I just saw Richard Kelly's flawed but highly involving THE BOX. I really enjoyed it as well.
I'm one of the many who loved DONNIE DARKO when it first came out, before there was much buzz. I eagerly awaited his second film SOUTHLAND TALES which ended up being so unbearable I couldn't even finish it. Now, Kelly's third film, THE BOX which I entered a bit skeptical but highly enjoyed it. It feels like a cross between 1978's BODY SNATCHERS and SCANNERS as directed by early Brian DePalma (not necessarily in story but in atmosphere and mood). The look of the film and the music are like watching a film from the late 70s (in which this film takes place). At times Kelly's choices are a bit overwhelming and somewhat goofy on the overly dramatic end of things, but at least he never underwhelms with THE BOX.
THE BOX is a bit heavy and stressful, and I recommend it for that. It could have been better with a different lead actress though. You can see the acting wheels turning in Diaz's eyes. Marsden on the other hand is solid the whole way through...maybe because he has "Mars" in his name...hint, hint.
This is good stuff. It's better than most of the usual retreads that are constantly dumped on us. AND it's way better than SOUTHLAND TALES.
See it, even though it's no DONNIE DARKO.
I'm one of the many who loved DONNIE DARKO when it first came out, before there was much buzz. I eagerly awaited his second film SOUTHLAND TALES which ended up being so unbearable I couldn't even finish it. Now, Kelly's third film, THE BOX which I entered a bit skeptical but highly enjoyed it. It feels like a cross between 1978's BODY SNATCHERS and SCANNERS as directed by early Brian DePalma (not necessarily in story but in atmosphere and mood). The look of the film and the music are like watching a film from the late 70s (in which this film takes place). At times Kelly's choices are a bit overwhelming and somewhat goofy on the overly dramatic end of things, but at least he never underwhelms with THE BOX.
THE BOX is a bit heavy and stressful, and I recommend it for that. It could have been better with a different lead actress though. You can see the acting wheels turning in Diaz's eyes. Marsden on the other hand is solid the whole way through...maybe because he has "Mars" in his name...hint, hint.
This is good stuff. It's better than most of the usual retreads that are constantly dumped on us. AND it's way better than SOUTHLAND TALES.
See it, even though it's no DONNIE DARKO.