In the bonus section on the dvd for The Skulls is one of those on-the-set documentaries about the movie where they interviewed Josh Jackson and Paul Walker and the director about how this was one of the most important movies of the 20th century (or something to that affect). Of course, in the interviews with JJack and Leslie Bibb and Hill Harper, they’re very serious about their Craft and the Script and the Direction and how it was important to them to Dive into their Characters. The director also goes into a lot of detail about how the movie is so important because it gives a good message to young people (no lie: he thinks that the movie’s message is that you can risk everything to get back your soul and he goes into this whole Faust analogy which included a lot of nervous giggling… point being that he at least thought that this movie was better quality than the average teen movie, and I’m not gonna argue with him, because I don’t enjoy arguing with people who are delusional). Anyway, Paul Walker’s interviews are, of course, a little more Paul Walker, where he gives off his typical Paul Walker impression of, “This is… the movie… I can’t remember the name of it, does anyone remember? I did this movie, is the thing. And I played a character.” He just seems very uninvolved.
But, as deep as my love for Josh Jackson runs, I have to say that the thing about The Skulls that keeps me watching it over and over is PWalk’s Caleb Mandrake. I mean, there’s nothing better in this movie, I’m sorry. Did you want a list? That can be arranged: The 15 Reasons Paul Walker’s Performance Makes the Movie
15. He Has an Amazing Shooting Face
That wasn’t supposed to sound as dirty as it does. But, there it is. Plus, he’s wearing a tuxedo. And holding an old-timey gun. This movie is amazing.
14. He Can Tie a Bow Tie
Because he’s rich. Get it? Btw, his hands were really shakey.
13. The Worst Thing He Ever Did Was Become Cougar Bait
I don’t really see how that’s the worst, especially since it was his mom’s friend, not, like, his ex-girlfriend’s mom or something. (I mean, we know that the WORST worst was accidentally letting JJack’s best friend die and then allowing a suicide-coverup to take place. But, while they were locked in this metal cage together and being lowered into a hole in the floor and being forced to reveal secrets to each other – I know, right? – he didn’t know yet that JJack knew that he knew that HE knew that he knew. That he knew. So, he didn’t talk about the death.) I mean, really.
12. He Shot His Dad
His dad WAS just about to shoot JJack, so it was partly in defense of a friend. But it was also because his dad sucked and was trying to make him think that he was responsible for a death that his DAD was responsible for. Check out how mad that other guy is!
11. He’s a Shy Boxer
When he wants to dismiss Leslie Bibb, he turns to the corner of the room and continues to quietly box to himself.
10. He’s Mad And He Doesn’t Care Who Knows It
When his car is broken into and his giant Skulls key is stolen, he doesn’t just scream. He lays into the horn.
9. He’s Aggro About Sympathy
Hallmark card? Bitch, please. While everyone else is quietly stunned about a death of a friend, PWalk runs up to the crowd shouting JJack’s name over and over till he finds him to loudly proclaim that he’s sorry about what happened.
8. He Takes Pain Like a Man
The guy is being branded – BRANDED – and this is his reaction. You could say it’s bad acting, but I think he just made a Choice that Caleb Mandrake is made of tougher stuff than that.
7. He Likes to Have a Good Time
The new inductees to the Skulls were given a mystery beverage to drink, passed out, and were brought to this inexplicable room with water and stone lily pads and coffins and recessed lighting. Everyone just sort of stumbles quietly and dazedly out of their coffins, but PWalk emerges thusly.
6. All the Skulls Get Prositutes … Caleb Mandrake Gets Two
One with a mildly horrified look on her face. But, two, nonetheless.
While JJack gets one. Whose hair hasn’t been washed in three weeks, from the looks of it.
5. He Cries For His Friends
JJack is publicly dumped and humiliated and PWalk’s eyes brim with tears. He’s such a good friend.
4. He Doesn’t Want You to Get It Twisted
He’s challenged to a duel. Yes, he has to ask about twenty times to find out exactly what a duel is. But, once he knows, he reacts thusly. With a WTF face. Bad actor? My ass!
3. He Doesn’t Swim Moats, He Jumps Them
Right after he calls a group of fellow college seniors “gentlemen.” And not only that…
But, he inspires moat jumping and the use of the word “gentlemen” in polite company in others as well.
2. When He Wants to Help a Friend Understand Something, He Doesn’t Use Words
1. He Can’t Keep a Straight Face
Well, that’s slightly misleading. The whole movie is PWalk with a straight face, because he kind of can’t show emotion. But, when it comes to HAVING to keep a straight face? Just watch him after the 45-year-old college senior next to him asks a question about the task they have to complete to show their loyalty:
If they had cut away a second sooner, I might never have seen this! Thank your local editor today, please.
I stumbled upon your blog and saw this entry. I had to stop and read it, because I’ve never seen anyone talk about this movie (or maybe I haven’t looked hard enough). Point is, I love this movie, and your Paul Walker commentary had me cracking up. As much as I love Joshua Jackson, too, there’s just something about that Caleb Mandrake!