Spree

 "Spree" (2020, Eugene Kotlyarenko, Forest Hill Entertainment,  DreamCrew, SuperBloom) is a found footage film.

Kurt (Joe Keery) is intent to go viral on social media after a kid he used to babysit, Bobby (Josh Ovalle), becomes a social media star. Taking a job as a rideshare app driver, he rigs up his car with webcams and begins his tutorial live stream on becoming viral. We follow him as he picks up and then murders customers, finding new ways to make his content increasingly interesting for his viewers. When he picks up a comedian, Jessie Adams (Sasheer Zamata), he hopes for a spike in followers, however, upon realising that his viewer figures are still low, he decides to find a more drastic way to gain notice! 

A creative and gory ride helmed by an increasingly manic, but very engaging performance by Keery. The commentary on society is far from unique, but the film manages to be both entertaining and provide a couple of surprises along the way where it did not go where I had assumed it was inevitably heading. The live stream and CCTV style works really well and does not suffer the same motion sickness impact that some more traditional found footage films seem to have. 

Definitely worth checking out. I had a genuinely good time with this one.

[Image: Forest Hill Entertainment, et al]

Hani

Starry Eyes

"Starry Eyes" (2014, Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer, Snowfort Pictures, Parallactic Pictures, Dark Sky Films) is all about the fame game.

Budding young actress, Sarah (Alex Essoe), is becoming desperate to catch her big break. Her housemates, also actors, have all given up and are planning their own indie film instead of looking for paid work, but Sarah has bigger dreams. Finally she thinks she's found her chance, but is she willing to make the necessary sacrifices to reach her goals?

A film that is very slow to get started, I was starting to think I'd made a mistake when the plot began to speed up and drag me right back in. A really masterful film which creates a dark and sinister build up to a quite shocking and impressive payoff.

The effects are impressive and the actors create some really well rounded characters, despite minimal screen time. Essoe is an excellent leading lady, proving herself to be very diverse and able to hold an audience in thrall.

Well-trod ground in terms of the inspiration, but a truly unique film that I enjoyed. I don't want to give too much away, so rest assured that if you let this film run, it's worth it.

[Image: Dark Sky Films]

 

Hani