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Friday, September 12, 2008

Film

'Donnie Darko'

After landing with a thud in 2001, Richard Kelly's intoxicating, time-twisting teen drama has grown into a bona fide cinematic classic. This weekend, the Egyptian gives its midnight slot to Donnie Darko's superior director's cut, which adds some plot, extends some shots, swaps some music ("Never Tear Us Apart"!), and reveals Kelly's messy masterwork as the most extravagantly accomplished high-school flick since The Last Picture Show. (MVP of the star-studded cast: Mary McDonnell, who in a just world would've been nominated for an Oscar.) (Egyptian Theatre, 801 E Pine St, 323-4978. Midnight, $9.50.)

DAVID SCHMADER

RSS icon Comments

1

It's too bad the directors cut holds your hand and unnecessarily explains every little detail of the movie to you. The subtle "made you really think what was going on" theatrical cut is far superior.

Posted by akbar fazil | September 12, 2008 12:00 PM
2

The main thing I miss in the theatrical cut is the director's cut's pace--the elongation of certain shots and moments made a big difference to me.

Posted by David Schmader | September 12, 2008 12:10 PM
3

yeah, i always thought the original was thought to be the superior one. i *hate* the swap out of killing moon.

Posted by joey | September 12, 2008 12:19 PM
4

The directors cut turned my 8th favorite film into my 2nd most hated film of all time, right behind Temple of Doom. Everything about it sucked, and I hate everyone who thinks it was superior. Except for you though.

Posted by Mr. Poe | September 12, 2008 12:22 PM
5

@3

I hate how the score was completely butchered with "improvements" in sound. We're a bunch of tards, so having that sweet ominous score play during dialogue is just a no-no. The main scene where this was performed that was a slap in the face was with The Philosophy of Time Travel.

The ending, the grid, the fireworks. Just shoot me in the fucking face. 0/10.

Posted by Mr. Poe | September 12, 2008 12:30 PM
6

I'm with 3 and 5. I've come to appreciate the director's cut for certain things but I still think the theatrical version is best.

Posted by monkey | September 12, 2008 2:03 PM
7

I'm with everyone except Schmader. @5 nails it, too, with the grid and the fireworks. Ouch. Bad. Way too much over-explaining.


The Director's Cut, sadly, points the way to the very disappointing Southland Tales. We should have seen that mess coming, alas. (Though, yes, I admit it had its moments.)

Theatrical cut is the one. I always steer my friends that way.

Posted by d | September 12, 2008 5:07 PM
8

oh re-watching this recently i realised who Sarah Palin has been reminding me of - it's the crazy social studies teacher and sparkle motion coach from Donnie Darko.

Posted by lucy | September 13, 2008 12:45 AM

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