Rating: 
Summary: Donnie Sucko
Review: I cannot believe that this movie is receiving such high praise. I would easily rank this film as one of the worst movies I have ever seen (right up there with "Spawn," and "Cool World"). The story line was very hard to follow and the characters were never fully developed. It almost seems like the director had a lot of ideas about how to piece together this film...but couldn't execute. This made for one long and drawn out movie. Let's put it this way...there is a reason why this movie lasted 5 seconds in the theatre.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant, Original Movie with Outstanding Soundtrack
Review: The thunder rumbled away through the distant mountains, we left the young man lying in the middle of the road, and the first notes of Echo and the Bunnymen's "Killing Moon" rung out. I was spellbound for the next 113 minutes.Set in the late 80's Donnie Darko is the story of a young man's alienation through mental illness and general teenage angst. Soon after a jet engine mysteriously crashes into Donnie's bedroom he starts receiving visits from a prophetic character in a strange rabbit costume named Frank. His subsequent interactions with Frank, teachers, friends, family, and his therapist weave a completely original and absorbing tale. Donnie's interest in time travel and anxiety about Frank's apocolyptic predictions move the story forward in a completely unpredictable way. There is a great deal of humour, especially with Donnie's disdain for the local self help guru. The usual high school teen-drama characters present themselves but they are fleshed out with uncommon depth in this movie, Donnie's family are likeable and very functional, his teachers have lives outside school and his girlfriend has a multi-dimensional personality with troubles of her own. A hypnotic and darkly beautiful original soundtrack is complemented by one of the best selections of eighties music I have heard in recent memory. Honestly the way this music is integrated with such meaning and purpose to the film's narative you'd think it was written for it. From "Killing Moon" in the opening scene, tracks from bands like Tears for Fears and Joy Division complement perfectly every time. In one scene where Donnie's halucinations get a little out of hand "Under the Milky Way" by Australian band the Church is used so well I got a rush of blood to the head, and the final scene uses a re-working of Tears for Fears "Mad World" to great tragic effect. Some reviewers have been upset by what they see as a confusing ending, but I found the ending deeply moving and satisfying, as I did the movie as a whole.
Rating:
Summary: The Web Site is Key
Review: I watched the VHS version, so I don't know if there are other clues in the DVD features that I missed, but the key to understanding this film lies in reading the "Philosophy of Time Travel" by Roberta Sparrow posted on the Donnie Darko website. This fictional (i.e. made-up by the movies creators) book states the assumptions that the movie's plot works off of. Specifically, the details of the parallel universe, time travel and the role of people in the parallel universe are explained. After watching the movie and going through the web site, I watched the movie again and everything made sense. It went from being "good but confusing" to "brilliant." What you come to realize is that everything in the movie, literally almost every conversation, is intimately but subtly linked to another and building to a final outcome. If you walk away understanding the important role that Drew Barrymore has in the series of events (who at first watch seems insignificant) - which really is no more or no less important than any other character in the grand scheme of things - then it should all make sense. All of the other themes such as teen alienation, pop culture, etc, provide commentary on the world while at the same time working to advance the plot. An amazing movie.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest movies ever
Review: This strange movie has become a bit of an underground sensation. Most people haven't even heard of it but it's huge on the alternative scene. The first time you see it, you're just going to be like, "Huh?" and you're going to want to watch it again, immediately. It pulls you in.
Rating:
Summary: Simply put, one of the best movies ever made!
Review: Being a huge fan of avante garde film and film noir, I really looked forward to seeing this movie. I was not disappointed, let me tell you! As everyone has said before me, it's a film that defies categorization or simple description. You'll find yourself thinking about this movie for at least a week after viewing it. It's about so many things - time travel, choices, the nature of the universe, reality . . . . it's just an amazing film. The cast is superb, especially Jake Gyllenhall (sp?), who is now forever etched in my mind as Donnie Darko. He was so natural in this role, I completely forgot he was acting. He *was* Donnie Darko! Now I for sure can't see "The Good Girl" because I know I'll keep thinking, "Why is Donnie Darko going out with Jennifer Aniston?" (Plus I don't really like her anyway - but that's another story. ;-) I thought Drew Barrymore did a great job as the teacher, and the initial classroom scene with her is really interesting - I wish I'd had teachers like her in high school! The reactions of all the characters were quite realistic too - there were no pat answers or "movie magic wands" to take away from the real, human drama taking place on the screen. If you find this film confusing, WATCH IT AGAIN, THEN make up your mind whether you like it or not. Even if you love it the first time out (like I did), you will want to watch it again. Every time, you will see something you missed the last time. It's really an amazing film, and rates right next to "Fight Club" (specifically, Tyler's "Middle children of history" speech) for defining the angst and confusion of our generation. One final note: You MUST rent the DVD, NOT the VHS. I'm not sure if it's true for all copies, but the VHS I rented was missing a pivotal scene (!) near the end. I would never have known except I was watching the VHS with a friend who'd seen it on DVD and she mentioned it. And believe me, the scene is essential to fully understanding the ending. One of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. Don't miss it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Donnie Darko
Review: This is one of the weirdest movies that I have seen in a long time, but was most entertaining. It really made you think about things in an entirely different light. This movie can change your whole world if you let it.
Rating:
Summary: brilliant cinematography
Review: what threw me for a loop when i read the description on the dvd case was the demonic rabbit. who came up with that idea? i cant begin to understand the imagery in the film but i loved it. this film is funny, no, hilarious. but also dark and disturbing and sad. the last sequence of the film was ... beautifully tragic and sad. whoever did the cinematography on this film should've gotten some award for it. and the director too, i thought his direction was brilliant also. i was stunned by the beautiful images that floated across my screen and into my conscious and subconscious, b/c now i can't get it out of my head, like a good film should. it would be a mistake to at least sit down and watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Weird
Review: I notice that some people rated this convoluted mess of a movie highly. WHY> Maby it is an age thing. I am an adult older american. Maby for some reason I could not fathom young people like this mess.It was a waste of money. A film that could have said everything it wanted to say in one half hour. The rest is puff.
Rating: 
Summary: Imeanlikeok
Review: How you relate to this film probably depends on your proximity to California, judging by the ten minutes of space cadet commentary I listened to in order to find out what on earth happened at the end of this DVD (still none the wiser.) The afore-mentioned state is either airhead central or the Zen capitol of the world (nay universe) but I'm keeping mum. Despite the fact she never cooks. Kudos to the producers for fooling me into thinking this was a big budget disaster, rather than a small budget one. Down to the photography, I guess.
Rating:
Summary: Gen X-ers will love this movie
Review: If you liked Heathers, Brazil, or Edward Scissorhands, you will love this movie. The entire cast is fantastic (except for Drew Barrymore, but we can forgive her since she executive produced the movie), the soundtrack is wonderful, the effects are beautiful for a movie that didn't cost much by Hollywood standards to make. This is a cult fave in the making. I have found that 20-30 somethings love this movie; but people from our parents' generation do not get it, just as they don't get the other movies I listed above. There are plot holes and other imperfections, but overall this movie is a revelation. Do yourself a favor and buy/rent it now!
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