Donnie Darko...a very strange movie - Page 2

OK,
I have a couple more things I would like to hear feedback on.

I'm guessing others noticed the Horror Double Feature of Evil Dead and The Last Temptation of
Christ!


Also, notice at the beginning of the film, Donnie seems at least somewhat happy. He smiles a bit after waking up and looking around. Is he happy because he has cheated death? Notice he is VERY happy at the end of the film when he knows he is about to die. Is this some sort if anti It's a Wonderful Life? I'm just trying to dig past the logistics.


DAMN! This is a fascinating film!

This I agree on whole heartedly. I don't think it is possible to ever find any definitive answers to fully explain this film. Not that anyone should stop sharing their thoughts on the film mind you, because it has certainly been fun reading everyones personal opinions on Donnie Darko.

While I thank everyone here for taking the time to share their own thoughts on the film and agreeing/disagreeing with my own I believe that everyone will find their own unique answers due to the overall vagueness of the film itself.

Now I know this type of film is not everyones cup of tea but I am always fascinated by these types of films (What that "type" is I am still not quite sure, LoL). The only other film that comes to mind that made me feel/think the way Donnie Darko has would have to be Mamoru Oshii's Avalon.

Well I gave it my best shot, LoL. I am sure others will disagree with my analysis of the film but as they say "c'est la vie".

Good grief people, you're acting like this film was some special gift from the Gods... Riveting? Yes. Good storytelling? Not if you have to watch the commentaries two and three times and still not get the film.

NO KIDDING, BRYANT. This thread should be shut immediately and we should all spend our time in a truly thought-provoking one like "Okay - which will get the biggest box office - HP, LOTR or Monsters Inc? " I mean, that one has over 30,000 hits and over 1,400 responses. It MUST be an intriguing topic. Of course, we could join the almost 50,000 hits about a movie that doesn't even come out for two months.


What do you think you accomplish by pissing in the pool?

I just watched this movie and I am still reeling.

Did anyone else notice at the beginning of chapter 22, right after Donnie's sister tells him she got into Harvard, the rabbit head on the counter? What's that all about?

I'm glad I read this thread.

The first time I saw the film, I did not get it at all. Does that mean I thought it was bad?

HELL NO!

It was easily the most thought-provoking film outside of Memento I saw last year and I thought it was the best directorial debut since Shamaylan's The Sixth Sense. And reading this thread just proves that even more. So many theories and well structured answers to wade through.

Absolutely, Travis!

I actually find it more discussion worthy than Memento. I think there are deeper philosophical issues at play. All of a sudden because a film is complex and not obvious, it's poorly done? Incredible! Some Universities offer entire programs on analyzing Tolstoy. I guess that means he was an incompetent author.

There is a deleted scene that shows Donnie and his sister carving pumpkins. When she asks him to spin his pumpkin around so that she can see it, it clearly shows that Frank was his inspiration.


My friend Joe said exactly the same thing.

I just finished watching for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It's been very interesting to read everyone's ideas. I need to process the film in my mind some more before I weigh in.

John, I never said or implied to shut the thread down. I came here to discuss it after all didn't I? All I'm saying is that you and others are acting like you found the lost holy grail, when IMO it could be nothing more than an empty Coke can falling from an Airplane. Sounds familiar? Here's another theory. The director was making reference to The God's Must Be Crazy. Or how about, Donnie was actually Christ and Swayze really was the Anti-Christ? Or maybe the old lady was supposed to have died instead of his girlfriend? You could go on and on. Personally, I prefer the writer/director to be able to explain what I missed in the film, but he doesn't.

Deep and complicated is a film like Pi. It requires intellectual muscle to understand it. The responses to this film all over the WWW, and listening to the commentary show that the film is nothing more than a highly entertaining car wreck. This film did not require intellectual muscle.

Of course the other option was that he just wanted to make something entertaining. You know, like the blockbusters you mention

It was actually a Coke bottle

Bruce

Bryant,

Why not let those of us who enjoyed it be? Your second post said nothing that your first post on the subject did not already say and say better. If our holy grail is an empty coke bottle, so be it. It is all in the eye of the beholder, after all. You don't have to agree with it. But I don't see how calling out those who may love it, such as with your previous "Good grief..." comments add anything at all to the discussion.

What requires more intellectual muscle? Having to have a film explained to you or having to come up with your own interpretation or explanation for the events that happended in the film?

Amen! There is alot of value and entertainment in a "popcorn flick". It's nice to kick back and just be fed eye-candy. But, I don't want that all the time. When a film like Donnie Darko comes along...it is a god-send mainly because it isn't easily explained or understood. It requires viewer participation to comprehend and follow. I gravitate to the unusual and "bizarre" films just for that very reason.

Bruce

I couldn't agree with you more. I guess that's why I've been such huge fan of David Lynch. Another reason these types of films appeal to me is that they seem to capture the very essence of our dreams and nightmares. How often can you immediately, if at all, explain everything that you see and experience in a dream?

On another note, can someone please tell me the name of the song that plays while Donnie and Frank are speaking to one another in the theater? The listings for the soundtrack at IMDB (and the end credits) are as follows:

"The Killing Moon"
Written by Will Sergeant, Ian McCulloch, Les Pattinson and Pete De Freitas
Performed by Echo & The Bunnymen
Courtesy of Sire Records/Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Lucid Memory"
Written and Performed by Sam Bauer and Ged Bauer

"Head over Heels"
Written by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal
Performed by Tears For Fears
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

"Lucid Assembly"
Written and Performed by Ged Bauer and Mike Bauer

"Ave Maria"
Written by Giulio Caccino and Paul Pritchard
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC

"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Written by Steve Baker and Carmen Daye
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC

"Show Me"
Written by Quito Colayco and Tony Hertz
Courtesy of Associated Production Music LLC

"Notorious"
Written by Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor
Performed by Duran Duran
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

"Proud To Be Loud"
Written by Marc Ferrari
Performed by The Dead Green Mummies
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / Master Source

"Love Will Tear Us Apart"
Written and Performed by Joy Division
Courtesy of Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Under the Milky Way"
Written by Steven Kilbey and Karin Jansson
Performed by The Church
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.
Courtesy of Festival Mushroom Records Pty Ltd.

"Mad World"
Written by Roland Orzabal
Performed by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews

It would seem that it would be Ave Maria, but it doesn't sound like any form of Ave Maria that I've ever heard. Could someone please help me figure this out? If it is Ave Maria, which performance is it and what album can I find it on? Pretty, pretty, please.......

As I explained with Pi, there are films that require intellectual muscle in order for you to comprehend it, and there are films like DD that are simply incomprehensible. Most incomprehensible films are trashed because they aren't as visually compelling as DD. The real question IMO is whether the writer/director intended to make a film that was impossible to comprehend, or if he just wrote a really crap story. That's the real question that potentially identifies the genius you are all so quick to label him as.

This was no Pi.

So? Why does it matter that people here are finding depth to it that you don't?

Bryant,

Thanks for clearing it all up for me. Now I know that when I watch Pi I need to have my brain on at full power and when I watch anything else, I can just switch it off because no other film is up to the standard of Pi and therefore, no other film has depth or meaning. Umm...in case it's not clear:

Bruce

You obviously don't understand the futility of coming to a thread discussing a particular film, with what seems to be no intention other than to dump on it. I have no idea what discussions are going on around the web regarding this film. This is the only area on the web I visit that regards film. I saw Donnie Darko last week and was glad to find others who want to discuss it. I'd also like to point out that that this forum has rules against contributing to a thread with the sole intention of dumping on it.

This isn't a thread on Pi.


If you want to start a thread on how stupid this film is, go right ahead.

So, if a particular film is incomprehensible (to you at the very least), then the film is incomprehensible to everyone else and is automatically intellectually deficient? I guess David Lynch is a hack.


Ok...now if it's intended to be impossible to comprehend, he's a genius? That doesn't fit very well with the first quote because only a genius could direct a film that requires intellectual muscle, right?

You have yet to post anything of real substance. You haven't even tried to understand by asking questions. Instead, you decide to piss on the film without being constructive. For all your wordiness, the only thing it equates to is "This film sucks".



And PI is no Muholland Drive or Donnie Darko. What is your point?

Can someone please help with that musical piece?

Dwayne,

I don't own the disc, I just rented it last week. I want to buy it, but it may be a little while since I'm not even sure I can get it locally. If no one has answered your music guestion by the time I have it, I'll try to give you an answer.


Why don't we follow Michael's lead and leave Bryant's misdirection to the side. There was some good discussion going on here, but once Bryant joined in it has pretty much gone down the tubes.


I was exploring the Donnie Darko web site on Saturday and found some interesting things. I, for one, am having a good time dissecting this film.

I think most people are as well. I don't know if you have if you have gotten the oppurtunity as of yet, but I believe the whole text of "The Philosophy Of Time Travel" is on the disc. You flip through the pages using your remote. I just glanced over it, but I believe there are some major clues there. If you are buying this disc at a store, make sure you go to Best Buy. I couldn't find this disc anywhere else.

I'll have to check out the disc tonight. I still need to watch the film again but I doubt I'll get to it before Wednesday...

I also have really enjoyed thinking about the film and I will weigh in more once I can watch it again. From a point of dissecting the film, which commentary is better to listen to?

This reminds me of a brief conversation between Roger Ebert and David Lynch before the Academy Awards last night.

Ebert told Lynch, (something to the effect of) "MD is a fascinating film. I didn't understand all of it, but it was fascinating. I understood it emotionally though."

To which Lynch replied (something to the effect of) "Well then, exactly. You understood it perfectly."

There are many people who consider lesser known films like (among many many others) 'Begotten' and 'Tombs of the Blind Dead' to be classics and worthy of praise, despite their both being relatively slow and plot-thin (and in begotten's case, almost unwatchable). So why are they praised?

IMO if you are solely judging a film based on your ability to make logical sense of the plot then you are working with a pretty narrow criteria. The use of Iconography, mood, pacing, emotional consistancy. The themes Redemption, the existential dilemma, coming of age. Believe it or not, there are some people out there who feel that Donnie Darko accomplished all of this beautifully.

There is nothing wrong with dissecting the movie's time travel and character motivation aspects, but it really engaged me on an emotional level and never let me down in that respect. And besides, the music (Joy Division, The Church, Echo, et al.) was f***ing inspired.

Cheers,

Joseph

Joseph,

I agree with you. In fact I had said something along those lines several posts back. The tough thing is, that is awfully difficult, if not impossible to discuss. I certainly related with Donnie many times.

I could definitely relate with Donnie, especially during his two tirades against the Fear - Love cult.

I definitely loved this film; just a very original piece of work from a first-time writer/director. I can only hope it finds its audience in the home market as it clearly failed in theaters.

I just wrote a review of the DVD here if you'd like to check it out

Great film IMHO.


The Richard Kelly commentary with Jake is the more informative of the two I believe.

all i can say is wow.

any movie that opens up with echo and the bunneymen can't be half bad...to add joy division is just an absolute topper!

i'm just bummed that i spent three bucks to rent it when i KNOW i'm just going to end up buying the dvd anyway. it definitely sounds like the commentary will help figure this one out.

just some random thoughts/questions:

i'm a little confused on the time-line issue. when exactly did the story "start". was it the beginning of oct, or was it at the end and then the portal kicked open?

i figure frank was sent back to help donnie fix all the pending wrongs, but i'm not really sure. i definitely don't think he meant donnie any harm?

at the end, when donnie smiles and laughs in bed (right before the engine drops)...to me that was a conscious decision on his part. but, doesn't that mean he was basically commiting suicide? that kind of bummed me out...