Donnie Darko

Rating:
Summary: "Heathers" remade for the Columbine kids
Review: This an utterly fascinating and profoundly unsettling film. It is also thoroughly nihilistic in the most exacting sense. It is an impressive work, but it has contracted the disease that it so powerfully analyzes (in the same way "Ghost World" and "Happiness" do). It is tainted at the root with a will to nothingness--a desire literally realized in the film's ending through the metaphor of time travel. This is a must-see film but should be treated with care. Wear a clean-suit to avoid contamination. And above all, purify yourself by following it with a viewing of the (unofficial) source material: 1989's "Heathers." The authentic humor, generosity of spirit, and critical intelligence that undermines the dark overtones of that classic 89 film is a wonderful counterpoint and antidote to the diseased spirit that became creative in Donnie Darko.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best...
Review: ...and most thought provoking movies I have ever seen. It took me a good two views, extra features, director commentary, and discussion with friends to understand it, and I loved every minute of trying to figure it out. Unlike so many other movies of today (or even of the past) this movie makes you think deeply about what you've seen, and makes every minute of its existence important to watch. While holding interest is usually a big task for movies, this will keep you watching (and wondering) for not only the length of the movie, but for a long time afterward. Director Richard Kelly perfectly blends the elements of fantasy and a fairly believeable suburban family in the late 80's into this masterpiece of modern film making.

If you've ever seen this movie (without owning it) or considered buying it on VHS, don't even bother. Simply put, you NEED to add this DVD to your collection. The movie is good enough, but the features add even more depth to the story (albeit explaining a bit too much in the 'book' excerpts), enough depth to warrant its purchase.

Lastly, I haven't tired of this movie despite multiple views, and I watched it even after I fully understood what was happening. It's just that good. Less than 5 other movies I've seen can make that claim to fame, and as a matter of fact, I can't think of any of them right now.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, oddball horror-fantasy flick...
Review: A pretty cool is-this-real-or-isn't-this? horror-ish art film, which mixes oh-god-what-happened-to-our-little-baby parental angst and "Kids"-style teenage nihilism. James Gyllenhaal -- who may be the Bizarro Worl version of Toby McGuire -- is fascinating to watch, yet completely convincing as one of those slow-eyed, remotely psychotic young guys that you're amazed is able to get a date at all. The ending is satisfyingly head-trippy, with some reality-bending plot twists that fans of "Jacob's Ladder" may appreciate. Worth checking out!

Rating:
Summary: Very Original
Review: Don't know where I was when this came out (probably avoiding Hollywood movies in general), but I'm glad I finally saw it. I had it reccommended to me by several friends and they were right. It's hard to sufficiently praise the risk-taking that the makers were willing to undergo for this movie. It's is very abnormal for such a big budget movie. It has a very convoluted message, and very psychedelic visuals. Not the typical nerd with a computer stuff at all. The characters are dynamic and imperfect and very well rendered. And the tension it creates and maintains throughout is quite impressive. I really just feel like praising this movie endlessly, because it did so many things your average movie won't even consider. I think it's great!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I don't know how to describe what a brilliant movie this is. It would be horrific to try to describe it, there is no way to do it justice. It's easily the most mind blowing movie I have ever seen. It touched me on so many levels with its genius. Every one must see this movie. I've seen it five times and each time I find more to marvel at.

Rating:
Summary: Yet Another Positive Review
Review: Hey, are you kidding? You must see this. Especially if you were in high school in the Totally Awesome '80s.
I think the most stunning image is the face Frank shows Donnie Darko. Obviously a rabbit, but it takes one fascinating imagination to create such a macabre face for a rabbit. Blank eyes like boiled eggs, chipped teeth, ambigious threatening expression. That director/screen-writer has a FIERCE imagination.
This is truly a movie for repeated viewings, so the DVD is certainly a perfectly reasonable investment! One must listen to the 2 commentaries to grapple with the odd doings in Donnie's life. And the deleted scenes are lovely. Drew Barrymore and Watership Down fans are bound to be delighted. The commentary for the infomercial (which is used by Patrick Swayze's sadly clueless self-help guru) is daft and hilarious.
Put this in your collection. Put it next to the works of Terry Gilliam and be proud of yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Still trying to figure this one out.
Review: My first thought after seeing this film for the first time was, "What the ****?". It was like watching "Ordinary People" on drugs. I am sure I am not the only one that felt this way. After having co-workers recommend this movie to me a couple of times I decided to rent it. By reading the description I was expecting a horror movie or a slasher film. That is very far from the truth. I would almost call this a comedy. But it's not really that funny. It is a movie that does not fit into one category or even two for that matter.

The darkness of this movie and its lead character are overplayed at times. His psychological problems are not the first to be seen on the big screen. But his visions and hallucinations may be. The more scientific the movie gets the more it gets away from what I thought its intended purpose was. It seems by end of the movie you are forced to ask questions and there are some loose ends.

The soundtrack is fantastic. Every song rings true of the eighties and is selected for a reason. Every song played in the movie is perfectly placed. I do believe this film could take place at any time in the last 30 years but the eighties seem to work. But other than the soundtrack and 1988 references like Mike Dukakis and Joe Gibbs you wouldn't know when it was set.

Rating:
Summary: inventive? yes. a masterpiece? no.
Review: I was curious to see what everyone was raving about, so I decided to give it a whirl. One can't catogorize this movie; there are so many elements in it. Teenage 80's, scifi, etc. But I would say this is more of a - put the mystery together type of movie. I give it credit for being original, but i can't help but wonder from beginning to end, "when is this gonna end?" My girlfriend totally hated this movie. It spread itself thin trying to put every genre together. There were quite a few funny parts though - one being a funny smurf conversation.

Sure, i understand what's going on. But, you should rent this one first, cause it's not for everyone. Along the same lines as this is muholland drive, which is far better. Same with final destination.

Rating:
Summary: More realistic view of the '80s
Review: It took a trip to the U.K. to discover the merits of this mesmerizing, deeply personal film. Although released in the United States in 2001, "Donnie Darko" never came to a cinema near me, and thanks to a relatively silent press, I didn't even know what it was when it came out on video.
Then in October 2002 I was in Northern England and began seeing reviews of the film. (It was hailed unanimously.) But what sealed my fate was hearing the hauntingly beautiful "Mad World" by Gary Jules. As soon as I got back home, I rushed to the video store to rent the film. Within two days I had watched it twice and before I returned it, saw it another time. I have since purchased the DVD and watched the extras and listened to the commentary.
I love the film because every time I watch it, I notice something new, which causes me to engage in a whole new set of mental Olympics. This is thought-provoking, genre blending filmmaking that helps me forget all the dross that, more often than not, Hollywood inundates us with. And it proves true visionaries still exist. But what's more, "Darko" paints a more realistic portrait of the '80s. Although many '80s films focused on insider trading and drug use, few tackled the political situation as created by Reagan and Bush. Many of us living during the "finger on the button" '80s lived with a real sense of doom, which was very reminescent of the "World is Coming to An End" rhetoric spouted by Frank.
Furthermore, "Darko" creates a more realistic portrait of teen angst. Then, and now, everything couldn't be put in a box and topped with a bow, as John Hughes wanted us to believe. Life is more complicated than that. Teens experience dark moments that can't be cured by a wild party and buxom babes.
Richard Kelly's script goes beyond your typical Hollywood fare. It represents something archetypal and deeply symbolic. This is a stunning freshman effort. What's more the music immediately struck a chord with me as I loved Tears for Fears' superior album "The Hurting." "Killing Moon" also has been my favorite Echo & the Bunnymen song.
"Donnie Darko" is, without a doubt, the most important film to come out of 2001, and will exert an influence for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Donnie Darko should be seen by YOU!
Review: Donnie Darko is a truly unique film.
It has the most strange, funny, wonderful, and outstanding story. Richard Kelly made his directorial debut with this excellent film. The entire mood for this film is completely outstanding. The acting. The music. It all gels together like magic.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Donnie. He is living in 1988 with his two sisters and parents in the suburbs of Virginia, when a jet engine throws his whole life into a strange universe...
This movie is unforgettable.
The DVD has excellent features. 20 deleted scenes. Commentary w/Richard Kelly, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Commentary w/Cast and Crew, The book of Time Travel, website images, drawings, the 'Mad World' music video and so much more.