Donnie Darko (2001)

One of the coolest things is that IMDB.com which is the source for everything movies and television is now a source you can turn to if you want to check out a movie or TV show as they now stream some films. So I thought it was the perfect time to check out a film from one of my favorite actors in Jake Gyllenhaal (The Sisters Brothers) in 2001's Donnie Darko. Gyllenhaal plays the title character in this mystery drama and the problem is that Donnie believes that he sees a man in a morbid rabbit costume that tells him that the world is going to end in 26 days. This chilling revelation freaks Donnie out to the point that the rabbit named Frank (James Duval) can easily manipulate him into committing crimes all the while exploring the idea of time travel. The film also stars Holmes Osborne (That Thing You Do!) as Eddie Darko, Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) as Elizabeth Darko, Mary McDonnell (Dances With Wolves) as Rose Darko, Patrick Swayze (The Outsiders) as Jim Cunningham, Arthur Taxier (Old School) as Dr. Fisher, Beth Grant (No Country For Old Men) as Kitty Farmer, Jena Malone (The Neon Demon) as Gretchen Ross, Seth Rogen (The Lion King) as Ricky Danforth, Drew Barrymore (Bad Girls) as Karen Pomeroy, Noah Wyle (ER) as Prof. Kenneth Monnitoff, and the film was directed by Richard Kelly (Domino).

This was a very interesting movie that had an amazing soundtrack that featured all the best of 80's English Post Punk like Joy Division, Echo & The Bunnymen, and so many more. I think that is what always attracted me to the film was the soundtrack besides the fact that Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the film. For most of the film you are trying to figure out just what the apocalyptic event is going to be and when you find out you're not disappointed, but it's not what you expect at all. It's kind of those holy crap moments that makes you realize just who Frank really is and what the film has to do with time travel. So, it all comes full circle in the end, but the film introduces this element of chaos paying off in certain circumstances like what happens to Swayze's character. One of the craziest things is the cameo of Seth Rogen who was told to act like an A-hole much like his Freaks & Geeks character. It's a very minor role, but it was just cool to see him in the film and not to mention an appearance by Ashley Tisdale as well. Jake is the star of the film no doubt, but a lot of credit is also due for Mary McDonnell who is playing the mother struggling to connect with her own son, but sort of gets him towards the end. One of the things that may seem cheesy now, but was actually kind of cool was the weird sphere that appears when Frank is usually around. It sort of gives this film of him tapping into the other world. This was an excellent film that deserves a watch especially if you are a fan of Jake Gyllenhaal which is why I am giving the film an A- for a final grade.