list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Box on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Box/338643/default.aspx Title: The Box
Year: 2009
Director: Richard Kelly
Plot: Screen siren Cameron Diaz and former X-Man James Marsden star in the supernatural horror picture The Box (2008), directed by Donnie Darko cult fave Richard Kelly. The film's premise involves a strange and ominous box granted to a young couple by a mysterious stranger (Frank Langella). They are informed that pressing various buttons on the box will grant them riches while killing a person unknown to them in the process. Executive produced by Ted Hamm, the film was adapted by Kelly from Richard Matheson's 1970 short story "Button, Button." ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
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]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:55:37 GMTThe Box2009Richard KellyScreen siren <a href="/players/P___195733/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Cameron Diaz</a> and former X-Man <a href="/players/P___232716/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>James Marsden</a> star in the supernatural horror picture The Box (2008), directed by <a href=/films/184301/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Donnie Darko</a> cult fave <a href="/players/P___299369/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Richard Kelly</a>. The film's premise involves a strange and ominous box granted to a young couple by a mysterious stranger (<a href="/players/P____40453/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Frank Langella</a>). They are informed that pressing various buttons on the box will grant them riches while killing a person unknown to them in the process. Executive produced by Ted Hamm, the film was adapted by Kelly from <a href="/players/P___101691/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Richard Matheson</a>'s 1970 short story "Button, Button." ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide12http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Box/338643/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/reniltm/archive/2009/12/14/44552.aspxPost By: reniltm
Post To: reniltm Blog
Post Date: 12/14/2009 9:47:20 AM
Body: download and watch movies for free online at, http://www.moviesmeter.com
]]>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:47:20 GMTreniltmreniltm Blog12/14/2009 9:47:20 AMdownload and watch movies for free online at, http://www.moviesmeter.com http://www.spout.com/blogs/minjoe/archive/2009/11/9/44328.aspxPost By: minjoe
Post To: minjoe Blog
Post Date: 11/9/2009 4:19:49 PM
Body: "Hell is other people." -'No Exit' By: Jean-Paul Sartre When I discovered that "The Box" was simply an elongated take on a "Twilight Zone" episode, which was, in turn, based on a short story entitled "Button, button," I wondered how many different ideas would be thrown around in this film. Anytime something that starts so small gets beefed up over the years and worked on by so many different hands, you can't help but worry that the final product will be convoluted and overly complicated due to taking on the various incarnations of the work. My fears were only heightened when I learned that the film was written and directed by Richard Kelly (of Donnie Darko fame). The film was based on an SNL skit starring Justin Timberlake Citation: N/A The film opens with text (an internal NSA memo) which explains that Arlington Steward (Frank Langella), who was a lightning-strike victim declared dead, has re-awoken and begun distributing a device related to the "Mars project." Its pretty bad when, 10 seconds into a movie, I am already chuckling and looking around the theatre, wondering if anyone else is as entertained by this top-secret memo as I am. Nothing like having to setup the back story of your movie with an internal memo which borderlines the ludicrous. "To whom it may concern: A zombie version of Richard Nixon is currently in the suburban area distributing a device related to our current work on Mars. Also, someone forgot to refill the water cooler when they depleted its contents this morning--please be more courteous." Smooches, Anonymous The action starts with Arthur & Norma Lewis (James Marsden & Cameron Diaz, respectively) being awoken a 5:45AM to the sound of their own doorbell. They discover a package has been left on their doorstep and, upon closer inspection realize that it contains...a button! It also contains a letter saying that will be visited by Mr. Steward at 5pm. Upon his visit, he explains that if they push the button, they will receive a million dollars--but someone they don't know, will die. Never mind the warning signs--pushing it is a totally acceptable choice. At this point, it becomes incredibly difficult to go into the remaining plot of the film without giving away spoilers left and right. Suffice to say, I'm pretty sure you and I both know it would be a very boring movie if theydidn't press the button. However, the fallout of their decision takes up the majority of the film. Steward warns them that, 'their are always consequences for your decisions' and that he has 'many employees' looking into their lives. Basically, the guy sees you, hears you, and is taking stock of everything you are doing at any given moment. Seriously...don't press the button. At this point, you're probably wondering what the deal is with this 'button delivery-man' and how does he have the power to do all of these things. Well, the movie wants you to think hard about that--but never wants you to feel comfortable enough to make a decision. The religious overtones in this film are loud. The button is pressed by three different people throughout the film--all of whom, are women (Eve going for the forbidden fruit?). We also learn that the button is much more than a money-making vs. good conscious scheme, but rather a device for judging the goodness of all mankind. ...It's not like there is a famous book which foreshadows what could happen should we choose to press the button... However, this is a movie written by the Donnie Darko scribe--so you can't expect any alegories to be that straightforward. For every moment of religious clarity, we are grounded by the fact that Langella's character is only putting forward this challenge to NASA employees (The film takes place in 1976 when Viking has just landed on Mars), and that our sudden presence on The Red Planet is the real reason this is happening. Just when you think it might be the judgement of God--you suddenly feel like, perhaps, its simply the judgement of our intergalactic neighbors who are suddenly concerned about our landing in their backyard. Earthlings are violent & violate our property rights The films final whirlwind touches on issues of faith, morality, the afterlife, Purgatory, Hell, Heaven, the weaknesses of mankind, etc. Its tough to ever wrap your head around one issue because another pops up seconds later to confuse and baffle you in completely different ways. Overall, the film flows well for the first half--and even manages to build some suspense, despite you having a pretty good idea of how some of the more important events will unfold. However, the congregation of so many issues that are, on their own, often too difficult to comprehend make the last portion of the film mind-numbing and, ultimately, disappointing. Wait...hold on...I totally have this...just give me one more minute...*tear* "The Box" ends up being a case-study in how a simple, effective story can be ruined when its stretched out too far, and takes on too many sub-plots & ideas. I commend them for making a sci-fi/horror/suspense film that doesn't follow the typical rules--but they would have benefited from some a simpler plot. Overall, low-expectations would probably be your best ally should you go to see this movie. Http://movieswithminjoe.blogspot.com
]]>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:19:49 GMTminjoeminjoe Blog11/9/2009 4:19:49 PM "Hell is other people." -'No Exit' By: Jean-Paul Sartre When I discovered that "The Box" was simply an elongated take on a "Twilight Zone" episode, which was, in turn, based on a short story entitled "Button, button," I wondered how many different ideas would be thrown around in this film. Anytime something that starts so small gets beefed up over the years and worked on by so many different hands, you can't help but worry that the final product will be convoluted and overly complicated due to taking on the various incarnations of the work. My fears were only heightened when I learned that the film was written and directed by Richard Kelly (of Donnie Darko fame). The film was based on an SNL skit starring Justin Timberlake Citation: N/A The film opens with text (an internal NSA memo) which explains that Arlington Steward (Frank Langella), who was a lightning-strike victim declared dead, has re-awoken and begun distributing a device related to the "Mars project." Its pretty bad when, 10 seconds into a movie, I am already chuckling and looking around the theatre, wondering if anyone else is as entertained by this top-secret memo as I am. Nothing like having to setup the back story of your movie with an internal memo which borderlines the ludicrous. "To whom it may concern: A zombie version of Richard Nixon is currently in the suburban area distributing a device related to our current work on Mars. Also, someone forgot to refill the water cooler when they depleted its contents this morning--please be more courteous." Smooches, Anonymous The action starts with Arthur &amp; Norma Lewis (James Marsden &amp; Cameron Diaz, respectively) being awoken a 5:45AM to the sound of their own doorbell. They discover a package has been left on their doorstep and, upon closer inspection realize that it contains...a button! It also contains a letter saying that will be visited by Mr. Steward at 5pm. Upon his visit, he explains that if they push the button, they will receive a million dollars--but someone they don't know, will die. Never mind the warning signs--pushing it is a totally acceptable choice. At this point, it becomes incredibly difficult to go into the remaining plot of the film without giving away spoilers left and right. Suffice to say, I'm pretty sure you and I both know it would be a very boring movie if theydidn't press the button. However, the fallout of their decision takes up the majority of the film. Steward warns them that, 'their are always consequences for your decisions' and that he has 'many employees' looking into their lives. Basically, the guy sees you, hears you, and is taking stock of everything you are doing at any given moment. Seriously...don't press the button. At this point, you're probably wondering what the deal is with this 'button delivery-man' and how does he have the power to do all of these things. Well, the movie wants you to think hard about that--but never wants you to feel comfortable enough to make a decision. The religious overtones in this film are loud. The button is pressed by three different people throughout the film--all of whom, are women (Eve going for the forbidden fruit?). We also learn that the button is much more than a money-making vs. good conscious scheme, but rather a device for judging the goodness of all mankind. ...It's not like there is a famous book which foreshadows what could happen should we choose to press the button... However, this is a movie written by the Donnie Darko scribe--so you can't expect any alegories to be that straightforward. For every moment of religious clarity, we are grounded by the fact that Langella's character is only putting forward this challenge to NASA employees (The film takes place in 1976 when Viking has just landed on Mars), and that our sudden presence on The Red Planet is the real reason this is happening. Just when you think it might be the judgement of God--you suddenly feel like, perhaps, its simply the judgement of our intergalactic neighbors who are suddenly concerned about our landing in their backyard. Earthlings are violent &amp; violate our property rights The films final whirlwind touches on issues of faith, morality, the afterlife, Purgatory, Hell, Heaven, the weaknesses of mankind, etc. Its tough to ever wrap your head around one issue because another pops up seconds later to confuse and baffle you in completely different ways. Overall, the film flows well for the first half--and even manages to build some suspense, despite you having a pretty good idea of how some of the more important events will unfold. However, the congregation of so many issues that are, on their own, often too difficult to comprehend make the last portion of the film mind-numbing and, ultimately, disappointing. Wait...hold on...I totally have this...just give me one more minute...*tear* "The Box" ends up being a case-study in how a simple, effective story can be ruined when its stretched out too far, and takes on too many sub-plots &amp; ideas. I commend them for making a sci-fi/horror/suspense film that doesn't follow the typical rules--but they would have benefited from some a simpler plot. Overall, low-expectations would probably be your best ally should you go to see this movie. Http://movieswithminjoe.blogspot.com http://www.spout.com/blogs/mbsgirl/archive/2009/11/8/44321.aspxPost By: mbsgirl
Post To: mbsgirl Blog
Post Date: 11/8/2009 1:03:50 AM
Body: Has to be the worst movie I have ever seen. Cameron Diaz is the only thing good in this movie. Multiple people were getting up and leaving the theater half way through. Nothing really made sense in the end.
]]>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:03:50 GMTmbsgirlmbsgirl Blog11/8/2009 1:03:50 AMHas to be the worst movie I have ever seen. Cameron Diaz is the only thing good in this movie. Multiple people were getting up and leaving the theater half way through. Nothing really made sense in the end. http://www.spout.com/blogs/karina/archive/2008/10/29/36771.aspxPost By: Karina
Post To: Karina on SpoutBlog
Post Date: 10/29/2008 4:00:54 PM
Body: Admittedly, I haven’t seen Kelly Reichart’s Wendy and Lucy since Cannes. But I’m still going to stand by the contention that it seems just a little weird for a film about a girl and her dog–nudity-free, with some moments of tension but very little violence as I recall–-to receive an R rating (for “language”), while Richard Kelly’s horror film The Box, said to contain “some violence and disturbing images,” gets a PG-13. This is probably not worth getting upset about. I’m not even sure if cutting off a teenage audience will really hurt Lucy’s theatrical success––Michelle Williams’ adolescent fan base has had a good five years to come of age since Dawson’s Creek, although one does imagine that there are a lot of teenage girls following the actresses seemingly unwanted appearances in the tabloids. But at least, it’s testament to that old chestnut about how Hollywood productions have an unfair edge over indies in the ratings game. If anything, Kelly was probably contractually obligated to deliver a PG-13 and engineered his cut of The Box to comply, while Kelly Reichart, who made Wendy and Lucy without a distributor on board, simply made the film she wanted to make. Too bad she had to put so many swear words in it. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth
]]>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:00:54 GMTKarinaKarina on SpoutBlog10/29/2008 4:00:54 PMAdmittedly, I haven’t seen Kelly Reichart’s Wendy and Lucy since Cannes. But I’m still going to stand by the contention that it seems just a little weird for a film about a girl and her dog–nudity-free, with some moments of tension but very little violence as I recall–-to receive an R rating (for “language”), while Richard Kelly’s horror film The Box, said to contain “some violence and disturbing images,” gets a PG-13. This is probably not worth getting upset about. I’m not even sure if cutting off a teenage audience will really hurt Lucy’s theatrical success––Michelle Williams’ adolescent fan base has had a good five years to come of age since Dawson’s Creek, although one does imagine that there are a lot of teenage girls following the actresses seemingly unwanted appearances in the tabloids. But at least, it’s testament to that old chestnut about how Hollywood productions have an unfair edge over indies in the ratings game. If anything, Kelly was probably contractually obligated to deliver a PG-13 and engineered his cut of The Box to comply, while Kelly Reichart, who made Wendy and Lucy without a distributor on board, simply made the film she wanted to make. Too bad she had to put so many swear words in it. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/10/29/36770.aspxPost By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 10/29/2008 4:00:44 PM
Body: Admittedly, I haven’t seen Kelly Reichart’s Wendy and Lucy since Cannes. But I’m still going to stand by the contention that it seems just a little weird for a film about a girl and her dog–nudity-free, with some moments of tension but very little violence as I recall–-to receive an R rating (for “language”), while Richard Kelly’s horror film The Box, said to contain “some violence and disturbing images,” gets a PG-13. This is probably not worth getting upset about. I’m not even sure if cutting off a teenage audience will really hurt Lucy’s theatrical success––Michelle Williams’ adolescent fan base has had a good five years to come of age since Dawson’s Creek, although one does imagine that there are a lot of teenage girls following the actresses seemingly unwanted appearances in the tabloids. But at least, it’s testament to that old chestnut about how Hollywood productions have an unfair edge over indies in the ratings game. If anything, Kelly was probably contractually obligated to deliver a PG-13 and engineered his cut of The Box to comply, while Kelly Reichart, who made Wendy and Lucy without a distributor on board, simply made the film she wanted to make. Too bad she had to put so many swear words in it. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:00:44 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com10/29/2008 4:00:44 PMAdmittedly, I haven’t seen Kelly Reichart’s Wendy and Lucy since Cannes. But I’m still going to stand by the contention that it seems just a little weird for a film about a girl and her dog–nudity-free, with some moments of tension but very little violence as I recall–-to receive an R rating (for “language”), while Richard Kelly’s horror film The Box, said to contain “some violence and disturbing images,” gets a PG-13. This is probably not worth getting upset about. I’m not even sure if cutting off a teenage audience will really hurt Lucy’s theatrical success––Michelle Williams’ adolescent fan base has had a good five years to come of age since Dawson’s Creek, although one does imagine that there are a lot of teenage girls following the actresses seemingly unwanted appearances in the tabloids. But at least, it’s testament to that old chestnut about how Hollywood productions have an unfair edge over indies in the ratings game. If anything, Kelly was probably contractually obligated to deliver a PG-13 and engineered his cut of The Box to comply, while Kelly Reichart, who made Wendy and Lucy without a distributor on board, simply made the film she wanted to make. Too bad she had to put so many swear words in it. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/murder/MemberTagFilms.aspxmurder
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