In the discussion of the 'discernment line' in film viewing, one of the questions to ask before going to the cinema "Has the filmmaker earned the right?" The intention of the question was to determine if a film director had earned the right for the viewer to consider the film.
During the section of the talk I put forward a short list of director's names. Most people that I spoke with after the talk did not recognise the names.
For this RR's Director's Focus, I thought I would put forward director's that people might not know their name, but would potentially know their films. These directors have had an impact of the industry since 2000. Some older and some younger, but names worth noting. I have come to enjoy many of these director's films and look forward to much of their work in the future.*
1. Christopher Nolan - Technically started directing before 2000, but films of note have come into recognition since the turn of the century.
Films worth seeing: Momento, Inception, The Prestige, Batman Begins & The Dark Knight
2. Joel and Ethan Coen - These brothers have put out some of the most unique and influential films of this century. They have had their missteps, too, but the good outweighs the bad.
Films worth seeing: Raising Arizona, Fargo, No Country for Old Men, O, Brother Where Art Thou?, True Grit
3. Steven Soderbergh - His influence goes back into the 80s and he has supposedly retired from film, but this does not diminish his influence on the industry.
Films worth seeing: Ocean's Eleven, Out of Sight, Traffic, Erin Brockovich
4. Jason Reitman - His films are more obscure, but a a brilliant commentary on today's society. Clever and intelligent, Reitman is one of my favourite young directors.
Films worth seeing: Thank You for Smoking, Up in the Air
5. Wes Anderson - Wes is thrown in for my critical friends who love this director. I have enjoyed some of the films put forward by Anderson, but I feel that he is a bit overrated. Besides critical acclaim, Anderson has changed the styles of many young directors and gives a refreshingly fresh approach to the art form.
Films worth seeing: Rushmore, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Darjeeling Limited
6. David O Russell - Films worth seeing: Three Kings, The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook
7. Kathryn Bigelow - Films worth seeing: Point Break, The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty
8. David Fincher - Films worth seeing: The Social Network, Fight Club, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
What are some of the bigger questions to consider from these directors?
1. In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director. - Alfred Hitchcock
Is God the director of the world and your life? ( Psalm 47:7, John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; 1 John 5:19)
2. What value is a good director? (2 Corinthians 8:19-21, Matthew 28:18-20)3. Who are some of your favourite directors?
*Warning: Some of these films have mature content.
Rankings by Russell Matthews @ Russelling Reviews
Comments
Post a Comment