Conerstone 2006 Coverage Part I

Tim has a good post on watching Donnie Darko at the Imaginarium.

“Donnie Darko” played to a standing room only crowd, about half of which were part of the Goth crowd, dressed primarily in black. The guy introducing the film asked how many of the group had seen the movie before. About two-thirds raised their hands. Then he asked how many of us had seen it more than once. Not many hands came down. Then he asked, “How many have seen it five times or more.” Almost a third still held their hands high. As he counted ever higher, the hands remained held high. I started to anticipate an addicting, or at least engaging, film.

While watching “Donnie Darko” though, I could hear a group of people just outside of the tent singing songs like “Light of the World” and “Jesus is the Light” over and over. This vigil lasted for at least an hour. I guess they were quite concerned about this year’s theme at the Imaginarium and this film in particular. At first I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Should I be sympathetic with them and also be concerned about this “dark” film? It was quite confusing in the beginning and the language was a bit course. But as the story unfolded I became very intrigued with the characters, their plight, and some of the futuristic issues they were addressing, i.e. time-travel specifically, and the freedom of our choices in general.

By the end I was a fan of the movie. I might even have to see it again. It made me wonder if any of the protesters actually saw the movie. Although the writer (and director) claims to be an agnostic, the strongest themes in the film (and especially the final act) seem to me to be quite “Christian.”

It was good to spend some time contemplating the temperal nature of this life, those who have gone on before us, and the importance of how we live the days we've been given. It's sometimes easier to appreciate the light when it is juxtaposed with the dark. And besides darkness is a great time to sleep, which is what I must now do.

I'll have to rent Donnie Darko now. Thanks Tim.

More to come...

- Peace