Written and directed by Richard Kelly and employing most of the creative team of his 2001 film "Donnie Darko," the picture was conceived in tandem with three graphic novels that tell the story leading up to the end-of-the-world scenario depicted in "Southland Tales." The film strives to rank alongside such classics as "Brazil" and "Blade Runner" but falls more into the category of "Mars Attacks!" and "1941," and boxoffice potential will rely on very tolerant young audiences. Kelly, cinematographer Steven Poster, production designer Alexander Hammond and costumer April Ferry succeed in putting some impressive images on the screen as the city of Los Angeles sees its final days.

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