DONNIE DARKO: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT

[thompsoncory]

"Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?"

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/ifc_films/donnie_darko/_group_photos/jake_gyllenhaal4.jpg

Plot Summary: Some may think that Donnie Darko is a typical maladjusted teenager. Actually, Donnie is borderline delusional, beset by visions of a monstrous rabbit, which is trying to keep him under its sinister influence. Prompted by this apparition, Donnie commits antisocial acts while he is undergoing psychotherapy, surviving the vagaries of high-school life and romance, and fortuitously escaping a bizarre death from a falling jet engine. Donnie battles his demons, literally and figuratively, in a series of intertwining story lines that play with time travel, fundamentalist gurus, fate, predestination and the machinations of the universe. One of the biggest cult hits of all time, DONNIE DARKO comes back to the big screen in an all-new director's cut with over 20 minutes of mind-blowing new footage.

Directed by: Richard Kelly (debut)

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal (The Day After Tomorrow), Jena Malone (Saved), Drew Barrymore (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle), Mary McDonnell (Mumford), Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing), Noah Wyle (Enough), Katharine Ross (A Climate For Killing), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Mona Lisa Smile), Holmes Osbourne (Bring It On), Daveigh Chase (The Ring)

Written by: Richard Kelly (debut)

Rated: R (for language, some underage drug and alcohol use, and violence)

Running Time: 2 hours 14 minutes

Release Date: June 2nd, 2004 (Seattle area), July 23rd, 2004 (limited), July 30th, 2004 (wide)

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Since this has already opened in Seattle, I figured that it was alright if a thread was started for it.

I loved the original film (9/10 or A) and will definetely see the director's cut in the near future, whether on the big screen or on video. I hear that it is loads better and feels like a brand new film, which is great news.

[Sigur509]

I will be there as soon as I can.

10/10

What a great movie.

[Cronos]

i love the original version and i will definitely see this

however i liked that the original didnt explain everything because i thought about it more, if everything is explained there wont be any mystery to the story

[EDsoulsurvive*]

the oriinal is one of my favorite movies of all time and I hope the DC only advances that opinion.

[Fisting Ackbar]

Liked the theatrical version - though I didn't love it as many do, but I'll see this once it hits DVD

[Ted Pikul]

20 minutes more of Donnie Darko?!!?

Proof positive that Satan really does exist.

[whitetrashhobo]

this is one of my favorite movies of all time. and the directors cut, im sure, is gonna kick ass.

[Strider]

20 minutes? Can that really enhance the film, or turn it into a better film? I'm not sure if I'll see this in theaters. I enjoyed Donnie Darko, but I didn't love the film as much as others do. I'll wait for the DVD instead.

Strider

[Tweek]

i thought it was 40 minutes
damn

[Fermus]

One of my all-time favorites. I'll for sure check out the director's cut.

[Mentiroso]

Was it just me or did anyone else think Patrick Swayze was the perfect choice for the role he played?

[gyro_44]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Was it just me or did anyone else think Patrick Swayze was the perfect choice for the role he played?
Swayze was brilliantly cast if you ask me.

[Ed]

has this expanded?

[Jess]

Has anyone seen it? I'm curious to know exactly what happens in those extra twenty minutes...

[moobycow]

I love the commerical that Swayze is in with the kid that wets the bed. "I'm not afraid anymore!" I laughed so hard i nearly pished myself!

[systemdwn]

i heard the director's cut is terrible because it adds scenes that answers some of the questions/mystery...

...when the mystery of the movie is what made DD brilliant!

[dillhead005]

Originally posted by systemdwn
i heard the director's cut is terrible because it adds scenes that answers some of the questions/mystery...

...when the mystery of the movie is what made DD brilliant!

yeah. one of the brilliant things about donnie darko is the mystery. Being a huge fan of the David Lynch "I have no fuckin' idea what that movie just ment... and I loved it" style. I dont want explanation.

[Skysaber]

I wasn't originally going to make a reply to this but I guess I will to those of you interested.

I saw Donnie Darko - Directors Cut at a press screening in Chicago over the 4th of July weekend. Anyways, I will list some notabable changes from the original to the directors cut.

***SPOILERS***



- The music. Music has been added and although I was skeptical at first, it really does work well where it's put.

- 99% of the deleted and extended scenes from the original DVD release have been re-incorporated into the movie, with the picture quality tweaked to look cleaner.

- Donnie's "visions" have been cleaned up a lot and they obviously used new technology to redo those parts because it's very nicely done now.

- An odd dialating eye that recurs throughout the movie has been added.

- The final trip through the wormhole has been completely redone, replacing that rewind sequence at the end of the original movie.

- Some scenes are preceeded by the "Philosophy of Time Travel" pages. This can be found on the original DVD and the website, of course.


***END SPOILERS***

Overall, the movie is a little more sinister now, but it will NOT give away secrets that leave you guessing at the end, thankfully.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Doesn't sound like anything to get excited over , sounds more like new packaging than a bona fide make a difference director's cut , but i still want to see this , it's still one of the most expertly crafted low budget sci fi dramas from the 00's .

[EDsoulsurvive*]

After weeks of tyring, I pursued a last minute plan into the city to see Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut. The original is one of my favorite movies of all time, and with this new version, I think it's safe to say that it is my favorite movie of all time. There is a decent amount of added footage, while not much of it very long, it's tightly spread, with at least an added line or two every couple of minutes. It was funny enough to keep me grinning, and satisfying enough to make me believe it had tapped a into a new level of mystery, while at teh same time giving us more revelations about what was going on. Specifically, the family, Drew Barrymore, and Roberta Sparrow feel more complete. What I'm trying to express is that although there aren't any serious differences, The Directo's Cut felt like teh whole story, as compared to Donnie Darko. I can't watch the original without feeling like it has been condensed. If your a fan of the original, my advice is to check this out as soon as you can. Also I would suggest seeing Donnie Darko before seeing the Director's Cut. I think you would have a better time. Not only would you be more prepared - because i think the DC is weirder - but I almost felt like I was realizing (as i said before) what happend from a new perspective.

The Best Movie of 2004 - 10/10

[Murderous Squad]

when is this gonna hit the theaters??? I Can't wait for this, it's one of my all time favorites

[EDsoulsurvive*]

I'm praying this expands. I can't wait until more people see it, your gonna love it.

[FeelingInfinite]

I can't imagine the DC being better than the original...of course I don't like change. I liked the 1st version so much and know it so well...is the DC worth seeing?!

[EDsoulsurvive*]

yeah man I'm telling you, see the DC. Most of the scenes are just extended from what is already shown, it made the movie feel more complete IMO. I felt like i was being taken a step further into the movie, seeing what when on past a certain point. I don't know if that makes sense, but its the best I can describe the additional scenes.

[FeelingInfinite]

Maybe I will check it out...thanks:)

[RicochetShaw]

I recently found out this is coming to me at the end of the month......... yippy!!! :)

[Sigur509]

I've changed my rating to an 8/10, but I still want to see the Directors Cut, hopefully it will come to my hometown. ANyone have the dates for it yet?

[RicochetShaw]

Originally posted by Sigur509
I've changed my rating to an 8/10, but I still want to see the Directors Cut, hopefully it will come to my hometown. ANyone have the dates for it yet?


It comes to the Inwood theatre in Dallas on August 27th. Sorry if that's too far...

[realspicylike]

go to the new market films website they have dates listed there.

i saw this last night and was throughly impressed. i think the new scenes really added to the story, it didn't answer too many questions, but enough to get you thinking about other things. it worth checking out if you got the time. but if you dont get a chance to, theres no need to worry, just wait for the dvd.

this is the third time i've posted about donnie darko today. the third time. lord.

[NCFan]

Well, the director's cut of Donnie Darko is at the end of its second week here in Brisbane, Australia. I am pretty sure it is going to go for another week. It is only showing at one cinema in the city - The Dendy - for anyone who wishes to know. My sister and I were going to go and see it, but the first session time was a little two late for us, so we went to a charity screening of Suddenly 30 (13 Going on 30). I am not sure why the title was changed for us. Anyway, if I don't check out the movie, will have to buy it on dvd. Haven't seen the first version yet, but I am sure that I will enjoy the director's cut.

Mel

[EDsoulsurvive*]

I'm hoping it comes to Long Island b4 it leaves theaters, however the New Market site isn't reassuring.

[Bud_Fox]

Don't hold your breath Ed. If the Director's Cut were coming to Long Island theatres would've been showing it already. The giant multiplex cinema houses (Island 16) can reserve two, count'em, two screens for Alien vs. Predator, and even show some lame ass new Benji movie! Ha! Fuck, blah, yack. But no DDDC. I call Bullshit!

[EDsoulsurvive*]

Yeah I know, I just can't believe it isn't even coming to one fucking theater on the Island. It pisses me off so bad, I am dying to see this again but I guess I'm in no position to comlpain.

And o yeah, I've never actually been in Island 16, I've been driven past it but nothing more. Is it really as nice/state of the art as it's made out to be?

[UBER_MAX]

I caught Donnie Darko: the director's cut tonight with a friend at brisbane's dendy, I'm pretty sure it's the last week for any fellow brisneylanders. I held off buying the dvd of the original in hopes this would be better, and it didn't disappoint. It's feels a lot more complete, characters are fleshed out better. I think fans of the original will love this one. Definitely an upgrade. 9/10.

[EDsoulsurvive*]

Well it took me almost a week but tonight I've stopped being such a lazy ass and found this topic. Last wednesday, my local arthouse (the Cinema Arts Center at Huntington for those of you LIers) had a one night only showing of this. The theater sold out, some resorted to standing against the wall for better a position. It reminded me why I loved this film so much, I always find myself submerged in the story, so involved in what's happening on screen I forget that I'm watching a movie. The added scenes seem to come at the perfect times, helping the viewer follow the film while throwing in more laughs and even mystery. If you get the chance to see Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut anytime soon, I hope its an opportunity you will not pass up.