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List Price: $9.99 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 50985
Released: October 24, 2000 |
| Our Price: $3.37 |
| Used Price: $0.22 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Lucas enjoys extreme privileges provided by an Ivy League secret society until he tries to expose an accidental death.
Genre: Horror
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 28-MAR-2006
Media Type: DVD
Description of The Skulls (Collector's Edition):
Think of the Skulls as a collegiate Freemason's society--an ultrasecret organization that opens the doors of power to a few lucky Ivy League students, including school rowing star Luke McNamara (Joshua Jackson), a poor kid with a misspent youth. "If it's secret and it's elite, it can't be good," cautions his journalist roommate, but the lure of lavish gifts and cabal-like ceremonies in torch-lit stone chambers is too much to resist--until his roomie is murdered and his own Skull "soulmate" Caleb Mandrake (Paul Walker) is the number one suspect.
There's a campy kick to the initiation ceremonies, ancient rituals in dungeonlike alcoves filled with haze and shadow, performed by enthralled frat boys, but as Jackson flounders at the center of a Skull conspiracy it spins into ludicrous melodrama. See the college president become a thug for the Skull godfather! See street punks become high-tech criminal masterminds! See the conspiracy collapse under its own absurdity!
Jackson is pretty much a dud as the well-meaning hero, but Walker, with flashing eyes under furrowed brow, is mesmerizing as a haunted rich kid torn between a ruthless, overbearing father (Craig T. Nelson) and his conscience. Director Rob Cohen drives the film at a galloping pace and fills it with foreboding images, but his humorless solemnity finally buries The Skulls in a heap of clichés. --Sean Axmaker
The Skulls (Collector's Edition) Reviews:
OK yarn will please target audience 
2009-10-08 -
THE SKULLS
(USA - 2000)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS
After being recruited to a secret society operating behind closed doors at his Ivy League university, a young student (Joshua Jackson) becomes suspicious of the organization's ringleaders following the unexpected 'suicide' of a close friend (Hill Harper) who had set out to expose the society's criminal methods.
The cross-pollination of film and television continues apace with this entertaining yarn, featuring a number of well-known TV faces, including Craig T. Nelson ("The District"), William L. Petersen ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") and Steve Harris ("The Practice") as the token grown-ups, and Leslie Bibb ("Popular") as Jackson's love interest. Paul Walker (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) is the golden-haired jock who seems to know more about Harper's tragic death than he's prepared to admit.
On hiatus from "Dawson's Creek", Jackson coasts through proceedings on the strength of his TV persona (smart, plucky and wise beyond his years), battling the age-old rituals of an ancient cabal which moulds a selection of today's student body into tomorrow's politicians and business leaders, and will stop at nothing to conceal its activities from the outside world. Murder and mayhem are the order of the day, though the movie is flawed by a couple of implausible plot twists and a rather tepid climax. Beautifully photographed by Shane Hurlbut; directed by Rob Cohen (DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY).
Followed by THE SKULLS II (2002).
To what end shall power be maintained? 
2009-09-23 - The primary purpose of The Skulls is to give viewers and inside look at the lives of the influential power brokers who rule the world clandestinely through politics, nepotism, college admission grandfather clauses, and most importantly secret societies. Luke McNamara (Joshua Jackson) - roommate to snoopy school reporter Will (Hill Harper) - is one of the lucky few tapped to become a member of The Skulls, a prestigious and exclusive organization at his college. Paired with Caleb Mandrake (Paul Walker), the son of the current chairman, the two go through initiation (the cookie scene is conspicuously absent) and discover the political and power struggles within the organization, and lengths to which some might go to maintain control, are potentially life threatening.
Secondary to the synopsis, however, The Skulls provides the viewer with four immutable truths.
One, Joshua Jackson will never outlive his Pacey Witter role on Dawson's Creek. It is difficult to start your career as second fiddle to James Van Der Beek and live it down. It's reminiscent of the old farmer story, where he does wonderful things lifelong, various philanthropic endeavors, and feels he doesn't deserve the nickname he's been given when caught one fateful night in a barn with a farm animal. Some things can't be forgotten.
Two, it provides the first meaningful and noticeable film time for the beautiful Leslie Bibb's (Ricky Bobby's wife on Talledega Nights). She exudes confidence, sexiness, compassion, and timing that helps a movie that is slow moving at times move along flawlessly.
Three, societies like the Skull and Bones portrayed in this movie are irritatingly secretive. Told through the lens of a Skulls' benefits (i.e. money, women, fame, power), the insider's point of view only enhances the feeling many feel towards the members and the head start in life they are given. On the other hand, we also see the converse of the media, who bring with them nosiness, pushiness, and sometimes illegality. Many in the press misconstrue their rights believing how they get the story inconsequential, their scoop superseding the law.
Four, the most stone cold lock of this movie is Paul Walker's character. He is unequivocally the best privileged, silver spoon, son of a doctor/lawyer/congressman, actor there is in Hollywood. Nobody else since Keanu Reeves can pull off the slack-jawed, glassy-eyed, happy to be here, "Aw Shucks" of which Paul is capable. It wouldn't surprise me if he were an honorary member of a secret society on looks alone.
Along with Craig T. Nelson and William Peterson, the cast is superb, especially considering how this movie was received. All other aspects are equally enjoyable, right down to the last confrontation and application of archaic society rules. Well thought out, clever and suspenseful at times, the production values are top notch. I actually enjoyed this movie more than most.
Jason Elin
I lOVE THIS MOVIE! 
2009-09-21 - I've been looking for this movie for awhile and am so glad I found it here! Thanks!
Good watch, but apparently not for everyone
2009-06-17 - I enjoyed this movie. Nothing fancy, just an light-interesting story, and some solid acting. From some of the reviews I read, apparently it's not for everyone-but those people should review the movie, and not inject their pet peeves, or like or dislikes for an actor. That's not what this is about. Like the one that wants to 'fight' Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Get a grip! If you want a good watch, try this movie. I don't think you'll go wrong.
Quality of Packaging
2009-05-29 - Received the order in a timely manner, that was good. Contents of the package some how made it. The package ends fold in and were never taped, came with one end open where contents could slide out. Other end was still closed but could have done same thing. The ends do not have or utilize any locking tab. Tape the ends guys. Other than that every things is was as sold. I would buy from this vendor again hoping this was an oversight.
jerryb
