Rating: Summary: Deeper than deep Review: This move is great on so many levels. If your into romance, it has it, if you like comedy, it's in there too, if your a fan of cult films, it is ONE! This is so complex it it's simplicity, or is it the other way around? I'm not sure, but thats pritty much what the movie is like, it makes sence but your not quite sure, so you need, not need, but want to go back for a reviewing. It makes you think... In a good way
Rating: Summary: Awesome movie, Hauntingly Beautiful Music Review: Even though I bought the DVD after reading numerous good reviews about the film, my expectations remained low because it stated on the backcover of the DVD that the film is similar to Final Destination and Stir of Echoes.I pop the DVD into my player and two hours later, I have to pick up my jaw from the floor! Do not believe what is stated on the backcover of the DVD! This film is awesome! It contains an original plot, greating casting and hauntingly beautiful music. It is high on my list of all time favourites with Lord of the Rings, The Matrix (first movie, Reloaded is dissappointing), Gattaca, Sleepy Hollow and From Hell. This movie deserves a wider audience. Spread the word or buy it as a gift for your friends and relatives. For the sake of great movie-making and beautiful music-writing! It is so good that I feel sorry for director Richard Kelly. Because with such an astonishing debut, how is he going to top this one! I just hope that I am wrong.....
Rating: Summary: Brilliant, Innovative, and Thought Provoking Review: Donnie Darko is one of those rare movies with something for everyone that still manages to be completely dark. As you watch Donnies estranged version of life unfolding, you become increasingly troubled by just how screwed up he probably is, the damage he's capable of doing, and the twisted way everything he says makes sense. Generally its a movie that will keep you thinking- shallow movie goers will probably think of it as too confusing or that its posing as something more than it is. The interesting thing about the story is that the more you look into it, the less you see these things, and the more you realize the paradox of the story. It will leave you with many a question. Most of all- as the tragically redone version of Mad World plays- you'll be asking "Why?" Is Donnie a tragic hero? A messed up teen? Did any of it really happen to begin with? And what in the world is going on, anyway? Enjoy
Rating: Summary: Dark, Intriguing, and one of the best of 2001 Review: "Donnie Darko" is a dark and intrigueing film from first time writer/director Richard Kelly. The film is about a troubled teenage boy, named Donnie Darko(Jake Gyllenhaal), that receives visits from a creature that looks like a giant rabbit. This creature takes Donnie on sleepwalking experiences, and ends up making him do some things he most likely would not have done otherwise. The creature also relays to Donnie that the world will end in 28 days or so. Donnie has a caring family, however they don't seem very protective at all. The parents allow the children to curse without ever really getting mad at all. Then one night, while Donnie is sleepwalking, a 747 jet engine falls through the roof of his bedroom. The FBI investigates the incident, but finds no answer to where the engine came from. Donnie also has a psychiatrist(Katherine Ross), who uses hypnosis on Donnie to understand his thoughts, and his actions. The film then goes on an original, invilving path, that makes the viewer anxious to find out what will happen to it's characters. Richard Kelly plays fair in allowing little clues here and the as to what will happen later in the film, though I highly doubt much of anyone will be able to figure out before hand what will happen. Kelly shows talent here, and demonstrates that he can write one heck of a good screenplay. The ending to "Donnie Darko" I will not say, but I would like to say that this is no where near a straight forward ending, and even repeated viewings may not solve the puzzle. "Donnie Darko" has a great young cast. It features of course Jake Gyllenhaal, who shows some real talent here, and also shows that he is one of the stars of the future. Also showing talent is Jake sister in real life, and in the film Maggie Gyllenhaal. She has an odd, mysterious look to her, but shows she has an ability to act, and is leading lady material. However, my favorite of the bunch is Jena Malone, who plays Donnie's girlfriend. She has been in earlier films such as "Stepmom" and "Cheaters", but here she looks beautiful, and gives a beautiful performance. "Donnie Darko" is a great film, and will have viewers talking, and watching again.
Rating: Summary: Marvellous dark journey Review: An absolutely stunning film that deserves decidedly more attention than it has recieved. Taking place in suburban America in the 80's, the film portraits the experiences of Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), a depressed kid who is given a message by a giant rabbit in a dream: The world is coming to and end. "Donnie Darko" is impossible to place in a genre; it is dark, terrifying, charming, extremely funny, and it seems to incorporate the best elements of films like "American Beauty", "Magnolia" and maybe even the work of David Lynch. But the movie's strength lies in its orginality, the surprising twists and turns of the script. It is extremely well directed, and all actors involved seem to deliver their best.
Rating: Summary: Terrible! Terrible! Review: Rented this terrible movie. What a depressing movie, if anyone was contemplating suicide this one would put you over the edge! The music is so disturbing, and the concept of this movie is not understandable. Patrick Swayze will never live this movie down.And Drew Barrymore what was she thinking? Disturbing is the word for it.
Rating: Summary: holy jesus!!!! Review: to be honest, i first heard of this movie from a friend who had gone to see it. he completely hated it. i still dont know why. donnie darko possibly is the most creative and original movie in existance. it is omitted from all genres and categories, through its severely warped and twisted storyline, mixed with it's intelligent depiction of issues. jake gyllenhaal plays donnie darko, a schizophrenic adolescant on the verge of insanity, due to his insane amount of questioning life. after being confronted by a huge bunny rabbit curiously named Frank, Donnie begins to hallucinate and drift between the realms of reality and.. well, fantasy. the most intriguing aspect of Donnie Darko is its enigmatic and ominous nature. Gone are the shallow teen flicks with bright colours and pretty faces - this movie is dark. very dark. after watching this movie, you will definitely say, "ok, so what actually happened?" this alien concept is fantastic - the audience is left confused, yet they are still entertained. the compelling storyline draws you to think for hours upon hours of what the movie was about. then you will watch it again. and again, and again. this movie sits you down, tells you to shut up and pay attention. the scary thing is, you do what you're told. another fantastic aspect is Kelly's portrayal of Donnie's environment. kelly successfully and effectively manages to convey modern-day life in america in the 80s, and in turn shows how Donnie's domestic situation helps to further create confusion for him.The movie follows donnie and how he deals with his new look on his life. Richard Kelly amazingly submerges the audience into a completely different world, and delves into the human psyche to convey how warped donnie really is. with credit to acting, gyllenhaal makes an undoubtedly memorable performance. it's also VERY chilling - you WILL shudder with disbelief and suspicion when Donnie asks Frank why he wears "that stupid bunny suit" only to receive the clear, but implicit statement - "why do you wear that stupid human suit." chilling indeed. this movie WILL be remembered in years to come - mark these words. If Scarface can do it, Donnie Darko has all possibility. and after watching this movie - you will believe that anything is possible.
Rating: Summary: High-IQ teen angst drama. Review: Donnie Darko, though a very good film, did not live up to the expectations built up by the press/friends, etc. For a start it has an uncomfortable number of similarities with American Beauty: the suburban family scenario, the out-of-place awkward but sensitive teenage boy (here played by Toby Maguire lookalike, Jake Gyllenhaal), the low-key portrayal of everyday life, the hunk/guru success merchant (Patrick Swayze), even the marimbas in the ambient incidental music. But whereas American Beauty chugs along at a nice steady tempo, Donnie Darko is weighed down by leaden pacing and the superfluous gaps and pauses. Extra points, however, for the groovy 80s soundtrack featuring the newly-hip Duran Duran, Echo and the Bunnymen, Tears for Fears, etc. Donnie Darko, which is Richard Kelly’s debut movie, is a fiercely ambitious and intelligent movie, the arrival of a major talent. It is also a very funny movie in places but, as opposed to American beauty, does not probe quite as deeply into relationships and troubled psyches. Donnie Darko flirts with the sci-fi/horror genre, with weird hallucinations and slow-mo/ffwd shots galore. In fact Donnie Darko is a bit like American Beauty meets Matrix meets Breakfast Club. Star performance comes from nutty teacher, Kitty, played by Beth Grant.
Rating: Summary: Rabbit food for thought Review: This movie is really tough to describe or classify to somebody who hasn't seen it. It's THAT original. I think of it as a deep movie for shallow people, a darkling "Dead Poets Society" run through with heaping doses of "Rushmore"-ish satire and "Catcher in the Rye" bitterness and disillusionment. The title character is a deeply troubled suburban wonderboy going to a private school who is haunted by this spectral, demonic being in a bunny suit, who begins to become, as Vonnegut would say, "unstuck in time" (which I recall him saying was a metaphor for going insane). This seems definitely the case. Stylistically, it is very interesting; the director has a great eye in places, putting together some enticing, effective scenes that are pretty to look at. Thematically, though, it sort of implodes under the weight of its own pretensions. The beginning and the end loop together in a way that (in my opinion) ultimately blows down the house of cards set up in the first place. Donnie seems to dish things out without ever taking it, an adolescent fantasy if ever there was one. Without wanting to spoil it, a problem I had with the movie is that it seems to answer the teen angst retort of "maybe everybody would be happier if I was DEAD!!" That's as good a way of summing it up as any other. The DVD is worthwhile, particularly because of the 20-some deleted/extended scenes one can watch with or without commentary. They offer additional perspective to the viewer that is absent in the movie. Is it worth your time? Sure, why not? Watch it. But it feels like more an exercise in style for its own sake than something offering any real substance.
Rating: Summary: donnie darko is amazing Review: This movie is insane...it's a trip in itself. Jake Gyllenhaal, one of the most talented young actors out there, totally outdoes himself in Donnie Darko. out of all the movies i've seen, this one is second only to The Godfather in my mind. if you like darker movies that make you think a little bit, you'll love this one. the first time i rented Donnie Darko, i watched it 3 times in a weekend and i was still floored by the story. it's a creepy ride, but when it's over you'll be begging for more...
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