Simon's Movie Reviews

When it came out in 2001 after almost going straight-to-video, Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko earned the distinction of becoming one of the 21 st century’s first cult films. This was back in an era when cult status had to be earned through word of mouth, late night viewing on cable, as well as VHS rentals just as the DVD market was killing it. Kelly’s certainly has all of the ingredients required for underground discovery: a bizarre plot involving time travel, striking imagery, a soundtrack filled with hits of the era, a first time director and an eclectic cast. Looking back on the movie’s plot now one might think it’s the result of a fever dream. I know I watched this thing sometime in the mid-2000s, probably when it was playing on TV one night, and that it involved a jet engine falling from the sky and not smushing Jake Gyllenhaal to smithereens because a freaky-looking rabbit got him out of bed at the right time. I also remember that what bothered me the most was not the rabb...

Here’s a fact that will make you feel older: it’s been 17 years since the release of the second chapter of the Lord of the Rings saga. Looking back it was one of those movies that signalled the permanent residence of fantasy blockbusters on the big screen. Whereas The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) was a bit of a road trip, The Two Towers (2002) becomes a war movie in the third act with armies fighting in the rain, exploding walls and the arrival of the cavalry at the last minute. However audiences had never seen before an army composed of an advanced breed of Orcs and the cavalry being led by a bearded wizard recently back from the dead. This is one of the rare movies that I have seen twice on the big screen and numerous times after on DVD, specifically the extended version. Director Kevin Smith may have a point by saying these movies are basically hours of people walking and that the one true trilogy is Star Wars , but I really enjoy watching those hours of footage directed b...