Donnie Darko

[jumpinjackflash]

Anyone seen the film ?Donnie Darko?? I watched it last night. So, was he dreaming the whole time then? I don?t get it?

[candj]

Based on the way the movie abruptly ended, it appears that Donnie Darko was dreaming the entire time coupled with the fact that he has some sort of mental issues.

[Asset]

Not seen it, wanted to though. Is it worth it? Poss not now I've read this!

[Ingenuity]

It's not good.... i think its been lavishly praised for being "cult" which often translates as utter bag of toss.

[mockney piers]

It's worth a watch, it's one of those you go "Wow" after the first watch, especially if you've heard nothing, but doesn't stand up quite so well to subsequent viewings.

Well worth it for Patrick Swayze's creepy turn against type, very good.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I enjoyed watching at the time but unlike many other films I've never felt drawn to watching it again (even tho the plot would seemingly necessitate at least one more viewing)

Swayze was ace in it however

EDIT: ooh an MP cross-post re: Swayze

[mockney piers]

"utter bag of toss"

Hardly, it's well made, well acted, the 80s feel is good, there are some good comedy moments and my health worker step ma felt it was pretty straight in its dealings with schizophrenia.

All dressing on a pretty good if standard fare coming-of-age movie.

Yeah the hype and cult status thanks to a couple of renta-twists, got out of proportion with the actual quality of the film, it's a good but it's not a great film by any stretch, but bag of toss? I don't think so.

EDIT: Ooh, been a awhile!

[Cassius]

I loved it the first time I saw it in the cinema but agree that subsequent viewings have not gone down so well - JG in his first major role was a bit of a revelation - pity he didn't live up to expectations.

[SeanMacGabhann]

he were good in Zodiac I thought Cassius?

[Cassius]

Yes - but I did hope he would have a career more like Johnny Depp - (excluding the Pirates franchise) - odd, interesting, quirky films rather than the awful Day After Tomorrow!

[jumpinjackflash]

I think I need to watch it again to really understand it. I'm rubbish with films like this. That's why I'll never watch The Matrix!

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'll stand by Depp in the first Pirates film. 2nd was poor and not needed and the 3rd was just.. wrong.

But I guess Darko was longer ago than I thought and JG doesn't have as much time on his side as I reckoned.

[Ingenuity]

Sorry mockney

Just not my cup of tea. And you never know sometimes you can miss the decency of a film based on your mood at the time. Having said that the DVD is on my shelf and unlikely to get watched again so if anyone wants to buy it off me for something a little bit more than the worth of a Bradford & Bingley share... its theres!

Paul

[Jeremy]

I've watched it several times, and still enjoy it.

Don't think of it as "dreaming", I think that's an over-simplification. I think the bulk of the film is supposed to be set in a parallel universe. Then at the end, Donnie closes up the parallel universe, and returns to the point where it originally branched off - i.e. when the engine falls through the roof.

[Cassius]

Sean - I'll just about give you the first Pirates film - the second was total rubbish and I have to admit I can't comment on the third as I didn't even bother to watch it.

Back to DD - I wonder how many films that are so good on first viewing can take several repeat watchings.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I think the awfulness of the 2nd two Pirates films may have spoiled the first for you Cassius.

(see also: The Matrix bunch)

trilogies that never were, created just to clip money. bah...

[mockney piers]

That's quite alright Ingenuity, I totally understand someone not liking the film, I was just saying that's on its own merits it's not a bad film as such.

I forced myself to watch about 10 minutes of Battlefield Earth on tv the other night, just to remind myself what truly eyewateringly awful film making is about.

Moments like that make you a little less harsh on a merely OK title.

[Brendan]

What Jeremy said. Well that's the way I understood it anyway.

[Ingenuity]

Mockney.... how on earth did you manage 10 minutes of that (the one with John Travolta right?)????

That must have included getting up to make a cuppa or something???

That is a shocker. I tried watching one a week or so ago on C4 with Christian Bale and Sean Bean in it, cant remember what it was called but it was a bit of a '1984' rip off. I didnt get into that one either and when moaning about it to my fellow director was told it was one of his favourite films.... maybe i should get through the pain barrier of films and be more hard core!!!

Paul

[Jeremy]

Ingenuity - it's called "Equilibrium". A lot of people like it, I think it's a bit rubbish.

[MadWorld74]

I take my 'name' from the film's main song of the soundtrack.

[Jimbob]

DD is crap, and imho falls into the same category as Withnail and I, overrated rubbish.

[Keef]

the same category as Withnail and I, overrated rubbish

I've not seen DD, but for that comment alone I'd like to buy you a beer!

[SeanMacGabhann]

* sharp intake of breath *

This will end badly

[Cassius]

People have been shot for less.........