WELCOME BACK, DONNIE:

'Donnie' has come back in a big way (Michael Ordoña, July 25, 2004, LA Times)

Rewind to 2000. The low-budget time-travel drama "Donnie Darko" had an underwhelming initial release, garnering warm critical notices but grossing less than $600,000. "Darko" did help to launch the career of Jake Gyllenhaal, whose low-key performance as the troubled protagonist struck a chord with fans.

Years later, midnight showings and DVD sales earned the movie a cult following and now a new life, as Kelly used a power much like Donnie's to alter his film, adding 20 minutes of footage.

Will the changes spoil the film's mystery? Gyllenhaal doesn't think so. "Richard's intent was always to put enough ambiguities in it so people would be forced to answer the questions themselves."

It's a marvelous film, one to watch on a double feature with Pi.

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 28, 2004 10:39 PM