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Richard Kelly

Highest Rated: 100% Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary (2017)

Lowest Rated: 18% Domino (2005)

Birthday: Mar 28, 1975

Birthplace: Newport News, Virginia, USA

When "Donnie Darko" (2001) first premiered in theaters, it perplexed audiences and seemed doomed to DVD anonymity - that is until it was rediscovered by fans and critics, giving the film and its creator a rare second chance in Hollywood. Growing up as the son of an educator and a scientist, Kelly had long been fascinated by art and film, eventually graduating from the University of Southern California's vaunted film program. Through sheer determination, he was able to direct his first feature film, "Donnie Darko" on a shoestring budget. Although initially a commercial disappointment, the complex metaphysical tale eventually garnered a loyal following, earning Kelly the chance to bring his unique vision to the screen once more with "Southland Tales" (2007). Enigmatic and ambitious to a fault, the film was greeted by nearly universal ambivalence - if not outright disdain - upon its release, calling into question for many Kelly's promise as a viable filmmaker. Two years later, he wrote and directed his third feature, "The Box" (2009), based on a short story by Richard Matheson and starring Cameron Diaz. Unfortunately, the movie was far from the accessible thriller many had hoped for, and the film performed poorly in theaters. Acknowledged as one of young Hollywood's more unique directorial voices - one that harkened back to the auteur era of the 1970s - Kelly nonetheless would continue to struggle to find the balance between the personal vision and professional success which would allow him to progress as a filmmaker.

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Highest rated movies

100% 91% Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary
Watchlist
88% 67% World's Greatest Dad
Watchlist
87% 80% Donnie Darko Watchlist
42% 24% The Box
Watchlist
41% 41% Southland Tales Watchlist
40% 25% Operation: Endgame
Watchlist
18% 56% Domino
Watchlist
The Goodbye Place
Watchlist

Filmography

Movies

Credit
100% 91% Donnie Darko: 15th Anniversary Director - 2017
40% 25% Operation: Endgame Executive Producer - 2010
42% 24% The Box Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
$15.0M 2009
88% 67% World's Greatest Dad Producer $221.2K 2009
41% 41% Southland Tales Director,
Writer
$273.4K 2006
18% 56% Domino Writer $10.1M 2005
87% 80% Donnie Darko Director,
Screenwriter
$205.8K 2001
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Goodbye Place Director,
Screenwriter
- 1996

TV

Credit
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Last Drive-In With Joe Bob Briggs Director 2024