"Samantha Darko and her best friend Corey are now 18 and on a roadtrip to Los Angeles when they are plagued by bizarre visions."

It is supposed to take place 7 years after the first movie and follows Donnie's sister, Samantha.

Honestly, it sounds horrible. But that logline was taken from IMDB and you know how unreliable that site can be at times.

I loved the first movie. It was a good drama/thriller with a nice spin on classic sci-fi elements. S. Darko doesn't look like it'll be any good, in fact, I think it might go straight to DVD. But I'll be watching it simply for the 'nostalgia' factor (even though the first film only came out in 2001).

At least the original Samantha Darko actress is coming back. I wonder how she has evolved as an actress since the original movie.

I have mixed feelings on this one, but I kind of want to watch it. Thoughts?

--Julio

Man, it better not be horrible, I loved the original Donnie.  If this doesn't have the same clever plot as Donnie than it's gonna have been a waste. I'd watch it, to find out what happens.

That's a lot of info for them to be wrong, no?

Samantha Darko sounds better than S. Darko as a title.

The biggest problem is Richard Kelly seems to have nothing to do with it.

If they pull it off good job but I don't see many people running to see this at full price. Bargain Bin material.

I think it would be good if they bring Donnie back seeing that he died in a time laps anyways. If that happens then I might like it.

Direct-to-DVD + Lack of Richard Kelly = destined for the value bin in your local Wal-Mart.

I saw the trailer for this on something I rented not long ago.  I can't remember what, but it's probably available online somewhere.  All I can say is that it looks alright I guess.  

I'll probably check it out solely because I have unlimited rentals, and I've already gone deep into the new release wall.

I think I saw in an interview that Richard Kelly has absolutely nothing to do with it, so sounds like someone's attempt to capitalize on the first one's name, even though it was a financial failure that gained a cult following.

The logline makes me think of a bad roadtrip comedy with some horror elements that will have none of the innovation and brilliance of the original.

On the plus side, Richard Kelly's The Box will be out this November.

Actually, I just learned that Samantha and her friend get stranded in a town ON the way to L.A because of an unexplained meteorite shower (plane engine maybe? :P ). To me, that definitely makes it more interesting.

--Julio

No, no It's all a bad dream.

Is that the official teaser? It's all just footage from the first movie.
What a circle jerk. Would've been nice to see a little bit of the new stuff.
I do think this poster is pretty nifty, though.

A lot of people think that's the official teaser, but it is only fan-made. I'm sure the real teaser will have some new footage.

--Julio

Donnie Darko is my favorite movie, but I have absolutely no interest in this movie.  Without Richard Kelly, I consider this little more than glorified fanfic.  Straight-to-DVD only reinforces that idea.

Donnie Darko is also my favourite movie, but I am going watch this. I'm forced too :)

Richard Kelly is pretty damn amazing, and I'm a bit annoyed why he would give the rights away. If it turns out rubbish, then it will be his fault in a way.

Wes... Samantha Darko I also think is a better title. I think the makers were going for a more "arthouse" title though.

I just read a plot line that pretty much spoiled it for me. The story is  a lot like Donnie, with visions of the end of the universe and all, only instead of bringing a message of hate and rivals, it goes over friendship.  But it also has an end that's slightly different from Donnie Darko's.

Here is the official trailer with plenty of new footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtgPQs_vU-8


On the bright side, it looks more than excellent for a straight-to-video release. In fact, I think it's good enough for the big-screen. On all technical levels, the film looks better than its predecessor.

On the negative side, the concept strays so far from the original it's not even funny (not surprising though -- considering the first film was basically sequel-proof).

It also seems to be going for a stronger Fantasy feel whereas the Fantasy/Sci-fi in the first movie was a lot more subtle and well-excecuted. The sequel seems to be faster-paced and more in-your-face, and that's a huge downside for me.  

[another downside is that the guy from Gossip Girl is in it, hopefully in a small or supporting part -- but that's just me bitching]

Nevertheless, the trailer has piqued my curiosity. I'll be watching it.

--Julio

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Nevertheless, the trailer has peaked my curiosity. I'll be watching it.

Piqued your curiosity.

The trailer was somewhat interesting, but I have no hope whatsoever that this could be good.  It reminded me way more of The Butterfly Effect than of Donnie Darko.  And hilarious director's cut ending aside, that movie absolutely blew.

It appears that one of the characters in the trailer was supposed to be Donnie, though.  Did anybody else think that?

I loved the original, I very much doubt they'll be able to make it as good as the first one, but I'm guessing it will be interesting to watch.

I'll watch it when it's out on DVD.

EDIT: Don't think I'll be watching this, doesn't look that good as the first, plus what's with Donnie Coming back in it?

Quoted from escapist Piqued your curiosity. The trailer was somewhat interesting, but I have no hope whatsoever that this could be good.  It reminded me way more of The Butterfly Effect than of Donnie Darko.  And hilarious director's cut ending aside, that movie absolutely blew. It appears that one of the characters in the trailer was supposed to be Donnie, though.  Did anybody else think that?

Yup I agree, too.

The Donnie look-alike is actually playing a completely different character -- some guy called Iraq Jack. I don't know how he fits into the plot but the actor could easily pass for a new Donnie.

--Julio

Wow, just wow. This has bad idea written all over it. I'll watch it, but I'll regret it afterwards.

lol. That's a pretty self-destructing personality you got there, man :P

I thought The Butterfly Affect was actually quite good.  I am not a fan of Donnie Darko at all.

There's that personal opinion stuff again, huh?  You just never know...

I thought The Butterfly Effect was a little over-dramatic, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The sequel, on the other hand, was ass from start to finish; which makes me worry about S. Darko. Although Butterfly Effect 2 had a very tough schedule to work with and a much smaller budget. S. Darko is a genuine effort at a theatrical-release, but Darko fans are so hostile towards the very idea a sequel, that most of them would never even give it a chance. That's why cult fan-bases are frowned upon by Hollywood -- they believe nothing can top their movie.

There are posts all over IMDB saying that S. Darko is just a money-grab to milk the Donnie Darko "franchise" -- um...which franchise, exactly? Donnie Darko was a complete and total flop back when it came out. Matter of fact, it has only barely made its money back since 2001. So how could it be "milking" Donnie Darko? It's a ridiculous and stupid argument, but that's a cult fan-base for you.

I'm really trying to stay optimistic and wait until I watch it before judging. The trailer has done its job -- it has made me curious and I *want* to watch it. Whether or not it'll be any good remains to be seen, however.

--Julio  

Your right, Julio, DD was a complete flop as far as I can tell, but for some reason, there are many MAJOR fans that love it to death.

I didn't see BE2, so I can't comment on it, but I did hear that it sucked.  The original was quite dramatic, but it had lots of cool scenes and situations as well as alot of great, strong characters.  I think the young kids did a great job in terms of acting, and I was completely moved by some of those "early" intense scenes.  Very powerful, I thought.  I remember leaving the theater and spending alot of time thinking about the movie, and you know there aren't alot of flicks that actually make you do that.

I didn't even know BE2 existed until now! The first one was pretty cool, but 4.4 stars on IMDB... my excitement just died.

In relation to the trailer of S. Darko, it looks alright. I will definitely be watching this.

Quoted from Dreamscale There's that personal opinion stuff again, huh?

Oh, no.  I bought that at first.  But now that I've realized that you love all the movies I hate, and don't like Donnie Darko, it's clear that you're my evil twin.  Or I'm yours.  There is no other explanation.  :P

Quoted from ReaperCreeper S. Darko is a genuine effort at a theatrical-release, but Darko fans are so hostile towards the very idea a sequel, that most of them would never even give it a chance.

Not that I think this comment was directed at me, but I felt like clarifying my position in response.  I'm not opposed to a sequel on principle, but the fact that Richard Kelly isn't involved in any way is a huge strike against it.  Getting unknowns to do a straight-to-DVD sequel just makes things worse.  No notable actors either, unless you count Elizabeth Berkley.  But that's notable in the wrong ways...  Nothing I saw in the trailer was enough for me to overcome that.  I would still be willing to see it if it got good reviews, though.  I just don't see that happening.