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New Clip from The Box Features the Strangest Car Ride Ever

Posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 by Devindra Hardawar

Like many, I’m eagerly awaiting Richard Kelly’s upcoming sci-fi thriller The Box. I’ve loved pretty much everything I’ve seen promoting the film, and the clip below has ramped up my excitement even further. It comes courtesy of MTV Movie blog, where Kelly also details how he went about convincing Win Butler and Regine Chassagne (of Arcade Fire) to score the film along with Owen Pallett (from the band Final Fantasy).

We do get to hear a bit of the score in the clip, and I’m definitely liking it. It’s heavy on the strings and helps to build suspense quite well—even though we have no clue about the context of this scene between James Marsden and Gillian Jacobs. Kelly mentions that the score is probably worth the price of admission alone. I wouldn’t expect any less from such a talented trio.

View the clip after the break:

It’s sort of remarkable that such a clip can work without any setup, but in my opinion it truly does. The combination of the score, coupled with Gillian Jacobs enigmatic dialog and near-robotic (on purpose, I think) delivery, drew me in. At this point I’m dying to see the film just to figure out what the heck is going on in this scene. It’s clear that Jacobs has some knowledge of the mystery behind the box and its mysterious stranger, and the way its revealed is downright chilling.

It probably won’t take much for this film to please me. I have an irrational love for moral dilemma stories, and when they’re in the form of sci-fi even better. As someone who loved Donnie Darko, and admired Southland Tales, I just hope that Kelly finds some semblance of mainstream success with this film.

Discuss: Are you as excited for The Box as I am? Does this clip work for you, or am I just a crazy person for being so compelled by it?

Comments

GregoryV

No setup needed, this scene really worked for me. Gillian Jacobs performance really drew me in. It's if she were drifting from imagination and reality. I likes!

jasonb26

that was the 2nd best clip of the year. 1st was from brothers bloom.

the box looks amazing.

Dan Meyerowitz

Doesn't this clip potentially give away the couple's decision on whether or not to push the button? I mean, the synopsis of the film is that the couple is strapped for cash and faced with the decision to push the button or not, but in this clip James Marsden is seen driving what appears to be a very expensive new car. When I saw him driving that car my mind jumped to them having chosen to push the button and become rich, but then again maybe I'm just over-thinking it. Great scene nonetheless.

YoungZer0

Erm, did you watch the trailer? I think the trailer already gave that away.

Emurion

What was that nonsense jump scare? xD

No, this doesn't work for me.

wade7

same here

Shiggy

Saw 'The Box' tonight at my local (Darwin, Australia). Kelly definitely does not hold back on his own brand of weirdness in this film, and there are quite a few re-occurring themes and motifs from his previous efforts. As for it achieving mainstream success, I'm a little sceptical. Sadly, the few other bums in the theatre were utterly unimpressed and actually gave a couple of audible "that's it?" remarks as the credits rolled. I, on the other hand, was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. The acting, suspense and mystery are all top-notch and there's a decent amount of heart to be found here as well. Here's hoping U.S. audiences are a little kinder to this film than the mouth-breathers in my town.

Richard Faulder

Is there perhaps a non-USA-only clip that the rest of the world could watch?

Name

nothing like watching a commercial only to find out that you aren't allowed to watch the actual video.

Propadanda

Like Shiggy, I saw this tonight as well. I agree with pretty much everything he said, there is a lot of weirdness in this film, it may be over the top for some. One review I read described it negatively as working well in parts, but the cohesive sum doesn't pull it together...well I disagree. I had initial reservations about Kelly's choices during the first 5-10mins, but once the story kicks into gear the film becomes this incredibly eerie, suspenseful mindfuck really.

I don't want to go on too much because I might accidentally let slip a spoiler, but this is definitely a unique film, a different brand of horror/sci-fi/suspense tham you'd usually find a Diaz or Marsden in, and I appreciated the film for it's complete disregard of convention. I thought Kelly did a great job, the only let down for me slightly may be in the script, and although I appreciate it I'm not sure if the climax could have been improved on in regards to narrative, but I like that Kelly went the way he did. I thought the acting was good but without a doubt the score is definitely a major drawcard. It is all you're expecting I think.

I'd also have to agree with Shiggy's comments on mainstream appeal. Although I only live in a smallish town and it was a late session on a Thursday, there was probably around 20 people in the cinema I was in. I think a lot of people will be left in the cold with certain directions the movie goes in, as well as the ending. I can see this becoming a cult hit for sure if it doesn't fare well at the box office.

It's such an imaginative, in some ways refreshing movie, not in the sense that it was the best movie I've seen in a while, it was just different but thrilling all the same. I'd give it three and a half.

returnofthesmith

I also saw the film here in South Australia tonight. I have to say, the film it most reminded me of was "Knowing". It actually shared quite a few similarities, which I won't go into due to makor spoilers. The cinematography, musical score and acting were all top notch. Once the story unravels however it kinda turns into a mess, and some of the special effects are really weak. Its worth a watch, and definately bring a friend cause there is plenty of stuff to debate over, just dont expect a masterpiece.

Chris

Here's a YouTube link of the same clip for our non-USA friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEu4Ix4NL0U

Looks excellent I think. The script was really good, trippy stuff, and I'm loving the Herrmann-esque score.

Colonel_Kurtz

I just can't get excited about this movie. The 1st 2 questions that would pop into my mind if someone made this offer to me are: 1. Is that unknown person a former button pusher? and 2. What happens to me when the next person pushes the button? I can't get behind the premise.

Moe Speeks

sorry, this clip did nothing for me.
I think you are just a crazy person for being so compelled by it.

Lynchpin

I'm intrigued merely by the mention of Arcade Fire members scoring the film. Sounds like they're channeling a little Johnny Greenwood angle in the score, perhaps?

THEO

You're a crazy person for being so compelled by it.

As I've said before, this is a remake of Indecent Proposal: characters given $1 million for something morally reprehensible, yet expecting no consequences. There's no "moral dilemma" here; everyone in the theater knows it's wrong and knows there'll be consequences - except, for some reason, the characters in the movie. It's beyond stupid.

Gillian Jacobs is better than this material. (see: Community and Choke)

Name

admired southland tales? really? maybe you can admire its ambition but that quickly gets countered by the execution

Devindra Hardawar

That's exactly what I mean ;) I appreciate ambition, even when the execution may fall short.

super_aj

meh. I think out of context, the clip doesn't make any sense. I'll have to see the whole thing before I can judge, obviously. But it looks relatively average. I guess we'll see soon enough.

Guest

.

babyjaypan

naw no offense im just not feelin this movie at all

patmc

I was more disturbed by your comment that you admired Southland Tales. I thought that Southland was a convoluted, pretentious mess.

I too, though, am looking forward to The Box. The whole conspiracy aspect of it has made me more curious about what the heck is going on. Definitely on my list to see...

mrbubbles

I enjoyed Donnie Darko but Southland Tales made no sense to me. Still, I'm looking forward to this movie

maxk2010

uhh, that kinda sucked... not sure what you or anyone else got all excited about, except maybe the score like you mentioned.

filmpunk33

I don't know, it was cool, but it could have been creepier, maybe I just need to see the set up for it. lynch could have made that scene blow your mind though

Shevanel

Eh...I'm still not excited for this film. I loved Donnie Darko and I enjoyed Southland Tales (I know it's a mess, but I enjoyed obsessing over putting it all together). I don't really remember Domino...but this one just looks too mainstream and dull. I'm hoping Richard Kelly pulls through though.

Corey_J

Richard Kelly is a frigging hack. One day, everyone's going to wake up and realize how much of a failed movie Donnie Darko was. Don't even get me started on Southland Tales... Both of these have only showcased that Kelly shouldn't be making films.

Shiggy

Care to elaborate? Or should we all assume you're smarter than the rest of us and take your word for it?

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