Pop Journal: The Box

The Box (MOVIE 2009)

Here's an interesting film from the maker of Donnie Darko (which I enjoyed) and Southland Tales (possibly the worst movie ever made) that sticks to those previous works in pacing and themes. The Box asks a lot of questions and presents you with a lot of different ideas and leaves you to take what you will from it. What did I take from it? I don't know. The cast gives good performances that make you interested in what is happening to them, but as they have no idea what is going on the same is true for you as the viewer. It does feel very similar to Donnie Darko, which was also a period film, but there is not a really big emotional payoff at the end. Yes, a sacrifice is made but it is made in response to a situation that really has no connection to the rest of the narrative. The Box is one of those movies you may enjoy if you don't need answers and want to take a mind bending ride.