Donnie Darko [Blu-ray]

I chose this Bly ray as great price & arrived next day . Seen before but bought as a gift for my sons birthday - he asked for it so pleased with the birthday purchase

A well deserved classic of the unfolding story told in disconnected segments that come together to truly satisfy. I doubt I will tire of it.

A classic movie with five star performances through out, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Jena Malone are just three to mention, but overall a movie worth watching over and over again.

This is by far one of may favorite films of all time its just so wonderfully different from anything else I've ever seen.Donnie Darko (2001,Richard Kelly) is set in America during a election time for Michael S. Dukakis vs Bush. How ever that isn't really what the films about even though its mentioned a couple of times, the film is about Donnie Darko (Jake gyllenhall) a troubled boy with mental issues despite him being very bright for his age. Donnie is sleep walking and is constantly coming across a strange character called Frank dressed in giant bunny costume. Frank makes Donnie do things in his sleep such as arson and destruction of property. Donnie is disturbed by what he's dreaming about and has therapy for his dreams hoping they'll stop with the help of some medication he's prescribed. As things begin to get out of hand Donnie becomes more and more obsessed with the idea of time travel which throws yet another possibility for Donnie's strange habits into the mix of what is already a confusing story.The film has moments of awe as well as sadness and deals with issues such as the meaning of life, the belief in god and the existence of parallel universes/ time travel (I know there not the same thing but share similar characteristics).The moral issues and philosaphys this film takes into account may boggle your mind but this film is so unique and strange it's something of impressive step in the right direction for entrepreneurs in the film industry ,e.g. "Being John Malcavitch" a unique story and a film no one even wanted to make but when it was created it grossed millions and a cult fan base. This Film deserves as much credit , and yet sadly won't but at least has fans and is worth the purchase for the price Amazons charging. It has a sequel which I haven't seen, neither do I want to, it really doesn't look like a proper sequel and isn't worth watching when this film raps up loose ends and stands well enough on its own.Closing point: i was slightly disappointed with this copy seeing as there is a final cut which has a more detailed explanation of what's going on as well as some extra footage, so if you're going to buy any buy the director's cut its worth it.

I first saw this film when I lived in the Czech Republic - I only mention that because it was a magical experience (yes, Prague is a Magic City...). Everything about it is thoughtful and strange yet emotionally true. It's difficult to explain as a simple recounting of the plot would sound not just pedestrian but ridiculous.The story is centered on Donnie Darko (as played by Jake Gyllenhaal) a troubled adolescent who is experiencing something resembling psychic disintegration - putting it like that already seems absurd, as the film is not a linear text. There is a lot to unpack but the wonder of it is that it's a genuinely thrilling and meaningful experience. I've seen the film many times now and (as the cliche would have it) I see something new in every viewing. I'm not even looking for anything new, I just see it there.The director, Richard Kelly, doesn't appear to have made anything as good as this since. (I don't mean this as a criticism, but sometimes a work of art acquires a life of its own and its creator becomes a kind of medium.) The film could easily have descended into farce or bathos, but despite everything it works. In a world of multi-tasking social media superficiality, engaging with this movie is like visiting an island of sanity in a (sorry) mad world.

I was ready to award this movie 5 stars, until I read tony mac's review. (Titled "Rabbit in the hat")Upon review, I think Tony is spot on about several important points. I hadn't noticed these the first time I watched the Movie. The reason, I believe, is that I was blinded by the cinematic beauty and charisma of this enigmatic movie.However, I'm still awarding the film 4 stars, for precisely the above reason. For me, films are not necessarily about telling serious stories, morally guiding us or challenging us to think about the nature of our daily lives. Donny Darko manages to make you think, but I have now come to the conclusion that the ideas put forward in the film are unclear, unhelpful and unlikely to impact on your moral or philosophical beliefs in any major way.This feels like a disappointment and a let down, because you feel like the movie should be deep, it should be clever, and you should be taking something away from it. The movie promises all of the above, but actually delivers nothing but "scotch mist".However, back to my original point, Donny Darko is a wonderful piece of filmmaking. The actors' performance, the direction, the scenery, the score, the lighting and the atmosphere are all darkly beautiful. For me, this is the most important thing when it comes to films. Another reviewer made a comparison between Donny Darko and Usual Suspects. I like that comparison. In my opinion, Usual Suspect's storyline was a load of nonsense. And if you consider it, you could argue that it uses a version of the "I woke up and it was all a dream ending" (I don't think I'm spoiling the film for anyone by saying that. Don't worry, the ending is far more subtle and clever than the "It was a dream" ending of 'Vanilla Sky' with Tom cruise!)However, Usual Suspects was a cinematic masterpiece, with interesting characters, well acted roles and some really well directed scenes.So to summarize, for a clever thought provoking movie, I'd look at Fight Club or American Beauty. For a beautiful piece of art, check out Donny Darko.