Although not technically of the horror genre, but instead of the psychological thriller , Donnie Darko is one of my favourite films. One that if viewed on your own or towards the last hours of the night, can still supply a few eerie scares! The film begins with the appropriate titles.White words over a black screen.
"Newmarket presents"
"In association with Pandora"
"A Flower films production"
"A Richard Kelly film"
The Film opens with an establishing shot of some trees and bushes and rocky mountains in the distance. From the low light and positioning of the sun it can be seen that is very early in the morning. The camera pans left to reveal a winding road with what appears to be a body in the distance. Birds can be heard singing. The camera continues panning along the road towards what can now definitely be identified as a persons body. There is a somewhat eerie silence combined with the movies low whistling soundtrack which makes for a good effect.
As the camera pans closer to the man he sits up putting his head between his knees. He seems somewhat dazed and confused. The camera pans round behind him and emerges to his left revealing him as a young male in his late teens. A bike can been seen on its side by the road. It is not sure whether he is here because he fell off his bike, or just decided it looked a comfortable place to sleep. The soundtrack kicks in around now, tranquil relaxing piano music, which matches the scene but is rather juxtaposed to what is going on.
The camera cuts for the first time to show more of the surrounding landscape. The character then stands up and the shot then becomes a mid shot from behind him. This is an interesting and visually compelling shot. He turns around still look confused, but then his facial expression changes completely. He then begins smiling with the smile of a serial killer . The music changes ever so slightly when the man smiles. It becomes slightly more sinister.
The title of the film the appears in white font over the back ground of the distant mountains. The sunlight then begins beaming into the camera, rapidly increasing. The screen the completely fades to white. An interesting and uncommon effect.
I have included the opening sequence below and I must recommend you watch it as it is one of my favourite films! (So much so that when blogger asked me what films I enjoyed it was one of the first I mentioned!) Enjoy!
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