Donnie Darko

(2001) dir. Richard Kelly

Donnie Darko, like Requiem for a Dream, was just so dark and troubled to me that it seemed awesome. It was a like a science-fiction, David Lynch-esque version of an ’80s teen film (after all, it is set in the ’80s and features “Mad Word,” the Tears for Fears single from ’82). But looking back, it’s kind of poorly done, and I’d actually rather just watch classics of the ’80s with Molly Ringwald or John Cusack, even if I generally enjoy weird, dark plots. For anyone interested in seeing a sci-fi teen movie inspired by David Lynch that is actually really awesome, check out the new film by Gregg Araki, Kaboom.