Donnie Darko is a film that is a mix of genres: part comedy, part sc-fi, part teen drama, part horror and many parts something else. It deals with some very complicated ideas of time travel and tangent universes juxtaposed against the awkwardness of being in high-school. In theory, this film has no right being as good as it is but director Richard Kelly is able to mesh all the ingredients and bake a very palatable and very unique film that gets better upon multiple viewings. It was a slow burn with audiences, eventually becoming a popular cult film that sparked a horrible sequel and a chance for Kelly to write and direct again. That film was Southland Tales: a horribly cluttered, self-indulgent mess that showed that the writer/director couldn't make up his mind on what kind of film he wanted to make. The interesting thing is that both Donnie Darko and Southland Tales share some similar themes such as time travel and spirituality. While able to successfully combine genres with Donnie Darko, lightning didn't strike twice for Kelly. Kelly has since directed a film called The Box. Heard of it? Possibly, you think? Exactly.