“Donnie Darko” to “Downfall”
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Donnie Darko (2001) Donnie Darko is a phenomenon. Though it spans a number of genres, including most obviously science fiction, horror and the teen movie, it is at its core a realist drama cradled by bits of surrealism. The effect makes the most absurd innovative concepts completely believable and embraceable. The Director’s Cut leaves less to the imagination, and offers answers via the visual narration of the “Philosophy of Time Travel” book pages. Mostly, what draws fans into loving this film is how dark and weird it is, while still maintaining an intrinsic level of everyday life. (CK)
Dont Look Now (1973) Gripping film based on the Daphne du Maurier occult thriller about the parents of a drown child and their horror-laden visit to Venice; the violent finale has been ripped off bunches and the steamy love scene between Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie is still talked about. (GS)
A Double Life (1947) Ronald Colman in his Oscar-winning performance as a Shakespearean actor who gets a little too much into his roles. Unfortunately, his current role is Othello murder and tragedy ensue. (KH)
Double Indemnity (1944) Billy Wilders movie is the epitome of film noir. Barbara Stanwyck is the sexy seductress and bored housewife who is intrigued by the traveling insurance salesmans, Fred MacMurray, pitch on life insurance. Edward G. Robinson “smells something,” and sends MacMurray to resolve the accident, before they have to pay out. Oh how it twists, surprises, and intrigues. (KWR)
Downfall (2004) Depicting the final days of Adolph Hitler and his compatriots in a Berlin bunker, this German film is amazing in its historical accuracy. Bruno Ganz is the dynamic center of the film and his performance is nothing short of mesmerizing. He makes Hitler a three-dimensional, sometimes sympathetic, character. (GS)