Posted November 29, 2007
By jonrobertson

Stranger things have happened (remember when Paul Thomas Anderson directed Adam Sandler?) but Richard Kelly helming a Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson project is intriguing nonetheless. Considering Kelly’s artistic bread and butter, I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised with his casting choices. Responsible for the cult hit “Donnie Darko,” he now oversees “Southland Tales,” featuring Rock along with Sarah Michelle Gellar (who thankfully isn’t in another bad horror movie), Mandy Moore (who thankfully is not in another bad romance movie), the charismatic acting chops of Justin Timberlake, and everyone from Ling Bai to Kevin Smith to Cheri Oteri. And for what? Publicity gives little clues to what “Southland Tales” is about. Even the trailer, which tends to spoil the fun while packages plot points, mixes characters together in ways not understood at first glance. A set of graphic novels serves as a prequel to what we will see — the future, summer of 2008. Cannes Film Festival audiences weren’t to hip with “Southland” last year, giving it the lowest reviews of that season, but “Donnie” wasn’t exactly celebrated upon release either so it’s anyone’s game what the hell will come out of this. If he can make Seann William Scott likeable, he’s all right with me.