SOOO Many Similar Things to Donnie Darko (it got distracting)

Those were all really random. One of the ones you said is an ambulance in front of a house. Like that is some new idea that he used twice. The only one that was valid is the water cubes and I'm glad he used that again because its a never before seen concept and its real cool in my opinion. Time traveling in water like that.

I recall Kelly once said that all three of his existing films occur in the same "universe". He might even be keeping those esoteric details in because on some level they are part of his real-world belief system. For example, he might believe there is life on Mars, and that life on Earth originated there, and that might involve a complex belief system regarding why humans exist, which in turn inspire his stories. That's why all of his stories are about people trying to find their own way of understanding things that are happening to them, that don't make sense from other people's perspective.

OP I just watched The Box for the first time and I thought the same thing to myself. You're absolutely right and good job on pointing out the scenes and details that were similar. Some of it was clearly intentional and some could be like the directors signature.

To the poster who said all his movies take place in the same universe. I've only seen Donnie Darko and The Box but I can definitely draw a universal connection.

The only thing you mention that makes sense of your claim is the water portal. I honestly cannot believe you mention the use of cop cars outside a house.

So what? Lots of directors have certain tropes they use over and over again. Look at Scorsese and his use of pop/rock music or shots from behind as people walk through a corridor. Kubrick's interesting angle shots. Most good directors have a certain "feel" that comes through in their work and it's what makes it THEIR work. There's nothing wrong with it.