Since my lists of movie suggestions could go on forever, here is a short list of some of my favorite directors; dead or alive. Basically if a movie comes out from this director I rush to the theaters to see it opening night. If you find you like some of my taste in movies, or you see a movie you recognize and love, check out the director and see what else he/she has done.
Sergio Leone
Sergio is the man that influenced all my favorite directors. He's the man that gave birth to the spaghetti western. I mean movies like, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, A Fistfull of Dollars, A Few Dollars More, and my personal favorite, Once Upon A Time In The West. I'll be the first to admit, these films aren't for everyone. They're often slow paced and extremely long. But the style is unmatchable, and the mythology behind his characters is mysterious and powerful.
Guy Ritchie
Ritchie is a little bitter-sweet for me. His first two movies are simply incredible. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is proof that a terrific plot, unique characters, visionary directing, and hilarious dialogue can take a small budget big places. Ritchie fine-tuned his talents with the enormously popular Snatch. Then he married Madonna and something went wrong. I did like Revolver, but it's definitely abstract and unusual. I was supremely disappointed with his most recent film, RockN'Rolla. Hopefully his next will be much better; Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.
Christopher Nolan
Clearly I must the man that brought the dark side of Batman to mainstream popularity, changing what we come to expect from studio superhero movies. But Nolan has shown he can do more than big budget studio blockbusters. He directed the cult classic Memento as well as Insomnia and The Prestige. Nolan has shown that he does not need a $150 million budget to tell a suspensful story. It's encouraging to know that his next film will be an original screenplay that will not revolve around Batman.
Gus Van Sant
Like Sergio Leone, Van Sant is not afraid to tell a story through stunning and stylistic visuals. This director has an impressive independent resume that includes: My Own Private Idaho, Elephant, Last Days, the recent Milk, and of course Good Will Hunting. Van Sant is fearless in his content and messages, taking on any subject matter that is considered, dark, taboo, or difficult (suicide, high school shootouts, gay rights, etc.).
Quentin Tarantino
Of course my favorite director of all time. Fearless, saturated with style, and raw as hell. The best way to describe Tarantio is: film geek turned director. He was a starving actor, high school drop out, and a video shop clerk before becoming one of the most influential directors in recent history. My favorite Tarantino film is his first, Reservoir Dogs. But he has also made classics like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. I must also reccomend True Romance. While he did not direct the film, it is his first original screenplay turned major motion picture. I could go on forever, but if you love indiscribeably witty dialogue, badass action, suspense, and orginal plotlines, then Tarantino films are for you.
Sergio Leone
Sergio is the man that influenced all my favorite directors. He's the man that gave birth to the spaghetti western. I mean movies like, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, A Fistfull of Dollars, A Few Dollars More, and my personal favorite, Once Upon A Time In The West. I'll be the first to admit, these films aren't for everyone. They're often slow paced and extremely long. But the style is unmatchable, and the mythology behind his characters is mysterious and powerful.
Guy Ritchie
Ritchie is a little bitter-sweet for me. His first two movies are simply incredible. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is proof that a terrific plot, unique characters, visionary directing, and hilarious dialogue can take a small budget big places. Ritchie fine-tuned his talents with the enormously popular Snatch. Then he married Madonna and something went wrong. I did like Revolver, but it's definitely abstract and unusual. I was supremely disappointed with his most recent film, RockN'Rolla. Hopefully his next will be much better; Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.
Christopher Nolan
Clearly I must the man that brought the dark side of Batman to mainstream popularity, changing what we come to expect from studio superhero movies. But Nolan has shown he can do more than big budget studio blockbusters. He directed the cult classic Memento as well as Insomnia and The Prestige. Nolan has shown that he does not need a $150 million budget to tell a suspensful story. It's encouraging to know that his next film will be an original screenplay that will not revolve around Batman.
Gus Van Sant
Like Sergio Leone, Van Sant is not afraid to tell a story through stunning and stylistic visuals. This director has an impressive independent resume that includes: My Own Private Idaho, Elephant, Last Days, the recent Milk, and of course Good Will Hunting. Van Sant is fearless in his content and messages, taking on any subject matter that is considered, dark, taboo, or difficult (suicide, high school shootouts, gay rights, etc.).
Quentin Tarantino
Of course my favorite director of all time. Fearless, saturated with style, and raw as hell. The best way to describe Tarantio is: film geek turned director. He was a starving actor, high school drop out, and a video shop clerk before becoming one of the most influential directors in recent history. My favorite Tarantino film is his first, Reservoir Dogs. But he has also made classics like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. I must also reccomend True Romance. While he did not direct the film, it is his first original screenplay turned major motion picture. I could go on forever, but if you love indiscribeably witty dialogue, badass action, suspense, and orginal plotlines, then Tarantino films are for you.
