking more drugs, being on a photo shoot and taking drugs, fondling another woman (who just comes up to her door (Asia can't remember her). The woman fondles her for a while, saying she's got a taxi waiting to take her to the airport, but she's got plenty of time for a quickie, but then they just kiss for about 30seconds before the woman departs. Asia's left still wondering who she was!)

Asia travels around by car, aeroplane, and train, has a few more photo shoots, takes more drugs. Has lots of hallucinations about aborted/unborn children, and past lovers.

Does this sound self-indulgent? Yes, because it is. Asia obviously thinks her life is so interesting, that she is so great, you'd want to see what a mess she's made of it. What a self-centred/self-important piece this film is(If I can use some Australian slang... she's up herself!)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: No Hollywood actress can ever come close to this performance
Review: The name Asia Argento may not be mainstream in America, but for the cult audience she is the Queen of European cinema. Intelligent, funny, and willing to break any taboo you throw at her, Asia Argento is a true artist and actress who puts... American actresses like Julia Roberts and Gwenyth Paltrow to shame. This movie, semi-autobiographical, is Asia in the raw. Totally stripped and laid bare to the viewer. Is there lots of nudity in the picture? Yes. Is there a story? Yes. Is there a performance that touches you? Yes. Asia Argento is not for the weak-minded, but this movie shows the "XXX" crowd that she's much more than a pretty face. With her trademark tatoo and oddly fascinating beauty, Asia Argento is an actress to be admired. Her direction in this movie, not surprisingly, is just as raw and unbalanced. Bravo, Asia! Look out America, you have no idea how good this woman is.


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