Donnie Darko and the election

[troublemaker]

The roster of films expected to influence election 2004 is mostly documentaries, but a few entertainment flix fit. There's Manchurian Candidate and the War on Terror acted out by puppets movie from the South Park guys.

There's also the upcoming theatrical release of Donnie Darko (The Director's Cut). I doubt it will have a real impact in terms of numbers, but it will sure enhance the political atmospherics for those who see it. The last time I watched it I was seriously weirded out by the TV clips of Bush the elder (from the 1988 campaign) in the context of the end of the world.

What was weirdest was that it didn't seem weird. Like, Bush family... sure. Who else would anyone associate with the end of the world?

[Khephra]

1. I can't wait for the new edition

I was one of the early fans of DD. I pushed it quite a bit when it first came out. Nice to see that it has had staying power.

[realisticphish]

3. When I first saw it

It was the first movie that had ever made me sit back and just stare at the credits with my jaw open (The only other being American Beauty). I watch it constantly, and have a MAJOR crush on Jena Malone (don't worry, I'm only 18 :))




:hippie:

[Merusault]

2. Darko

It was seen by hardly anyone when it was in theaters the first time, but it gaineda cult following through DVD and video. Have you heard what the director's cut is going to include?

[Khephra]

4. "Donnie does not shoot first - I'm not pulling a Greedo"

Fans rejoice, because cult hit Donnie Darko will be returning to cinemas this year as an extended Director's Cut. Containing all-new footage, a re-mixed audio track and brand new visual effects, the new edit is being heralded as an all-new theatrical experience and we spoke to writer/director Richard Kelly to get the full story.

Whose idea was it to re-cut the film for a second release?


Well, I was in New York doing a Q&A at one of the midnight screenings last summer and Bob Berney from Newmarket was there. He came up to me afterwards and said 'Richard, we might want to think about re-releasing it.' I said 'well, if we're going to do it, why not let me do a new version of it and give people a real reason to come back to the theatre and see it again.'

They knew how much additional footage there was and they gave me the autonomy to finish the film how I'd always intended to finish it. This in no way negates the first theatrical cut though, I'm not dismissing it in any way; it's just a way for me to expand my vision for the film and give a more thorough version of it. It's letting me complete the sequences we didn't have the money to complete and put in additional plot music that we'd always wanted to put into the film but couldn't afford.

My original vision was always a kind of epic science fiction tale but it had to be condensed to come in under two hours. Ultimately I found it impossible to fully communicate the story in under two hours but now I don't have a restriction on running time, hopefully audiences will be able to re-experience the film in a completely new way. With the new visual effects and new sound design I think it's something the fans will want to see on the big screen.

http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/features/interviews/interviews.asp?IID=91

[Merusault]

5. Sounds awesome

I hope New Orleans theaters get it.

[countmyvote4real]

6. cool!

I can't wait for that on DVD,