Rating: 
Summary: "Then he heard a voice, say fear not come rejoice"
Review: This movie was a real pleasure to watch; it was thoroughly engaging, from start to finish. This can be chalked up to a combination of the great production values and the originality of the material. Examples of the former include the great soundtrack (including Tears for Fears, Duran, Duran, and Joy Division), the cinematography, and the acting. Particularly noteworthy were the performances in supporting roles. I felt that Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, and Drew Barrymore in particular were underutilized. We can ask whether more of them would have cost the movie some focus, but given their talents and Director Kelly's obvious sentiment that this film suffered abuse on the cutting room floor, I'd answer 'no'.This film certainly gives one a lot to think about. Principally, the viewer is challenged to understand the basic plot. Is Jake hallucinating, or are his visions real? Is the apocalypse really imminent? These questions certainly are not definitively answered, and there are some loose ends that are not tied together. It can be argued that the former actually adds to the movie, maintaining the sense of mystery and the humble idea that some things are unknowable. (Can anyone really expect a time-travel theme to make perfect sense?) But the failure to tie up loose ends does hurt this film. The film also gives the viewer plenty to think about on a more profound, symbolic level. Does Donnie represent Christ, rising again to save us all? This question is interposed in the political setting of late 1988, where we have the religious right denouncing people like Donnie and his family for being 'anti-Christ'. This could have been an interesting juxtaposition, but unfortunately, we are only given straw-men to represent the right (one pedophile, and one narrow-minded and hysterical spinster). I happen to side with the liberal politics and sentiments of the Barrymores and most of the the Darkos in this film (depicted here as open-minded, humorous, and not self -aggrandizing), but such superficial depictions of the right hurt the film. They do provide some laughs at the right's expense though... To summarize, this is a really well-made, and totally engaging film, which gives you plenty to think about. It is very original, and doesn't fit squarely in any genre. Many of the characters are quite developed (for example those adults who don't have all the answers, but nevertheless are sympathetic and kind),although the conservative characters are just caricatures. The film also hints, through the use of lots of 'linear' clues throughout, that it's all going to come together in the end. The open-ended ending, which could have stood up fine on it's own, is therefore somewhat marred by the prior false advertising. Extra Features: I would recommend not watching the extra scenes until you feel you've gotten most of what you can from the released version. I say this because I felt most of the extra footage really detracted from the film's impact and sense of purpose, both by waffling on 'facts' from the plot and through a lack of conviction in some of the acting performances in the deleted scenes.
Rating: 
Summary: A Mish-Mash Worth a Watch
Review: Donnie Darko is a gem with many flaws. The flaws reflect a little light, giving rise to the mistakened belief that the gem is more complex than it would appear. But when you look closer, the gem is just cracked. Nothing more or less. This is as true for the movie as it is for the lead character. Jake G. has three basic looks he gives the camera--the puppy-dog, the creepy-as-hell snear, and the arrogant/confused/drunken teen. These he does well; but these do not a brilliant actor make. I wish him the best, though, and imagine he has better in him. !Spoilers follow! The rest of the characters are paper thin. There is no nuance--each one is a cardboard cut out. Except for the giant time-traveling killer rabbit. Now there's something you don't see every day! My hat's off to whoever thought that up. I kept putting up with undeveloped and cliche characters and an oddly paced plot (that kept me interested, though) for some sort of payoff. And when it came, I was disappointed. A simple Christological metaphor does not a movie make--in this case, Donnie apparently dies so that an alternate time-stream can be inacted, one that does not involve the death of his family and girlfriend. This movie is not 5 stars, nor 4, but is regretfully an average movie because of its flaws. Perhaps you can dig into it and watch it 5-6 times and become more accepting of the trite conversations, potty mouth humor, cardboard characters, and did I mention bad lighting, but that does not change the fact that they are there. Nevertheless, give it a watch. It's worth a rental, but because of the language, it's not for kids or anyone bothered by foul language.
Rating: 
Summary: every psyche, a portal...
Review: ...more haunting each time you watch it, Donnie Darko captures the fractal, paradoxical nature of human experience. It lives fully, with a growing awareness of an unconscious that pulls you in like an undertow, inverting reason into the greater consciousness of dream. Think of Leibniz's Monads: every psyche, a portal--"an intelligent sphere whose center is everywhere, and circumference nowhere." Think fractal: Whether generated by computers or natural processes, all fractals are spun from what scientists call a "positive feedback loop." Something--data or matter--goes in one "end," undergoes a given, often very slight, modification and comes out the other. Fractals are produced when the output is fed back into the system as input again and again. (glyphs.com) and: FRACTALS depict calculations which exist on the borders of chaos, and INTERFEROGRAMS depict near-invisible disturbances of matter in time. The relationship is not accidental. Do a search on INTERFEROMETRIC HOLOGRAMS and extrapolate. As Mad World says, ENLARGE YOUR WORLD. Donnie's consciousness of the process, committing it to memory, binding it to Self (as CGJung used the term), seems most important. It's a movie that acts as a symbol because its memory moves in your psyche constantly, a golden snitch that leads you on... like Frank...
Rating:
Summary: Will leave you speechless
Review: I went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing except for associating it in my mind with johnny bravo the cartoon. I was strangely surprised. The whole film, honestly, I sat with the same awe expression on my face. You will be confused. But its a good confused. Its one of those movies that makes you think and you leave questioning everything, reality, time, life, etc...
Part of you will want to watch it over and over again but then part of you will still be scared and confused and never want to think about it again. I won't lie, its unsettling. Enjoy. :)
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: This was completely unexpected. You'd never assume that a film like Donnie Darko could exist under the tag of, well, Donnie Darko. But, this film is incredible. No real reason to try and explain the plot, I probably couldn't if I tried, but suffice to say, all around the film is amazing. The acting is incredible, my thanks to Jake Gyllenhaal for pulling off an amazing performance (same can be said for his acting in Highway, though it's a completely different performance for a completely different film). But, screw everything I just said, watch the movie, better yet, buy it, and make all your friends buy it. It's a film every movie fan, hell, every person in general should experience. Don't expect a happy ending, but it will undeniably leave an imprint on you long after the credits have ceased rolling.
Rating:
Summary: Dysfunctional Scary-Bunny Fetish
Review: Hollywood's steady downfall into high-priced visual theatrics and recycled storylines with wittless characters has done nothing good except reestablish my faith in the underdog. "Donnie Darko" in this case, is one of those underdogs - a completely morbid and fulfilling storyline, with dazzling presentation and a cast of amazing actors playing multi-layered characters. The story revolves around the charismatic, wayward teenager, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal). This troubled teen is the black sheep of his middle-class family, already having trouble with law for stealing a car and attending psycho-therapy sessions to handle his sleepwalking. Only after a brief introduction into his life, does the movie immediately dive into the action - in a dream, Donnie is beckoned out of his house by an evil (almost satanic) looking man-sized bunny, Frank. Frank tells Donnie that the world will end in 28 days - the 28th day being Halloween. Back in reality, a jet-plane engine has fallen from the sky and crashed in Donnie's bedroom - Donnie survives because he had been sleepwalking. Frank becomes a regular figure in Donnie's dreams and delusions - coercing him to commit random acts of vandalism and arson. In the meantime, the world around Donnie Darko seems embedded with strange characters, mind-bending encounters and philosphical if not humorously poignant conversations. Among these are are Jim Cunningham (Patrick Swayze), the self-help guru, his highschool teachers: (Noah Wyle) - who is obsessed with the ideas of time travel - and (Drew Barrymore) who is disillusioned with the education system feeding into Jim Cunnigham , Grandma Death -a prophet of some sorts and Gretchen (Jena Malone), Donnie's new girlfriend and another troubled teen, who's mother is hiding out from an abusive ex-husband. As doomsday approaches, Donnie's visits from Frank the evil bunny become more frequent, as he points out the relivance of time travel in his visits into Donnie's psyche. Soon, Donnie realizes that many of his encounters with Frank, leave very real impacts on those around him. (Spoiler: For instance, Frank tells Donnie to burn down Jim Cunningham's house, that reveals a child pornography ring in his basement). All events and characters lead Donnie down to his final day, where he realizes that certain events have to take place and some people must suffer in order for others to survive. "Donnie Darko" is magnificant in keeping one's interest, keeping its audience in suspense and sometimes in laughter. Jake Gyllenhaal does a superb job of playing Donnie as a dark confused teenager in search of understanding and conscious, with the sexiness of Tobey Maguire but with a personality. The dynamics of family make this story seem very real and close to home, as we are not only drawn to the supernatural, but to the plight of Donnie's mother, who is desperate to guide and understand her son. The basic story, visual effects and music are simple and play well off each other. However, the much greater story and concept is certainly hard to understand and up for interpretation. With time travel being a major theme, one might need to watch through the movie two or three times to finally have an idea of what actually happened in what order. The ending (no spoiler, sorry!) can leave one with the questions: what just happened?... What did he accomplish? But the movie has enough of an impact and plain entertainment value, that I doubt anyone will complain about watching it over again. This movie is superb for a drinking games, Halloween parties or just sitting back and watching one stormy evening. If you haven't seen it yet - you're missing out. One day, film makers will try to imitate the magical properties that "Donnie Darko" has captured in about two hours.
Rating:
Summary: Watch Out For That Wascally Wabbit...
Review: Donnie Darko has quickly become one of my all time favorite movies. How can I describe it? It is strange, dark (of course), cool, mysterious, enigmatic, scary, funny, serious, sarcastic, bleak yet hopeful, mystical, and even charming. Jake Gyllenhaal is Donnie, who is absolutely believable no matter what he says or does. Time travel? No problem! A seven-foot rabbit named Frank who predicts the end of the world in 28 days? No problem! Donnie's earnestness is mesmerizing. The rest of the cast is an incredible ensemble of big stars in small, crucial roles. Drew Barrymore (E.T., The Wedding Singer, Charlies Angels) plays the only teacher in Donnie's school who seems to realize that what's being passed off as an "education" is actually a long, dull course in mind-numbing mediocrity (hmmm... sounds like my highschool). Noah Wyle (ER) is the science teacher who has wild theoretical conversations with Donnie about time travel, then cuts him off competely when Donnie asks if God might be involved. Donnie's mom is played by Mary McDonnell (Dances With Wolves, Grand Canyon). She loves him while being frustrated and afraid of his condition. Katharine Ross (The Graduate, The Stepford Wives) is Donnie's psychiatist, trying to probe his mind and help him. Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing) plays Jim Cunningham, tele-guru and local self-help author, who is exposed by Donnie (and Frank) for who / what he REALLY is. Jena Malone is Donnie's new girlfriend Gretchen. She's got problems enough of her own. Together, this cast of characters orbits perfectly around Donnie's dark center of gravity. Do not expect the typical hollywood bucket of swill here! Donnie Darko took actual thought to create. It's style and story are unique. I had never even heard of it due to a less than half-hearted ad campaign (I'm a TV addict, yet saw not one DD commercial). I just happened to see the DVD on the shelf and took a chance. You should too...
Rating:
Summary: You Never Know if You're Thinking Too Hard, or Not Enough.
Review: When I first saw Donnie Darko, I wasn't sure what to make of it. I had no idea what I had just sat and watched. As I very easily watched it another 3 or 4 times, I started to get it. As I visited internet message boards, real fan sites, and all the extra stuff on the DVD, it clicked. This is the thinking man's (or woman's) movie. The story is absolutely amazing, a giant paradox with results that no one is sure of. There are still different theories today, as to what exactly is happening in Donnie Darko. As you watch it over and over you'll become completely engrossed in Donnie's world. You never see the same movie twice, there's always something new to think about. Everytime you watch it something new will pop into your head...this is a true cult classic, it will be around for years. As my title says, you never know what exactly happens in Donnie Darko. It truly is a paradoxial masterpiece. 28:06:42:12!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: If you watch this movie you will either love it or hate it. If you are a fan of off-beat strange movies like adaption or memento, you will like it. Also if you like dark humor there is quite a bit in her for you too. All around this movie is awsome with a great, thought provoking ending that will keep you guessing even after you've seen it multiple times.
Rating:
Summary: confusingly awesome
Review: If you enjoy movies that make you think, or movies that go beyond on ending. I'm sure you like this. Its "DARK" deminer is just a little reminder that life isnt all peaches. The little conversations that random character have are something to pay attention to when you demaindingly watch it the 4th or 5th time. They give insite to pretty much all those big life question everyone and there kids ask. This movie is an Universe in and of itself, which as you know is a what makes a classic film. No doubt that this is one of the best movies I have scene and bought in a long time.
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