Rating: 
Summary: Drop Dead Amazing
Review: I was unable to catch Donnie Darko in theatrical release because it was not in my area. But I pre-ordered the DVD and It finally came. I just watched it and..... it floored me!!! I won't really say anything about the story. Because you really should watch this film the first time Cold. Let me say that I have liked few films as much as I liked this. The second after it finished watching it I wanted to start it over and watch it again, and only a handful films have ever made me want to do this. I really love this film and I've already reccomended it to all my friends. Great film! Must See!
Rating: 
Summary: Donnie Darko
Review: This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen and that's pretty bad becous I like just about every movie. The only good thing was Barrymores acting.
Rating:
Summary: Powered by originality
Review: This is an incredibly dark, comedic, and somber film that largely lacks in linear narrative, but covers its ground well with a stunningly original plot and quirky, tone-shifting atmosphere. At any one moment, you could be howling with laughter, staring in disbelief, or form goosebumps from overall creepiness. The most satisfying fact is that it is all done extraordinarily well, servicing up what is--in my opinion--one of the best build-ups and conclusions I've seen in a film since SEVEN.The movie is nothing like SEVEN. It is the story of a 1988 teenager named Donnie Darko. While at first seeming to have the cliched problems of teen angst and a dysfunctional family, his world slowly opens up to someone with a deep, psychological malfuntion. He takes commands from a giant rabbit while sleepwalking. One night, while out talking to this rabbit, he is told that the world is coming to an end in 28 days. While he is out that evening, a jet engine that fell off an aircraft destroys his room. That's all I'll say as far as plot, and I only have said that much because it all happens in the first fifteen minutes. After that is a mystical journey through Donnie's mind. While serving up a ton of foreshadowing and plot devices (which seem pointless until the film concludes), writer/director Richard Kelly gracefully churns out political satire, comedy, and insightful views on human nature and teenage rebellion. I was also impressed by how well the characters developed, no matter how small or insignifican their roles seem to be. They're all important in the overall scope of the film. Like I said earlier, this movie does lack a linear narrative. However, I feel that is overshadowed by how well it covers all the issues it presents. This is a hard thing to do, but it is occasionally done really well (MAGNOLIA, SHORT CUTS). The conclusion is something that will probably turn this into a bit love/hate film, if you throw things like implausibility and suspension of disbelief. However, I am a big fan of such things, and I am tired of cash-filled, gutless Hollywood endings which are geared towards profitibility. This film is risky, but made with some incredibly promising talent. I, for one, love it for everything it is.
Rating:
Summary: Supurb filmmaking
Review: Donnie Darko is one of those rare suprising films that takes all your expectations and throws them in a blender. This whirlwind of teenage 80's schitzo-angst is a treatise on every adolescent "outsider" and their own self-discovery. It takes the idea of justifying ones existence through self-sacrifice and blows it up a hundred-fold to very unique ends. The acting (aside from Barrymore) is subtle and carried through with great care so as not to burden the audience with the state of being that these suburbanites are burdened with. Donnie himself as the center of the film (and later, the universe) is bit player to his own demise and the careful development of his coming to terms with death is like nothing I've ever seen on film. The script and pacing allow for real empathy especially in his therapy sessions where he uncovers the source of his dilemna. Sure, the film is flawed (again, Barrymore's character and some wierd plot devices) but the ride is one of the most original takes on that awkward point in each of our existences. Stunning in every way a film should be.
Rating:
Summary: over-rated, weak, and sad.
Review: It baffles me how many good reviews I keep reading about this movie. I saw it for the first time last weekend, and I'm pretty sure it's the WORST thing I've seen in the last 2 years. It makes the movie Bats look like Citizen Kane. As much as I can be fond of her, Drew Barrymore and this film seemed to struggle towards the same goal: to appear clever. This film left me with questions that I don't even want to know the answers to, mainly about the whole time-frame of the picture (how long has this kid been taking medication, how long has he seen this rabbit, what the hell does The Evil Cult of Swayze have to do with anything?). Maybe I would re-evaluate this film if someone raved about it in an intelligible manner, instead of just saying this Bubble Boy kid is an amazing actor, and it's sooo original. It just seemed like a tired formula of a misunderstood rebellious teen who is supposed to become martyred in the end. The era it takes place in is just about as inconsequential as about 8 of the other "sub-plots". Also, note to the director: Cussing at the dinner table, followed by a little kid repeating it is so well-worn that it's depressing. All this does is make the American Pie kids howl with laughter. Oh yeah, and that "Cellar Door" plot device sticks out like an Eric Roberts Academy Award nomination. If you are looking for something truly psychological that digs its claws into your head, I recommend Barton Fink, The Minus Man, or Straw Dogs. If you're just looking for a more entertaining movie, that's easy, just see if your local family-owned video store carries Disorderlies, The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, or Night of the Creeps. It's a shame that a film like Run Ronnie Run gets shelved while this celluloid turd basks in the sunlight of shallow critics. Of course, this is just my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: a pleasant surprise -- i can't wait to see it again
Review: i saw this movie twice when it was in the theaters...the first time, i had no idea what to expect, really. and i found the movie to be thoroughly entertaining and intriguing. i read some reviews that criticized the film for trying too hard to fit into certain genre conventions, but i didn't feel that way at all. to me, the movie fits in its own special niche. the second time i saw the movie, now knowing what to expect, i saw it all in a different, and equally interesting way...i thought the main theme was one thing the first time, and something completely different the second time. i can't wait to get the DVD and see it again!
Rating:
Summary: Bleak, wonderful and original
Review: Jake Gyllenhaal is unbelievable! Let's hope he stays versatile. This movie takes you where few movies dare to go. I can't give away plot details, but it's very stylized, eerie, menacing and surprisingly complex. Oh, and there is a giant talking bunny. The use of 80s music is excellent. Don't let yourself miss this one becasue it never played in theatres near you.
Rating:
Summary: awesome movie
Review: Sure there's a psychotic looking bunny-rabbit-suit-man with an eerily sweet voice, but that's just a detail; it's all about time-travel and destiny. It is just so darn good. It will either make you depressed, happy, or really confused depending how you interpret the film. Plus there is just some truly classic American humor. See it, love it
Rating:
Summary: Drew a minus
Review: From what I have read, Drew Barrymore is the producer of this film. I just watched it last night and as I was just about to lean over to my girlfriend and comment that Drew's acting was awful, she commented on how bad Drew's acting was.
I guess that we should thank her for helping to bring this awesome picture to the masses, but hot dang, I wish she wasn't acting in it.
I still loved the movie, and I find deciphering the ending a nice challange. However, I have that Drew Issue.
Rating:
Summary: Donnie Darko one hell of a movie!! "28 days till the end..."
Review: This is one of the few movies of 2001 that I can fairly say was great. The use of 80s music alone is brilliant. The dark character/sci-fi/horror drama that this is is so out of hand and unique that you find yourself mesmerized in the unfolding of emminent dread. It is paced and brooding and that makes the ending all the more creepy. The use of music, style and cast make this one hell of a movie. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant! Makes you wonder why there aren't many bold filmmkaers like this in the world, and if there are, why aren't they being paid?
Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Bully were only a couple of the very few films that I feel were worthy of notice in 2001. Check out Donnie Darko. You won't be sorry.
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