Reviewed By Jason Lockard
Arrow Video released a Blu-ray release of the Richard Kelly film Southland Tales. This was a very good way to whet your appetite for his cult classic film that is being released. That film is Donnie Darko.
When I think about it, it is hard to believe Donnie Darko is 20 years old this year. So what better time to give this cult classic a deluxe Blu-ray release but for the 20th anniversary. And what better company to charge with the release than Arrow Video!
The film takes place in 1988. When teenager, Donnie
Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) sleepwalks out of his house one night and sees a giant,
demonic-looking rabbit named Frank. That nightmare is bad enough, but it doesn't stop there! Frank goes on to tells him the world will end in
28 days. Than upon returning home, he finds his bedroom in shambles. Is this a parallel universe? Is he having mental breakdown? Or is it worse is the world really end?
Donnie Darko is a film that keeps you guessing all the way to the end. And even afterwards. Jake Gyllenhaal is really good as Donnie. You really feel for him as you don't know whether is is loosing his mind. But the supporting cast is a great one as well including but not limited to such notable actors and actresses as Patrick Swayze, Mary McDonnell, Jena Malone, Seth Rogen, Noah Wyle, Drew Barrymore.
The film has been transferred in 4K from the original camera negatives, with the approvals of director Richard Kelly and cinematographer Steven Poster. The film is presented in 2.35:1 and 216p. The audio is the DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. The picture looks stunning and the audio is crystal clear. There is also subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
A gorgeous version of this film is not where the goodies end in this release. Arrow Video has loaded up this Ultra HD Blu-ray with tons and tons of bonuses. Take a look at what is included;
* Audio commentary by writer-director Richard Kelly and actor Jake Gyllenhaal
* Audio commentary by Kelly, producer Sean McKittrick and actors Drew Barrymore, Jena Malone, Beth Grant, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Katharine Ross and James Duval0
* Deus ex Machina: The Philosophy of Donnie Darko, a documentary by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures on the making of Donnie Darko, containing interviews with writer-director Richard Kelly, producer Sean McKittrick, cinematographer Steven Poster, editor Sam Bauer, composer Michael Edwards, costume designer April Ferry, production designer Alec Hammond and actor James Duval
* The Goodbye Place, Kelly s 1996 short film, which anticipates some of the themes and ideas of his feature films
* The Donnie Darko Production Diary, an archival documentary charting the film s production, with optional commentary by cinematographer Steven Poster
* Archive interviews with Kelly, actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne, Noah Wyle and Katharine Ross, producers Sean McKittrick, Nancy Juvonen, Hunt Lowry and Casey La Scala, and cinematographer Steven Poster
* Three archive featurettes: They Made Me Do It, They Made Me Do It Too and #1 Fan: A Darkomentary
* Storyboard comparisons
* B-roll footage
* Cunning Visions infomercials
* Music video: Mad World by Gary Jules
* Galleries
* 20 deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by Kelly
* Trailer
* Director's Cut trailer
* TV spots
In the end Donnie Darko is not a film for the average film fan. It is a very niche audience. But fans of this film are going to be all over this release. The bonus features will keep fans entertained for hours and hours.
Just average film fans may want to skip this one. But cult film fans are going to want to add Arrow Video's Ultra HD release of Donnie Darko to their collection. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today!
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray of Donnie Darko receives...
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