Favourite directors: name some and why you like or love them

[mutant]

Hey for me its pretty rare to love the whole work of a director.

i will start with three of my favourites that this actually happens: love all the work

Pedro Almodovar, I have watched most of his work, definately love him, a fine mix of drama, surrealism, interesting strange characters and wonderful twisted humour, I rather prefer the early raw/weird work, but there are favourites all along his film history, also haven't been into seeing his latest work from bad education and on. Favourites: matador, labyrith of passion, kika and many more! Love him because he is an original director that manages to easily mix comedy with drama and dark situations, also skillfulled in doing straightforward drama, politically incorrect cinema from a very political director, doesn't shy away.

David Cronenber, I have watched almost the complete works of this dude. I love him. Deep philosophical, a fine example of a director that uses violence purposefully, yes indeed he has made some of the more memorable horror scenes, but he always uses violence within plots, not for the shock value, but he cant shy away from it either. One of the finest examples of a unique director than managed or chose to have the artistical freedom in all his films and thus being one of the most sincere and consistent to his vision director of all times. All of this films, especially after 1980 are recommended. Favourites: Videodrome, Existenz, The Fly, Naked Lunch and many more! Again in a more dark sense a twisted and visionary director, his films require you to think. Some of my favourite films of all time are his. Videodrome marked my teenhood and is still today one of the best films ever in that its way ahead of its time, always was, effective, unpleasant, and uncategoriseable, more and mroe nowadays characterised as a prophetic techno-surrealistic masterpiece .

John Waters , well this one is one of a kind. having being called the king of Trash and Pope of Junk and other like this, this dude is a hero. Apart from the legendary Pink Flammingos, there are many awesome films I simply regard awesome and even masterpieces (Female Trouble, Deperate Living). These are often called good bad films, but they're much more than this... The more commercial (late) material is also awesome, and often outragious like the good old days (Cecil B demented , A Dirty shame) . The dude even makes cameos for awesome films like Seed of Chucky (Childs play part 5) which is also a joyful experience for fan of the genre and series alike.

===

So there you have it

one is the pope of trash, from Baltimore US

the other is the baron or blood, a famous canadian director

and the other is the somewhat strange famous spanish director

all three make intelligent films that dont shy away, actually more than often they go all the way.

none of them is politically correct, in fact waters is the extreme opposite of that, but all have a great vision and a cult following

all three are nowadays regarded as important and influencial and even great artists , but it wasn't always like that

all three indeed became famous but without chopping up their vision

and in this they are admirable, important and unique

In my humble opinion this is what cinema is about.

[2XB]

John carpenter. Mainly because his movies are rad. But equally for his soundtracks which he does himself.!

[domide]

I'm a huge fan of Werner Herzog. If he requested, I would probably eat his boots.

I think he is more known for directing documentaries, and I personally prefer his documentaries. His way of connecting with his interviewees is remarkable. It's almost as though they feel they can be completely honest and transparent in his presence. Here is a link to a short documentary about text driving he did recently:

I'd also recommend watching "Fitzcarrldo" (feature film), "Grizzly Bear" (doco) and "Into the Abyss" (another doco).

Edited January 21, 2014 by domide

[2XB]

I'm a huge fan of Werner Herzog. If he requested, I would probably eat his boots.

I think he is more known for directinKog documentaries, and I personally prefer his documentaries. His way of connecting with his interviewees is remarkable. It's almost as though they feel they can be completely honest and transparent in his presence. Here is a link to a short documentary about text driving he did recently:

I'd also recommend watching "Fitzcarrldo" (feature film), "Grizzly Bear" (doco) and "Into the Abyss" (another doco).

One of my fav bands did sound tracks for him. Popul vu . Great!!!!!

[mutant]

John Carpenter>>

rad = radical? or simply cool and hip?

Carpenter indeed has created classics and some of the best horror/thrillers.

Which would be the finest creation of his?

I would say "In the mouth of madness", apart from commonly reported as the finest film adaptation of Lowecrafts vision is a masterpiece in my opinion.

Favourites of mine include the much beloved The thing , They live and also Prince of darkness with cult cameo appearance of Alice Cooper and the original Escape from Ney York.

On herzog, I would argue that he is most known for having worked with Klaus Kinsky, apart from regarded one of the most important director working.

I have not seen much of Herzog work, I have seen Agirre, Fitzcarraldo and Cobra Verde , all starring Klasu Kinsky as well as documentaries on his relations ship with Kinsky and making of fitzcarraldo plus some interviews. I went on to search more about Kinsky and his films. Awesomely eccentric dude!

Herzog is really great in interviews indeed, honest, open, different. I have great respect for this visionary creator. he is also clearly left-wing, so I would be more than interested to see some of his documenteries. Any recommendations?

When I saw Fitzcarraldo, and even more in Cobra verde I was trully puzzled by what I was seeing and it continued after the viewing. Even though I didn't understand what it was at first, it raised an interest because it gave me such a strange feeling, a film having you figure out what it was about... I was not sure what I was making out of all this but I was sure I had watched something important, something that rather than presenting the whole story by narration had you thinking about it, by giving you strong bold images.

Definately a director I should watch more of.

"Agirre, the wrath of god" is a pretty good starting point to the Herzog newcomer, whereas Cobra Verde or Fitzcarraldo are more difficult. many other films of his with or without Kinsky are mentioned as masterpieces so there's much material here...

[Evil Genius]

Love Ridley Scott, Chris Nolan and James Cameron. Probably my three favorite Directors. Then Martin scorsese, Francis Ford Coppoloa, John Woo, Kurosawa, Peter Jackson, Guillermo Del Torro, Quentin Tarantino, David Chase (Sopranos), Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad), Luc Besson, etc.

[nothinghead]

I think one of the most politically and artistically competent mainstream filmmakers has to be Ken Loach. I can barely watch his stuff because it kills me everytime, but I really admire his conviction and dedication to social responsibility. He is a master of organising the content of his films, and he isn't afraid to develop complex and conflicted characters. For me, his films ring true to life more than any other filmmaker that comes to mind and impart a sense of their own importance as a result, but without being self-aggrandising or egotistical in any way. He has a gift for interpreting really meaningful episodes of history, and in some cases has brought forgotten important events into the limelight (Land and Freedom).

I love Jim Jarmusch's film as from the start he knows his subjects and style and develops them in various ways over decades, which is really interesting to watch. There is something magical about the way he can make a really low-action shot so compelling. He is able to give some really intimate insights into the U.S.A. without the typical arrogance or sense of superiority. There's something gentle and accepting about the way he depicts social problems in the south U.S. and he is never apologetic or condescending about these shortcomings.

Todd Solondz for his brutal honesty in exploring some really dark material. He goes really deeply into some fucked up aspects of life without being a shock jock about it. But he also avoids sentimentalism which gives his films a sort of documentary feel, despite how obviously un-normal they are. For me that creates a nice tension.

David Lynch because he pays so much attention to the details of his dreamscapes. His films can be frustrating because they often refuse to tell the viewer what they're about, but if you're in the mood to watch one they can be incredible experiences that take you right out of your mindset and let you flirt with other worlds. I also love the way he dwells on the weirdness of normality and vice versa in Twin Peaks and others.

Alfred Hitchcock. The man knew how to make a film.

Anyone notice that there are so few female directors? Why is that? I could only name a couple off bat.

[mutant]

wow EG many of the directors you mentioned have made at least one of my favourite films , but you spare us the spice man, the whys and whats!

big names too, you have made me look into the filmography of them ...

Nolan: memento (also following is pretty good from the early days, somewhat similar to memento)

Scott: got to love him for alien and blade runner, I also liked Prometheus concept and all but I have yet to research his filmography.

Scorcese: so many good films, but Casino is probably by favourite, such a lush watch. House of the rising sun is forever linked with this film in my mind.

Peter Jackson: was a fan from the pre-Lord of the rings days. Not beeing a big fan of heroic/fantasy stuff, I simply liked Lord of the rings, and haven't seen consequent work, but Bad Taste will be always one of the best examples of how you make awesome movies with no budget , AKA low budget talent, along with El Mariachi of Rodriguez. Braindead being one of the best comedy horror ever, featuring tons of splatter scenes and blood, hard to be surpassed.... I have a Bad Taste T-shirt I bought in Holland!

james Cameron: if you ask me cameron or scott, and I am a huge fan of alien series, I answer with no big thoughts seeing the filmographies, Cameron. I might no have see Thelma and Louise (Scott) but hey , for Cameron, even the big mainstream hit, Titanic, I remember it 'caught' me seriously , during the peak of the film. I was seriously disturbed during that scene, to remember another sister thread in chill space about disturbing films.

Not only I consider Aliens superior to Alien for both personal/emotional and practical reasons, that is, the second half of Alien might be something back then, but is the average slasher fare nevertheless, no real interest today ... The first part is gold though, I give you that. So despite being a huge fan of aliens, I consider the first part uneven with today standards. And then you got Terminator 2, one of the most exciting sci-fi action thrillers you never get bored to watch from time to time as years get by. And then Cameron was involved in the little known but totally awesome allaround cult sci-fi 1981 "Galaxy of Terror" . And then is the 1989 Abyss. I saw it relatively recently. Great film, and greatly overlooked.

Kurosawa I have not yet seen!

Tarantino is the most overated director ever, but I will get back at that

Guillermo Del Torro, I didn't have this one under the radar , even though its a familiar name, even though I remember Blade 2 was awesome and Mimic I had seen and liked and even wanted to see again. On the radar and list again , then, and I haven't seen the controversial Labyrinth of Pan.

Luc Beson>> hmm... not now much Leon was a sweet and tight little film and 5th element is a favourite, also entering the cyberpunk arena and scoring quite high at that too! ANy recommendation?

please dont make me do this again!

less names! more reasons why you choose them, and favourite films are essential discussing material.

this is not a TOP 10 list

[mutant]

raketemencsch>>>

I am very glad with your additions too!

but mostly glad I am you mention the future cult, and one of the most important and innovative directors working currently, and there haven't been many films that made me feel that innovation, and that is Todd Solondz

on jarmousch, I dont have a strong opinion, I have to re-see and see some films , but I am already convinced of the mans vision, I consider him important, even if he is not exactly my cup of tea - then again, I have not seen much and I have to re-evaluate some time.

David Lynch is probably one of the directors that got my interest when younger to search further into provokative cinema. Still to this day I consider Eraserhead on of my favourite films, even though I haven't seen it for many years now. The good thing about this is I havent seen most of the latest output, even though I have seen str8 stroy and liked it for what it was... David Lynch has to be one of the best situationists or what the fuck, he brought an overall needed welcome to a somewhat stranger cinema....

People still argue about the hidden meaning of Mulholland driveand I am happy to not have seen anything from then on.

Eraserhead is one the finest examples of sound editing in film history, especially seeing the cult and historic status of the film.

Its probably also the film that inspired me to get on with making some sort of film only to edit it, to make the soundtrack and sound editing for it. y;know, video clim mentality.

Alfred Hitchcock> i haven't seen much, but whatever I have whatched is top material indeed

[cactuscarl]

Just about everything Kevin smith done was awesome but I would say that's probably due to the script more than the directing

[Seldom]

mien is Bill Grates, brecous hi inventered michaelsoft

[2XB]

John Carpenter>>

rad = radical? or simply cool and hip?

Carpenter indeed has created classics and some of the best horror/thrillers.

Which would be the finest creation of his?

I would say "In the mouth of madness", apart from commonly reported as the finest film adaptation of Lowecrafts vision is a masterpiece in my opinion.

Favourites of mine include the much beloved The thing , They live and also Prince of darkness with cult cameo appearance of Alice Cooper and the original Escape from Ney York.

Rad is yes short for radical and is of highest exaltation where I come from.

My favs are like you escape from new york and the incredible they live. Also big trouble in little china, the fog, first halloween, assault on precinct 13, christine, memoirs of an invisible man..... and starman was allright but a bit slow ;).

Pretty diverse career and contributes alot to his movies. Ie produced directed wrote and did soundtracks on alot of his movies, not to mention his roles as extras too!

Cool guy, I was in a couple bands when I was younger which a john carpenter movie would be the theme for a song.

I dont watch too many movies nowadays but could easily sit through any of the above mentioned countless times!!!!

[incognito]

What about mel? Apocalypto was visually stunning an he was hot in mad mac 2

[mutant]

You're right in the carpenter-soundtrack thing. I love electronics and synth music and he certainly does that pretty nice.

I recently saw "Assault.." and I remember Fog was great been many years now...

And inco you're right about Mel. Apocalypto was something. Very impressive films both passion and Apocalypto, Apocalypto taking the cake of course.

Mad Max trilogy is of course essential viewing for eveyone, as its one of the best examples of post-apocalyptic sci-fi.