[home] [news] [reviews] [features]

DONNIE DARKO(Metrodome) Director: Richard Kelly Hacktors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze Head Count: Tag-line: 'Dark, Darkest, Darko', 'Dark, Darker, Darko', 'Be Afraid Of The Dark', 'What Would You Do If You Knew The Future?', 'You Can Never Go Too Far'. Death Toll: Three. Cutting Remarks: If ever there was a modern example of a cinematic Emperor's New Clothes, it was last year's 'Donnie Darko'. A perfectly well-made, imaginative and mysterious movie, which you keep watching because you believe the ending's going to be incredible. Sadly, the ending is infuriatingly inconclusive and seemingly designed to have philosophy students stroking their chins in coffee bars for years to come.          The titular Donnie takes pills to maintain his mental health and is currently talking to an imaginary friend called Frank, who wears the bunny suit and mask which have provided the movie with such an iconic image. One day, a jet engine falls from the sky and lands on his bedroom, while he's out on one of his night-time sleepwalks. There's a reason behind this - something to do with time-travel - but you'll be needing a degree to understand it. As the movie is set in 1988, you'll also have to wade through some lousy pop music of the time.          Drew Barrymore appears as a distinctly sexy teacher, but her character ultimately seems pointless. Patrick Swayze is good as a motivational preacher with a very dark secret, but once again, the dramatic reasoning behind his inclusion is vague. Frank The Rabbit is a great, frightening image and Kelly's direction is often captivating, but ultimately the way that the movie ends is just irritating. Horror fans will get very little out of it, and sci-fi fans will doubtless be left as confused as the rest of us. Definitely one for pseudo-intellectuals who get their kicks from gassing about the philosophical candyfloss which litters this overly deliberate attempt at making a cult movie. Most Memorable Demise: One character getting run over by a car. Look Out For: A double-bill of Halloween and Frightmare at the local cinema. Nice. Killer Quote: "What's a fuck-ass?" - Donnie's little sister Samantha at the family dinner table. DVD Details: Audio commentaries (one by director Kelly and star Gyllenhaal, the other by selected cast and crew members, including Drew Barrymore and Kelly again!), 20 deleted and extended scenes (spare us), interviews with 20 cast and crew members (exclusive to Region 2), B-roll footage, 'The Philosophy Of Time Travel', Website Gallery, Artwork Gallery, UK Art Exhibition, 'They Made Me Do It' (making of the art gallery, exclusive to Region 2), Cunning Visions gallery, TV Spots, filmographies. Release Date: May 19, 2003. [Check it out at Amazon.co.uk] [Check it out at Amazon US] [Reviews Menu] [Home] © Copyright Slasherama 2002-present