-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Is Donnie Darko Good?
- Thread starter BojTrek
- Start date
- Status
BojTrek said:
It seems to be one of the big cult hits of this era. Personally I think it's over-rated, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy watching it once. Take that for what you will. And no, it's nowhere near as bad as any movie that has Ashton 'Kooch-face' anywhere near it...
F
Folder
Unconfirmed Member
Its not overrated. I believe it to be one of the true defining movies of late pinning down perfectly the mushrooming anti-depressant use amongst American teenagers and blending it into a stunningly woven fantasy.
I found it one of the most challenging movies I had ever seen and I honestly (and I know this will draw the hate) believe that the enjoyment of it is directly proportional to the intelligence of the viewer.
I found it one of the most challenging movies I had ever seen and I honestly (and I know this will draw the hate) believe that the enjoyment of it is directly proportional to the intelligence of the viewer.
Folder said:
I think it has more to do with what people want from a story... most people demand to have a neatly tied in a knot ending. Whereas some people actually enjoy loose endings. Maybe it has more to do with whether you prefer movies or the theater/stage.
lilraylewis
Member
Go ahead and watch it. You'll probably like it. I dug it the first couple of times I watched it, but now I absolutely despise it. It's so angsty.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I liked it plenty, though I don't understand the love. And I really, really don't understand Folder's belief.
I think (and *this* will draw the hate) that if anything, enjoyment of it is proportional to how intelligent you presume yourself to be, not how intelligent you are. I've read too many slobberingly praising things about this movie that could only be written by teenagers not yet exposed to a decent amount of philosophy, math, or time-travel in science fiction.
For interesting time-travel philosophy wrapped up in a poingant zeitgeist, watch 12 Monkeys instead. Now there's a movie I don't feel is overrated and deserves a cult following.
I think (and *this* will draw the hate) that if anything, enjoyment of it is proportional to how intelligent you presume yourself to be, not how intelligent you are. I've read too many slobberingly praising things about this movie that could only be written by teenagers not yet exposed to a decent amount of philosophy, math, or time-travel in science fiction.
For interesting time-travel philosophy wrapped up in a poingant zeitgeist, watch 12 Monkeys instead. Now there's a movie I don't feel is overrated and deserves a cult following.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Oh, as long as we're getting into it-- why "challenging" Folder?
PS: Soundtrack is #1 best thing about movie, #2 best thing about movie is the dinner-table dialogue.
PS: Soundtrack is #1 best thing about movie, #2 best thing about movie is the dinner-table dialogue.
Cauliflower of Love
Banned
It's an awesome movie. Especially for those that wanna off themselves with time travel and psychosis.
The Shadow
Member
BojTrek said:
I'd describe it as a teen commentary with a philosophical "what if" situation in the guise of time travel.
It's an odd movie but entertaining. It is overrated on this board though, just like Equilibrium was. Still a good flick to watch because even if you don't like it, it's one of those movies you can talk about for a while long after you've watched it.
Luscious LeftFoot
Member
I just saw the movie recently based on GAF comments. Pretty enjoyable.
Best review I've seen of Donnie Darko
"Every pseudo-intellectual I've ever known adores this movie. Therefore, if you are a pseudo-intellectual, hang out with lots of pseudo-intellectuals, or have cause to impress a pseudo-intellectual, you should buy this movie. If not, just rent--if only for the novelty."
-From Amazon.com
I actually liked the movie a lot, but I get the impression that some people (read: stoned teenagers) try to find hidden meanings of things in the movie. I also fear that this was the intention of the director. God I hope not.
I think it's an indication of under developed appreciation of art to have to add some sort of logic to things like this movie. Simple style and mood, hints at motivation, and bizarre imagery are fine on there own. They dont all have to tell a story. They dont even have to even represent anything at all.
"Every pseudo-intellectual I've ever known adores this movie. Therefore, if you are a pseudo-intellectual, hang out with lots of pseudo-intellectuals, or have cause to impress a pseudo-intellectual, you should buy this movie. If not, just rent--if only for the novelty."
-From Amazon.com
I actually liked the movie a lot, but I get the impression that some people (read: stoned teenagers) try to find hidden meanings of things in the movie. I also fear that this was the intention of the director. God I hope not.
I think it's an indication of under developed appreciation of art to have to add some sort of logic to things like this movie. Simple style and mood, hints at motivation, and bizarre imagery are fine on there own. They dont all have to tell a story. They dont even have to even represent anything at all.
FrenchMovieTheme
Member
i thought the movie sucked nuts, but one thing i can say is that my gf is all over the lead actors jock
enjoy bell woods
Banned
Celicar said:
RaymondCarver
Member
I find it kind of funny.
I find it kind of sad.
I find it kind of sad.
B-B-Bomba!
Member
Yes, it is brilliant.
I've watched it twice, several months apart. The first time I loved it for the atmosphere of things cycling away from control, understanding, and reasonable pleasantness, but didn't understand the time-travel element until a friend explained it to me, and it made perfect, blinding sense for all of 5 minutes. Then I forgot it completely. Then I watched it again, and was moved nearly to tears by it. I can't really explain why, it wasn't even sadness, the end of the film just rang with emotion, it felt like I understood it completely, and I felt pretty special afterwards. I think it probably is a good film to watch when depressed; it'll go down with you, and wait until you want to come back up?
*gives up trying to explain*
I've watched it twice, several months apart. The first time I loved it for the atmosphere of things cycling away from control, understanding, and reasonable pleasantness, but didn't understand the time-travel element until a friend explained it to me, and it made perfect, blinding sense for all of 5 minutes. Then I forgot it completely. Then I watched it again, and was moved nearly to tears by it. I can't really explain why, it wasn't even sadness, the end of the film just rang with emotion, it felt like I understood it completely, and I felt pretty special afterwards. I think it probably is a good film to watch when depressed; it'll go down with you, and wait until you want to come back up?
*gives up trying to explain*
Mr. Spinnington
Banned
Celicar said:
I AGREE
TheGreenGiant
Banned
its ... okay. Not mind blowing but not bad. WAY OVERRATED in a quasi sci-fi way. Fans read too much into the movie. The director in his commentary tore all the internet pseudo babble to bits.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
FnordChan said:
I disagree. La Jetée is more groundbreaking, but I think 12 Monkeys builds on it in a way that makes it better. La Jetée is purer, simpler, but 12 Monkeys packs more of a punch and I can relate to it in more than just a heady way. La Jetée is too sterile.
Gorey said:
Gah, I hated Pi. Maybe it's becuase I work in the financial trading industry and know something about mathematics. Or perhaps because it had such a promising premise and then failed to deliver in any meaningful way.
Ignatz Mouse said:
Don't get me wrong - I love Terry Gilliam and enjoyed 12 Monkeys - but I think the original does it best. What you found sterile struck me as haunting, and I was more emotionally involved with La Jetée.
Hrm. I think I'm going to have to go back and re-watch both of them, if only because I haven't seen 12 Monkeys since it was in theatres.
FnordChan
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I should also not that my opinion != fact. I wouldn't be surprised if anyone like La Jetee better, but to me, the combination of family stuff, politics, and the boogeyman of germ warfare and disease, plus the expansion of the time-travel paradoxes and philosophy trumps the boogeyman of nuclear war. I think they come up equal in the terms of yearning love and loss and regret.
Also, I didn't see La Jetee until after 12 Monkeys-- so that may have had an influence.
Also, I didn't see La Jetee until after 12 Monkeys-- so that may have had an influence.
- Status