MovieChat Forums > Southland Tales (2007) Discussion > The Rock? WTF?

The Rock? WTF?

posted 15 years ago by schwentysevenheif
23 replies | jump to latest

Seriously? As the lead character?

That's like David Lynch casting Freddie Prince Jr.

I just watched the Box, and was if-y on that one. The casting, score, and plot holes made it disappointing. I expected more from such a great director.

My girlfriend and I have been discussing R. Kelly's body of work, and neither of us had seen Southland Tales, but the preview alone makes me want to stay far, far away from this one. Kelly REALLY needs to get a new casting director. Sarah Michelle Gellar? Really, dude? She hasn't made a movie worth watching in her entire career. Sean Williams Scott is OK, but seems like a highly illogical choice for a movie of such apparent depth.

Hopefully Kelly will step his game up (and FIRE THAT EFFING CASTING DIRECTOR) for his next outing.

[–] fish_cannot_carry_guns 15 years ago

So you think he's a great director in spite of the fact that you only like one of his films? Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed all of his movies, but maybe his post- Donnie Darko work isn't for you. That's fair enough.

By the way, Southland Tales is a satirical film about the accelerated rotation of the earth causing everyone to become insane, and the performances are deliberately exaggerated. Watch it with an open mind, and you may just enjoy it. Just don't expect the performances to be realistic, because they aren't meant to be.

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[–] bdimag 15 years ago

why was he talking like barrack obama?

[–] schwentysevenheif 15 years ago

So, would you recommend this film?

Like I've previously stated, I haven't seen it, only seen previews, which indeed look interesting. But, this does not mean that the casting was not mediocre, at best. Exaggerated performances of the characters doesn't have anything to do with who is playing the roles of the characters. The Rock is a sub-par actor, period. Sean Williams Scott is not much better. My point was that Richard Kelly could have and should have picked more versatile actors to play such complex roles, if indeed they are so complex, as I'm led to believe. Having seen 'The Box', I was deeply disappointed in the casting of the film (Cameron Diaz, while not terrible, was IMO, a poor choice. There are a plethora of actresses that could have pulled off that role much better), as well as the score and the editing. My fear was that Southland Tales would fall victim to these very same things.

[–] MyersHome78 15 years ago

It's a satire about POP CULTURE, this why this film's main characters are played by The Rock as an action star, Sarah Michelle Gellar as a pornstar/singer, Seann William Scott as a cop and Justin Timberlake as an ex-soldier. If you don't care about pop culture, stay away, this is a film that makes a comment on the mainstream/pop culture in America.
Also, if you think The Rock is a sub-par actor, that's because you haven't seen him in this. His comedic timing was just absolutely perfect, there is not one word he said I would want said differently, he was just hilarious.
No, the 'problem' with this film is that it's so many different things at the same time that one could argue we can't really see the point of the movie. I think it's a deep mess and it's not a movie about one thing, it's a movie that says many many things and that could confuse and bore you. It fascinated me, and the music, acting and and cinematography should already be enough for you in any case to say you didn't waste your time watching this.

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[–] schwentysevenheif 15 years ago

Actually, that was a very helpful and interesting explanation of the casting choices. Believe me, the premise of the movie itself is VERY appealing to me. I eat this kind of stuff up. Initially though, the casting threw me off, especially after having seen the Box, which also had a very interesting premise, was directed by a man who is responsible for one of my favorite films of all time (DD, of course), and which I had high hopes for, only to be pretty let down in the end.

But based on your take on ST, I am definitely reconsidering this movie and intend to see it ASAP. Thanks.

[–] vanderghast 15 years ago

Well, if you have not seen this movie... Just as example, many who saw it are indeed surprised by Seann William Scott performance (mostly if you only know him from American Pies). Is that not enough to convince you to see this movie, I mean, you said he was a highly illogical choice, no? So, maybe other surprises are at that rendez-vous, for you?

[–] drew_atreides 15 years ago

When i saw the likes of Amy Poehler and Cheri Oteri, believe me i was nervous. I despise both of those women and their work on SNL.

My mind was blown. They both were tremendous, and in fact the casting is pitch perfect.

Richard Kelly is a pimp. And a pimp doesn't commit suicide.

[–] jeffandsarah-1 15 years ago

The world was decelerating, I'm not sure if the acting was a deliberate conceit. they looked like regular Californians to me, but then the world is actually slowing, much slower than 0.00000006 miles per hour so there you go.
It could explain George Bush. Very cruel of Kelly to inflict the alternate world with both him and Dick.

[–] schwentysevenheif 14 years ago

Update, huzzah!

So I actually saw this some time ago now, and while I don't think it was a 10/10 or anything, it was definitely worth watching. I was indeed surprised by the Rocks performance, he was actually pretty good in this, as were some of the other actors I was doubting before seeing it.

That being said, I still don't feel like Richard Kelly is living up to his potential. I was so blown away by DD, and while Southland Tales was good, I think it could have been better with some script re-writes and editing. The Box was still pretty disappointing for me.

[–] Curtis189-is-a-douche 14 years ago

"Seriously? As the lead character?

That's like David Lynch casting Freddie Prince Jr."

I dont see why you're surprised that the Rock is the lead in this film, he's been the lead in other movies before (Scorpion King, the Rundown). Its not like Richard Kelly was some God-type director. Besides, The Rock has worked with different directors before and Richard Kelly isn't that strang a different for him to work with. The Rock actually nails the role great, along with the other actors. The casting isn't what made the film medicore, it was the script- the film was okay but should have been soo much better

I'm a pimp. And pimps don't commit suicide

[–] tallard 14 years ago

The only other possible actress that could possibly have been as perfect to portray an overly ambitious ditzy blond porno star might be Paris Hilton? The casting was fantastic, because it's doing satire with the nearly the exact same cast it's satirising, it's nearly genius!

***So I've seen 4 movies/wk in theatre for a 1/4 century, call me crazy?**

[–] piggeek 14 years ago

Don't hate on SMG. I loved her as Krysta Now. She tore up the screen in this movie. This movie isn't for everyone, but it's not because it's bad; it's just different.
I should add The Box was a steaming pile of *beep* compared to Southland Tales or pretty much every other movie ever made. That was just awful, but it's hard to blame Cameron Diaz for being Cameron Diaz.

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[–] piggeek 14 years ago

All actors have to do is pronounce words. Can we quit pretending that Dwayne Johnson can't do that as well as anyone else in this movie?

Scientists are saying the future is going to be far more futuristic than they originally predicted.

[–] simian_ninja 13 years ago

Dwayne Johnson is awesome. Hating on him because he was a wrestler is bogus and stupid.

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[–] koffeenkreame41-1 13 years ago

I agree that's stupid. Anyone who thinks The Rock can't act hasn't seen Faster, Gridiron Gang or The Rundown.

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[–] Xeokym 13 years ago

The only other possible actress that could possibly have been as perfect to portray an overly ambitious ditzy blond porno star might be Paris Hilton?

Paris Hilton is not an actress, by any measure. Being yourself in a "real life" tv show does not make one an actress, nor does appearing as oneself in a cameo in one movie make one qualify as an actress, either.

"Celebrity?" Sure.

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[–] theunopeneddoor-697-442391 9 years ago

Uh, no acting is a lot harder than pronouncing words. That's a ridiculous statement.

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[–] Uvtha 13 years ago

Rocky was actually perfect for the role, as well as IN the role. He did a great job.

The "off" casting is a deliberate part of the film. A great part at that.

[–] scott-volentine 10 years ago

the point was to cast actors who had been pigeonholed to let them act outside their box. And the movie was lampooning Hollywood throughout, so I think it was rather effective with the cast.