CLEMENTINE'S REVIEWS

19th May 2008
Southland Tales (2006)

A bizarre creation. Ever since its conception, I was intrigued. Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko quickly reached cult status. What could we expect from a strange post-apocalyptic, alternate 2008, with actors playing multiple characters each?

All over LA, separate characters are interconnecting their destinies in a series of events leading up to the end of the world, which is mirrored by the screenplay of armageddon written by one of the characters. World War 3 broke out in 2005 and spawned a completely new reality of alternate pop culture, celebrities and politics. Kelly tries to enrich the tapestry of the world with fabulous new inventions and technology, but unfortunately it ends up feeling like a contrived, B-grade universe. It's seam-a-palooza.

Sarah Michelle Gellar goes out on a limb to try something with an exciting concept, and yet again finds herself in a bad movie. Justin Timberlake, Mandy Moore, The Rock, Shaun William Scott are like catnip for B-grade movies. Why did I think this was going to be good? And a real corker, Bai Ling played Bai Ling. Alarm bells should have been sounding.

The story could have been taken so much further with developed arcs, a slight change in directing and producing could have helped raise this out of unconvincing territory. I'm not sorry I watched it, only sorry it wasn't better. It made me wonder, at what point does everyone involved in making the film realise it's all going horribly wrong, but decide not to change it?

You'll like this if: you liked eXistenz, but I also find that unlikely.

You'll probably not like this if: none of the cast or Richard Kelly is a drawcard for you.