Rating: 
Summary: Self-indulgent and overhyped
Review: First of all, this film is not explicit in any way, shape or form, and does not belong in the same breath as the great Eurosleaze titles. It is an admirable attempt by Asia, and probably better than many first time directors/story writers could do, but I can do without her wallowing in self-pity.
I found it fascinating that, during the interview with Asia which is included on the dvd, she actually tells the viewer not to be disturbed by what is seen in the film. Well, I watched and watched again, and could not find anything disturbing except the fact that the clock had ticked away so much of my spare time--time which could have been spent on more useful tasks.
No, there is nothing sexually explicit at all in this film, but you are meant to think there is. The sex scenes are laughably tame, trust me.
The most I got out of this dvd was the inspiration to purchase "The House on the Edge of the Park", the trailer for which is included on the disc, along with those of 2 other films. Now that was a much more rewarding film experience. This was forgettable.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Asia is a Sad Girl
Review: First, I have to admit something. I have an inexplicably massive crush on Asia Argento. Why? I don't know. I simply do. How does this effect my review? Decide for yourself.I've read Scarlet Diva is semi-autobiographical, so if you're interested in learning about Asia (as I was) there's no better starting point than this film. You'll find her audio commentary track to be especially revealing. Asia discusses the relationship she had with her mother and how it is represented in the film. She also discusses her father, the Italian horror director Dario Argento, on the commentary and his influence on the movie. Asia talks a lot about what she was going for in certain scenes and what she was hoping to accomplish. Good stuff. The movie itself is a little harder to describe. Asia is great in the film, but in essence, she is playing herself so it's not surprising she does a good job of it. Asia does some interesting things with the camera and plays a little bit with symbolism (an umbrella blows down an empty street... uh, what does that represent again, Asia?) and religious imagery. As you watch, you can't help wondering how much is true and how much isn't. Asia's commentary helps you sort through much of it. For instance, she sadly points out the scene where she is seduced by a blonde stranger is one of the few scenes with absolutely no basis in fact. How disappointing. The movie will probably depress and disturb you as you venture into the life of Anna Batista, a young actress who seems to have the world at her feet. However, we discover the life of celebrity isn't as much fun as one might think. Anna is subjected to as much loss and rejection as any other poor sucker. Anna smokes a lot of cigarettes. Anna has abortion nightmares. Anna is abandoned by the one person she thought she loved. Anna has some weird friends. Is Anna all that different from you or me? Some have described this film as self-indulgent. Well, who wouldn't want to examine and experience their own life from the perspective of a director where you have complete creative control? Isn't that what art is? An examination of who and what we are? Asia handles the material well, considering it's her first feature as a director. And in any case, I don't mind Asia being self-dulgent because, well, she's so darned hot. Still, I have a hard time recommending this to non-Asia fans. You'll probably love it or hate it or just wind up confused. Some will come away thinking it is too artsy (i.e. pretentious) for their tastes. Others will just be excited that it's a movie totally about Asia. Personally, I fall in this second category.
Rating: 
Summary: junk
Review: I always loved Italian movies so ok lets try something new.
Big disappoinment.Compare to Tinto Brass this movie is a shadow.
Pointless.Lousy sex scenes.Brrrrr.But!Better than French anyway.
Rating:
Summary: There were no subtitles
Review: I am anxious to watch this movie but there were no subtitles on the DVD. I ordered two copies and it was the same thing on both. Contrary to what a couple of reviewers have said about those that are complaining about no subtitles, I have over 400 DVDs in my collection and surely know how to turn subtitles on and off. Clearly, a batch was distributed here in the US without English subtitles. This is unfortunate.
Rating:
Summary: WTF?
Review: I bought the movie because I heard it was pretty explicit, Asia is hot as hell, and it had alot of noise about it. But the only amusing thing was the explicit sex, unfortunately the rest of it made me want to stab my eyes and ears. Rent it if you really want to see it, don't jump straight ahead and buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: BOLD & BRILLIANT
Review: I do not know what two other reviewers are talking about. The DVD is fully facilitated with subtitles and good extras. There is no technical problem on my copy. What is with your players or don't you even know how to use it?
This movie is a bold and brilliant work by an honest and heartfelt young talent with a great future ahead of her as a director.
It rocks!!
Rating:
Summary: great movie BUT
Review: I DO NOT SPEAK ITALIAN!!... the package is in english, yeah, so i figured thered be subtitles. the preview had subtitles so i was sure theired be subtitles. On the upside some of it is in English. But scenes in that seem the most important are all in Italian. I mean i know its an Italian film but even on dvd there are no subtitles...
Though i must say, as usual Asia was amazing. Ive also seen her in B. Monkey and in xXx.... both great movies..
Rating: 
Summary: Marry me Asia!!
Review: I loved this movie, everything about it. I've been a fan of Asia Argento for sometime now, ever since I saw her in her father's movie, "Trauma". Some people may feel that she is hogging up the movie, with everything constantly revolving around her, but that's the point of the whole movie. She's trying to convey to the audience, being a child of a major Italian director, and a somewhat psycho mother, has done to her life. Most of it is true, but some is fictionalized. I watched it twice so far, once with the audio commentary with Asia herself, and the other time without. this was something she had to do to clear her conscience of her past trials and tribulations, and also to kill off her mother, actress, writer, Daria Nicolodi, who is ironically portrayed as her mother in the movie, to patch things up with her, in her real life. This movie is not glamourous, but rather a look back at ones personal life as she saw herself self-distructing, and being used and abused by various people in the movie business, among others. She explains in the commentary, as the movie goes along, and also in her interview, which is an extra on the dvd, filmed in New York City, that she needed closure in her life from the things she did and what had happened to her along the way, regarding drug-abuse, her mother, various movie mogels, and the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, then all of a sudden just left her and never came back, Kirk. Kirk was a musician in a progressive rock band that she met one night while attending a concert with her friend. They met, spent one romantic night with each other, she fell in love instantly, but apparently, he didn't. He explains that he has a career, and needs to pursue it, and someday he'll be back. But nothing ever came of it, and she only talked to him one more time over the phone, to tell him that she was pregnant by him. This is a story of a woman who had practically no parental control over her, and was mostly watched by a nanny growing up. She goes through the drug faze, relationships, and is finally forced to take a look at herself, and what she's doing to herself, and her unborn baby. At the end she finds redemption from all this, and turns her life around, for the better. I have been an e-mail buddy with Asia for about 2 years now, ever since I met her once in Los Angeles, Ca. I met her at the screening for this movie out there, and had a lengthy conversation with her, and found we had alot in common, and later exchanged e-mail addresses. This blew my mind, believe me or not, doesn't matter. We write each other only about twice a month or so, but she always has alot to say, and is an overall, beautiful, great, strong, good-hearted, loving woman. Hopefully she will direct another movie soon, but nothing is in the works yet. Right now she is making an action movie with the great Dennis Hopper, in Canada. I know I'll be seeing it. Love ya Asia. CIAO!!
Rating:
Summary: Scarlet Diva
Review: I must have missed the greatness of the movie that other reviewers saw. "Sexually charged and unforgettable cinema experience" was what I read in some reviews. The movie goes no where in a hurry. Which leaves the viewer wondering what this movie is really about. Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll is always a hard life to keep up with. However, this movie doesn't convey that idea well at all.
Rating:
Summary: I was bummed
Review: I was looking forward to seeing this movie. I like Asia Argento, she was good in XXX and I wanted to see more of her, in more ways than one. I got my chance with Scarlet Diva. Before the movie starts she has a little monologue, asking the viewer not to be afraid of the movie, not to judge it because it was going to be honest and it might have some disturbing scenes and themes in it, to some viewers at least. So I'm thinking alright! No punches pulled in this movie. But there just weren't that many punches to pull. I mean she goes to buy dope from some has been british rapper, she attempts to use street slang, sag her pants and show off her thong, and it just comes across a little incredulous. I was sort of shaking my head and laughing and I found myself doing that a lot during the movie. She gave it a good try though and maybe she will come through in her future efforts, but this movie I'm afraid is a two star effort with an extra star for Asia getting naked at least. Sorry Asia!
|
