Rating: 
Summary: Dark DARKO
Review: DONNIE DARKO has been playing midnight shows at a local art house theater here in D.C. I thought I'd rent it, since it seemed to have a loyal following.The story, in a nutshell, is about a troubled teen (Donnie) who has visions of a rabbit who tells him the world will end. The film, written and directed by Richard Kelly, captures the high school angst that I remember so well. Kelly is young, and some of the film's themes are executed a bit heavy-handedly, but the heart of the film is constant. The time travel aspect of Kelly's script was a bit confusing -- I admit, though, that DONNIE DARKO probably requires a few viewings as there are themes and story points that make more sense after repeated viewings. DARKO's cast is really incredible. What a potpourri of talent! Mary McDonnell is soooooo good. Katharine Ross (THE GRADUATE, BUTCH CASSIDY) is a welcomed presence as Donnie's therapist. Patrick Swayze (!) is great as a guru with a secret. Drew Barrymore (who produced DARKO) stretches herself as a liberal teacher at Donnie's school. Of course, Jake Gyllenhaal, as Donnie, is really wonderful. He's tortured and sensitive. The DVD looks great and the bonus stuff is kinda cool - especially when you can view pages from the Time Travel book!
Rating: 
Summary: It turned out I wasn't crazy
Review: I caught this movie on HBO and fell in love with it so I bought it off of amazon. Since then I've watched it 37 times (to this point). Not being a particularly obessive person I decided to run a little test and began touting it to my family, friends, neighbors, people in the check out line at the store or who happen to be sitting next to me in traffic with their window down.
This movie is smart, well made and wonderfully acted. (Drew Barrymore is a little annoying as the english teacher but she did produce and bring this mavel to the screen so I let it go).
To get back to my test... every and I repeat every person who could give me feedback has either loved it, adored it or gone out and purchased it (which must mean they love or adore it).
For those of you who love to think and can see the pathos built into this world on a daily basis... this movie is 'It's a wonderful life' told from the viewpoint... 'How would people's lives be if I lived'.
Buy this or I'll question your commitment to sparkle motion!
OR maybe I am CRAZY
Rating:
Summary: Donnie is dark, but brilliant...
Review: This is the second movie I bought on DVD without seeing it first (after Memento, see my ***** review). Wait a minute! I lied. Not exactly lied, but distorting the truth a little bit - I was reccomended DONNIE DARKO after buying Memento, but it seemed a bit much for my taste - end of the world, time-travel, aliens, giant bunny rabbits - it sounded like an artistic mess David Lynch is capable of delivering combined with a talking animals in clothing (talking chimps come to mind that should be forbidden) - but it intrigued me enough to keep an eye on it. After a few months, I visited a friend I haven't seen a long time and he says: "I have something to show you..." He plugs in his PC and shows me the beginning of Donnie Darko. I was struck in awe after an introductory bicycle scene and the decision was made. I made him stop the movie so I can enjoy it with the real 5.1 sound and picture. I ordered it at the amazon the very same day. Upon writing this review, I thought to myself: "Rather than telling you what the movie really is about, I'll tell the story of how I came to become a very satisfied owner of it." So, I did that and hope to induce enough intrigue for someone to buy or not to buy the movie. But, in my humble opinion, everyone who considers himself or herself movie-buff must have this film. I almost forgot! The DVD is loaded with excellent extras, including a whopping 20 deleted or extended scenes with or without commentary, but believe me - after seeing the movie you won't be able to go through that unless your heart is made of stone or you're a Vulcan... Or simply if you're stupid and say: "I don't get it." But then, why bother with this? Go buy "The Fast and The Furious" instead and knock yourself out...
Rating:
Summary: I'm hunting wabbit
Review: I think this film really stands out against all other movies of that year. I think the acting is superb(Gyllenhall, and there were definite surprise(Patrick Swayze); I think that the influence of the late eighties is obvious and handled with authority by the director...future seems bright for him.
Rating:
Summary: i think i will tattoo frank the bunny on me now
Review: this movie is amazing. it is full of great imagery, crisp clean filmography that blends seamlessly into the special effects. Great acting and a great soundtrack, Donnie Darko takes you on a journey with its main character that you will never forget.
there is talk of time travel, burning houses down, flooding a school, a joy division song, a giant bunny, and Donnie even takes his girlfriend to see THE EVIL DEAD.
i don't want to give it away just know that this movie is riveting or eye opening and funny. Did you like memento, the usual suspects, dark crystal, or final destination this is great too. buy it now. i have seen this movie 20 plus times, it is worth three times the amount it costs. I h
Rating: 
Summary: Freaked Me Out
Review: First , I LOVE bizzare films (see Welcome to WoopWoop, Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead). Second, I couldn't believe the same Drew Barrymore who flashed her hotchamatata's to David Letterman would have the brilliance to produce this film! This movie draws you in from scene one. You have no idea whether the `hero' is psycotic when he sees Frank The Giant Rabbit, or sees things we just don't. And Patrick Swayze as the charismatic Love/Hate guru was a stroke of genius. You hate him and his bible thumping followers...and then you find out his secret truth. From the moment we know Donnie is `different', to the moment the jet engine crashes through his bedroom, to the final moment when HE discovers reality, WE don't know the reality. Donnie sees things no one else can, and they have to do with time travel and different possibilites of the future. Personally, I loved the aged alzheimers woman who goes to her mailbox, sees nothing there, walks away, and turns in the middle of the dirt road, to see if something may have been placed in her mailbox while her back was turned (she is the secret to the film...). My only tsk tsk is they could have done more with her... This is a film of teen angst, the futility of correcting a wrong space/time has decreed, and an EXCELLENT sci-fi-eerie-romance. Some high profile actors (Noah Wylie for one) took on this movie in minor roles( I LOVE that cameo mystique...). Dark irony rules here. I'll tell you how good this film was....I watched this instead of CSI. I bought this DVD. My friends who saw it were awed and bought it. Do NOT miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing...
Review: Basically everything about this film is great. The movie is eerie, thoughtful, interesting and complimented with wonderful acting from Jake Gyllenhaal (along with the rest of the cast) and with music that seems to have been made for this story. Every time i watch it, i find something new, a new angle, and am still pondering what i believe happened and what the story is all about.
Rating:
Summary: donnie darko a must SEE
Review: this film has to be one of the greatest films of all time. it has a clever story and characters you can relate to in real life, except frank the giant bunny which is a clever thing in its own way. If you don't own this film buy it NOW. it's a must see and a must own all round for everyone. The basic storyline is a boy who sleep walks and sees a giant bunny called frank telling him the world is going to end. It has a lot to do with time travel....
Rating:
Summary: doesn't live up to the hype
Review: This is one of those few cases when I think the vast majority of reviews thus far are mistaken. I don't think this movie is nearly as good as these "ravers" say it is. For starters, when you're watching a movie and you're continuously aware that your listening to a script, something's not right. The dialogue is mediocre at best, unfortunately preventing any characters from establish themselves as believable. Also, this "political commentary" that supposedly makes this an intelligent film consists only of fleeting references to 80's politics and culture. These additions do not culminate in a deep, philosophical statement, as one expects of films which utilize this element, and they certainly don't add to the plot. Fortunately this movie is not entirely a lost cause. Several things make it just slightly more than bearable. First, the soundtrack is interesting. I like most of the 80's tunes throughout the film, and the ambient dronings contribute to the varying, though predominantly dark, atmosphere of the movie. Jake Gyllenhaal makes Donnie one of the few (almost) believable characters in the movie. Its a shame he didn't have a better script to further develop his character. Also, the concept of the plot is actually quite good. I can see how one could develop a very good story around it. Lastly, the scant attempts at humor are generally successful, and make the film roll by a bit faster. Unfortunately, the movie's shortcomings ultimately lead to its failure as a legitimate competitor among other recent releases. The ideas are too scattered and unorganized, the script is terrible, and the characters are cartoonish. It's obvious this is a debut film. Nevertheless, it is worth seeing Donnie Darko for its thought-provoking plot ideas and entertainment value.
Rating:
Summary: Deep Darko
Review: Donnie Darko is a must see. Confusing at first but shot brilliantly. Donnie Darko is played amazingly by Jake Gyllenhaal, who really brought the character to life with a deep meaning, he has a gift to make you think about the truth of the story, it really touched me. The writer and first time director have amzing minds. And a big thanks to Drew Barrymore for making it possible. twisted and surreal yet with all the truths of teenage angst, it is now one of my favorate films and i recommend it to all.
(Frank the six foot rabbit is a touch of genius, that six foot demonic rabbit is the high light of the film!)
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