Rating: 
Summary: Darko is a riddle wrapped in a question....just enjoy it
Review: I left the theater a bit puzzled and disconcerted by Donnie Darko's twisted, turning, time-bending plot and soon decided that I would just enjoy the film's intriguing story and fantastic acting rather than try to figure it all out. Reviewers here and there have complained that the film's stunning ending left too many loose ends, with unanswered questions and unpleasant results. Perhaps, but I think that very thing may be one of the central messages of this very unsual little movie -- that we don't always understand or like how the loose ends in our lives get resolved, but they ARE resolved, there ARE answers. Donnie Darko may appeal most to people 30 or younger but it has something for anyone who appreciates social satire and delicate examinations of human fears and frailties. There is creative brilliance at work here, and the acting is first-class. Mary McDonnell is wonderful, as always. Here's hoping this film gets broad distribution and a chance to be seen by millions.
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Summary: The kind of movie you hope for
Review: Addictive, infectious, fascinating. A poem for those of us who have lived at least part of life off of the main thoroughfare. It's clearly made by and for smart people. The first movie I've seen that conjurs up the late 80s the way I really remember them. (Come on, soundtrack!) It's a rare thing for grownups to have their dreams affected by a film, but mine were... this one will get under your skin. I read a review that said it was like John Hughes meets David Lynch meets Paul Thomas Anderson. Although I hesitate to reduce it to that kind of description, I think it may help explain to the unconvinced a little flavor of what they're in for. And for those of us it's already sunken its teeth into - get thee to the website. ...
Rating:
Summary: A movie to keep in mind
Review: I was first interested in this movie when I saw the trailer to "Waking Life". I had only seen the movie a week before I saw this one. The trailer is intriguing, I must admit. But it gives you a false sense of the movie. From this ad we get the impression that this movie is about darkness and some type of evil that is lurking somewhere in his mind. This is not necessarily true. I won't spoil anything, but that's just not fun, but I will say that it is not what one would expect. There were some elements of seriousness, of course, but there was also comedy and some type of weird undertone that made the movie a little less polished than it should be. Surprisingly enough this movie takes place in the late 1980s, ('88 to be exact). It is mentioned in some of the style and certainly the ongoing Bush Vs. Dukaukis (sp?) election. In all this movie was well made for a starting out director, but it does need a little more work. There is a little too much being crammed all at once into this movie. There's love, fear, overemphasis on characterization, stereotypes, and a strange twist that just doesn't quite add up. The special effects were not overdone however, and this really saved the movie. What impressed me was the character design on Frank, the twisted rabbit that is shown in the trailer. The calm voice really gave me a kick. This movie is really about character development and a sense for a certain type of atmosphere, but as far as everything else it might be a little skimpy. I am not quite sure of the underlying message, if there was one, but I will say that this director is certainly a promising figure for the future and I hope to see more of his movies.
Rating:
Summary: "Burn it to the ground"
Review: This an awesome movie. The story tells of a troubled young adolescent who takes some strange pills to take care of his disorder (probably advanced delusionary schizophrenia with involuntary narcissistic rage.) When he takes this medication it summons a 6-foot tall demented bunny rabit from the future who tells him when the world is going to end. With this knowledge in mind, he continuos to go about his ways at school but he keeps seeing his rabit friend. The rabit tells him do various tasks like vandalising the school and other assignments. The demented story-book character asks, "Do you know much about time travel?" and so begins the unforgettable adventures of one of my favorite movies of all-time. The movie is very dark, but often hillarious. The ending is quite possibly the best ever or at least the top ten next to Fight Club, Memento, Brazil, 12 Monkeys, and Sixth Sense. The special effects though limited, are astounding. The time travel "spears" that come out of everyone's chest look very awesome. Along the way he talks to his dad who laughs when he shouldn't, his too-nice mom, bratty sister, funny older sister, a speaker who says fear and love are the only two things in life, his friends who debate about the sexual life of a smurf, an obsessed teacher, and a girl he "goes with." A great cinematic event with fantastic characters, dark humor, and a dazzling climax shouldn't be missed.
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Summary: Bergman in 2001
Review: Bloody brilliant! Everyone was FANTASTIC in this movie. Drew Barrymore seemed more important than she was to the plot though...that was just a little strange. Otherwise, just see this movie. One of the best I've seen in maybe years.
Rating:
Summary: A modern masterpiece
Review: "Donnie Darko" is a staggeringly brilliant masterpiece! This film touches on so many complex elements of the human experience with considerable skill & imagination. The cast produced some utterly convincing performances; which only enhanced a well scripted story. It's a haunting, transcendant experience that explores ambiguous realms of the psyche with uncommon lucidity.
Rating:
Summary: An indescribably great film.
Review: Donnie Darko is one of those great movies that rises, as such, through word of mouth; what it'll probably be described as is a Scifi/Horror/Dark-Comedy/Coming-of-age/suspense film. And although that is the closest thing to categorizing it, it simply cannot do the movie justice. True, this is a blend of genres, but its also a bold, consistently inventive picture that certainly doesn't squander or milk its classification, as a lesser movie would have. It is a strange, dark but also very human tale that will leave you thinking about it days after the last frame. This is a truely great indie film that will make you believe; a film that uses its budget to the fullest and never makes you feel like it held back. Go see it, you will not regret it, and when you're done watching it you can think "wow! this was made for under 5 million?"
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Summary: Nice Treatment of Old Questions
Review: This is a film that provides a modern look at the philosophy of self-sacrifice, the kind that is almost of the magnitude of Jesus's sacrifice. Unfortunately, as the director discusses in the commentary, he had to cut a lot of critical footage that made the film more difficult to understand than it needs to be. That's why I'm glad there's a new Director's Cut, and if I were you, I'd wait for that to come out on DVD. This subject was previously tackled by Andrei Tarkovsky in his 1986 masterpiece, The Sacrifice. That film's message is as clear as a bell, and stunningly similar in concept to this film. Tarkovsky was a master of philosophical science fiction, and The Sacrifice was his last film, so if you compare the two, and I hope you will, you are comparing a novice filmaker's work (Donnie Darko) to a master's work. In that regard, Donnie Darko is a really good effort on the part of the film maker, as I believe it's his first film. Wait for his new cut, and also see the Tarkovsky film, as well as Tarkovsky's The Stalker and Solaris.
Rating: 
Summary: Undoubted young talent produces pretentious film-making
Review: I have high hopes for Richard Kelly as his talent, ideas, motivation, enthusiasm and everything you need for a good career in directing is evident in this movie. Sadly, this time around, its a painful experience for the viewer, unless you are so into puzzles, sci-fi, symbolism and finding out what a movie means AFTER watching it that you can forgive what is, after all, really poor storytelling. Hint - A really good movie doesn't need multiple websites stacked with backstory and explanations. And, as usual, its all the fault of the script, which isn't a film script at all. Its a / Philosophy/ Religiousy / Science Fictiony puzzle (although I left out a few things there). This puzzle unfolds as a series of vignettes masquerading as scenes, related by Kelly's 'themes' but little else. The majority of the characters are little more than pawns whose job is just to move the puzzle plot on... nice..... and.......... slowly (with the odd music montage and cute-dialogue sketch thrown in, as if they were ad breaks). The main character was ok and most of the actors did well with what little they had to work with, but the MAJORITY of them should have been cut from the finished film, they are so redundant. There is no drive in the film and little sense of progression. We know loosely what the main character is ultimately facing, but never immediately so there is never any sense of anticipation, suspense, hope or fear for the viewer. We are simply passed more information and explanations to debate and question later with our fellow sci-fi-symbol buffs. I'm not saying you sit there waiting for things to happen because things do happen (to be fair some of the "scenes" are entertaining in their own way). But you do sit there waiting for a STORY to develop so you can start experiencing something (which is what we pay our money for, isn't it?). But there is no drama, no connection and NO STORY. All you get is a cool song and a plot twist (explained). Some people are happy with that I guess
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.
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