Double Dip Demands is a column in which I propose films that deserve a re-release on DVD/Blu-Ray with more special features, better transfers and other nerdy bits. Some of the films have no DVDs out there for Region 1 viewers, and some of them have a really crappy version that's bare bones or poorly put together. Who speaks for these films? I do.

The Film: Southland Tales (2006)

Cast & Crew: Richard Kelly (writer/director): Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar, John Laroquette, Wallace Shawn, Wood Harris, Lou Pucci, Christopher Lambert, Jon Lovitz, Justin Timberlake, Mandy Moore, Cheri Oteri, Amy Poehler, Kevin Smith, Nora Dunn

Plot Synopsis (via IMDB): Southland Tales is an ensemble piece set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles on July 4, 2008, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster. Boxer Santaros is an action star who's stricken with amnesia. His life intertwines with Krysta Now, an adult film star developing her own reality television project, and Ronald Taverner, a Hermosa Beach police officer who holds the key to a vast conspiracy.

Is it Out Currently? Yes on DVD (with some extras) and Blu-Ray (with a bit more).

Why Does it Deserve Special Features? Richard Kelly's magnum opus, Southland Tales, is a complete disaster. It premiered to scathing reviews and lots of booing at Cannes. Then it trimmed down about 15 minutes, reshot a few scenes, added some dialogue and effects and was re-released on the world - to scathing reviews and lots of booing. So why does a film that Nathan Rabin labeled a "Fiasco" deserve another release? Because it's utterly unique. Southland Tales is a weird synthesis of Philip K. Dick, Douglas Copeland,Robert Altman, Raymond Chandler, Jonathan Lethem, MTV, Saturday Night Live and a slew of college freshman political science, philosophy and sociology courses - often taking the weakest aspects of each of these influences when adding it to the stew. But here's the thing: it has a lot of good stuff in that abominable amalgamation. From the (oft mentioned) Justin Timberlake lip synching scene, to the semi-clever sci-fi aspects, to a lot of the visuals and a many of the characters - Kelly created a rich world that was intriguing and, if taking piece by piece, would be ultimately rewarding. Unfortunately, each piece belongs to the work as a whole, and so a scene played for comedy runs up against deadly serious characters, and vice versa. But it covers a lot of ground - from the energy crisis, to Patriot Act, to worshipping of celebrities, the way media manipulates reality, the impotent protestations of the Left, the need for drugs and escape...each of these elements stays with the viewer for many nights afterwards. Unfortunately, it usually culminates in "If only Kelly hadn't then done..." but still - it's always more impressive to find films that stay with you and vex you than forgettable movies that are lost in a sea of apathy.

What Should Be on the Disc?

• Commentary
  • Writer/Director Richard Kelly (possibly re-use the one from the Blu-Ray)
  • Cast Members The Rock, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott, Amy Poehler, Kevin Smith, etc.
  • Critics Nathan Rabin, Devin Faraci, Massawyrm from Ain't It Cool News
  • Filmmakers Kevin Smith, Eli Roth, Richard Kelly talk about the movie (Roth & Smith are in the movie).
• Prequel Graphic Novels
  • Richard Kelly wrote three prequel graphic novels that really just give away the plot of the movie but don't provide any new insight or depth. It'd be cool to animate these, make them into motion comics or something.
• Scoring the Apocalypse
  • Talking with Moby about his score for the film, why he decided to do it, and how he chose the music he did.

  

• You Don't Know Dick
  • Jonathan Lethem, Richard Kelly, Richard Linklater and others discuss the legacy of Philip K. Dick - not just in films and arts, but also his vision of the future. A look at all of the references to Dick's work in the films (flow my tears, the brothers Taverner, etc.)
• Armageddon Night Live
  • Interviews with all of the former Saturday Night Live castmembers in Southland Tales (Jon Lovitz, Nora Dunn, Amy Poehler, Cheri Oteri) 
• Krysta Now...ish.
  • Sarah Michelle Gellar on the creation of Krysta Now, the one woman porn/media mogul/industry.
  • Footage from Krysta's talk show
  • Music Video for "Teen Horniness is Not a Crime"
• The Rapture is Brought to You with Promotional Consideration By...
  • Feature on the various influences that made the film - including a look at the conflation between government, media, war and commerce and how it all ties in to the growing belief/desire that The World is Going to End.
• Deleted scenes, outtakes, trailers, etc.

The trailer for Southland Tales: