There are some directors who are just artists. They work film like an artist paint, a sculptor stone, or a writer words. Some just get the medium. These are the directors whose projects I look forward to the way normal people look forward to Happy Hour, their birthday or a beach trip. Here are, in my humble opinion, some of the best working directors today, and some of their upcoming projects. Since its safe to say none of them read my blog, you know they didn't pay me to promote them!
Christopher Nolan immediately comes to mind. His resume includes Memento (2000), Batman Begins (2005), The Prestige (2006), and The Dark Knight (2008). His latest project is Inception, and of course, his mostly highly anticipated is the third Batman movie, release date undetermined. My reasons for loving him are many; the greatest is his ability to combine the cerebral with entertainment. From Memento, which is told backwards, to The Prestige, with its time-shifting and uncertain protagonist, to his intelligent reboot of the beleaguered Batman franchise, Nolan always has a trick up his sleeve, and will entertain you intelligently, with tight, complicated plots, twists and smart dialogue. But he's not too flashy; look on his insistence of verisimilitude in Batman. He's smart, and intelligently made, well-crafted films are hard to come by. So I can't wait to see Inception, a psychological thriller due out July 16th.
Next is Joe Wright. He's not as established, or prolific, as some other directors, but his brief resume is pretty darn impressive. It includes Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Atonement (2007). He also made a film called The Soloist in 2009, but I can't comment on that one as I haven't seen it yet. Being a Jane Austen purist, I was mortally offended on the undertaking of ANOTHER Pride and Prejudice. After the perfection that is the 1995 BBC adaptation, how dare he? Though imperfect, this film brings an artistic eye to the comedy of manners and makes it unabashedly romantic while still being visually interesting. He perfected the game in Atonement; it's a beautiful mix of styles, images and moments that perfectly recall the very internal nature of the novel source material. He's flashier than Nolan, but his style takes what would be conventional stories and makes them original and memorable visually. And isn't that the point? His next project is called Hanna, set for release in 2011, about a girl who is a killer, but is taken in by a family who want to give her a normal life.
Up next is Martin Scorsese. I know, he's a legend. Taxi Driver. Raging Bull. Goodfellas. Casino. The Aviator. The Departed. And my personal favorite, The Age of Innocence (No really! Only he can make receiving a letter as violent as a gunshot. But just kidding on the my favorite part. That's The Departed.) And you fans out there know this is the shortlist. Scorsese's mediocre film (*cough* Shutter Island *cough*) is still a far better day at the office than most directors can boast. He's simply a master at the top of his game. Most any project with his name attached is bound to garner attention. His most recent project was Shutter Island, released in February. He's got a George Harrison documentary in the can, and his next project is called The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which is due out December 2011, about an orphan trying to solve the mystery of his father. It's refreshing for Scorsese to branch out from the gangster genre his name automatically evokes, so I'm glad to see he's really stretching his wings.
Close behind is Alfonso Cuaron, a Mexican director who isn't familiar to most American audiences unless you've seen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). I know him as the brilliant mind behind the Mexican film Y tu mama tambien (2001) and Children of Men (2006). His film making (family friendly A Little Princess and HP films aside) is visceral and in-your-face, be it sex or violence. He doesn't flinch and he doesn't turn away. Children of Men is on my list of practically-perfect films; I am still breathless whenever I watch it. He doesn't have any projects currently in production; I look forward to seeing what he's doing in the future.
And who could have a conversation about directors without Spielberg? Though I'm not always a fan of his gape-mouthed kiddie fare (at least not since ET), I love his more adult work. Though Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was just unfortunate, his other body of work, especially his impressive list of producing credits, always brings me in. His current project is producing The Pacific, a mini-series answer to the immensely popular Band of Brothers, while his CGI motion capture project with Peter Jackson, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn is in post production until its release in 2011.
Lastly, you know I couldn't make it through a director conversation without mentioning Edgar Wright. You know this to be true. I could go on and on about whip pans, but I know you don't want to hear it. So I'll make this easy on all of us: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is due out August 13th, and I'll be first in line. I don't even know anything about the comic books its based on, but he's enough.
Any favorites of yours I missed? Tell me all about it in the comments! Movie fans, unite!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...
Sorry all, the behemoth that I like to call the school year got in the way of my regular posting. I've still been watching, loving and critiquing films since I got busy, but sadly had neither the time nor the energy to rant. But the sun is out, spring is in the air, and I'm back, bitches!
To open this new era of me having free(r) time, I wanted to post about a few of my favorite movies. Most people are hard-pressed to name their favorite film. To cinephiles, it's akin to picking a favorite child. We all have movies we love for various reasons/moods/occasions. For example, I can't imagine allowing my birthday to pass without viewing the first movie on My Favorite Things list. Granted, I haven't seen every movie ever made, so this list is from my experiences up to April 2010.
Overall Favorite:
Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain, 2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Little confession of mine: normally I'm into the "Dark Side" kind of stuff, but I'm also a sucker for a good fairy-tale. And this French film, my favorite for several years, serves up. Sure, a shy waitress replaces the fairy princess, and an odd-ball replaces the prince charming, but that doesn't make this movie any less charming. For me, this film has everything: romance, comedy, deep pathos. The bright colors, motley crew of characters and situations, poetic musings on taking chances and the power of fate, and the irrepressible imagination of the heroine keep me coming back for more. That, and it's beautifully romantic.
Favorite Action
The Bourne Ultimatum, 2007, Paul Greengrass
Sure, it's the third in a series. Sure, it doesn't have much in the way of story. But this movie has so many great action set-pieces (foot chases, explosions, car chases, hand-to-hand combat, intrigue) in exotic locales, natch, that are so perfectly conceptualized and executed, it's hard not to be in awe. This movie keeps your attention with the shaky camera, brilliant fights, and of course, looking at Matt Damon for a couple of hours will never hurt your cause. This is one I can't flip past.
Favorite Romance
Atonement, 2007, Joe Wright
I'm sure from reading the above films, you're wondering, didn't she already cover this? But Atonement is a great film adapted from a flawless novel. It's not purely a romance; there's a lot more going on about truth and the necessity of narrative for survival, but the central romance is the beating heart of this film. And it's handled so unusually for this kind of "epic" romance. No histrionics. No hand-wringing, ridiculous demonstrations or pretensions usually found in this kind of film. Just two people who love each other, and want nothing more than to be together. Not to mention the library scene is probably one of the most romantic (without cheesiness) ever committed to film.
Favorite Thriller
Rear Window, 1954, Alfred Hitchcock
This was the toughest to pick by far, with this being my favorite genre. But this is an example of perfect execution and virtuosic film making. Again, this is a film that for me has everything. Jimmy Stewart is a likable hero, Grace Kelly is sublime as his girlfriend, and the tension, mystery and suspense generated on a small set with a physically limited protagonist would make most filmmakers today incredibly jealous. Not to mention the dialogue is witty and holds up well.
Favorite Romantic Comedy
Bringing Up Baby, 1938, Howard Hawks
The best screwball comedy ever made. Period. But on top of that, it explains something very important and fundamental about love when Cary Grant exclaims, "I've just discovered that was the best day I've ever had in my whole life!" to Katharine Hepburn. And considering this day involved a mix-up with leopards, unintentional cross dressing, and following around a dog hoping it will show him a priceless bone, that means it must be love.
Favorite Horror
The Exorcist, 1973, William Friedkin
The term "favorite" is a bit strong in this category because horror/gore is my least favorite genre. But the most terrifying movie I've ever seen is this one. It's a healthy helping of Catholic guilt, a heap of over-active imagination, and a pinch of wussiness (okay, maybe more than a pinch), but this film terrifies me to no end. I've only actually made it through the movie twice. It's not the head-spinning or the crab walk that gets me. It's the desecration of a beautiful, innocent little girl by absolute evil, which is a terrifying idea unto itself. Add the elements of suspense, and the idea that God is not the only one who knows one's soul and one's weaknesses, ready to manipulate your every move, and you get me hiding under the covers with the lights on.
Favorite Comedy
Hot Fuzz, 2007, Edgar Wright
Anyone who knows me knows my devotion to all things Pegg, Wright and Frost. But this movie consistently makes me laugh no matter how many times I've watched it. Be it the brilliant sight gags, the twisting of every ridiculous buddy-cop-action movie convention into something freshly hilarious, or the witty dialogue, it gets me every time. Not to mention it's a pretty solid action movie on its own, taking it above trite parody. That's how we do it in the West Country!
Favorite Fantasy
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, 1977, George Lucas
The selling out of Star Wars still devastates me, since I've been watching this movie since I was five, and it doesn't feel any less fascinating or absorbing. Sure, the dialogue is cheesy, and CGI has come leaps and bounds since then, but this is still a seminal movie in my life because it draws you into a world so real that one almost hopes it is.
Favorite Drama
Casablanca, 1942, Michael Curtiz
Why not under Favorite Romance, you ask? Well, it was a contender. Again, another movie that has everything. Its perfection in execution goes beyond words.
Favorite So-Bad-It's-Good
Twilight, 2008, Catherine Hardwicke
Um, do I have to state the obvious? Be it the bad make-up, cheesy special effects, or the car junk-yard clunky dialogue, this movie never fails to disappoint with unintentional humor.
Favorite Epic
Munich, 2005, Steven Spielberg
Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Well, that's the hypothesis tested in this film, which chronicles the actions of the Mossad after the murder of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. And Spielberg doesn't flinch from the uncomfortable and numerous answers to that question. This is not a typical epic, but with its varied locales, a seemingly unending odyssey of names and faces to die for the sake of safety, retaliation and the quagmire of violence, this film is exhausting, enlightening and shows that the world is not as simple as we'd like.
Favorite Adventure
Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1982, Steven Spielberg
A much lighter, souffle of a piece by Spielberg, who doesn't love the intrepid, always-in-over-his-head hero, Indiana Jones? The story is ridiculously over the top, but it's all so well done (sets, action, stunts, suspense) all one can say is "Pass the popcorn!"
Favorite Musical
Moulin Rogue!, 2001, Baz Luhrman
This is a tough category because I hate musicals, given for my general love of verisimilitude. So I have to pick one so outrageous, so over-the-top, so obviously not set in our real world and definitely in one where people regularly burst into song. Thus Moulin Rogue!, or as I subtitle it, A Beautiful Mess. A mix-tape of a musical, it's colorful, shiny, and so much fun it's hard not to love.
Honorable Mentions:
Children of Men, 2006, Alfonso Cuaron
Sunset Blvd., 1950, Billy Wilder
Some Like it Hot, 1959, Billy Wilder
Shaun of the Dead, 2004, Edgar Wright
Jurassic Park, 1993, Steven Spielberg
Psycho, 1960, Alfred Hitchcock
Rope, 1948, Alfred Hitchcock
The Dark Knight, 2008, Christopher Nolan
Citizen Kane, 1941
What are your favorites? Post in the comments below! (I'm always looking for something new to watch...)
To open this new era of me having free(r) time, I wanted to post about a few of my favorite movies. Most people are hard-pressed to name their favorite film. To cinephiles, it's akin to picking a favorite child. We all have movies we love for various reasons/moods/occasions. For example, I can't imagine allowing my birthday to pass without viewing the first movie on My Favorite Things list. Granted, I haven't seen every movie ever made, so this list is from my experiences up to April 2010.
Overall Favorite:
Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain, 2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Little confession of mine: normally I'm into the "Dark Side" kind of stuff, but I'm also a sucker for a good fairy-tale. And this French film, my favorite for several years, serves up. Sure, a shy waitress replaces the fairy princess, and an odd-ball replaces the prince charming, but that doesn't make this movie any less charming. For me, this film has everything: romance, comedy, deep pathos. The bright colors, motley crew of characters and situations, poetic musings on taking chances and the power of fate, and the irrepressible imagination of the heroine keep me coming back for more. That, and it's beautifully romantic.
Favorite Action
The Bourne Ultimatum, 2007, Paul Greengrass
Sure, it's the third in a series. Sure, it doesn't have much in the way of story. But this movie has so many great action set-pieces (foot chases, explosions, car chases, hand-to-hand combat, intrigue) in exotic locales, natch, that are so perfectly conceptualized and executed, it's hard not to be in awe. This movie keeps your attention with the shaky camera, brilliant fights, and of course, looking at Matt Damon for a couple of hours will never hurt your cause. This is one I can't flip past.
Favorite Romance
Atonement, 2007, Joe Wright
I'm sure from reading the above films, you're wondering, didn't she already cover this? But Atonement is a great film adapted from a flawless novel. It's not purely a romance; there's a lot more going on about truth and the necessity of narrative for survival, but the central romance is the beating heart of this film. And it's handled so unusually for this kind of "epic" romance. No histrionics. No hand-wringing, ridiculous demonstrations or pretensions usually found in this kind of film. Just two people who love each other, and want nothing more than to be together. Not to mention the library scene is probably one of the most romantic (without cheesiness) ever committed to film.
Favorite Thriller
Rear Window, 1954, Alfred Hitchcock
This was the toughest to pick by far, with this being my favorite genre. But this is an example of perfect execution and virtuosic film making. Again, this is a film that for me has everything. Jimmy Stewart is a likable hero, Grace Kelly is sublime as his girlfriend, and the tension, mystery and suspense generated on a small set with a physically limited protagonist would make most filmmakers today incredibly jealous. Not to mention the dialogue is witty and holds up well.
Favorite Romantic Comedy
Bringing Up Baby, 1938, Howard Hawks
The best screwball comedy ever made. Period. But on top of that, it explains something very important and fundamental about love when Cary Grant exclaims, "I've just discovered that was the best day I've ever had in my whole life!" to Katharine Hepburn. And considering this day involved a mix-up with leopards, unintentional cross dressing, and following around a dog hoping it will show him a priceless bone, that means it must be love.
Favorite Horror
The Exorcist, 1973, William Friedkin
The term "favorite" is a bit strong in this category because horror/gore is my least favorite genre. But the most terrifying movie I've ever seen is this one. It's a healthy helping of Catholic guilt, a heap of over-active imagination, and a pinch of wussiness (okay, maybe more than a pinch), but this film terrifies me to no end. I've only actually made it through the movie twice. It's not the head-spinning or the crab walk that gets me. It's the desecration of a beautiful, innocent little girl by absolute evil, which is a terrifying idea unto itself. Add the elements of suspense, and the idea that God is not the only one who knows one's soul and one's weaknesses, ready to manipulate your every move, and you get me hiding under the covers with the lights on.
Favorite Comedy
Hot Fuzz, 2007, Edgar Wright
Anyone who knows me knows my devotion to all things Pegg, Wright and Frost. But this movie consistently makes me laugh no matter how many times I've watched it. Be it the brilliant sight gags, the twisting of every ridiculous buddy-cop-action movie convention into something freshly hilarious, or the witty dialogue, it gets me every time. Not to mention it's a pretty solid action movie on its own, taking it above trite parody. That's how we do it in the West Country!
Favorite Fantasy
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, 1977, George Lucas
The selling out of Star Wars still devastates me, since I've been watching this movie since I was five, and it doesn't feel any less fascinating or absorbing. Sure, the dialogue is cheesy, and CGI has come leaps and bounds since then, but this is still a seminal movie in my life because it draws you into a world so real that one almost hopes it is.
Favorite Drama
Casablanca, 1942, Michael Curtiz
Why not under Favorite Romance, you ask? Well, it was a contender. Again, another movie that has everything. Its perfection in execution goes beyond words.
Favorite So-Bad-It's-Good
Twilight, 2008, Catherine Hardwicke
Um, do I have to state the obvious? Be it the bad make-up, cheesy special effects, or the car junk-yard clunky dialogue, this movie never fails to disappoint with unintentional humor.
Favorite Epic
Munich, 2005, Steven Spielberg
Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Well, that's the hypothesis tested in this film, which chronicles the actions of the Mossad after the murder of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. And Spielberg doesn't flinch from the uncomfortable and numerous answers to that question. This is not a typical epic, but with its varied locales, a seemingly unending odyssey of names and faces to die for the sake of safety, retaliation and the quagmire of violence, this film is exhausting, enlightening and shows that the world is not as simple as we'd like.
Favorite Adventure
Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1982, Steven Spielberg
A much lighter, souffle of a piece by Spielberg, who doesn't love the intrepid, always-in-over-his-head hero, Indiana Jones? The story is ridiculously over the top, but it's all so well done (sets, action, stunts, suspense) all one can say is "Pass the popcorn!"
Favorite Musical
Moulin Rogue!, 2001, Baz Luhrman
This is a tough category because I hate musicals, given for my general love of verisimilitude. So I have to pick one so outrageous, so over-the-top, so obviously not set in our real world and definitely in one where people regularly burst into song. Thus Moulin Rogue!, or as I subtitle it, A Beautiful Mess. A mix-tape of a musical, it's colorful, shiny, and so much fun it's hard not to love.
Honorable Mentions:
Children of Men, 2006, Alfonso Cuaron
Sunset Blvd., 1950, Billy Wilder
Some Like it Hot, 1959, Billy Wilder
Shaun of the Dead, 2004, Edgar Wright
Jurassic Park, 1993, Steven Spielberg
Psycho, 1960, Alfred Hitchcock
Rope, 1948, Alfred Hitchcock
The Dark Knight, 2008, Christopher Nolan
Citizen Kane, 1941
What are your favorites? Post in the comments below! (I'm always looking for something new to watch...)
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