Southland Tales

Aos · May 06, 2008, 01:41:06 AM

Has anyone seen this? I rented it after seeing a trailer for it on the Revolver DVD. I loved it. Apparently the rest of the world hated it and it made no money at the box office.
Thoughts?.

David R · May 06, 2008, 09:22:42 AM

I got the DVD but haven't watched it yet. Kelly's (the director) Donnie Darko is one of my favourite movies....but still The Rock...in what is meant to be a satire :raise: (Could work). I'm waiting for an opportunity to watch it .

Regards,
David R

Aos · May 06, 2008, 10:24:16 AM

Strangely enough, he is awesome.

MarionPoliquin · May 06, 2008, 05:05:14 PM

I saw it a few weeks ago. I like to refer to that movie as a thousand points of genius that come together to form a huge "huh?"

Aos · May 06, 2008, 05:07:53 PM

Yeah, I had a bit of that at the end, but I still love it.

MarionPoliquin · May 06, 2008, 05:13:43 PM

I liked the movie, loved some parts of it, but I don't know if I'd sit through the whole thing again. It made me think about what William Gibson's first attempt at a novel might have looked like.

Drew · May 07, 2008, 10:29:57 AM

Quote from: MarionPoliquinI liked the movie, loved some parts of it, but I don't know if I'd sit through the whole thing again. It made me think about what William Gibson's first attempt at a novel might have looked like.

Funnily enough it put me in mind of the Virtual Light trilogy- a labyrinthine conspiracy set in the very near future with apocalyptic overtones.

A friend brought his copy over the other day and I found myself liking it a great deal, although I think I'll need to read the graphic novels to make more sense of it.

Drew · May 07, 2008, 10:31:58 AM

And, oddly enough, the Rock is one of the best things in it. His bamboozled, staccato performance is sheer brilliance, and a total revelation given his acting pedigree.

Aos · May 07, 2008, 10:34:33 AM

I agree- he does a fantastic job.

P.S. Given the nature of it, I suspected that you would like the movie.

Aos · May 07, 2008, 10:35:44 AM

Furthermore, much to my own surprise, i rather like SMG in it as well. She's pretty funny.

Drew · May 07, 2008, 10:48:01 AM

Quote from: AosFurthermore, much to my own surprise, i rather like SMG in it as well. She's pretty funny.

I wouldn't be surprised if prejudice towards the casting informed some of the panning it got- SMG, the Rock, Justin Timberlake- it reads like a disaster of epic proportions. What really surprised me was how well they acquited themselves given the nature of the script.

It also reminded me a little of 90's near future thriller Wild Palms, which I really need to watch again someday.

David R · May 07, 2008, 10:50:13 AM

I thought Justin Timberlake was pretty good in Black Snake Moan but should have been spanked in Edison.

Regards,
David R

Dr Rotwang! · May 07, 2008, 01:22:46 PM

Quote from: DrewIt also reminded me a little of 90's near future thriller Wild Palms, which I really need to watch again someday.

You just sold me on this movie.

Man, I freaking ♥♥♥HEARTED♥♥♥ Wild Palms*. I watched every episode, taped it, taped it AGAIN, then bought the DVD recently. Sure, it's just OK but boy oh boy did I dig that miniseries, right in its face.

So if Southland Tales brings up the ol' memories of Wild Palms, I am down with it.

*NOT just because of Bebe Neuwirth, but she helped.

Insufficient Metal · May 08, 2008, 05:44:07 PM

I liked Donnie Darko quite a bit and had high hopes for Southland Tales, but I found it unwatchable.

kregmosier · May 13, 2008, 02:11:02 PM

I enjoyed it quite a bit...would love to see a Director's Cut with the additional 3 or so hours Kelly did. Would also like to read the Graphic Novels that essentially make up the Prequel.

I think I liked it more for the movie it could have been as opposed to what it was...it hinted at greatness, but fell short in a few places.

Honestly though, any movie that envisions future wars sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and Hustler magazine?? COME ON, that's so culturally damning it's straight-up AWESOMENESS!!