Customer Reviews

Star Maps [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw Star Maps twice in the theaters, and still can't get it out of my mind. I keep checking to see when the sell-through VHS will be available (at an affordable price). The film's music is top-notch. This may be a so-called Indie film, but it's performances, especially from Douglas Spain as Carlos, the young man with a dream, are believable. This a gritty, realistic picture about people struggling to stay focused and to survive. Carlos wants to be an actor; he sells maps to the stars homes in Beverly Hills. He believes that all he needs is one chance at the acting brass ring. To earn more money he is forced to hustle, but he knows that what he deeply wants is to be an actor. A touching, poignant movie. There is nudity and adult situations, and even some comedy, but this is a strong film and well worth viewing.

To understand this film you should understand whats its like to be from a family like this. Themovie played out like a home movie for me. The first reviewer from Mexico, is typical in his narrow mindedness about how "chicanos" live. How do you clearly represent a culture? This young boy was not "abused" by his father, he was ABUSED by his father. THis happenes a lot, in Mexico and America. The use of Cantinflas was not to link the characters to their Mexican roots,it was used by the mentally ill Mother as her escape from her painful existence. I don't know how the first reviewer lives or if he ever visited LA,and i don't mean the tourist locations, the real Barrios with real Chicanos, but, some lives are aggresive and crude. Everything in this movie has substance. It is not sexy though. You care so much about Carlito, that it is stomach churning watching him be voilated. Sure life is not this difficult for everyone, but this is what its like when you are f-up by your parents, and unless you stop the cycle yourself you end up being f-ed by everyone else too. This is fact, ive seen it with my own eyes. Why esle do Street childern exist? Besides all,that the music rocks in this film and makes it unique. All the musical interludes are so appropriate for each seen. Miguel Arteta is genuis.

Most reviewers have missed that Star Maps steps out from the Latino film routine of re-establishing the father as the rightful patriarch (Selena, La Familia, Rooster, ad nauseum). This is more than just another gay boy/prostitute movie; in narrative terms, it's a revolution.

I have read all the reviews about this, but decided to sit down and watch it anyway. I was completely caught up in this family and all of their problems. I thought a couple of the performances were a little stiff, but the screenplay kept me interested until the end, and the actors seemed to be earnest in their endeavor. Believe me, there are many other films out there that take the same gay-prostitute storyline and try to shock more than tell a story. This is good, and a great antidote to the current sugary "Latin Explosion."

Star maps is a film based upon interesting ideas. It deals with events concerning an 18 year old Mexican male(Carlos), played by Douglas Spain, who wishes to "make it" in Hollywood. This film has a dark tone as it examines the male prostitution ring, alienation and greed. This melodramatic film has some very potent moments, but never quite develops them or some of its characters. Star Maps is an uneven allegorical study concerning the depth of a persons passion to reach their goals, and to what extremes they wish to achieve them. Overall an interesting film. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER REVIEWS.

Odd, brave, if not completely successful drama.

A Mexican father in Los Angeles forces his son, who wants to be an actor, into prostitution.

The story details his misadventures in Hollywood in both the sexual and movie making arenas, as well
as the completely dysfunctional family that surrounds him.

Much like Arteta's later films, there's a surreal humor under it all, and a genuine
weirdness at how matter of fact its all treated. Good use of music as well.

Some of the acting could have been better, which would have elevated it considerably.
But it still is a unique, and strangely entertaining look at a warped and dysfunctional world.

If subtle, off-beat humor mixed with sex, prostitution, and violence is your thing, then this is the movie for you. It's a realistic (as far as I can tell) story of a confused young boy, with dreams of becoming a famous Hollywood actor. His Father wants him to work for the family business, and has him trapped. He sneakily tries to use his Father's business to fulfill his own dreams. The acting isn't top notch, but believable (what d'ya expect for a low-budget movie). The plot was very different and entertaining, and the movie had me welded to my seat. Give it a shot...you'll see. Not recommended for those cold nights with the fireplace going and snuggling up next your honey, playin' kissy-face-huggy-bear. Unless your sick, sick, SICK! --By the way, a great soundtrack, too.

thought that doug spain's acting was superb in this mini-documentary on a slice of H'Wood. send titles of otherfilms besides "Riot" 'cause heis really down to earth.

Contains partial nudity and sexual situations.
Carlos (Douglas Spain) has just arrived in Hollywood, California to be back with his family after a trip in Mexico. He wants to be an actor after having appeared in front of an audience on stage. His mother is distraught. She is not in her right mind, but is happy to see Carlos and always thought he was always like the moon. His no-good father, Pepe (Efrain Figueroa) sets him up to sell "Star Maps" by the roadside and also gets "Clients" for him. Pepe's girlfriend can't wait for Pepe's loco wife to die so they can be married. She tutors Carlos to make sure he understands how to prostitute, even old men and rich, bored women.
Can Carlos' hatred for his father get him out of this business?
Michael Pena is in the cast too.

A "summer stock" vision of mexican boys brought to the USA to hustle under the guise of selling maps to the stars homes in Hollywood. Some good performances but mostly the dialog is stilted and it sounds like the screenwriters first attempt. Too many sub-plots and intrigues muddy up what could be an interesting film a la JOHNS and My Own Private Idaho from an ethnic perspective. Worth watching when the price drops.