The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
11-06-09, 08:18 AM
#77
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Originally Posted by Ebert
The writer-director, Richard Kelly, goes from A to Z using 52 letters, but his transitions flow so uncannily it's only when you look back that you realize you're off the road.
11-06-09, 10:49 AM
#79
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Stupid, stupid, stupid, this movie sucked. I saw it last night for free as well, glad I didn't have to pay to see this.
Spoiler:
Last edited by Bluelitespecial; 11-06-09 at 11:22 AM.
11-06-09, 03:16 PM
#80
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Sort of? (spoiler in case you don't want to know how different the film is from what you posted)
Since last night, I wrote a review, which is here: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/40558/box-2009-the/
Spoiler:
Last edited by tylergfoster; 11-06-09 at 03:18 PM.
11-06-09, 10:51 PM
#81
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Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Sort of? (spoiler in case you don't want to know how different the film is from what you posted)
Since last night, I wrote a review, which is here: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/40558/box-2009-the/
Spoiler:
11-07-09, 12:15 AM
#83
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Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I agree with everyone, I thought it a complete disaster. I liked the sets, and the look of it... and james marsden deserved a better role to shine, I liked seeing him walking through the NASA sets. I almost wish they just tossed the script out and created a 70s family drama instead. This was just Knowing part II, Kelly has some good ideas but is a terrible writer
11-07-09, 08:14 PM
#85
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I really really don't understand why this movie got so many bad reviews. It's not complicated (although it is complex) and I thought it was deliciously eerie. It could've used a good 10 or 15 minutes cut out of it but otherwise I thought it was really, really rewarding. But I understand I'm way out on the wilderness on this one.
At the end of my showing, a guy stood up and yelled, "What the hell was that?" and then began to berate the movie.
At the end of my showing, a guy stood up and yelled, "What the hell was that?" and then began to berate the movie.
11-07-09, 10:55 PM
#86
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
For those unaware of what a Richard Kelly movie is like, they are in for quite a shock after they buy their tickets!
I think I will need to watch this again, as all Kelly's movies before I reach my final verdict.
11-07-09, 10:57 PM
#87
11-08-09, 12:40 PM
#88
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I really enjoyed it, but Kelly did seem to have some weirdness thrown in for weirdness' sake. Maybe some of that would have been better explained in a longer cut. One major thing I really didn't care for...
That said, the movie had a great creepy atmosphere and strong performances. Most if it played out like a mixture of X-Files and Twilight Zone at their best. I'd say it was definitely better than Southland Tales, which was ambitious, but too incoherent for its own good.
Spoiler:
That said, the movie had a great creepy atmosphere and strong performances. Most if it played out like a mixture of X-Files and Twilight Zone at their best. I'd say it was definitely better than Southland Tales, which was ambitious, but too incoherent for its own good.
11-08-09, 03:30 PM
#89
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
And here's yet another version of this same basic story called "The Button"
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<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_44b3d8f432"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=44b3d8f432" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=44b3d8f432" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" name="ordie_player_44b3d8f432" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>
The Button - watch more funny videos
11-08-09, 06:38 PM
#90
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Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Saw it yesterday, liked it a lot. Some of it is confusing but overall it is easy to follow. It felt like a feature-length Twilight Zone episode for sure.
11-08-09, 11:42 PM
#91
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I thought this was Kelly's best work, well-executed and it's ethereal atmosphere refined from his previous attempts. The creepy factor was particularly cool, as opposed to cheap thrills. There were some slow moments to which the film would benefit by their cutting/tightening.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
11-09-09, 01:03 AM
#92
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Donnie Darko is a film that grows on me with every viewing - a favorite of mine to be sure. Just based on the one time I saw Southland Tales though I'm not convinced I need to ever revisit that film as it was wildly disjointed and frustrating. The Box, in my eyes at least, completely redeems Kelly for Southland Tales. In fact, I feel like this may very well be his best film - though I will need more time to mull it over and to see it again. I downright loved it.
And by the way - who else LOVED the score? I thought that was one of the most phenomenal scores I've heard in any film all year.
And by the way - who else LOVED the score? I thought that was one of the most phenomenal scores I've heard in any film all year.
Last edited by GenPion; 11-09-09 at 01:05 AM.
11-09-09, 05:02 AM
#94
Senior Member
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I saw this Sunday night and found it quite entrancing. It's interesting that this film is titled what it is, as Kelly makes films that are very much outside the box and I hope he doesn't change. While I feel that this is the weakest of his three works, it's still full of intriguing ideas. I will say that this is Kelly's most elegant film to date. The look lended it a certain class. I loved the 70's decor and particularly the NASA sets. Of course, then there's Langella who has an air of elegance about him, even with half his face missing.
The story itself has a few hiccups, perhaps due to being cut down from Kelly's nearly three hour original. I don't think this material needs to be that long though, and what's here works well enough. I liked how the film plays with your expectations at one point in reference to the Twilight Zone episode. And hey, Cameron Diaz wasn't as irritating as usual. That in itself is some accomplishment.
The story itself has a few hiccups, perhaps due to being cut down from Kelly's nearly three hour original. I don't think this material needs to be that long though, and what's here works well enough. I liked how the film plays with your expectations at one point in reference to the Twilight Zone episode. And hey, Cameron Diaz wasn't as irritating as usual. That in itself is some accomplishment.
Last edited by J. Farley; 11-09-09 at 05:14 AM.
11-09-09, 01:50 PM
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Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Donnie Darko is a film that grows on me with every viewing - a favorite of mine to be sure. Just based on the one time I saw Southland Tales though I'm not convinced I need to ever revisit that film as it was wildly disjointed and frustrating. The Box, in my eyes at least, completely redeems Kelly for Southland Tales. In fact, I feel like this may very well be his best film - though I will need more time to mull it over and to see it again. I downright loved it.
And by the way - who else LOVED the score? I thought that was one of the most phenomenal scores I've heard in any film all year.
And by the way - who else LOVED the score? I thought that was one of the most phenomenal scores I've heard in any film all year.
Agreed. I was thinking that during the movie, but forgot to mention it earlier. Great score.
11-09-09, 02:06 PM
#97
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Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
Based off the trailers....it doesn't look like Langella's face is very convincing. Bothers the hell out of me when I see the trailers.
11-09-09, 03:02 PM
#98
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
And here's yet another version of this same basic story called "The Button"
<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_44b3d8f432"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=44b3d8f432" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=44b3d8f432" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" name="ordie_player_44b3d8f432" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>
<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_44b3d8f432"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=44b3d8f432" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=44b3d8f432" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" name="ordie_player_44b3d8f432" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>
The Button - watch more funny videos
11-12-09, 07:36 AM
#99
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I wanted to like this film a lot more than I did. Really enjoyed the initial concept, atmosphere, score, and set up. However, I felt a little let down by the second half. Don't know what I was expecting, just hoped that it would be more... clever, I guess.
Either way, I'm glad I saw it. Kelly makes the type of films that I like to see and try to support - even if I didn't particularly connect with his last two efforts. I still think he shows a lot of promise as a writer/director.
Either way, I'm glad I saw it. Kelly makes the type of films that I like to see and try to support - even if I didn't particularly connect with his last two efforts. I still think he shows a lot of promise as a writer/director.
11-14-09, 09:31 AM
#100
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Box (Richard Kelly, 2009)
I enjoyed the film. The atmosphere and score fit very well with the story. It was refreshing to see a movie with at least an attempt to be different. Id definitely see it again.