Comments on: Greatest Active Film Directors http://www.urbanagora.com/2009/02/greatest-active-film-directors.html An exchange of ideas from thinkers spanning the spectrum Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:28:19 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Brian Pierce http://www.urbanagora.com/2009/02/greatest-active-film-directors.html/comment-page-1#comment-10271 Brian Pierce Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:36:53 +0000 http://www.urbanagora.com/?p=2175#comment-10271 You actually pinpointed two of the ones that were most difficult for me to rank. With Eastwood, he's made a string of movies that are definitely good (though Space Cowboys was pretty crappy), though few are really great. Unforgiven, I guess, is a classic, and I'm just biased against it because I'm not a huge fan of westerns. Also, I haven't seen Gran Torino. But, yeah, I could see bumping him up a bit. (Incidentally, I read he's making a movie about Nelson Mandela starring Morgan Freeman, which I'm pretty excited about.) I totally stand by Judd Apatow's ranking. It's true he doesn't do a lot of camera movement, but that's what makes him such a great director - he knows that comedy (especially his kind of comedy) works best with the least distraction, and he's very good at just doing simple, still shots and letting the performances be the center of attention. Sometimes being a great director lies in embracing simplicity. Burton was VERY tough. He DOES have a huge impact on our popular culture, but at the same time, he's sort of a hack. I'm a little handicapped because I haven't seen what's supposed to be his best movie, Ed Wood, so there's that. But Edward Scissorhands is a great, original movie, and that's kind of it. Not that some of his other movies aren't good - they are, but he's supposed to be this visionary, original director, when really most of his movies are remakes or adaptations or sequels or what have you. He also totally bastardized Planet of the Apes, which is hard to forgive. You actually pinpointed two of the ones that were most difficult for me to rank. With Eastwood, he’s made a string of movies that are definitely good (though Space Cowboys was pretty crappy), though few are really great. Unforgiven, I guess, is a classic, and I’m just biased against it because I’m not a huge fan of westerns. Also, I haven’t seen Gran Torino. But, yeah, I could see bumping him up a bit. (Incidentally, I read he’s making a movie about Nelson Mandela starring Morgan Freeman, which I’m pretty excited about.)

I totally stand by Judd Apatow’s ranking. It’s true he doesn’t do a lot of camera movement, but that’s what makes him such a great director – he knows that comedy (especially his kind of comedy) works best with the least distraction, and he’s very good at just doing simple, still shots and letting the performances be the center of attention. Sometimes being a great director lies in embracing simplicity.

Burton was VERY tough. He DOES have a huge impact on our popular culture, but at the same time, he’s sort of a hack. I’m a little handicapped because I haven’t seen what’s supposed to be his best movie, Ed Wood, so there’s that. But Edward Scissorhands is a great, original movie, and that’s kind of it. Not that some of his other movies aren’t good – they are, but he’s supposed to be this visionary, original director, when really most of his movies are remakes or adaptations or sequels or what have you. He also totally bastardized Planet of the Apes, which is hard to forgive.

]]> By: Billy Joe Mills http://www.urbanagora.com/2009/02/greatest-active-film-directors.html/comment-page-1#comment-10267 Billy Joe Mills Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:13:53 +0000 http://www.urbanagora.com/?p=2175#comment-10267 I would also argue that Burton should be higher. He has had a substantial impact on our culture. I would also argue that Burton should be higher. He has had a substantial impact on our culture.

]]> By: Billy Joe Mills http://www.urbanagora.com/2009/02/greatest-active-film-directors.html/comment-page-1#comment-10265 Billy Joe Mills Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:12:28 +0000 http://www.urbanagora.com/?p=2175#comment-10265 I respect your knowledge in this area, but Clint Eastwood ought to be higher on your list. He has been consistently good. I lost Judd Apatow's stuff and I respect comedy, but that genre of comedy does not use the full abilities of film. More serious movies try to do so. Eastwood makes those kinds of movies. Also, Gran Turino should be on his list of Greatest Hits. I respect your knowledge in this area, but Clint Eastwood ought to be higher on your list. He has been consistently good. I lost Judd Apatow’s stuff and I respect comedy, but that genre of comedy does not use the full abilities of film. More serious movies try to do so. Eastwood makes those kinds of movies. Also, Gran Turino should be on his list of Greatest Hits.

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