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The Skulls (2000)

Director: Rob Cohen

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From Time Out Film Guide

Members of Yale's real-life secret society, the Skull and Bones, have included business magnates, CIA men and (purportedly) both Presidents Bush. This nugget is more thought provoking than anything else in Rob Cohen's pulpy thriller, which is a blend of po-faced seriousness and knuckle-headed miscalculation. Jackson, from TV's Dawson's Creek, is the rowing star from a humble background who gets the call from 'The Skulls', where most of his fellow inductees are the scions of old money. Having passed the scary initiation rites, Jackson is presented with a wad of money and a new sports car, which helps ease the hot iron branding on his wrist. The Skulls are so very secret that even though they have their own building on campus with catacombs, spires and a logo on top, nobody ever seems to notice it. Will Jackson blow the whistle? The mysterious suicide of college reporter Harper helps make up his mind, priming us for a thriller finale, even though the movie's unintentionally played like a comedy all the way.

Author: TJ

Time Out Film Guide


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