Maggie Gyllenhaal Movie:

Editorial Review:
This unclassifiable but stunningly original film obliterates the walls between teen comedy, science fiction, family drama, horror, and cultural satire--and remains wildly entertaining throughout. Jake Gyllenhaal (October Sky) stars as Donnie, a borderline-schizophrenic adolescent for whom there is no difference between the signs and wonders of reality (a plane crash that decimates his house) and hallucination (a man-sized, reptilian rabbit who talks to him). Obsessed with the science of time travel and acutely aware of the world around him, Donnie is isolated by his powers of analysis and the apocalyptic visions that no one else seems to share. The debut feature of writer-director Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is a shattering, hypnotic work that sets its own terms and gambles--rightfully so, as it turns out--that a viewer will stay aboard for the full ride. --Tom Keogh

Donnie Darko [Region 2] Reviews:
Top 100 movies of all time
2008-12-03 - I've never seen a movie like this. The movie has a beautiful aspect (especially the end). And there are a few chuckles as well. Contrary to the more critical commentary, there is depth and complexity to the story that kind of requires you to see it more than once. I'm no genius, but what I gathered the basis of Donnie Darko to be is about our part in the deliberate DESIGN of our destiny, and I catch more each time I watch it.

Regardless of anything, sincere thought and expression went in to the making of Donnie Darko. Mixed with skill and technical ability = Art.

A WORK OF ART! In the top 100 movies of all time in my opinion.

Recycled Aggregate
2008-11-05 - This bloodless production's period costume design, cars, TV newscasts and popular music do nothing to make it seem like anything other than a product of this torpid decade; you can't sell a counterfeit 1988 to a fledgling of that enormous, tacky era. If I want '80s teen angst or surrealism, I'll consult the genuine article and watch some old David Lynch or John Hughes films (separately), all of which have what this film doesn't: character, substance and zeitgeist without all the hokey pretension of this boring, distended exercise.

The novelty of this movie's time-travel plot gimmick can't sustain its numerous uninspired scenarios, complete dearth of appealing and interesting characters, vast array of moronic clichés and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is surely the most irritating actress in recent memory.

Heavy...Or, Lite?
2008-10-02 - 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! ;)

Like a Nightmare Version of "Napoleon Dynamite"
2008-09-18 - 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.

"Where Is Donnie?"
2008-09-12 - -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