Rating: 
Summary: Requiem- haunting
Review: I first saw Requiem for a dream in a college auditorium at Carnegie Mellon; a bunch of college kids watching an interesting movie. By the end of it, people were on the sides throwing up, others were having mental breakdowns, and tears and a sense of shock were the rule. Requiem is not for the innocent or gentle; it is a look at a path of destruction that is most fearful in its apparent inevitability. Aranofsky makes us care about every character, only to roll them down the slippery slope. The end result is one of the most brilliant movies I can recall seeing; you can't take your eyes of the screen, no matter how much you want to. Requiem for a Dream can only be watched once though; anyone who is brave enough to watch it a second time has a strong sense masochistic desire. Aranofsky is reportedly directing the next Batman movie; if he can make the character interesting and explore the darker roots as he has in both Requiem and Pi, it should bring back interest to a flagging franchise..
Rating:
Summary: Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream
Review: I really thought director Aronofsky used his cinematic tricks to keep "Pi" interesting just so the viewer would not notice a really weak story. With this film, the director finally finds material suited to his style, creating a harrowing journey about drug addiction that makes "Drugstore Cowboy" and "Panic in Needle Park" look like Muppet movies.Ellen Burstyn is a TV junkie who gets hooked on speed while trying to lose weight. Her son and his gorgeous spoiled girlfriend are hooked on heroin, and spend most of the film trying to score more drugs. The entire film is watching these lives spiral out of control, with the final thirty minutes, where everyone hits rock bottom, being the most intense, hard to watch scenes ever put on film. Burstyn shows she still has it, and should have beat Julia Roberts' cleavage for the Oscar. Jared Leto makes you forget "My So-Called Life," and every other role he has had where he is the dreamy eyed high schooler all the girls want to date. Marlon Wayans, as Leto's best friend, takes the kind of turn from comedy to drama that must have Jim Carrey pulling his hair out in jealousy. Jennifer Connelly, one of the most beautiful actresses working today, proves she is not just another pretty face in a very difficult, humiliating role. I saw the uncut director's version of this, and I see why Artisan released it unrated. This is an amazing film, and I look forward to Aronofsky's next work...with a little trepidation. The unrated version contains strong physical violence, gun violence, some sexual violence, strong profanity, strong female nudity, some male nudity, very strong sexual content, strong sexual references, strong drug abuse, strong drug references, and strong adult situations.
Rating: 
Summary: It's been talked about many times, but maybe not like this
Review: Most reviews--whether they are written by professionals or amateurs--talk about how brilliantly this film is made. All of those reviews are correct. Aronofsky is one of the finest young directors alive, the performances (with the exception of Jared Leto, who is merely good) are all excellent, the audio track is chilling and the visuals in this picture are truly magnificent. Even the post-production elements--such as editing--are nearly perfect. But I think that most reviews don't see past the brilliant filmmaking to find the glaring drawbacks of Requiem. First, these characters are two-dimensional, at best. The viewer doesn't get get a feel for their pasts (with, perhaps, the exception of Ellen Burstyn's character, who is made three dimensional by the actress, not the writer or director) or their motivations or their dreams or their wishes for life before they became addicts. That's a dangerous thing to do in any film, but especially in one like this; one that is expecting the viewer to care about the eventual tragedies these people face. One that actually requires the viewer to care in order for the feature's political statement to mean anything, to have any relevance. Did this movie overcome the character development? To a certain extent, yes it did, if only because the performances were so amazing and the technical elements of the film so flawless. Nonetheless, Requiem would have succeeded even more if these characters had been more real. That brings me to a thematic discussion. Requiem, much like Traffic, looks into addiction, drug use and it's effects. Unlike Traffic, however, Requiem doesn't take a relatively neutral stance while doing it's best to accurately depict the drug world. Aronofsky, in fact, makes this film a resounding condemnation of drugs, as if saying that any and every person who uses drugs will eventually meet the same fate these characters do. Not that it matters, but I have persoanlly never done a drug (other than alcohol); I do know several people who use occasional substances and I only know one person who's life has been significantly negatively effected, though no where near to the same degree as these characters; most users I know are in fact quasi-users and lead perfectly normal lives. What I'm saying is this: drugs don't inevitably lead to these sorts of situations; to imply that they do--as Requiem for a Dream most certainly does--is not only excessively pessimistic, it's also a bit insulting. Setting aside any policital views, Aronofsky, would have been better served if he'd had at least one sane, occasional user who's life succeeded, than he was by having a plethora of spiralling hell-like situations for every character. Ultimately, is this film worth viewing? Absolutely. It is a very impressive cinematic achievement, but there are still some glaring flaws that shouldn't be ignored.
Rating: 
Summary: Saw it in a College Film class...
Review: I had honestly never heard of this film when I saw it earlier this year for a film class in college. We watched the film in our "technical issues" part of the class, and after seeing the film you will see why. The cuts from scenes and other cinematography will either interest you further in the movie, or turn you away. Yes, sometimes the "cuts" as you will see, can get a little disturbing and annoying, but, they begin to wear on you and become part of the movie. I recommend this movie for that reason, to see the chance the film makers took on what could have broken the movie. However, this film, as a lot of people have pointed out, is not for the weak hearted. At the end you will find yourself, speechless and with a feeling of, most likely sickness. Because of this reason, I recommend seeing it. I read one review in which stated, the point of all movies should be to leave you speechless at the end. I strongly disagree, but this is still a movie that should be seen, as long as you can handle the material. However, just for pure taste perhaps the end sequence of Jennifer's character at the party could have been taken out, I understand why they put it in, but, if you are showing it for a class or with teens, perhaps you want to check out the edited version.
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight
Review:
This film presents a very good and deep insight into the world of drug addiction. The movie is so chilling that repeated viewings send chill down one's spine. It really allows us to understand what drug addiction is really light, how the victims fall prey to their addiction and eventually lose their way. And drug addiction here doesn't mean hardcore drugs, it could even be an addiction to cosmetic drugs such as slimming pills as very cleverly presented in Requiem For A Dream. Obviously, such a movie features a very strong cast of actors and special mention goes to Oscar-nominee Ellen Burstyn whose performance is superb and very apt.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I watched this movie for the first time a few weeks ago, and I still can't get it out of my head. It's a very rare movie that can [pull] me in, and drag me down with it as this film did. I felt completely drained at the end.
Will I watch it again? Absolutely! Just as soon as I recover from the first viewing...
Rating:
Summary: A MASTERPIECE
Review: This is the best movie I have seen regarding the theme of addiction. Addiction to T.V., speed, cocaine, heroin etc.
Were it not for some explicit scenes, I would recommend this opus as mandatory viewing material in high school.
The pace and the music are superb. This one will stir your emotions and make you feel anguish as few movies can.
Burstyn's performance is outstanding and makes you rethink about the commercial and ubiquitous criteria used by the Academy to grant the awards. This was truly Oscar material.
Rating:
Summary: The most disturbing + amazing movie I've ever seen!
Review: What can I say of Requiem for a Dream? Mmmm... Acting? After playing Sara Goldfarb, Ellen Burstyn didn't need to hold the Oscar to actually knew she deserved it. Jennifer Connelly, one of her best performances (even better than A Beautiful Mind's). Jared Leto shows us he does act, and and he does it great! Darren Aronosfky's direction was superb! The way he decided to picture a reality a lot of people live is just amazing. Editing was also great! I saw the movie in the theater, and I remember the room was completely crowded (mostly by annoying teenagers who were chattering too much). As soon as the movie started, somebody pressed Mute in the theater. It completely caught our senses and full attention. No teenager said a word as the movie went on. And when it ended, everyone of us just decided to stayed on our seats for a couple of minutes, like if we were waiting for someone to bring us back to our reality. I didn't hesitate when I saw the DVD, I just took it and buy it. I have to say I haven't had the nerve to play it again. I just wanted to own one of the best movies I've ever seen (even though I still don't know if I want to see it again). You won't be forgiven if you miss this movie, but if you decide to see it a second time... dude, there might be something wrong with your mind! Watch it, Rent it, Buy it, Enjoy it (if you can say so)
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Portrayl
Review: Before I saw this movie, the only movie I've ever cried at was Turner and Hooch, I just my dog and it was very emotional to see a dog die (sorry if I gave up the ending). I never really developed tears it was more of an explosive cry in one of the Electro Shock Treatment, amputaded arm, Jennifer Connelly's happiness for money, and Mr. Waynes' banging his head against a jail bar did a cry break out of me. It wasn't that I even would've gone out of my way to see one of the 3 or 4 best movies that I've seen in recent memory. I actually am doing a project on school on Drug Addiction, and while reading Naked Lunch, Fear and Loathing, and Drinking, a Love story. And watching Trainspotting, Traffic and Half Baked have I seen more effective and emotional attachment to drugs. This is an excellent but sad and creepy movie, oh but that uplifting ending!
Rating:
Summary: Whao! I am blown away by this flim.
Review: It has been said by many reveiwers. I will say it agian. This movie just KILLS! There is no other movie about drugs that I have seen that is this powerful. The movie tells three related storys of drug abuse that dose not led to an upliftitng final. To all the easily botherd movie goers out there. This will certainly make you sob, and will stay with you for a little while. Requiem for a Dream is a tour de force of extreme darkness and sadness. That dose not change the facted that this is a flawless movie.
I can honestly say that the brave film making here well not let down any ture movie goers. Ellen Burstyn's perfomance left me speechless.
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