Top 5

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

I am sorry I did not read your post as thoroughly as I should have, because you made some very interesting observations.

I just disagree about Scorsese, but it is simply personal, his more current subject matter just does not mean that much to me ( while on the other hand, his early works are rather profound to me ), but I have not seen his documentary work; Bob Dylan and the others which might be really good. I object to Departed in the same way I object to Traffic and Solaris and Insomnia, I know these are not the only films being remade, but I just cannot imagine why these should or would be. Infernal Affairs was a super little film ( great, no, but very enjoyable ), so what is the point of Departed? another, but alternate vision, which is really all fine, I just do not seem to enjoy them, just personal taste more than anything and not meant to diminish the remake nor the director, I just question the mistaken use of a person of creativity.

Polanski from Knife on the Water forward; ah yes, he should be included... and funny you mentioned Macbeth, because his is one of my favorite movies that I continue to watch every year along with Chinatown ( but this could be Shakespeare instead, I reread the play yearly too ). I must admit a dislike of the Pianist, but that was Brody and that hang dog, sad sack look of his that really was just off putting to me. Having read about the Warsaw ghetto, I just did not find him compelling a lead character ( there are some you can watch and others you cannot, I suppose ). I have not seen any of his recent works, both before and after Pianist.

I agree about Nolan. I enjoyed Batman Begins immensely, but find Burton's initial vision still very compelling almost comedic. I found the original Insominia much better than the remake, but I don't enjoy Pacino, mostly because he seems now only to be yelling and gesticulating madly, and feel myself wanting to turn down the volume ( a tempest in a tea pot). But I very much enjoyed Following.

Tarintino, I simply just do not know, but your comment about the ability with actors was well put, I always appreciated how Kubrick and Hitchcock could almost completely eliminate the sense of individual person from actors they used, Paul Newman in Torn Curtain ( was it that or Topaz), Jack N. ( was tough, some of his mannerisms  in the Shining really made sense for his character ), Sean Connery, Tom Cruise, etc...just become characters in the films rather than Tom and Jack the 'great' actors starring in another role.

Syrianna (sp) was super, but more for the story line, since I have read so much about the politics of globalization, Mid-East, and C.I.A. Hell, even Damon was almost good in it. I have not seen Good Night and Good Luck, but I am not much of a fan of biographical films, I much prefer the documentary...

Lars van Trier should be added.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

Syriana wasn't directed by Clooney though.

Too bad Kubrick died.  That *** should have kept on truckin.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

I really struggle with Hartley, finding more of his work pure unwatchable garbage ( girl from Monday, Book of Life, Amateur; all as if he were desperately trying to create style, but for me, failing rather miserably) than not, but then, being absolutely pleasantly surprised by Henry Fool ( maybe it was Parker Posey's ratty hair and early freewheeling skank) and No Such Thing. So I would not include him on my list. But I just checked and he has done a load of films.

I agree with Tmoney, it may be that the list should really be about more new talent, but then I have much higher expectations of a Malick or Polanski film any day.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

good god! you are right, sorry...I watched the commentary with the DVD and mixed that one up royally...I just saw he (Gaghan ) is directing 'Blink'!!!??? whatever for I wonder...if only Ms. Matlin will be in it.

I know I will get smashed for writing this, but I enjoyed the hell out of A.I. anyway ( Haley should remain a sweet robot forever ), but would have much preferred to see Kubrick's film ( I cannot imagine the/a connection of style, understanding of the world, philosophy between him and Spielberg; does anyone know how that came about??? ); and seeing how A.I. forms a companion piece to 2001 and to Clockwork Orange

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

I should have mentioned these 2 during all my yammering yesterday.

David Lynch

Darren Aronofsky

David Lynch would most definitely make my top 5, Mr. Aronofsky has not done much, but what was done seemed superb to me, with a new film The Fountain ( I think?) coming out.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

I am tempted to add David Cronenberg to my list, for his exploration of parasitical driven behaviour and his exploration of human transformation...and being coop'ting ( read this book Parisite Rex; Inside the bizarrre world of nature's most dangerous creatures; it mentions Shivers and makes a fascinating speculation about parasites driving behaviour in animals and insects, etc...that are absolutely contrary to the host's survival, but essential for the parasite ).

What does everyone else think?

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

Puhnner:

I really struggle with Hartley, finding more of his work pure unwatchable garbage ( girl from Monday, Book of Life, Amateur; all as if he were desperately trying to create style, but for me, failing rather miserably) than not, but then, being absolutely pleasantly surprised by Henry Fool ( maybe it was Parker Posey's ratty hair and early freewheeling skank) and No Such Thing. So I would not include him on my list. But I just checked and he has done a load of films.

Yeah he has done a lot!  Actually I've never seen Girl from Monday (heard it was his absolute worst) or Book of Life.  And although I think Amateur is really good, it is probably the least of the movies I've seen of his.  Henry Fool and No Such Thing are probably my favorites along with The Unbelievable Truth.  Check that last one out.  I never really feel like he's despirately trying for style.  I feel like his style must be something that just kind of comes out of him.  It seems true to someone's point of view rather than something derivative.  I certainly haven't seen anything else that I can easily compare it to.

Puhnner:

I know I will get smashed for writing this, but I enjoyed the hell out of A.I. anyway ( Haley should remain a sweet robot forever ), but would have much preferred to see Kubrick's film ( I cannot imagine the/a connection of style, understanding of the world, philosophy between him and Spielberg; does anyone know how that came about??? ); and seeing how A.I. forms a companion piece to 2001 and to Clockwork Orange

Here's a transcript of some stuff that Spielberg said about Kubrick that I saw on the Eyes Wide Shut DVD special features.

http://www.archiviokubrick.it/english/others/content/index.html?main=spielberg

I found the bit about Cagney especially interesting.  It made me want to go out and see a Cagney movie after hearing that.

This doesn't really answe the question of where their philosophies intersect.  In fact with the Cagney bit it sort of reveals how different Kubrick and Spielberg are or were.  I'd like to read something about why Kubrick was interesting in Spielberg.  Maybe it was just the fact that they were both so interested in movies and were two of the most powerful and grandios American directors.  They were different but tied by that very specific situation that few other people could relate to.

Re: NEW Group, Top 5 current directors.

Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother, Talk to Her, Volver)

Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away)

Wes Anderson (Royal Tenebaums)

Coen Brothers (O Brother, Big Lebowski, Fargo)

Wong Kar-Wai (The Mood for Love, 2046)

Those are my currentl top 5.