NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I thought I'd follow the movie trend and go with the greatest directors of all time, but when I started compiling my list I came to the realization that I can name at least 20 unimaginably great directors off the top of my head and I can only put 10 choices (one has to be "other")

So ... I'm putting my top 9 up on the poll and if you got an "other" then please, by all means, state it! :) Sadly, I had to cut Alfred Hitchcock from my list in order to accomodate an "Other" option.

The Coen brothers are geniuses, and Coppola did magnificent work on the Godfather.

Coppola,

I think your list has two major names missing: Akira Kurosawa and Ingmar Bergman. Both are major influences of half of the directors you mentioned.

I'm definately a Coppola fan - although Dracula stank and The Godfather III was the biggest disappointment in film history, but his other work makes up for it big time.

I think your list has two major names missing: Akira Kurosawa and Ingmar Bergman. Both are major influences of half of the directors you mentioned.

Kurosawa is conspicuously absent.

I think your list has two major names missing: Akira Kurosawa and Ingmar Bergman. Both are major influences of half of the directors you mentioned.

Yeah, and I could name you my top 30 in order and why, but I could only pick 9 for the poll. Both Kurosawa and Bergman are definately on my list.

Kurosawa is conspicuously absent.

Nothing conspicuous about it. Kagemusha happens to be one of my favorite films of all time and Shichinin no samurai is sheer brilliance and his writing in Kakushi toride no san akunin is divine poetry, but my options were limited and I decided to leave out Mr. Kurosawa because many of his films require an intimate understanding of Japanese culture and, well, with so many Americans in the room ... you understand.

Nothing conspicuous about it. Kagemusha happens to be one of my favorite films of all time and Shichinin no samurai is sheer brilliance and his writing in Kakushi toride no san akunin is divine poetry, but my options were limited and I decided to leave out Mr. Kurosawa because many of his films require an intimate understanding of Japanese culture and, well, with so many Americans in the room ... you understand.

Abolutely. You have to like Japanese culture. I'm an American so I understand.

I know it's your valid and very respectful opinion, but Ridley Scott or the Cohens over Kurosawa and Bergman? Can I ask why?

BTW, I love Sergio Leone's work, but I know that only me considers him a top 5 director.

You want me to pick ONE out of ten? How bout eight...I'm not a Coppola fan... plus
Hitchcock
Scorsese
Welles
Jane Campion
Akira Kurosawa
Lina Wertmuller
John Huston
Charlie Chaplin
Sam Rami (Yeah I said it!)
and so many more I can't finish right now.
That's what you get for asking a film junkie a question like this.

meh, I dont have a favorite, but I have some that I like a lot.

Welles
Kubric
Hitchcock
& M. Night Shyamalan

Oh what the hell. Tarrantino. Had to say it.

Stanley Kubric, for the simple fact that he did, as you mentioned, A Clockwork Orange. While the movie may not have been as great as the book, it's still worth the respect. But there should be a poll for the worst director of all time, I mean we all know who that would be Ed Wood. I mean, come on, he was so horrible they made a movie about his painfully bad movies.

Nothing conspicuous about it. Kagemusha happens to be one of my favorite films of all time and Shichinin no samurai is sheer brilliance and his writing in Kakushi toride no san akunin is divine poetry, but my options were limited and I decided to leave out Mr. Kurosawa because many of his films require an intimate understanding of Japanese culture and, well, with so many Americans in the room ... you understand.

Ran and Throne of Blood are based on Shakespeare (King Lear and Macbeth), Yojimbo became latter a Clint Eastwood flick (Fistful of Dollars), 7 Samurai have influence over most multi-hero action films (magnificent seven, dirty dozen, etc.), and the Hidden Fortress is the father of the ultimate X-Generation culture film, Star Wars. BTW, isn't Rashemoon based on a Hemingway story? (not sure on that one). One may not know much on Japanese culture, but will understand the universality of these films.

Sorry to keep arguing on this subject... it's just that I was shocked not to see him since I consider him the ultimate director. Really, I don't want to sound as a smart ass, just hoping to increase the standing of Kurosawa in your personal top 10 list.

I know it's your valid and very respectful opinion, but Ridley Scott or the Cohens over Kurosawa and Bergman? Can I ask why?

BTW, I love Sergio Leone's work, but I know that only me considers him a top 5 director.


Oh I like Leone's work, too. Once Upon A Time In The West is my #7 favorite movie.

As for choosing Scott and the Coens over Kurosawa and Bergman, well, Kurosawa because in order to truly appreciate his work, one *must* have an intimate understanding of Japanese culture and when you're in a room full of Americans, you can almost bet that they don't have that level of understanding - gaijin almost never do.

I cropped Bergman because of the esoteric nature of his films. One almost needs a degree in film in order to understand his use of the intricacies of spacing and span. I will mention, however, that two of his films are in my top 20 list: Till glädje(#11) and Aus dem Leben des Marionetten (#14).

For me, it's a three-way tie between Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Mel Brooks. Since Spielberg was the only one on the poll list, I chose him on there.

Sorry to keep arguing on this subject... it's just that I was shocked not to see him since I consider him the ultimate director. Really, I don't want to sound as a smart ass, just hoping to increase the standing of Kurosawa in your personal top 10 list.

Point well taken and, perhaps, I will have to make a Part 2 poll and include those directors I had to crop from this list, then make a Part 3 which will have the winners from Parts 1 and 2.

Kurosawa and Bergman will be in Part 2 ... as well as Hitchcock, Allen, DeMille, etc ...

Oh I like Leone's work, too. Once Upon A Time In The West is my #7 favorite movie.

As for choosing Scott and the Coens over Kurosawa and Bergman, well, Kurosawa because in order to truly appreciate his work, one *must* have an intimate understanding of Japanese culture and when you're in a room full of Americans, you can almost bet that they don't have that level of understanding - gaijin almost never do.

I cropped Bergman because of the esoteric nature of his films. One almost needs a degree in film in order to understand his use of the intricacies of spacing and span. I will mention, however, that two of his films are in my top 20 list: Till glädje(#11) and Aus dem Leben des Marionetten (#14).

No argument on Bergman. A very tough director to follow.

I raved the first time I saw "Once Upon a Time in the West", I loved the evil Henry Fonda. However, my favorite Leone film is Once Upon a Time in America - extended and as originally intended version (I think I almost cried the first time I saw it).

No argument on Bergman. A very tough director to follow.

I raved the first time I saw "Once Upon a Time in the West", I loved the evil Henry Fonda. However, my favorite Leone film is Once Upon a Time in America - extended and as originally intended version (I think I almost cried the first time I saw it).

Once Upon A Time in America is excellent.

I'd also like to mention Cronenberg ... Best Canadian Ever. :D

I'd also like to mention Cronenberg ... Best Canadian Ever. :D

Scanners, Spider and eXistenZ (my favorite)... have them all on DVD. Oh yeah, he did the Fly too....

Add another vote for Akira Kurosawa.

Of the names specifically on the list, however, I would have to go with Kubric.

Another name I'd like to mention, Richard Kelly.

Another name I'd like to mention, Richard Kelly.

The Donnie Darko guy?

Hard to tell ... he's only done three films. I generally don't judge a director until I've seen at least 6 of his/her films - which is why Tarantino didn't make the cut.

Edit: Oh, and his first two films were Shorts and, frankly, I don't count Shorts.

I can't believe it.... my top three aren't even on the list!

(Well, one of them only has 5 'real' projects to his name, I guess...)

1) Luc Besson
2) David Lynch
3) David Fincher

I picked ridley scott, simply because I enjoy his work so much. I am sure that anyone will discard his work as artistically inferior to many of the other directors but as the saying goes, I may not know art, but I know what I like.

Also, I think eastwood has done good work, and duel, by hitchcock, is one of my favourites.

I picked ridley scott, simply because I enjoy his work so much. I am sure that anyone will discard his work as artistically inferior to many of the other directors but as the saying goes, I may not know art, but I know what I like.

I'm with you on this one. Ridley Scott is, by far, the greatest director of all time in my opinion. I have yet to see a movie that he directed that isn't an absolutely beautiful piece of cinematography - even if it's a bad story. So, until Scott does bad work, he's my #1.

His work has been pure beauty - even Thelma & Louise - from beginning to end. My favorites by Scott have been: Blade Runner, Legend, Hannibal, and Matchstick Men. However, he hasn't done one I haven't liked.

Kubric did one piece of crap with "Barry Lyndon", so he only gets my #2 slot.

Kubrick. Need I explain? No of course not... the man is a genius among directors. Most of the directors on the list, with them, its hard not so easy to see who directed the film if you just watch five minutes of it having never seen it or heard of it before... but with Kubrick every minute of the film is distinctive.

James Cameron (Aliens, Terminator), Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop, Starship Troopers)

(Can you tell I like SciFi?)

Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop, Starship Troopers)


He did absolutely stunning work in "Basic Instinct", but then he went and did "Showgirls" :confused:

I think all the directors make some bad movies in addition to the very good ones. I've stopped believing a certain director (or actor) guarantees a good movie.

Kevin Smith , man

Kubrick.

Fascinating. In every movie there's the classical music, the Louis XIV furniture, wide rooms, the geometry of the scenes, ...
It's something I can't quite put my finger on.

Hitchcock... he was not only the master of suspence, but an innovator in the field... he invented more techniques than anyone else

Charles Chaplin. Love those films,

I cant believe that no one has mentioned `Sam Peckinpah` (Cross of Iron, The Wild Bunch) or Wolfgang Pertersen (Das Boot, Air Force One) both fantastic directors.

Tim Burton. Ed Wood was great.

Hitchcock or Mel Brooks. Hitchcock was a genius, there isn't anymore to say about him. Mel Brooks, well I just like junk-food comedy. Really, who doesn't like see sword/phallic symbolism jokes? Yes, I know, sane people, but why would that bother me?

John Ford. Period.

Well, IMO it is a tie for first between Quentin Tarentino and Stanley Kubrick.

Gotta be Kubric. All his films are awesome. My faves are Dr. Strangelove, Full Metal Jacket, and 2001: A Space Oddessy. Oh, and The Shining. And oh...well, ALL of them!

Well, IMO it is a tie for first between Quentin Tarentino and Stanley Kubrick.
Wow how does that happen... Not meant to sound as an insult... but it's just... kind of odd...

My list,in no order-
-The Wachowski Brothers (Matrix trilogy,Bound)
-Brian De Palma (Scarface,Carlitos Way,Untouchables)
-Abel Ferrera (King Of New York,Bad Lieutenant)
-Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction,Reservior Dogs,Kill Bill)
-Luc Besson (Leon,Nikita)
-The Coen Bros.(Fargo,Millers Crossing,Big Lebowski)
-Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver,Goodfellas)
-SPECIAL MENTION-Alfred Hitchcock,a bit old school to make it into my shortlist,but he should be on the poll list.
Theres no excuse for it,everyone borrows from him conciously or unconciously,he was a pioneer.
He deserves to be on there just for the sheer volume of quality movies he put out.
My favourites of his would be-Strangers on a train,Psycho,Rope and Vertigo

What about Cronenberg? Lynch? Thanks for someone mentioning Ferrara and Besson.

Terry Gilliam is amazing as a director too. Some awesome movies out of him, like 12 Monkeys and Fear and Loathing. Darren Aronofsky, though, I think will have a lot to say for himself when he has a couple more films under his belt. Pi and Requiem for a Dream are both on my list of favorite films.

The Coen brothers are amazing, but sometimes you just want something deeper, less dark comedy and more drama. I love their work, though.

Yeah,12 monkeys was amazing.I love it,but I haven't seen fear & loathing.I should though I read the book years ago.

Fear and Loathing is awesome. It's Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. It's hilarious as a sketch of Thompson.

Anyway, way too late at night for the likes of me. Brain's on strike again for shorter hours, better pay.

Ok Then,don't know where in the RL world you are,but it is 8:20AM here.Nighty night.