Donnie Darko (Widescreen Edition) | Jake Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne

Donnie Darko (Widescreen Edition) | Jake Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne | Donnie Darko (Theatrical Version)

DVDs:

Donnie Darko (Wide...

	Donnie Darko (Widescreen Edition) Jake Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne 20th Century Fox, 2003 average customer review:based on 827 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

In the tradition of Urban Legends and Final Destination, Donnie Darko is an edgy, psychological thriller about a suburban teen coming face-to-face wit his dark destiny. Jake Gyllenhaal leads a star-filled cast (including Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Jena Malone, Patrick Swayze and Mary McDonnell) as a delusional high-school student visited by a demonic rabbit with eerie visions of the past - and deadly predictions for the future. This "excitingly original" (Entertainment Weekly) nail-biter will keep you on the edge of your seat until the mind-bending climax.

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Like a Nightmare Version of "Napoleon Dynamite"

When my son brought this movie home, I thought it was going to be another predictable teen slasher. Not at all! This combination sci-fi/moody teen/drama-comedy/time paradox leaves you haunted, for all the questions left unanswered. The plot is indescribably complicated. You can't tell whether Donnie is hallucinating the giant evil bunny (a la Harvey) that tells him the world is going to end in 28 days, or whether you have joined him in a bizarre parallel world, where all the laws of science and the universe are warped, while others are living normal lives all around you. Is he seeing the future? Reliving his past? Or is it an alternative reality or a reversal of fate? Entwined within the plot are cutting condemnations of Society in the fat girl, the pyromaniac, stuck-up teachers, unyielding parents, snotty neighbors and self-help gurus. It all culminates in a fateful Halloween party. Unforgettable scores of '80s hits includes the theme, "Mad World." The cast includes executive producer Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze. Like a nightmare, this movie will keep haunting your thoughts long afterward.

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Donnie Darko (Theatrical Version)

As I have yet to view this version of the movie, I did purchase it based on my acceptance of the Director's Cut. This item shipped in 5 days when it was estimated from 2-12 days. This item arrived in pristine condition, wrapped in plastic. This is an excellent movie that I highly recommend, along with recommending the seller (A+ IMO) for my next purchase. It was indeed a pleasure doing business with this seller.

One of the best movies of the new millennium...

After several viewings and much thought, all I can say about this movie, in seven words or less is, "My God, what a totally fantastic flick!" A film, which I only finally saw (but had heard about, many years after it hit theaters and later DVD and cable). I really cannot say how great this film is, but I'll try. Note however, that on Amazon's rating scale from 1 star to 5, if I could, I'd give this SIX stars, but am limited to five. For this is a work which rises above the five star Amazon rating level for me, and few films have ever done that actually. Overall, despite some minor stumbles along the way, and many, confusing non-linear moments which occur throughout, I can seriously say this is certainly one of the most unique, touching, and mind-expanding movie efforts I've seen in a long, long time. It entered my top 20-50 films of all time quickly at the very least, when I first experienced it, and continues to move up, upon repeated screenings and reflections. That's saying a lot because my list of such top films of all times includes dozens of great films, too many to name here.

This is a small and independent but yet, GREAT movie, and is a must-buy for those with the funds and who loved/love this right off the bat as much as I did/do, because more viewings not only add to one's understanding and appreciation of it all, but will over time, as it has for me, simply add to one's thinking about it all deeply afterwards and lead to finding new meanings in various scenes and ideas/insights. Basically. "Donnie Darko," if you see it and you enjoy it upon initially watching it and re-watching it as I did (and still do), is a strange, wonderful enigma of a film, which you will come back to, for further and deeper appreciation. With the rather obtuse at times, and certainly non-progressive temporal structure however, repeated viewings and closer attention, almost seems essential for a full appreciation of this masterpiece. Along with so many various interpretations from viewers, if you collect DVD's, and fell in love with this film early on, as I did originally and much later on, this is really a movie you'll want to come back to and watch again, many times. While my review does not distinguish between released DVD versions, I can only concentrate on the basic product, which in its original film, is really something special.

It's hard to know where to begin to describe this absolutely amazing movie/film, which I found so surprisingly fascinating and unforgettable and great, when I first saw it, and since have, upon repeated viewings. As a general rule, I have never written short Amazon reviews, since my main deal here has been to try to impart upon readers, more in depth thoughts on all things entertainment-wise. I could just say, "this is a little-known, but important, cult-ish example of what Hollywood/Independent cinema can be, and mandatory viewing for any real, thought-stimulating movie fan," or "it is a complete and enlightening surprise from beginning to end," but I will instead just give my totally personal opinion (with a lot more words) that this is a film which everyone should see at least once. Whether afterwards, they get the same mental digestive overdrive reactions I did when I first saw it and which has been validated by seeing it again and again, is unknown to me. Because I loved this movie the very first time I saw it, and watching it again has only reinforced that opinion. I would hope to believe others have experienced this gem as much as I did originally, and have found enjoyment from repeated viewings.

While this film is, indeed, very non-linear. which is usually a quality which more often than not, has turned me off to so many other such movies besides notable exceptions like "Pulp Fiction," "Go," and "11:14." "Donnie Darko" is very deliberate in its intent and purpose, and its oftentimes ambiguous nature, is just one of its many charms. If you first see it, and like/love it, you'll eventually refer others to it, if for no other reason, than for that of trying to search for other's explanations as to what it's all about, from others besides yourself. However, if one first experiences this little jewel of a film and doesn't quite understand/appreciate it, I would advise one to simply devote the time if possible to watch it again, and again. In time, I would trust that it will all eventually become clear, what this enigma of an independent, but Hollywood release, really means. While some unnecessarily may want to over-interpret this, or dismiss it entirely from a possible feeling of just being too lazy to simply THINK, to me, "Donnie Darko" is simply amazing. Whether watched initially, repeatedly, and/or thought about later.

I came to eventually see this film long after its original release and subsequent impact, as I have so many other great movies, but in the new century, That does not diminish its importance and meaning to me as a truly great cinematic effort in the long run, and this new century film holds up very well, with anything from the last few decades. It is a one of a kind, at the very least, and I only wish more modern-day films came to equal this cinematic excellence.

I could go on to list the many stars and their fine performances, including Jake Gyllenhaal (our teen-aged hero which this middle-aged man can still truly identify with), his sister in real life and in this movie, "Maggie Gyllenhaal," Mary McDonnell, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and Jena Malone among others, but let it be said, this is a great cast. And their characters all perform key roles in the overall whole.

"Donnie Darko" is one of the best films I've seen this century. It is strange, open for debate as to meaning, but entertaining and compelling throughout. The film style is original and effective, the soundtrack and appropriate "songs" right-on, and the whole film, while dealing with some rather disturbing and/or depressing subjects, is a winner from frame one to the last frame. If you have never seen this, by all means, do. If you have, a lot of what I've hinted about without spoilers, should touch base.

An unforgettable experience, I watched this in amazement the first time, and have since, upon every repeated viewing. One of a kind, tight, and almost perfectly presented from beginning to end, along with a near perfect cast, directorial style, and musical background, "Donnie Darko" is truly a must-see experience. What it all really "means" in the end, is up to the viewer, which makes it forever more a total and timeless winner.

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Where Is Donnie?

-This review was written in conjunction with the standard edition of the DVD, not the 2-disc Director's Cut-

2001 was a year full of outstanding films, but one film stood out from all of the others for its sheer inventiveness, its brilliant vision, and its director's ambition. No, I'm not talking about The Lord of the Rings (although, my previous statement could easily be applied to that film as well). Richard Kelly's feature debut film as a director, Donnie Darko, is a fascinating science fiction drama. The film looks at the life of a troubled `80s teen named Donnie Darko, who suffers from blackouts, sleepwalking, and bizarre hallucinations. The film features an awesome soundtrack (which is unfortunately unavailable on Amazon.com) and some nifty camerawork and visual effects. Since its initial release, Donnie Darko has developed a loyal fanbase across the globe, especially in the U.K. where the film first achieved its cult classic status.

The story tells us of an emotionally troubled teenager, Donnie Darko, who begins having hallucinations (or are they) of a man in a rabbit costume. The man refers to himself as simply Frank, and he warns Donnie that the world will end in 28 days. Meanwhile, Donnie's family struggles with his peculiar behavior and his general disregard for their feelings. After meeting a new girl at school named Gretchen, Donnie seems to find new purpose in life, but his blackouts become more severe. During these episodes he vandalizes the school and even burns down his neighbor's house. Soon Donnie discovers that he and everyone around him are being manipulated by a mysterious force, the Deus ex Machina (roughly translated this means God of the Machine). If Frank's prediction is right and the world were truly to end, the sky to open up, and the universe torn apart, could anyone or anything stop it? This is the ultimate challenge of Donnie Darko. Can he save the world from oblivion?

The film features an all-star cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Beth Grant, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, and Noah Wyle. The film's director, Richard Kelly, proves himself to be one of the most extraordinary up and coming filmmakers.

For a greater understanding and appreciation of this film, I also recommend the following:
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
A Brief History of Time
The Evil Dead
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
High School Flashback Collection
Back to the Future - The Complete Trilogy
The Last Temptation of Christ
Stephen King Gift Set

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Heavy...Or, Lite?

I just watched "Donnie Darko" last night w/my son who is 16. My son said, he loved it, awesome. You can really take this movie 2 ways, not getting it at all, or totally loving it. I was somewhere in the middle. It was both funny, and chilling at the same time. It reminds me of a movie I saw a long time ago, called: Jacob's Ladder. Without spoiling the end of the flick for those who haven't seen it, I do encourage you to check it out. I saw someone's earlier review stating it was kind of like a Napolian Dynamite Nightmare, in that, it's again, kind of like, you either get it, or you don't. I can see alot of people coming off of this movie with a question mark....but, I totally get the end, it was fantastic. I saw it on cable, one of the reviews said they has watched the commentary a second time around, and connecting the dots was very well put. I can very much see how this flick has and will become a cult classic. Check it out! ;)

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