Back in 2005, I compiled a list of my 10 favourite directors, actors and actresses (based on their works over the past decade).
It’s a list I’ve updated every year or so. The last time I covered my favourite directors was back in October 2010 so in this week’s blog, I thought it an opportune time to revisit the list.
It wasn’t easy narrowing it down to just 10. Honourable mentions go to Alexander Payne, Steve McQueen, Sam Mendes, Darren Aronofsky, Danny Boyle, Pedro Almodovar, George Clooney and Bennett Miller. They’re all incredibly talented but I believe the 10 directors listed below have put together a more significant body of work.
In assessing each director, I have only considered films made since 2002. I like keeping the list current. The two key questions I ask myself are (1) how excited would I be if this filmmaker made a new movie? and (2) how many great films have they made over the past decade?
On that note, here are my 10 directors working today…
 | 10. Woody Allen Best Film: Match Point (2005) Other Great Films: Midnight In Paris (2011), Whatever Works (2009), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), Melinda & Melinda (2004) |
 | 9. Clint Eastwood Best Film: Million Dollar Baby (2004) Other Great Films: J Edgar (2011), Changeling (2008), Flags Of Our Fathers (2006), Letters From Iwo Jima (2006), Mystic River (2003) |
 | 8. Gus Van Sant Best Film: Elephant (2003) Other Great Films: Restless (2011), Milk (2008), Paranoid Park (2007), Last Days (2005) |
 | 7. Paul Thomas Anderson Best Film: There Will Be Blood (2007) Other Great Films: Punch Drunk Love (2002) |
 | 6. Jason Reitman Best Film: Juno (2007) Other Great Films: Young Adult (2011), Up In The Air (2009), Thank You For Smoking (2005) |
 | 5. David Fincher Best Film: Zodiac (2007) Other Great Films: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011), The Social Network (2010) |
 | 4. Mike Leigh Best Film: Another Year (2010) Other Great Films: Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), Vera Drake (2004), All Or Nothing (2002) |
 | 3. Paul Greengrass Best Film: United 93 (2006) Other Great Films: Green Zone (2009), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), Bloody Sunday (2002) |
 | 2. Christopher Nolan Best Film: Inception (2010) Other Great Films: The Dark Knight (2008), The Prestige (2006), Batman Begins (2005), Insomnia (2002) |
 | 1. Ethan & Joel Coen Best Film: No Country For Old Men (2007) Other Great Films: A Serious Man (2009), Burn After Reading (2008), Intolerable Cruelty (2003) |