For the last three years, I’ve dedicated three Film Pie newsletter issues to rating my favourite directors, actors and actresses. It’s been almost 12 months since I last reviewed the list and so it’s time to do it again. This week, I’m starting with directors.
In assessing the directors, I only consider films which each director has made in the last 10 years. The reason is because I like living in the moment. I want to compile a list of directors who interest me today. If these directors were to release a film tomorrow, then I would see their film above any other.
It’s not easy narrowing the list to just 10 directors. This year, I had to leave off Curtis Hanson and Scott Hicks who have been on the list for the last 3 years. The fresh blood I’ve brought in are David Fincher (due to Zodiac) and Clint Eastwood (due to Flags Of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima). Those who were also close to making the list include David Lynch, Lars Von Trier, Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee and Alfonso Cuaron.
Here then, in reverse order, and my favourite 10 directors of the moment and a few of their great creations. I’ve also included details of what’s in the works…
10. Ethan Coen (last year’s rank: 10)
My Personal Favourite: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Other Great Works: Intolerable Cruelty (2003), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Next To Be Released: No Country For Old Men (2007)
9. Sam Mendes (last year’s rank: 9)
My Personal Favourite: American Beauty (1999)
Other Great Works: Jarhead (2005), Road To Perdition (2002)
Next To Be Released: Revolutionary Road (2009)
8. Clint Eastwood (not ranked last year)
My Personal Favourite: Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Other Great Works: Flags Of Our Father (2006), Letters From Iwo Jima (2006), Mystic River (2003)
Next To Be Released: The Changeling (2008)
7. Woody Allen (last year’s rank: 6)
My Personal Favourite: Match Point (2005),
Other Great Works: Melinda & Melinda (2004), Small Time Crooks (2000), Celebrity (1998)
Next To Be Released: Cassandra’s Dream (2007)
6. Gus Van Sant (last year’s rank: 2)
My Personal Favourite: Elephant (2003)
Other Great Works: Last Days (2005)
Next To Be Released: Paranoid Park (2007)
5. David Fincher (not ranked last year)
My Personal Favourite: Zodiac (2007)
Other Great Works: Fight Club (1999)
Next To Be Released: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)
4. Alexander Payne (last year’s rank: 5)
My Personal Favourite: Election (1999)
Other Great Works: Sideways (2004), About Schmidt (2002)
Next To Be Released: ????
3. Christopher Nolan (last year’s rank: 8)
My Personal Favourite: Memento (2000)
Other Great Works: The Prestige (2006), Batman Begins (2005), Insomnia (2002)
Next To Be Released: The Dark Knight (2008)
2. Paul Greengrass (last year’s rank: 3)
My Personal Favourite: United 93 (2006)
Other Great Works: The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), Bloody Sunday (2002)
Next To Be Released: Imperial Life In The Emerald City (2009)
1. Paul Thomas Anderson (last year’s rank: 1)
My Personal Favourite: Magnolia (1999)
Other Great Works: Punch Drunk Love (2002)
Next To Be Released: There Will Be Blood (2007)