Donnie Darko directed by Richard Kelly

• Plot summary: Donnie Darko is a mentally conflicted individual trying to make sense of his world. He maintains a pseudo normal life in which he goes to school and is smarter than the average student in his class. The new student, a beautiful girl named Gretchen, takes an interest in him and soon becomes his girlfriend. And yet strange things keep happening to him. A turbo jet falls from the sky through the roof of his house. Had he not been out sleep walking, it would have killed him in his bed instantly. And though he visits a counselor weekly and takes pills to quiet the voices in his head, he is visited nightly by "Frank" in his dreams and often wakes up away from home after "sleep walking" to do the things Frank bids him to do. He wonders how all these bizarre pranks at school and his dreams link up, but the truth is elusive, and Donnie is left to ponder why he can't just be like everyone else.
• Critical evaluation: The psychological puzzle that is Donnie Darko and the life that surrounds him is a thoroughly interesting film, but one that might not be for individuals who like everything tied up in a nice package the at the end. The end is left unresolved and leaves the audience with much to ponder after it's ending. That's not to say the movie isn't satisfying to watch--if you like to leave a movie with more questions than you started with, not just about the movie but about the mysteries of life, then this is an ideal film for you.
• Reader's annotation: Donnie Darko is one very confused young man, and Frank isn't making it any easier on him.
• About the director: Richard Kelly has worked on projects such as Domino and Southland Tales.
• Genre: Sci-fi/Thriller
• Curriculum ties, if any: None
• Reading level/interest age: This film is rated R and intended for people 17 or older, however I think this might appeal to people 15 and up.
• Challenge issues: Sexuality, profanity, substance usage
• Why was this item included? I wanted to find a science fiction film for teens.