Review: THE BOX is a Film you might actually enjoy... even though Cameron Diaz sucks in it.

I wasn’t expecting too much from The Box when I went out to go see it. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, all I knew was that Richard Kelly directed it, and that I liked his first two films, Donnie Darko and Southland Tales. He’s made some really good strange films, that’s what I was hoping for with The Box, and that’s what I got. I was pleasantly surprised with it and as bizarre as it was, that’s why I like Richard Kelly as a director. The movie is by far not perfect, but I enjoyed watching it.

The story starts out pretty simple, a struggling couple living beyond their needs start to feel the pressure from money issues. A man with almost half of his face missing comes into their lives with a box, offering them one million dollars if they push the red button, which will kill someone in the world that they don’t know. I’m not giving anything away by telling you that they push the button, because it's in the trailer. After the button if pushed their lives start to spiral out of control in the most insanely strange ways imaginable. Everything just get crazily weird. There are consequences for pushing the button, and they can’t take back what they have done. The two main characters have to face the penalty that they are being led to.

The film most definitely keeps your attention, and you don’t get board. Most of the time you are wondering what in the hell is going on, and what certain things mean. The characters get into these explanations of what is going on, and your just doing your best to keep up because everything around them is happening pretty fast. It’s one of those things that you’ll either embrace in the story, or it will annoy the hell out of you. I just accepted it as the film moved along, even though I know I didn’t get everything. It definitely warrants for a second viewing to see what I missed, but it will have to wait for DVD.

Richard Kelly has a certain way of developing his characters in all of his movies, they’re all pretty socially awkward. It’s like your uncomfortable watching them live out there experiences in the story that is being told. I really liked the characters that he developed in the film. And most of the actors portraying them did a great job. James Marsden was fantastic and Frank Langella did an awesome job as always.

Then there’s Cameron Diaz… why people keep casting her in their films is beyond me. She was the worst thing about this movie. Her acting was terrible! She had this annoying yet simple southern accent that she goes in and out of throughout the movie. I couldn't stand watching her on screen, unfortunately her bad acting kept me from being fully invested in the film and the story. Again, I don’t know why they cast her; it was the worst mistake they could have made. She never really was a great actress, and she hasn’t even LOOKED good since The Mask. In My opinion they should have got a lesser known, better actress for the part.

Aside from Cameron Diaz, I really enjoyed watching the movie. I like films that are completely random and different. It mixes things up and makes movie going fun, even if there are some things that don’t make that much sense or are fully explained. That’s just the kind of filmmaker Richard Kelly is. The movie is like good Twilight Zone episode. The Box isn’t for everyone, you’re going to either like it or hate it.

If you have seen it or are planning to see it, stop on by and tell us what you thought about it!