Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut

I'm so glad I finally got to see Donnie Darko at the New Beverly Cinema this evening. I've been wanting to see this one for a while and it was worth the wait. What an unusual film!

I won't reveal many details of the plot because I had no idea what the film was about before seeing it and it was a wonderful mystery to see the story unfold. In a nutshell, the title character Donnie Darko, played by the talented Jake Gyllenhaal, narrowly escapes death in a freak accident. He also suffers from psychological instability and often sees dark, hallucinatory visions. Besides his therapist, Donnie communicates with an imaginary character named Frank, who always wears a scary bunny costume.

This odd, suspenseful, and often funny film follows Donnie's perilous journey through high school and his struggles to understand his supernatural view of the world, leading to a shocking climax. The supporting cast includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jenna Malone, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, and Drew Barrymore, who also executive produced the film.

The story is set in October 1988 during the Bush-Dukakis presidential election, so there are many humorous references to the Eighties and the soundtrack features some great songs by '80s bands such as INXS, Tears For Fears, Duran Duran, Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Oingo Boingo.

The version I saw was writer/director Richard Kelly's 2004 Director's Cut, which is a full 20 minutes longer than the original 2001 theatrical release. From reading about the film on IMDB, the new version includes a lot of visual effects not included in the original, plus some added character development scenes and changes to the soundtrack. I recommend this one if you enjoy off-beat, quirky films in the vein of David Lynch's Blue Velvet and Mullholland Drive.

PS: My favorite scene is where Donnie takes his girlfriend to the movies...at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica where I often see films with my friend Heidi!!

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Painting by George Underwood

Syd Barrett, founding member of the rock band Pink Floyd has died at age 60.

CNN story

Barrett wrote and performed the band's early psychedelic hits in England, including "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play." However, due to mental illness and drug use, Barrett left the band in 1968, replaced by David Gilmour who stayed with the band through their rich 1970s period, including the albums Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

One Barrett fan, who was highly influenced by him, was rock star David Bowie. Here's is what Bowie had to say today:

"I can't tell you how sad I feel. Syd was a major inspiration for me. The few times I saw him perform in London at UFO and the Marquee clubs during the sixties will forever be etched in my mind. He was so charismatic and such a startlingly original songwriter.

Also, along with Anthony Newley, he was the first guy I'd heard to sing pop or rock with a British accent. His impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed." - David Bowie, July 11th 2006

Yahoo Answers

If you haven't seen it yet, check out Yahoo Answers. It's fun to read the questions whether or not you read the answers.

I found out about the website today via this fascinating CNN article about Stephen Hawking.

Enron's Ken Lay Dead at 64

Facing a possible life sentence in prison for committing fraud and conspiracy in the collapse of Enron, the largest corporate scandal in American history, Kenneth "Kenny Boy" Lay had a massive coronary today at his luxurious vacation home in Aspen, Colorado.

CNN.com article

Lay, who helped build Enron into the seventh largest company in the nation, famously funded George W. Bush's political career. Because of Enron's collapse after an accounting scandal, thousands of workers lost their jobs and their life savings and billions of dollars were lost by investors; meanwhile Lay and his cronies enriched themselves with millions of dollars in sold stock.

Nice guy. If only Dubya would follow his lead and drop dead.