Donnie Darko: What'd everyone think?

[ghouck]

Me, I really like this movie. I can't believe it's been out since 2001 and isn't more popular. It's on the "50 films to see before you die" list at #9, and rightly so. Very interesting, never thought the subjects of time-travel, causality, and mental illness could be brought together so well (much different story than 12 monkeys though IMO).

[BeyondTheGrave]

I saw it and really didn't think much of it. I mean I liked it but not as much as most people.

[Pilgermann]

Donnie Darko is certainly a victim of being over-hyped.  Luckily I saw it before it seemed like everyone on the planet had done so, so I didn't really go into it with any expectations.  I think it's a good movie, and of course it's easy to pick at it since it deals with time travel, but I still really like it.  I wasn't as big a fan of the director's cut, but it's not bad.

[Scott]

Weird film if your not sure what to expect. 

[ghouck]

Donnie Darko is certainly a victim of being over-hyped.

I never heard any of its hype, the first time I heard of it was while reading the "50 movies" list. Apparently I'm even more out-of-touch than I previously thought, , , ,

[onionhead]

Personally, I hadn't heard of Donnie Darko until this forum.  I rather enjoyed the convoluted story until I read an interview with writer/director Richard Kelly in which he praised his own cleverness.  Sorry, his but self-promotion kind of spoiled the film for me.

[Torgo]

I loved the theatrical cut.

I didn't like the director's cut nearly as much. It's as if the director missed the point of his own movie.

[Mr_Vindictive]

I agree 100 % with Torgo's comment.  Richard Kelly just didn't seem to get his own film.  Sad...

I picked up the film just before it became an indie "must-see" and everyone and their brother was talking about it.  I bought it for about 5 bucks from Best Buy, and I absolutely loved it my first time around.  I still rather enjoy the film, but it isn't remotely as good after a few viewings.  It loses much of it's punch and seems to be more confusing than groundbreaking.

[ghouck]

I didn't like the director's cut nearly as much. It's as if the director missed the point of his own movie.

I rather enjoyed the convoluted story until I read an interview with writer/director Richard Kelly in which he praised his own cleverness.  Sorry, his but self-promotion kind of spoiled the film for me.

I'll just be avoiding the director's cut then. This kinda reminds me of Star Wars, how we were led to believe "The Force" was some magical power obtainable to anyone, ,, only to have is based on some scientific principals in the prequil. . . . Some people just can't leave well enough alone. .

[CheezeFlixz]

I watched it, I found it enjoyable as far as films go. However, I didn't think it was worthy of the cult status it's fan base was giving it. I've seen better films and I've seen worse. I just failed to see where this film deserved as much praise as it got, I mean it didn't need to be dogged, but it didn't need all of the cult level-fan based hype it got either. Just my opinion.

[JPickettIII]

I saw it a bit ago.  Weird, just plain weird.  The ending was funny.

John

[Bill C.]

Geez...I've had the DVD of the theatrical cut sitting on the floor of my spare bedroom for over two years, unwatched by my eyes...

[rebel_1812]

Donnie Darko is certainly a victim of being over-hyped.

I never heard any of its hype, the first time I heard of it was while reading the "50 movies" list. Apparently I'm even more out-of-touch than I previously thought, , , ,

it is very hyped in word of mouth.  When my friends told me about it, they made it sound like the best movie ever made.  Of course any movie will fall short of those expectations.

[ulthar]

When my friends told me about it, they made it sound like the best movie ever made.  Of course any movie will fall short of those expectations.

Except, well, the best movie ever made.   

FWIW, I liked the director's cut but never saw the theatrical cut.  From the commentary, based on what was missing  in the theatrical cut, I figured I would not enjoy it as much.

It's funny, though.  Other than the punchline and general tone of the movie, I don't really remember a whole lot about it.

[rebel_1812]

When my friends told me about it, they made it sound like the best movie ever made.  Of course any movie will fall short of those expectations.

Except, well, the best movie ever made.   

yeah Snakes on a Plane