Not only is Southland Tales a study of an extremist sect’s attempt to overthrow political power and a testament to the bonding powers of a handshake among other things, but Kelly’s film is also a mesmerizing trip into the fourth dimension (similar to his freshman masterpiece Donnie Darko). More than anything, Southland Tales is a retelling of the Book of Revelations as predicted by a blonde porn-star/fashion designer/energy drink entrepreneur. As her vision comes to life through her screenplay, it results in the End of Days for the core characters. It’s just like she said, “When the power is realized, the world ends.”

In a world of mega-zeppelins, paladin bodies, US-Ident, Serpentine Dream Theory, “Fluid Karma,” and Neo-Marxists, Kelly’s creativity shines. One could say that there is enough packed into Southland Tales for ten movies. With that said, it is hard to believe that the original Cannes cut, which was booed resoundingly, possessed a longer running time. Nonetheless, in uniting the futuristic allegory of The Matrix, the LA perplexing profundity of Mulholland Drive, and the multiple character/biblical apocalypse of Magnolia, you arrive at Southland Tales — innovative in its own right, yet obvious in its stimuli.

Directorial influences are apparent in David Lynch (in its LA setting, dual character portraits, and inclusion of Rebekah Del Rio — all indicative of Mulholland Drive), Terry Gilliam (in its futuristic/satirical sci-fi sense a la Brazil), and Robert Altman (in its epic ensemble cast and texture). Literal poetry muses arrive in the form of T.S. Eliot’s “The Hollow Men” and Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Traveled” — hence, the Eliot/Frost ’08 presidential campaign. What’s more, the titles of chapters IV-VI are all derived from the name of songs by Garbage, Moby, and The Pixies respectively. In spite of the inspirations, Southland Tales is one of the most original cinematic works to date.

Getting back to the cluster headache metaphor... Southland Tales is more episodic than chronic. While the dual pattern of questions and craziness repeats itself, you will receive treated sustained relief if you come equipped with the back-story. In other words, read the graphic novel, and then place this picture into your DVD player. All the while, remain conscious that you are pressing the “on” switch on a motion picture vacuum; Southland Tales will suck you in on multiple levels and may cloud your mind with dust. Even so, sift through the filter; afterward, you will come to appreciate the cleanliness and the matter-of-fact involvement on multiple passes.