Night at the Movies: Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut

[Scrivener]

How do you make one of the most mind-smashingly fantastic movies of all time even better? Well, Richard Kelly figured it out.

For the uninitiated, Donnie Darko is a bizarre, twisted, mind-numbing puzzle of a movie. The first time you watch it it sticks with you, haunting you for days - sometimes weeks. Was Donnie crazy? Was he sane? WTF is going on? How does all this work out?

That aspect alone intrigues some viewers, upsets others, and baffles most. Those with the fortitude to slog through the cryptic maze of insanity that is the Donnie Darko website are rewarded with yet more puzzle pieces with which to build an understanding of the movie.

I'm one of those people - and I thought I had it figured out.

I didn't.

For those who couldn't figure out what the first movie was *about* - this cut makes it quite clear that there is a puzzle to be solved. The difference here is that you are given many more pieces of that puzzle - previously only available to those who uncovered the secrets of the website... or purchased the neato coffee table book.

So following the movie I sipped a delicious Java Chip Frappuccino and discussed all the new minutia with the only friend of mine who can deign to be called a member of my beloved film culture. It was during this session that I had a breakthrough - a revelation - I completely figured out Donnie Darko beyond a reasonable doubt.

So I wont spoil anything right now, I'll wait a few posts. Suffice it to say there some new little tidbits that make the discussions on God, time travel, and destiny much more clear (all of which were very big issues in the first film).

I've seen the first film DOZENS of times. But seeing it on the big screen... and with the new music, extended scenes, and new footage... it was like seeing it for the first time. I laughed, I cried, I almost yelled at characters on screen. Even after repeated viewing this movie jus grabbed onto me and wouldn't let go. This new Director's Cut is FANTASTIC and if it's playing anywhere even remotely near you then YOU SIMPLY MUST SEE IT.

12/10!!!!

BTW - I drove 40 miles to Hollywood to see this movie - can you believe there's no-one playing it in Orange County? I need to move to Seattle, bigger film culture there.

[Supreme Cmdr]

It must be on limited released. I have GOT to see this cut!!!

[Kevin Trotter]

Questions will be answered? I have many, this film was an effective piece of filmmaking though I am not sure I liked it. I did find myself involved in it and it illicited some very powerful responses and that is what film should do( as long as the response isnt to get the **** out of the theater) And it did stick with me days after I watched it. Pittsburgh has two orthree venues that would show this and I am vigilant in hoping it will surface somewhere.