Best Up and Coming Directors (2010 Edition)

2009 Rank: #13

a. You Can Count on Me (2000)
b. Margaret (2010)

He has taken even longer to come out with a great film (hopefully). It's got everthing going for it, cast, cinematography, writer, and... director. If he can do it once, he can do it again. Let's go, Kenny!

2009 Rank: #11

a. Synecdoche, New York (2008)

I was really hoping a year would pass and he'd have at least one project on the horizon, but I haven't heard of anything. Charlie, c'mon!

2009 Rank: #13

a. Love Actually (2003)
b. The Boat That Rocked or Pirate Radio (2009)

I hope he doesn't wait another six years to churn out a fully entertaining film, like he did with 'Boat'.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. A Bittersweet Life (2005)
b. The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2010)
c. I Saw the Devil (2011)

He is good, bad, and weird, so I am very intrigued as to how this year's release will turn out.

2009 Rank: #38

a. Man on Wire (2008)
b. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980 (2009)
c. Dream Diaries (2011)

'Dream Diaries' looks like another documentary spectacle for this should-be-acclaimed director.

2009 Rank: #48

a. Nothing But the Truth (2008)
b. Straw Dogs (2011)
c. Maria's Wish (2013)

He actually turned the amazingly beautiful actress, Kate Beckinsale, into a damn good actress. I look forward to what he can do with Bosworth and Skarsgard in "Straw Dogs".

2009 Rank: #39

a. Hustle & Flow (2006)
b. Black Snake Moan (2007)
c. Gang Leader for a Day (2011)
d. Footloose (2011)

He's got a small handful of decent films in his past and it looks no different for his future.

2009 Rank: #18

a. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
b. Cities of the Plain (2012)
c. Blonde (2013)

'Blonde' stars the fitting actress (and one of my favorites) Naomi Watts, but I'm not sure what 'Cities' is about. 'Jesse James' was one of my favorite films of 07, so I've got some high expectations for these upcoming projects.

2009 Rank: #21

a. Brick (2005)
b. The Brothers Bloom (2009)
c. Looper (2011)

I loved 'Bloom' but I don't know anything about 'Looper', perhaps once I do he will move farther up in the ranks.

2009 Rank: #35

a. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
b. Spider-Man Reboot (2012)
c. Jesus Christ Superstar (2013)

'Summer' was one of the most inventive romantic comedies I've ever seen, so I'm a little confused as to why he's working on a Spider-Man reboot and an adaptation of 'Superstar'. Hopefully he'll throw some unique twists into those like he so brilliantly did with his 09 release.

2009 Rank: #16

a. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
b. Lou Reed's Berlin (2008)
c. Miral (2010)

If 'Miral' is excellent I can see him moving up to the "Future Directing Greats" list. It's got a great cast, but the plot seems les-than-excellent. Hopefully I'm wrong.

2009 Rank: #47

a. Run Lola Run (2000)
b. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2007)
c. The International (2009)
d. Three (2010)

He likes to go back and forth from USA to Germany, it seems with each film. His 'Three' will be set in Berlin.

2009 Rank: #49

a. 1408 (2007)
b. Shanghai (2010)*
c. The Rite (2011)

He's re-teaming with Cusack for "Shanghai", which I think has potential to be one of the better films of the year.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. Anvil!: The Story of Anvil (2009)
b. My Dinner with Herve (2011)

After seeing 'Anvil!' I would love to have dinner with Herve, without even knowing who he is.

2009 Rank: #29

a. Sin Nombre (2009)
b. Jane Eyre (2011)
c. Beasts of No Nation (2013)

I am intrigued by his decision to direct 'Jane Eyre' after watching 'Sin Nombre', perhaps it will be a wildly different take on the classic novel.

2009 Rank: #12

a. Michael Clayton (2008)
b. Duplicity (2009)
c. The Bourne Legacy ???* (2012)

No one is set to help the next Bourne flick, there isn't even a definite on an actor, but what is for is Gilroy will be penning the fourth installment of the spy series.

2009 Rank: #28

a. The Matador (2005)
b. The Hunting Party (2007)
c. I Knew it Was You: Rediscovering John Cazele (2009)

Nothing on the horizon, but I keep hoping he makes something as great as his 05 and 07 efforts.

2009 Rank: #30

a. Bobby (2006)
b. The Way (2010)
c. The Public (2011)

Another director, that had some success in 06, but has been treading on the reeling for a few years.

and Jonathan Dayton

2009 Rank: #20

a. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
b. The Abstinence Teacher (2011)*
c. Used Guys (2012)

I'm not sure what's taking these two very talented people so long to make a follow-up to 'Sunshine'. Let's hope 'Teacher' truly does come out in 2011.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. Date Night (2010)
b. Real Steel (2011)
c. The Hardy Men (2012)*
d. The Ten Best Days of My Life (2013)

Once again, a director who's had previous films, big ones in fact (Night at the Museum movies, Cheaper By the Dozen) but none that I ever considered great. His next film, "Date Night" (Carell and Fey) looks like he could climb out of his mediocrity hole. Plus, he's set to helm a film that's been in my eyesight for years, "The Hardy Men", with Stiller and Cruise.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. The Young Victoria (2009)
b. Cafe de Flore (2011)
c. Lost Girls and Love Hotels (2013)

A director who's also had a few projects before 'Victoria' that I haven't seen yet; but perhaps I'll gain even more interest if his upcoming films match the quality of his last.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. An Education (2009)
b. One Day (2011)

She's been in the business for a while and finally had a film I truly enjoyed, last year. Her 'One Day', looks far more interesting than its drab title, with a hip cast and concept.

2009 Rank: #15

a. Moon (2009)
b. Source Code (2011)*
c. Escape from the Deep (2012)

'Moon' was one of my favorite films of last year and 'Source Code' looks like it could even top that, with a stellar cast and equally stellar synopses. I can't wait to see a David Bowie cameo in one of his films.

2009 Rank: #5

a. Crash (2005)
b. In the Valley of Elah (2007)
c. The Next Three Days (2010)*
d. Ranger's Apprentice (2012)

The reason for his drop is more about the increase in interest for other directors, as I've been waiting for "The Next Three Days" for so long, it seems. Hopefully it will be worth the wait, which is still at the end of this year.

2009 Rank: #19

a. The Proposition (2006)
b. The Road (2009)
c. Death of a Ladies' Man or The Death of Bunny Munro (2011)
d. Mob Cops (2012)
e. La Bonne Annee (2012)

I don't know much about his upcoming projects, but he's got a good track record going so far...

2009 Rank: #22

a. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
b. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
c. Leatherheads (2008)
d. Suburbicon (2011)

He's still an actor before a director, but it looks like he wants to continue helming what has so far been quality stuff.

and Jay Duplass

2009 Rank: #41

a. The Puffy Chair (2005)
b. Baghead (2008)
c. Cyrus (2010)*
d. The Do-Deca-Pentathlon (2010)
e. Jeff Who Lives at Home (2011)

They Mumblecore heroes, but may be goint a different route with their upcoming project that stars two fine comedians (John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill). I'm interested to see how they pull it off.

2009 Rank: #14

a. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
b. The Wackness (2008)
c. The Cancer Beat (2011)
d. Echelon Vendetta (2011)*
e. Positive (2012)

His projects must be stalled, because I've been waiting for 'Vendetta' since 'The Wackness' was released in 08.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. The Hurt Locker (2009)
b. The Miraculous Year (2011)
c. The Triple Frontier (2012)

While I don't think she deserved so much of the Academy's love, I think she's clearly got some talent and look forward to her next two projects, that apparently are filled with action like 'Locker'.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. Accepted (2006)
b. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
c. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2012)
d. Werewolves of Reseda (2012)

He will finally have a second worthy-of-this-list film coming out this year, along with a remake of one of my all-time favorite comedies ('Scoundrels'). Let's hope he deserves to be on this list with 'Hot Tub' (Looks hilarious).

2009 Rank: #27

a. Gone Baby Gone (2007)
b. The Town (2010)
c. The Trade (2012)*

Last year he had two upcoming projects, but they were completely different. Not a bad thing, because these two seem a lot more interesting. It looks like he may team up with Damon again, after a far-too-long hiatus, in "The Trade", playing Yankees. Yeah, two Beantown-loving finatics. That may be a true test to their acting talents.

2009 Rank: #26

a. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
b. Up (2009)
c. Monsters, Inc. 2 (2012)*

Part of the insanely successful and talented Pixar team, Docter proved he can make an old man with balloons interesting, and how he's back to Monstropolis for round two of his debut film.

2009 Rank: #42

a. Control (2007)
b. The American or A Very Private Gentleman (2010)*

As with Romanek, I've been waiting a while for this former music video director to work on some more projects, since his 'Control' debut. There may be a change in the title, but my immense interest in this George Clooney-starring film has not.

2009 Rank: #36

a. District 9 (2009)
b. The Hobbit I & II ??????**

"District 9" was one of my favorite films in 09 and there's been word that if Del Toro backs out of "The Hobbit", Jackson might hire his other buddy, Neill Blo, to direct.

2009 Rank: #32

a. The Illusionist (2006)
b. The Lucky Ones (2008)
c. The Dark Fields (2011)*
d. The Bride of Frankenstein (2013)

He's got two solid but little-seen films under his belt and he's working on a remake of a classic and his 'Dark Fields' (with Robert De Niro and Brad Cooper) is one of my more anticipated films for 2011.

2009 Rank: #6

a. Great World of Sound (2007)
b. Of Montreal (2010)
c. Turkey in the Straw (2011)*
d. Loudermilk (2012)

With such an inventive film in 'Sound', I'm not sure why his projects seem to be taking forever or in development hell. Let's hope we see something soon!

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. Layer Cake (2004)
b. Kick-Ass (2010)*
c. X-Men: First Class (2011)
d. Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall (2012)

It isn't official but there is already talks in a sequel for the upcoming romp, "Kick-Ass", that's how good it may be. He'll also take his talents to the "X-Men" franchise in an interesting spin-off.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. Zombieland (2009)
b. 30 Minutes or Less (2011)
c. Zombieland 2 (2012)
d. The Bachelorette (2013)

Zombieland was an unexpected hit and it looks like he's decided to make a sequel, along with two other comedies.

2009 Rank: #3

a. Along Came Polly (2004)
b. I love You, Man (2009)
c. Secret Agent Men (2011)*
d. The Troubleshooter (2012)

His film in 2009 was the funniest of the year and his upcoming films look like they may have similar outcomes.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. One Hour Photo (2002)
b. Never Let Me Go (2010)*
c. A Cold Case (2012)
d. In Deep (2012)*
e. The Voices (2013)

I've been waiting so very patiently for this former music video director to come out with some new films. His next film is stocked with a great young British cast and he seems to be adding new projects every few months. His 'A Cold Case' project, however, has been in the works for years...

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
b. Hot Fuzz (2007)
c. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)*
d. Them (2011)
e. Ant-Man (2012)
f. World's End (2013)

Since I finally saw "Hot Fuzz" and his upcoming "vs." film with Michael Cera looks awesome, he's worthy of the top ten.

2009 Rank: #17

a. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
b. Seven Pounds (2008)
c. Kiss Me Again (2010)
d. Shanghai, I Love You (2011)
e. Passengers (2011)

His departure from Will Smith starring films will be quite a challenge and determine whether he's a director to keep looking for.

2009 Rank: #7

a. Pineapple Express (2008)
b. Your Highness (2011)*
c. Suspiria (2011)

His upcoming projects sound just as funny and action-packed as "Pineapple Express"

2009 Rank: #4

a. 300 (2007)
b. Watchmen (2009)
c. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)
d. Sucker Punch (2011)
e. The Illustrated Man (2012)*
f. Xerxes (2012)

After his huge sophomoric attempt with "Watchmen", Snyder is staying steady in the top ten, especially with so many intriguing upcoming projects.

2009 Rank: #1

a. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
b. Four Christmases (2008)
c. Freakonomics (2010)
d. Horrible Bosses (2011)
e. The Only Living Boy in New York (2011)*
f. King Dork (2012)

He dropped a few places, because he's had no new films and I don't know a lot about his upcoming projects, a few of which seem to be progressing very slowly.

2009 Rank: #10

a. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
b. Atonement (2007)
c. The Soloist (2009)
d. Hanna (2011)
e. Indian Summer (2011)*
f. The Little Mermaid (2013)

He almost made the cut for the "Future Directing Greats" list, with his three successful films already in the bag. If either "Hanna" or "Indian Summer" are as good as his completed films, he'll head straight there in 2012.

2009 Rank: #45

a. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
b. Get Him to the Greek (2010)
c. Five-Year Engagement (2011)*
d. The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made (2012)*

He still only has one completed film, but with the unofficial sequel to his first coming out this year and the continued collaborations with actor/writer Jason Segal over the next few years, his resume is looking quite promising.

2009 Rank: #8

a. Superbad (2007)
b. Adventureland (2009)
c. Paul (2010)*

He started off with an audience hit, followed it with a critical hit, and hopefully he'll do similar things with "Paul" (written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost).

2009 Rank: #2

a. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
b. Star Trek (2009)
c. Super 8 (2011)*

With his involvement in so many projects it's hard to believe he has still only directed two films. Since he's two for two thus far, I am hoping he'll succeed again with "Super 8" (a film he also wrote), coming out next year.

2009 Rank: -- (Debut)

a. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
b. Margot at the Wedding (2007)
c. Greenberg (2010)*
d. The Emperor's Children (2011)*

He barely missed the list last year, but with a very intriguing film starring Ben Stiller (Greenberg) coming out this year and an adaptation from a very good novel by Claire Messud on the horizon (Emperor's Children) I had to place him at the top, with haste.