Flakes
(2007/Genius DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C Extras: C- Film: C+
Thanks to
a screenplay by Chris Poche and Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run), Michael Lehmann (Hudson
Hawk, Heathers) finally made a
good film after 22 years of trying, even in spite of himself. Flakes
(2007) is a story about a group of off-kilter people that is centered on the
successful independent eatery of the title that sells breakfast cereal. Run by Neal (Aaron Stanford of The Hills Have Eyes remake and the X-Men franchise, who is very good here)
who loves the culture and nostalgia that surrounds breakfast cereals and the
once mighty Saturday morning cartoon blocks that once ruled the big three TV
networks. He knows the history, deep
meaning and fun involved, even if he was not around for much of it.
Neal even
buys older boxes of unopened, discontinued (highly collectible) brands and has
an interest in a zany gal (the always fun Zooey Deschanel) who has her beliefs
in something more than the usual boring living based on formulas and no
future. They like each other and she
keeps encouraging him to make his music CD, but he has other issues, despite
the great community that has built around the store. The story then takes some very funny twists
and despite its director, remains entertaining to the end. Of course, he fails to get the most out of
the material, it possibilities and possible expectations, but what do you
expect from a director whose work ranges from cult work to big bombs?
Still,
Christopher Lloyd turns in his best work in years, the cast has chemistry and all
make this a DVD worth going out of your way for. Just don’t be surprised if you get hungry and
wish this was better.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is a little soft, but does not look bad
for what does look like an HD shoot. If
not, this is a film shoot with some digital internegative motion blur. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is compressed,
poor, has mixing issues and sadly, there is not a 2.0 option. Extras include deleted scenes and a trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo
