He's one of the all time greats. He made new innovations in animation that other animation studios could only dream of. His animation style stemmed beyond family films. He was a master of making cartoons terrifying. His resume includes films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Bambi (1942), Fantasia (1940), Steamboat Willie (1928), and Sleeping Beauty (1959)
When one thinks of suspenseful films, the first director that comes to mind is Hitchcock. He was ahead of his time in film artistry. Films under his belt are Psycho (1960), North By Northwest (1959), The Birds (1963), Rear Window (1954), and Shadow of a Doubt (1943).
A very controversial director who knew how to spike (no pun intended) your hatred for the people who make stupid decisions. His resume includes films such as Do the Right Thing (1989), Malcolm X (1992), 4 Little Girls (1997), Get On The bus (1996), Bamboozled (2000).
Being a huge Pixar fan, I can't deny Mr. Lasseter a top ten spot. Lasseter is nothing if not a good story teller. He takes the contemporary way of bring a story to the big screen and creates something new. His most noted and famous films include The Brave Little Toaster (1987), Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Spirited Away (2001), Cars (2006), and Up! (2009)
As Much as I hate Frank Miller as a writer, his directing skills make up for that. He has brought film Noir back to the big screen and better than ever. His short film resume includes Sin City (2005), 300 (2007), The Spirit (2008) and Sin City 2 set to hit theaters in 2011.
Monty Python was most definitely an inspiration for his work on the big screen. He found new ways to tantalize the senses and invigorate the nerves with his widely diverse and not always popular film making style. Films he's made include The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), The Fisher King (1991), 12 Monkey's (1995), Time Bandits (1981), Tideland (2005), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
Who can say what twisted films will darken the box office when Tarantino is in command? Being one of the more artsy film directors I've ever known, he has convinced me he is one of the better directors in film history. A few of his films are as follows...Death Proof (2007), Kill Bill (2003 - 2004), Pulp Fiction (1994), Reservoir Dogs (1992), Inglorious Bastards (2009).
One of the most dark and gothic minded directors to ever hit the big screen. His ability to create dark, twisted tales was uncanny and unorthodox. Truly, Mr. Kubrick was a cinematic perfectionist with deeply layered films which include Dr. Srangelove (1964), Lolita (1962), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971), And The Shinning (1980).
These two brothers make the perfect film making team. They have always taken a quite interesting approach to film making and have a huge cult following. Their world renowned films such as The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Fargo (1996), O Brother Where Art Thou (2000), The Lady Killers (2004), The Big Lebowski (1998), and Burn After Reading (2008) have made an incredible mark on the film industry.
Without a doubt, Mr. Shyamalan takes the top spot with me. With the exception to The Sixth Sense, every film he has made has been met with scrutiny and criticism. Yet his innovative work as a story teller, a master of lighting and scenery, and his unmatched knowledge of different film making techniques puts him up there as the greatest film maker of all time. His resume includes The Sixth Sense (1999), Signs (2002), Unbreakable (2000), Wide Awake (1998), Lady In The Water (2006), The Happening (2008), The Village (2004), And The Last Airbender (2010) set to hit theaters this summer.
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So this is who I absolutely agree with you that they should be on the list - Stankley Kubrick, Joel and Ethan Coen, and Alfred Hitchcock. I think that Hitchcock should be #1. I truly believe him to be the most influential director of all time. On my list I would definitely included Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Charlie Chaplin. I personally haven't seen any of his films, but Cecille B. De Mille is too influential to leave off of a list like this. Another name to consider is Dorothy Arzner who did a lot for women film makers in the 30's and 40's. This is such a hard list to make cause I'm also thinking of names like Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Buster Keaton, and Jane Champion. I think John Lasseter was an interesting choice. While I understand he is the heart behind pixar I would actually choose Andrew Stanton from the pixar clan as the best director. The films he has directed meant more to me than any of the other pixar films. Although I too am a big M. Night Shyamalan, I don't think he has earned his way onto the top ten list and certainly not the #1 spot. There are too many other film makers that have been much more influential than him. I like that you have Quentin Tarantino on the list. I'm not sure he would be on my top ten, but I really like him. Terry Gilliam is good but not top ten worthy. I'm not familiar with Frank Miller or Spike Lee enough to make judgements on them. Walt Disney is a good choice. I certainly wouldn't have thought of him, but he should be on a list this.
ReplyDeleteI think Shyamalan is over shadowed by so many other film makers out there that people don't realize just how good he is. I think he's better than Coppola, Keaton and Allen. but this list is purely based on my own tastes. And just like any list, they are biased and based on a person's specific likes and dislikes. I mean, I had half a mind to include Mel Brooks in this list, but some of his films..while still funny..weren't great films. But if had just made some movies as good as twelve chairs and Young Frankenstein, he totally would have made my list. I guess I'm just all about the directors who produce the "out of the mold" films. And M. Night Shyamalan does just that!
ReplyDeleteI also thought about Mel Brooks. "Young Frankenstein" is one of the best movies of all time!!! But yes, he has made some major flops. I would also like to point out that your list does not include any women. You need to catch up on your women film makers :).
ReplyDeleteI have a post on my blog that list a bunch of female directors.
ReplyDeleteYes, I admit, I am not as knowledable with women directors as I am male directors. However, please note that when it comes to writers and actresses, I probably have more favorite female writers and actresses than males. In fact, when it comes to the comics I get on a monthly basis, the majority of them are focused around female characters. (ex. Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Power Girl, Birds of Prey, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would like to point out that being an influential director doesn't neccesarily make you one of the best. As you have stated, many other directors have been much more influential than Shyamalan. That may be the case, but that doesn't neccesarily make them BETTER. I mean, let's face it, James Cameron is an incredibly influential director, but no where near one of the best.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting list! I think your comments emphasizing 'influential' really helped elucidate the list for me. I whole heartedly agree with your reasoning!
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