{"id":25077,"date":"2017-04-24T14:29:56","date_gmt":"2017-04-24T18:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=25077"},"modified":"2017-04-24T16:32:56","modified_gmt":"2017-04-24T20:32:56","slug":"donnie-darko-2001-4-disc-limited-edition-blu-raydvd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/24\/donnie-darko-2001-4-disc-limited-edition-blu-raydvd\/","title":{"rendered":"Donnie Darko (2001) (4-Disc Limited Edition Blu-Ray\/DVD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>On the anniversary of Richard Kelly\u2019s unparalleled masterpiece, \u201cDonnie Darko\u201d is given a wonderful treatment a la Arrow Video. The set features not only the theatrical cut, but the extended director\u2019s cut, as well as a plethora of special features and unique collectibles for fans of the universe he\u2019s created. Except for \u201cS. Darko\u201d (Kelly has publicly denounced that alleged \u201csequel\u201d to his film). That said, \u201cDonnie Darko\u201d from Arrow depends on your enjoyment of the movie, since the original film was given a nifty release years ago, as well as the Director\u2019s Cut, but both cuts differ vastly in quality and pacing. I\u2019ve expressed my love for \u201cDonnie Darko\u201d in the past, as it\u2019s a stunning and gripping labyrinth of mystery that combines horror, fantasy, surrealism, and existentialism in a tale about parallel universes and fate.<\/p>\n

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Jake Gyllenhaal is Donnie, a young man with a mental illness who believes to see a lot more in reality than others do. After surviving a freak accident involving a plane engine that crashes in to his room, Donnie begins seeing odd supernatural anomalies, including weird strobes leading him down various paths, and an entity that resembles a deformed rabbit, who insists in taunting Donnie when he\u2019s at peace. He also insists that the world is going to end in 28 days 06 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds. Being driven slowly mad, Donnie struggles with his town\u2019s unusual herd mentality involving dominant religious PTA, and a new self help guru that takes the school by storm. \u201cDonnie Darko\u201d is a very thought provoking and engrossing gem that crosses many genres and can be interpreted in man ways. To this day it\u2019s one of Kelly\u2019s best cinematic works.<\/p>\n

The New Limited Edition Box Set comes with both cuts, and sadly the theatrical cut works more in favor of the film\u2019s aesthetic and mood. \u201cThe Director\u2019s Cut\u201d pretty much holds our hands through every single plot element and plot twist by extending scenes. Not to mention Kelly includes chapter titles with the beginning of new acts, all of which explain that intent behind the unfolding of events, rather than allowing the audience to work to understand the movie itself. If I had to suggest a definitive cut to watch, it\u2019s the Theatrical Cut, which was the original version we saw everywhere. The original cut is well paced, garners some excellent editing, and allows the audience to decrypt the message Kelly has injected in every seam of the film. Usually Director\u2019s Cuts work in favor of a movie, but this time you\u2019re much better off watching the intended version.<\/p>\n

The Box Set comes with a four disc combo, with two digipacks, a 94 page hardcover book with five in depth essays, and a foreword by Jake Gyllenhaal. There\u2019s also an envelope addressed to Roberta Sparrow with seven postcards, all of which can be assembled to form a poster, and a poster of the film\u2019s new art. On Disc One including the \u201cTheatrical Version,\u201d there\u2019s an audio commentary by Writer\/director Richard Kelly and Jake Gyllenhaal, and an audio commentary with Writer\/Director Kelly, Drew Barrymore, Jena Malone, Beth Grant, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Katherine Ross, James Duval, and producer Sean McKittrick.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeus ex Machina: The Philosophy of Donnie Darko\u201d is an in depth eighty five minute look at the themes and overtones of the movie. As well, there\u2019s the nine minute \u201cThe Goodbye Place,\u201d thirty two minutes of Deleted Scenes, and the original trailer. For Disc Two with the \u201cDirector\u2019s Cut,\u201d there\u2019s an audio commentary with Richard Kelly and Kevin Smith. There\u2019s the five minute \u201cThey Made Me Do It,\u201d the thirty minute \u201cThey Made Me Do It Too,\u201d and the thirteen minute \u201c#1 Fan: A Darkomentary.\u201d There\u2019s the nearly hour long production diaries, fourteen minute vintage interviews with the cast and crew, five minutes of raw B Roll footage, the Cunning Visuals Infomercials, and an 8 minute storyboard comparison. Finally, there\u2019s a music video, a still gallery, and trailers for the Director\u2019s Cut, and five TV spots for \u201cDonnie Darko.\u201d
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