Rating: Summary: A Well-Kept Secret... Review: I am the KING of movie renters, of the people I know. I had seen all my local video store had to offer, except one movie - Donnie Darko. I didn't know why this movie was always out whenever I came by, but my curiosity began to swell with every week that passed. Finally one day, it was in, and I rented it. I wasn't expecting much, since I had heard nothing about it, so I sat down and prepared myself for a visit to the land of mediocre.I've never been so wrong. This movie sucked me in from the very first frame... The caliber of acting, script, direction, soundtrack, editing, casting, wardrobe... Everything! The storyline is killer! I just love when you expect nothing and get it all! This movie is my personal pick for best all around rental of last year. As soon as I finished viewing the movie, I went to the bathroom, went to the kitchen and made a snack, put on my night clothes, and watched it AGAIN! Donnie Darko is the kind of movie that you can realize something new every time you see it. It truly is a BRILLIANT piece of cinema. I of course bought the DVD the very next day (thank you Amazon.com!), and have watched it a good 15 times since. I've lent my copy to other friends, who have immediately gone out and gotten their own copy, and thanked me for hooking them up with such a fantastic movie. This movie isn't a "must rent" It's a "must own". My hat is off to Drew Barrymoore and her production company. What a smart movie. I'll end this review with a little piece of advice to anyone about to see this work of art: Pay attention. Even when there's nothing going on, there's something going on.
Rating: Summary: Time Travel and Supernatural come together (spoilers) Review: This was an enjoyable view, nearly wrapped up neatly at the end. Similar to Night Schylaman's more popular film, 'Sixth Sense', it explores Time Theories in a unique fashion. Donnie Darko is a teen with 'mental problems', (actually, likely more a product of the attempted 'cures'), who begins to see a man dressed in a rabbit suit with a human skull mask for a head. The rabbit sends him off on adventures of vaguely then increasing destructive behavior. The first and most destructive mission was a trip to sleep at the golf course where the rabbit informs him that the world would end in less than a month, on Oct. 31th. While he was gone, a jet engine falls through the roof into his bedroom, thus his absence saves his life. Donnie becomes interested in Time Travel, partially through the rabbit's goadings, and begins to 'see' people's paths as they walk through space and time. This film was a good watch, and well executed given the difficult subject. Highly recommended for Sci-Fi fans.
Rating: Summary: Interestingly Captivating Review: This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. It has a solid story that is well written. And while your at it, if you like to argue the finer points of Quantum Theory in regards to time travel then this is an added bonus. And what is a movie with out your friendly neighborhood Demon Bunny?
Rating: Summary: ... Review: as a fellow crazy person i often scowl and stomp about the way that mentaly ill are portrayed. either they are overly sympathetic, or monsterous, or too one sided. but in donnie darko, its the first time ive never yelled SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP at the tv. they nailed it, and everything was done in such a haunting mannor. it was really touching.
Rating: Summary: Remember it Review: This film will still be making people think in 20 years. Excellent and original storytelling along with an amazing soundtrack. Go see it!
Rating: Summary: The most original dark fantasy film in recent memory Review: Sometimes before I write a review I read through other viewers ones to help jog my memory, I especially like reading all the one-star reviews; but I was a bit bewildered by some one star reviews of this as DONNIE DARKO is one of THE most original films I have seen in the past year. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a mesmirising performance as the title character (yes, that is his real name), a teenager blessed with intelligence and a vivid imagination; but who is seen by his peers and teachers as a bit strange. Things get more bizzare when Donnie's bedroom is destoyed by an airplane engine, his delusions make him believe this is a sign that the world will end in 28 days. Over this period while he is waiting, Donnie's behaviour starts getting more eccentric... and he's stopped taking his medication. That's about as much as I will say about DONNIE DARKO, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The recipient of numerous awards, the movie is a triumph for all involved, especially Drew Barrymore who co-produced the film through her company Flower Films, who also has a small part as a teacher. Patrick Swayze is surprisingly good as a motivational speaker who incurs Donnie's wrath. Keep your ears open for the "Smurfs" conversation. A must see.
Rating: Summary: Donnie Darko... what kind of a name is that? Review: To start out, this isn't the best movie I have ever seen. Those rights are reserved to Kurosawa's "Ran" and to Aranofsky's "Requiem for a Dream". That being said, this is one of the best movies I have ever seen, and it does rank up along side of the two films above. It is original beyond belief, creepy, funny, thought-provoking, and has a killer soundtrack. The imagery is euphoric, the story compelling and full of unlikely twists and turns, the characters wholly believable. And in the middle of every moment of it is Donnie Darko, borderline schizophrenic who has a stunning intelligence and a habit of seeing a giant rabbit by the name of Frank. After a jet engine unexpectadly tumbles into his room while he is away, Donnie's life starts to take some rather strange turns. Where all these turns end up is what you have to watch and find out. To give away an absolutely mind blowing film like this is a crime. So watch it, listen to it's messages, feel for it's characters, and then watch it again. You won't regret it.
Rating: Summary: Unclassifiable Review: I agree with the editorial review in the sense that this movie cannot be pinned down. Is it a science fiction thriller? A movie about schizophrenia? A movie about the late 80's in America? It is all of these things and more. This is a stunning debut from Richard Kelly with superb acting by all, especially the star, Jake Gyllenhaal. Jake is an admittedly troubled teen in psycho-therapy who is called upon to save the world. The way that Richard Kelly renders this comic book plot however, is incredibly complex. Like the plot, the meaning of the movie cannot be discerned even after repeated viewings. The experience is exhilirating even after repeated viewings and the movie continues to provoke thought and debate. One thing that's not debatable; this is one unique, heartfelt movie, and is highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Incredibly lush, funny, and tragic Review: This is one of the strangest and most undescribable movies I have ever seen. All the characters in this story are tragic and complex. The performances are all top notch. The story is very lush and you are easily lost and caught up in it. The cinematography is beautiful. The music well bound to the scenes that are shown. I highly recommend that you see this movie. Its definitely a thinker and you'll be compelled to rewatch the movie right after you finish watching it for the first time.
Rating: Summary: Very Weird Film Review: I had heard so much about this film that I ended up getting a copy. There are some fantastic scenes and dialogue sequences in it, which make it bearable, but in the end, it is just too weird to grasp. Frankly, I'm not sure what exactly the film was about or what it is trying to say. I like original and out-of-the-mainstream films, but Donnie Darko just didn't work for me. Having said that, there seemed to be a lot of people who loved this film, so maybe I missed something. See it so you can make up your own mind. I expected more after all the 5-start reviews...
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