Pelis and Popcorn: 'Donnie Darko'

By Michael Lopez

Welcome to another fun episode of Pelis and Popcorn! For this week's outing, we figured it would be fun to dig into the "cult classic" realm and showcase 2001's classic thriller Donnie Darko. Full of rising stars, sharp dialogue, and a creepy bunny, this is one peli that deserves multiple viewings.

Now we all know Jake Gyllenhaal has gone on to great things, but did you know that this is the movie that put him on the map? His portrayal of the brooding apocalyptic Donnie Darko got him recognized by quite a few critics and earned him a nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Up-and-comers like Ashley Tisdale and Seth Rogan also first got noticed in this movie. But if you ask us, our favorite Donnie standout was Frank, the creepy bunny. Those scenes in the movie theater and that doomsday prediction…Well let's just say it proves you don't need blood and guts to scare the hell out of an audience.

Donnie Darko’s also filled with sci-fi elements, teenage angst, tearful deaths, and revenge scenes that will blow your mind. Basically it's just downright twisted. And coming out in a year that brought us lame blockbusters like The Mummy Returns and Planet of the Apes, Donnie was truly a breath of fresh air.

But more interesting than the movie itself, is the fervent following it received. Not a box office success by any means, Donnie lived on by word-of-mouth, midnight screenings, and websites devoted to characters in the film. And since its release, there have been graphic novels, Frank the bunny toys, and a super cool Director's Cut DVD.

But before you get into all of that, we recommend grabbing some snacks, making a seat on the couch, and turning on Tr3s to see how it all got started. Trust us, you won't regret it!

Catch Donnie Darko this Saturday at 11pm on Tr3s!

What’s your favorite cult movie? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Ashley Tisdale, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cult Movies, Donnie Darko, Jake Gyllenhaal, Movies & CineMás, Pelis and Popcorn, Seth Rogan