Rating: 
Summary: An honest portrayal of drugs
Review: After being shown endless drug-propaganda films in high school ("Gee, Jimmy, I don't think we should hang out if you're gonna do that stuff."), it's no wonder so many teenagers use drugs. I've never used heavy drugs and I can't say this is the exact effects of them, but it's very convincing. There's nothing sugar-coated here; it is very disturbing and dark. All the elements that made Pi a crossover success are here; hallucinatory camera effects, well-developed characters, and even Sean Gullette himself. The movie's best moments aren't even the ones that center around the main character, Harry. Instead, we are most enthralled by the side story of his mother, Sara, played by Ellen Burnstyn. She has addictions that are just as strong as her son, the only difference is hers are politically correct and socially acceptable. Instead of heroin and coke, she is controlled by sugar and diet pills. The movie doesn't have a happily-ever-after ending, as is such in the real world. The movie never goes into prententious satirical-land, either. It's just an unrelenting vision of the effects of drugs. If schools insist on trying to control others' lives, they should show this movie instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Get a life!I could say more, but I think I'm going to dance!
Review: This harsh film demonstrated one thing to me: people need to have a purpose. The over-riding theme was that none of these characters had anything to drive them; they had nothing to think about other than what was missing in their lives or how to get attention. If the older lady had a plot of land to work or some children to teach, or got out and exercised instead of sitting in front of a tv all day long, she would have felt a lot better about being "old." How sad that the only thing worth living for was the chance to get on tv. How sad for the other characters to live only to seek out more drugs. I love you Harry. If I heard that one more time, I think I would have to lose it. Instead, I'm going running! Thank God, there are SO many wonderful things ANY body can do!
Rating:
Summary: Psychotic Assault Overload
Review: The only way I could describe 'Requiem' is the most brutal and horrific downspiraling I have ever seen happen on film to its characters. This movie uses imagery, color, and editing in ways that mix and combine their various powers and lash out, leaving you almost senseless after watching it. It takes place in Coney Island, NY, and follows the relative descent of four characters, seperately and together. On one side, you have Jared Leto, his best friend, Marlon Wayans, and girlfriend, Jennifer Connelly, all trying to structure their futures while shooting up heroin. Then you have Leto's mother, in an courageous and flawless performance by Ellen Burstyn, who thinks she is going to win a junk-mail contest and be on television. That ignites a flame in her to lose weight as quickly as possible, and in doing so she becomes addicted to physician-described diet pills. There is a nice, slow buildup through the film, showing a combination of complete utopia of the drugs, and the destructive results as well. The interaction of an amazing script, direction, acting, scoring and editing holds up every seen, and your eyes are locked, horrified but not able to turn away. Slowly, things break down and all hope is lost in this psychotic assault overload. Darren Aronofsky follows up 'Pi' in a way I wish I could describe with doing justice. To think that this film is only his second shocks to me as to what his future might hold. He creates moments of rapture which he easily discards for pieces of vague, hallucinogetic, nightmarish visions. Every scene is carved to near perfection, and they are stacked in such a way that you couldn't walk out if you wanted to. Beware of this film and it's bravery, and make sure you keep away from the sure-to-pop-up Rated-R cut. I imagine it will butcher the film, even if only seconds are removed.
Rating:
Summary: a harrowing journey into the depths of despair
Review: My boyfriend and I were devestated after watching this film. For thirty minutes all we could do was stare at each other, and not say a word. I have never felt so emotionally drained after seeing a film as I was in this one. Darren Aronofsky introduces us to four flawed yet likeable characters, and then steps back and lets them do the damage all by themselves. A film about despair, lonliness, broken dreams, and people's inability to connect, even when they are right there next to each other. Eleen Burstyn deserves and oscar. And the rest of the cast and crew should stand up and be proud of one of the most amazing cinematic works I have seen in a long time. THIS is why movies are made.
Rating:
Summary: A haunting masterpiece
Review: Darren Aronofsky has now proven himself to be a brilliant director. With his first film, "Pi," Aronofsky created a dark, disturbing world plunging the viewer into the chaotic world of mathematics as it relates to the main character's insanity. In "Requiem for a Dream," (based on Hubert Selby Jr.'s novel of the same name), he has once again created a disturbing masterpiece ("Requiem" is easily one of the most disturbing films ever made), however he has grown in his filmmaking techniques. "Requiem" is a masterfully made film following the drug-addicted lives of four main characters. Ellen Burstyn deserves an Oscar for delivering the best performance of the year and quite possibly her carreer (she acts better than she did in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" - for which she received an Oscar prior to this film). For anyone who can withstand challenging visuals and graphic violent and sexual images, "Requiem for a Dream" is a materpiece of modern cinema.
Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE MAKES ME WANT TO DIRCET FILMS!!!
Review: I haven't seen pi in about two years and i really don't remember too much about the techniques Aronofsky implies, but i have recently, the last year been takign film courses. This film made me decide that i wanted to do that in actuality with my life. Thank god it got released again at my local kewl movie cineplex,albeit only showing once at the latest time available. I was rocking back and forth in my seat by the end and was too emotional to even cry, i felt like i was being shoved in my stomach. This is the most powerful movie i have ever seen. Ellen Burstyn needs and deserves to win an Academy Award for this film. Julia Roberts was a wonderful Erin Brokovich and I LOVED Laura Linney in You Can Count on Me, but this performance is the thign that comes along not too often. PLEASE WATCH THIS MOVIE. The only reason it is unrated is because the dopes at the MPAA are too scared to let people see this sometimes too realistic depiction of the spiral that drugs can cause. Traffic is good, THIS IS GREAT!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible!
Review: Simply terrible, I can't believe how much hype this movie is generating. It's not that good. I don't know how many people say that this is the best director ever. Ellen Burstyn does a good job, but she is the one who is carrying the movie, no one else is doing something that can be pointed as good in this movie.
Rating:
Summary: I'm 12 years old!!
Review: Requiem for a dream is the most amazing film of the year! I snuck into the theatre to see it. I loved Pi and I awaited Aronofsky's 2nd film for several years. I aspire to work with this crew. I am writing a contraversial screenplay and I would love to have Aronofsky direct it. The visuals in this film are like nothing I have ever seen. The humanity of the characters is so moving. Every parent in America should take their children to go see this movie. I am sorry this review is so choppy. It's late and I couldn't sleep. Buy it, rent it, or see it any way you can. Thumbs up
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking, Devastating, and Utterly Brilliant
Review: This is, without a doubt, the most intense and amazing film I have ever seen. Ellen Burstyn gives the performance of the decade (and perhaps, of the century). I could barely walk or breathe or think or do anything but FEEL when the film ended. And be forewarned, you will not be feeling very good. You should be in a good state of mind when you see it, or at least have someone you can be with or talk to at some point shortly thereafter. I cannot remember the last time I was so profoundly affected by a film. This is absolutely brilliant film making, and performances just simply do not come any better than this (and probably never will again). It will be such an incredible crime if Ellen Burstyn does not win the Academy Award for this performance. "Requiem" is also visually astonishing, and contains one of the most haunting and achingly beautiful scores I have ever heard. For all of the well-deserved praise that has surrounded the film "Traffic" this year, "Requiem" is perhaps the most soul-searing and devastating depiction of the pain, despair, and horror of addiction that you may ever see. This film MUST be seen. Seek it out if it is still in theaters, just see it, be amazed, and spread the word. And PLEASE check out the film's Web site, especially after seeing the movie (www.requiemforadream.com). It is the most creative use of the Internet I have ever seen, and it captures the tone of the film wonderfully. Be patient and let it unfold in front of you--just move your mouse around the screen occasionally, but spend some time experiencing this site.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Breathtaking
Review: This film is revolutionary, a true revelation. The acting, cinematography, the art direction... you name it it is hallmark. The shining star of this film is Ellen Burstyn in what will be considered a truly unforgetable, oscar winning performance. The final sequence is an emotional culmination that no other film this year can compare.
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