the most ambitious film this century. beautifully constructed and conceptually tight from start to finish. read the chapter about it in post cinematic affect by steven shaviro if you need to know just how widely kermode misses the point. ok it's a cineaste's film but that doesn't warrant this vapid take down. otherwise just kick back and immerse yourself in it. it begins at chapter three so the viewer is never in full possession of the narrative from the outset - unless they read the comics. kermode reminds me of contemporaneous critics of dejeuner sur l'herbe
I actually got into The Vapors after I heard this review. News at Ten and Jimmie Jones are just as good, if not better than Turning Japanese. Solid band.
I agree with those who say it's not a good film. It is bad, but it's the most wonderful, glorious, gripping bad film that has been made so far, and one that, in the end will be remembered as a piece of art, because , after all, it is.
Love you Mark Kermode, but I adore Southland Tales. Absolutely unique tone, half-lynch, half social-satire, all in a weird, silly package with SNL stars. One-of-a-kind, and one of the few films to actually, creatively critique our over-saturated political and media culture. It’s a 9.5 from me.
@fredericg54 It is a bad film but I kind of admire how unrelentingly demented the whole thing is. It's like Brazil but made by a complete stoner. And I find it hard to truly hate any film that's TRYING to be great, considering how many filmmakers simply don't try anymore these days.
I definitely LOVE Southland Tales. For me, it's just one of the greatest movie since past 5 (actually 6^^) years. Original, artistic and especially, for once, not a movie trying to explain you everything as it will with a 5yo child.
I've been avoiding this film for so long, knowing how much I love Donnie Darko and how much criticism this film has been receiving should probably watch it one day
its a very complex film, told mostly through symbolism and requires a lot of thought to really understand. I personally think its brilliant, perhaps better than Donnie Darko which was my favorite film before that. the version which kermode saw was a cut that included no special effects and the director didn't want released. as its an end of the world movie the fx were vital. once the critics had made up their mind there was no overcoming this prejudice. imagine a cut of LOTR without fx
This is one of very few films that I've watched and I can remember feeling actually quite angry at the end of it. So well done to the film makers for being able to provoke some genuine emotion.
Mark's statement of never seeing the Cannes cut of the movie EVER AGAIN is incredibly ironic seeing how Arrow Video released it just a couple years ago
Has anyone read the comics? There are 3 comics that take place before the film starts and the film continues the story. The movie makes more sense if you read the comics first. He really shot himself in the face with that idea.
I have and it was all nonsense i believe, so sorry not sorry it is not a movie that i had great experience and i applaud anyone that enjoy this thing better than what i did
Southland Tales was a sophomore syndrome. I don't know about anyone else, but I felt that despite Cameron Diaz, The Box was a very interesting film that had a lot of heart and characters that I actually cared about. It's certainly the best thing james marsden's ever done as far as performances go. In fact all of the acting is very good except for Ms. Diaz who doesn't belong here, but does her best
Remember, Kermode said that Blue Velvet was one of the worst films ever made (For similar reasons) and now apologises heralding it as a masterpiece. If he's worth his salt at all, one day he'll look back on Southland Tales and say the same thing.
Absolute bag of shite of a film. Every single project Kelly did after Donnie Darko including that appalling Director's Cut has been abysmal. This review is spot fucking on!
...esses of LA then it kind of works. But otherwise the shonky narrative and lurches of genre just add to the feeling that you're experiencing a colossal mess of a movie.
@TulseLuper I would like to hear him review it. He seems to dislike the second version lol. It has a nice commentary with kevin smith so it wasn't all bad.
I'd say when you watch the original your intrigued to know more and some scenes feel like theirs are cut before someone should address something, the directors cut does both but the things you wanted addressed and explained but its nothing you didn't kind of know and its just confirming this and you go 'oh cool...I thought that'. the music also works better for me in original, don't get me wrong I still enjoy having both cuts, but sometimes you have to praise an editor aswel. hope this kind of helped.
Mark's review is more entertaining than the movie itself lol. Gosh what a meandering, bloated, childish, grand standing bore of a film. The "music video" of Timberlake doing All These Things That I've Done has to be the highlight, has the bizarre near future aesthetics that the movie is trading in (which has something interesting going for it) without the convolutedly stupid character and world machinations that make the film itself tiring. Honestly I only finished it because I feel bad that it destroyed Richard Kelly's career. I think it's cool Kelly tried to apply insane video game-esque logic to a film and have the lore be so "epic" but really if I have to read some comics and tie-in novel and all that to "really get it bro" then maybe the movie isn't very good to begin with. Like Mark said, it feels more like he was spitballing a ton of pseudo-intellectual ideas with too big of a budget and no one to reign him in.
One of the worst films ever made. It staggered me just how rubbish this film was, especially when it came from the man who made one of the true greats of the last 20 years. Simply terrible throughout and, just when you think it couldn't possibly get any worse, it turns into a fucking music video for the fucking Killers - One of the worst bands ever featuring in one of the worst movies ever! Hang your head in shame Richard Kelly.
@TulseLuper "It's like Brazil but made by a complete stoner." Now I'm tempted to watch it too, it's under £1 on amazon. Dare I? I've watched the trailer, and recently watched Kelly's The Box, (which is another story) but still tempted to see just how messy Southland Tales is...
It's bad. Not bad in Epic Movie terms, just in the way it takes a concept (a pop culture movie based on the Book Of Revelation) and overloads it with crass symbolism, weak casting choices and a severe lack of any wider relation beyond the nods to the B of R. So to anyone not acutely tuned in it feels bloated, garish and vain. It had none of the humour and sympathy that Donnie Darko had, despite that also being pretty incomprehensible on first viewing. If Southland Tales was a sly dig at the exc
It requires multiple views to understand the story and hidden meanings, the silly dialogue is meant to kinda gently brush you along for 2 hours as so much is happening on screen it can be confusing and make the viewer frustrated which is a kinda mixed idea cause it can confuse the viewer even more but watch it to the end and you'll understand about 50% of what's going on
The film maybe stylish, well acted & intriguing, however the film’s unfocused, incoherent, confusing & A disappointing futuristic story. (46%) (2.5/5 stars) (mixed)
Donnie Darko: okay but very, very overrated. Cannes cut of Southland Tales: underrated masterpiece, American companion piece to Brazil. Theatrical cut of Southland Tales: still not as bad as people make it out to be, but very flawed in comparison to the Cannes version. The Box: weak shit.
I actually loved this film.
It's not perfect by any stretch, but had a very eerie vibe and some standout scenes.
Regardless, Sarah Michelle Gellar is fine as hell in this movie.
Lol
the most ambitious film this century. beautifully constructed and conceptually tight from start to finish. read the chapter about it in post cinematic affect by steven shaviro if you need to know just how widely kermode misses the point. ok it's a cineaste's film but that doesn't warrant this vapid take down. otherwise just kick back and immerse yourself in it. it begins at chapter three so the viewer is never in full possession of the narrative from the outset - unless they read the comics. kermode reminds me of contemporaneous critics of dejeuner sur l'herbe
this reminded me of Todd in the Shadows' video on the Vapors
I actually got into The Vapors after I heard this review. News at Ten and Jimmie Jones are just as good, if not better than Turning Japanese. Solid band.
I agree with those who say it's not a good film. It is bad, but it's the most wonderful, glorious, gripping bad film that has been made so far, and one that, in the end will be remembered as a piece of art, because , after all, it is.
I really enjoyed the film as an incoherent joyride.
Love you Mark Kermode, but I adore Southland Tales. Absolutely unique tone, half-lynch, half social-satire, all in a weird, silly package with SNL stars. One-of-a-kind, and one of the few films to actually, creatively critique our over-saturated political and media culture. It’s a 9.5 from me.
@fredericg54 It is a bad film but I kind of admire how unrelentingly demented the whole thing is. It's like Brazil but made by a complete stoner. And I find it hard to truly hate any film that's TRYING to be great, considering how many filmmakers simply don't try anymore these days.
It's a strange movie for sure but I still liked it
I kinda love the film. The more i hear people hate it the more i want to love it. It's different, partly what makes it so great.
I definitely LOVE Southland Tales.
For me, it's just one of the greatest movie since past 5 (actually 6^^) years.
Original, artistic and especially, for once, not a movie trying to explain you everything as it will with a 5yo child.
I really like it ahah, I’m so glad it exists. It really should not exist
Huh?
I've been avoiding this film for so long, knowing how much I love Donnie Darko and how much criticism this film has been receiving
should probably watch it one day
Did you watch it yet?
Have you seen it yet?
Dude doesn’t get it. It’s a masterpiece
its a very complex film, told mostly through symbolism and requires a lot of thought to really understand. I personally think its brilliant, perhaps better than Donnie Darko which was my favorite film before that. the version which kermode saw was a cut that included no special effects and the director didn't want released. as its an end of the world movie the fx were vital. once the critics had made up their mind there was no overcoming this prejudice. imagine a cut of LOTR without fx
he says in the video he watched both
This is one of very few films that I've watched and I can remember feeling actually quite angry at the end of it. So well done to the film makers for being able to provoke some genuine emotion.
Mark's statement of never seeing the Cannes cut of the movie EVER AGAIN is incredibly ironic seeing how Arrow Video released it just a couple years ago
Has anyone read the comics? There are 3 comics that take place before the film starts and the film continues the story. The movie makes more sense if you read the comics first. He really shot himself in the face with that idea.
I have and it was all nonsense i believe, so sorry not sorry it is not a movie that i had great experience and i applaud anyone that enjoy this thing better than what i did
Southland Tales was a sophomore syndrome. I don't know about anyone else, but I felt that despite Cameron Diaz, The Box was a very interesting film that had a lot of heart and characters that I actually cared about. It's certainly the best thing james marsden's ever done as far as performances go. In fact all of the acting is very good except for Ms. Diaz who doesn't belong here, but does her best
Who the hell thinks the end of world would make sense. It was a great movie to me!
Remember, Kermode said that Blue Velvet was one of the worst films ever made (For similar reasons) and now apologises heralding it as a masterpiece. If he's worth his salt at all, one day he'll look back on Southland Tales and say the same thing.
Mark Kermode wasn’t big on Barry Lyndon until the 4K film restoration and he calls it his favourite Kubrick.
This is an absolutely hilarious comment.
@firekind1980 It's implied throughout the review that he loves it.
I don't like Southland Tales or Donnie Darko. But what I will say is the I'd watch Darko more times than Southland tales again
i liked this movie
It’s nowhere near as bad as this dude is making it out to be. I think with age it’s definitely improved.
I tried three times to get through this movie. Cuz, Richard Kelly, right? But I couldn't do it.
i am interested to know how he felt about donnie darko.
I actually thought the whole vapors 1st album was quite good
Southland tales is a masterpiece !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is a master piece of shit.
It certainly is a masterpiece👍👍🖒🖒💚
Absolute bag of shite of a film. Every single project Kelly did after Donnie Darko including that appalling Director's Cut has been abysmal. This review is spot fucking on!
...esses of LA then it kind of works. But otherwise the shonky narrative and lurches of genre just add to the feeling that you're experiencing a colossal mess of a movie.
@TulseLuper I would like to hear him review it. He seems to dislike the second version lol. It has a nice commentary with kevin smith so it wasn't all bad.
@wrexshunt Yeah, guess who uploaded all the Kermode reviews on this channel? A yank...
Can someone explain whats so bad about the directors cut of donnie darko - the other films by kelly have been crap.
I'd say when you watch the original your intrigued to know more and some scenes feel like theirs are cut before someone should address something, the directors cut does both but the things you wanted addressed and explained but its nothing you didn't kind of know and its just confirming this and you go 'oh cool...I thought that'. the music also works better for me in original, don't get me wrong I still enjoy having both cuts, but sometimes you have to praise an editor aswel. hope this kind of helped.
Mark Kermode has never understood the art of movies.
11 years later the cans cut is fantastic. We owe him an apology.
Mark's review is more entertaining than the movie itself lol. Gosh what a meandering, bloated, childish, grand standing bore of a film. The "music video" of Timberlake doing All These Things That I've Done has to be the highlight, has the bizarre near future aesthetics that the movie is trading in (which has something interesting going for it) without the convolutedly stupid character and world machinations that make the film itself tiring. Honestly I only finished it because I feel bad that it destroyed Richard Kelly's career.
I think it's cool Kelly tried to apply insane video game-esque logic to a film and have the lore be so "epic" but really if I have to read some comics and tie-in novel and all that to "really get it bro" then maybe the movie isn't very good to begin with. Like Mark said, it feels more like he was spitballing a ton of pseudo-intellectual ideas with too big of a budget and no one to reign him in.
One of the worst films ever made. It staggered me just how rubbish this film was, especially when it came from the man who made one of the true greats of the last 20 years. Simply terrible throughout and, just when you think it couldn't possibly get any worse, it turns into a fucking music video for the fucking Killers - One of the worst bands ever featuring in one of the worst movies ever!
Hang your head in shame Richard Kelly.
Why Buffy Why?!
@TulseLuper "It's like Brazil but made by a complete stoner."
Now I'm tempted to watch it too, it's under £1 on amazon. Dare I? I've watched the trailer, and recently watched Kelly's The Box, (which is another story) but still tempted to see just how messy Southland Tales is...
It's bad. Not bad in Epic Movie terms, just in the way it takes a concept (a pop culture movie based on the Book Of Revelation) and overloads it with crass symbolism, weak casting choices and a severe lack of any wider relation beyond the nods to the B of R. So to anyone not acutely tuned in it feels bloated, garish and vain. It had none of the humour and sympathy that Donnie Darko had, despite that also being pretty incomprehensible on first viewing. If Southland Tales was a sly dig at the exc
Iain Meldrum isn't sympathy a bit easier with an emo kid than with the US military industrial complex or soulless Hollywood-media?
It requires multiple views to understand the story and hidden meanings, the silly dialogue is meant to kinda gently brush you along for 2 hours as so much is happening on screen it can be confusing and make the viewer frustrated which is a kinda mixed idea cause it can confuse the viewer even more but watch it to the end and you'll understand about 50% of what's going on
@juliuswhiteman He thought it was half a good movie, half a ridiculous one.
as much as i appreciate Mark Kermode he's clearly out of depth here. Monohla Dargis gets it right www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/movies/14sout.html?_r=0
Nah.
Lol ‘out of his depth’
Love donnie darko, one of my favourite films of all time but everything else Kelly has done is terrible
@TulseLuper an admirable failure, check :)
The film maybe stylish, well acted & intriguing, however the film’s unfocused, incoherent, confusing & A disappointing futuristic story. (46%) (2.5/5 stars) (mixed)
Donnie Darko: okay but very, very overrated. Cannes cut of Southland Tales: underrated masterpiece, American companion piece to Brazil. Theatrical cut of Southland Tales: still not as bad as people make it out to be, but very flawed in comparison to the Cannes version. The Box: weak shit.
He's seen it twice. That's actually quite impressive that he got through that piece of crap not ones but twice.
Sorry Mark your just wrong give it another watch it again
He's spot on, it's an utter mess of a film
It was destined to fail due the high expectations of Donnie Darko but yeah, it is terrible. Tazer to the balls? Wtf.
special effects my ass i couldnt watch more than 10 mins of it
This movie is an incomprehensible mess and I highly recommend nobody sees it. I write this out of the purist altruism. I hated watching it.