Donnie Darko. Besides being confusing, it’s just a great story. Plus, it’s remarkably well cast.
If you have the opportunity to watch the deleted scenes, I highly recommend it - especially the one with the dad. His role in the cinematic version is pretty small, but there’s a deleted scene where he has a quiet chat with Donnie, and tells Donnie about his past mental problems. It’s fantastic, and rounds out his character perfectly.
One of my favourites for sure. I just love the struggle the character has for what is and what isn’t reality in that movie.
Is that in the director’s cut? I tend to recommend the theatrical cut. I don’t find it confusing but I can understand how it might be possible to get lost if you miss a key scene or two.
I like how this movie’s fanbase is split on a group of people recommending the theatrical cut and another group recommending the Director’s Cut. I haven’t found another movie that has something similar.
It’s been a long time since I saw the director’s cut. Having read the comment above about what the director’s cut includes I’m more inclined to continue recommending the theatrical cut. The magic of that story and it’s characters doesn’t need more exposition, especially about the fantastical elements. It’s enough to know that Donnie figure’s stuff out and takes decisive action with the knowledge he and by extension the audience has at hand.
Don’t know. It deserves to be.
I used to have a DVD of the theatrical cut, which I got before I even knew a director’s cut existed.
I’ve watched this one 3 times and I still don’t understand it :) cool movie still!
Did you watch the theatrical or directors cut? The latter explains a LOT more.
TL;DW If I remember it all correctly. The plane crash caused a “Final Destination”-esque rift in spacetime? Or fate? Or reality? And Donnie should have died, but didn’t and because he didn’t the universe will implode unless he fixes it in time by dying. He also gains powers to see the future as part of the deal (represented by the weird trails in front of people walking) and he realizes the future is everything ending unless he dies to seal up the rift. Frank, the bunny is like a guide or messenger or something.
I don’t remember honestly. I remember having to read about the movie too kinda almost understand it.
Thanks for the explanation, now I probably have to watch it again :)
Y’know I don’t mind the “spoiler” because the realistic likelihood of watching this one feels kinda slim…
… But this sounds like a far better version of The Butterfly Effect, which was one of the most pointlessly edgy, pathetically nihilistic, manipulatively depressing films I’ve had the displeasure of seeing.
I saw that in theaters and it was one of the maybe two movies I’ve walked out of. It was so pointlessly depressing and just not enjoyable to us so we bailed.
Donnie is much better. Depressing? Yeah in a way, but also much more engaging and enjoyable.
Groundhog Day. It gets better with subsequent watches.
True!
That’s why I rewatch it every year. You can just pick a theme and watch it with that lens for the year.
It is like you are in the loop.
I had a roommate who was addicted to this movie. The frequent rewatches were annoying at first, but you’re right!
Watching Groundhog Day once is already like watching Groundhog Day five times
You can say that again
Bing!
You can say that again
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Primer. Gotta watch that one a dozen times and still not understand it fully.
This is the only movie I’ve ever watched twice back-to-back.
I think the point isn’t to sort out all interactions and travels, but rather to convey the feeling that “this has gotten out of hand”. I interpret the confusion to be the intended message.
And read essays and visual representations of the timelines and… still not understand it fully
This is the correct answer.
Everything Everywhere All At Once.
It’s just… really good.
I had to pause that movie several times on my first watching. Not because it was bad or anything, it was amazing, but because there was so much stuff going on at once. It’s now one of my fave movies to recommend to people
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I didn’t! Definitely gonna give this movie another watch!!
This is a masterpiece for sure!
Good movie but how does it require multiple viewings to understand?
Not OP, but to me it’s one where getting to the ending gives you the context/lense to reinterpret the earlier portions. Sorta like memento or fight club, where the ending recontextualizes the earlier scenes.
I love how it makes just enough sense to hold the plot together. It was a lot of fun to watch.
Also, it’s the lead of the class of millennial parental apology fantasy films, one of my favorite genres ;)
Millennial parental apology fantasy… oh man I really love this.
Waking Life.
If you wrap your head around it after the 2nd viewing, you’re doing better than most people.
It took me a few watchings of Akira to really have it all sink in.
Koyaanisqatsi
Visual poetry. Literally. It’s conveying a message, it’s just you have to come up with the dialogue. Beautiful work. The sequels are fantastic as well.
I’ve wanted to see Koyaanisqatsi for a long time and finally put it in my list yesterday. This week or next weekend, can’t wait!
It’s very meditative. I find it kinda more “taxing” in that regard than Baraka. But it won’t be taxing at all if you are like water
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Basically every Lynch movie.
Bruh! I still don’t get it and I’m on my second watch. This made me feel better about it. I’ll give it more rewatches 😂
I haven’t even watched this one. Will do.
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There really is something to make out of it? I generally assume Lynch films are good because they’re weird and surprising, but I haven’t seen many
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I’ve seen it years ago, perhaps I was too young. If there is indeed a secret, then you’ve piqued my curiosity and I’m tempted to rewatch it, so don’t tell me !
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yea ! cheers
My first theory was that it was just Naomi Watts’ character’s masturbation fantasy laid out on film. I still have to watch it a second time to confirm though 😬
I’d go with Possessor by Brandon Cronenberg. I’ve only seen it once so far, and the unfolding of the story was such that you had to work for it. It wasn’t impenetrably dense, but I definitely had to give it the attention it demanded.
That looks interesting. Thanks.
“Dude Where’s My Car?” It has a truly in depth and beautiful meaning to it that only becomes obvious on a third viewing.
And then?
No and then.
AAAAAND THEEEENNNNNNN?
I want to put in my ticket for What Dreams May Come, one of Robin Williams more heartfelt and serious roles, and one rarely mentioned. You can “get” the movie on the first watch and only really begin to understand all the nuance and subtlety during the second or third run.
Marathon Man.
It’s all in the details. The cab driver in the very first scene picks up a different character later in the movie.
Also, the torture scene gets worse every time.
Is it safe?
Enter the Void (2009). Super trippy and one of those movies that leaves you wondering about everything each time you watch it.
BladeRunner: 2049 gets better and better with every viewing. Even more so if you’ve read Pale Fire, which is referenced a few times in the movie. A masterpiece in every way.
Primer because you don’t know what’s happening at the start, and then you start to piece it together, but you really have to watch it a few times because the details you pick up provide context for what’s happening allowing you to piece more of the puzzle together.
I really want to watch this but it’s not available on any streaming service in Australia. It’s been years too.
I might have to just buy it
it’s definitely worth it
https://rentry.co/megathread-movies-and-tv#streaming
Just make sure you have an adblocker so you don’t get computer aids
Angel Heart. We discussed what happened in that movie for weeks while returning to the theater at least once more each, some three times
