Favorite Directors

My favorite director. There is no one who can do what he can nearly as well as him, there are those who have tried. The term "Lynchian" was invented to describe movies that contain similar themes or aesthetics, which goes to show how influential he is. But on the flipside he can do what others can. Things that fit outside that term, and it's just as magical.

He's as brilliant in all technical aspects as Kubrick, and a pure artist. He can direct at the very top class, as well as write, compose, operate a camera... heck he even built sets and props. Essentially the more he does on a project the better off it is. He can find the right angle, lighting, nuance in the actor, or whatever to perfectly capture something. To a degree where it just feels right and wouldn't have been better another way. There is a feeling you get when transported to his worlds that resonate, even if you're not 100% confident that you know what you're witnessing or feeling. Which makes several of his film basically require repeat viewings, analysis and attention to detail. Film is an art and he proves it. Some of his stuff is not for everyone, where he or his work just doesn't click for a person, these things happen. But even in that case it's hard to deny there's a certain something about him and his work that must be appreciated. There's brilliance (and madness) even if it's not for you.

A technical genius, down to the seemingly smallest degree. Some raise the issue that this makes him distant and his movies too mechanical or cold, you'll see people liken Christopher Nolan to Kubrick in that regard. But they're wrong, it's only ever true if it's supposed to be. If you examine 2001: A Space Odyssey you'll see how much those qualities lead to making it such an outstanding movie. And Paths of Glory (or Barry Lyndon) alone will shut down any thought that that's all he is. He is a perfectionist, he knows what he wants on the screen or out of an actor and who could question it?

This brings me to what might be his greatest quality. The ability to do anything. Any type of movie he can do, or rather, has done. And not just do them, but do them to the highest degree of quality in their respective genre. A madman, a genius, and an innovator. There is a reason he has been an inspiration for many a director to follow, be it their decision to become a director or adapting their approach to film. Many people consider him the best and for good reason. He has given us a wide scope of movies that are timeless and among the best. The only bad thing about Kubrick is he wasn't able to do more. His passing was a blow to cinema, I sometimes wonder about the possibilities if he were able to continue into this modern age of film. At least he got to leave behind a legacy.

My favorite director who is still actively working on films today. He too can do just about anything. From crime dramas to thrillers, all the way up to comedy, and even musicals. He can make multiple movies in a genre and make each feel completely different. Better yet, as soon as he felt his groove as a director (which was early in his career) he never lost it, and each year gives us more evidence to the case that he never will. When he stops dishing out masterpieces I don't know what Hollywood will do.

Another who directs among the top class. While he has been more hit or miss than the others I rank up here, when he hits he just hits that good. The Godfather Part 1 & 2, as well as Apocalypse Now more than earn him the right to be remembered as one of the greats. And even the less memorable movies he's made are still well directed at least.

There's this thing I noticed with him, get a few people together and there will probably be vastly different views on just which one of his many masterpieces is his best work. For example, while Ran tends to be what I consider my personal favorite, maybe not from a critically analytical standpoint but for its infinite rewatchability and beautiful design. The ever so underrated Dersu Uzala is another one that just hits right with me personally, and Seven Samurai is what I'd call a perfect film. And I have found that there is no wrong answer to which one a person finds the best. Unless of course your answer is none of them. Because no self-respecting person who claims to love film dislikes his movies. A bold statement, but tough.