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The Skulls (2000)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 5/24

Skulls
5/24: The Skulls has an intriguing premise, but the execution is somewhat poor.

Joshua Jackson is average while Paul Walker is awful and Leslie Bibb is annoying. It's safe to say none of them is a certified thespian. However, I like the cinematography which is particularly strong throughout. The guy who handled it is Shane Hurlbut, and he was actually the victim of the infamous Christian Bale tirade incident which occurred during the filming of Terminator Salvation. By the way, nothing was shot on location at Yale University; it was instead done in Toronto, Canada.

I don't understand why the all-white Skulls club would select somebody with zero connections; that's like asking for trouble. At any rate, I assumed it had a contingency plan in case if the newly inducted member didn't pan out as expected, but there isn't any. When the black friend got mad at Lucas for joining the Skulls club, I sensed a huge gay subtext. After Lucas and Caleb made the cut and were initiated into the club, what about the rest of the others? Who are they?

For a club that claims to be secretive, there are plenty of contradictions. One is the branding of the logo on the wrist. What if one of them is arrested? It'll be profiled and catalogued for life just like the tattoos of gang members. Ditto for the key they wear around their necks. Then, there's the watch to cover the logo. Once a model is known, it'll be forever associated with the club. Not to miss are the labels all over the building; now, the members can be easily identified by going in and out of it.

All in all, The Skulls needs a better cast and a stronger script.