Directors

[Doaj]

Now, when I first started getting to know the names of actors and actresses, and started appreciating movies for their story, plot development, character depth, etc., there was still one part of the movie I didn't care about- the credits. This hasn't drastically changed- after all, I won't know most of those names. However, I've started to see patterns in what movies I like, that have nothing to do with genre or cast, and that's the director. It's been a few years since that realization, and I've accrued quite the list of directors who tend to increase the likelihood of me enjoying their film.

Note: Each director's list of movies is in the order I saw them.
Christopher Nolan - Following, Memento, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Doodlebug, Inception
Zack Snyder - Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen
David Fincher - Se7en, Fight Club,The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Panic Room
Guy Ritchie - Snatch, Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Revolver, Sherlock Holmes, Rock'n'Rolla
Martin Scorsese - The Departed, The Aviator, Shutter Island

As sure as I am that there are others, I can't think of any now. My primary question to all of you is, do you pay attention to who the director of a movie is, and if so: Who stands out?

[Casanova]

Quentin Tarantino is my favourite director. Always will be, becaue he has such a great style and the music in all of his movies really stands out. There's so many iconic scenes of his that are iconic because of the music in that scene. Take for instance the scene in Reservoir Dogs where the one guy is dancing to Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel while he chops the cop's ear off. That's entry level Tarantino. Classic Tarantino.

There's also Robert Rodriguez who has collaborated with Tarantino many times. Rodriquez directed From Dusk Till Dawn, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Desperado, Sin City and Machete as well as others.

The main reason I think directors become so loved is because a lot of them, like Rodriguez and Tarantino, play such a big part behind the scenes. They're like Hideo Kojima in the way that they really want to put their name on something and make it theirs. It's therefore not rare to see one of these guy write, direct, edit and produce their movies. It's what makes them so distinctive.

[Doaj]

Oh yes. I'm a big fan of Tarantino as well. Rodriguez not as much, but I will watch one of his movies. I loved Sin City, but Planet Terror was too b-list for me. Although Once Upon A Time in Mexico was really good too. I suppose he's just a hit-or-miss director for me, while Tarantino is more steady and reliable.

I also forgot from my list, Kevin Smith. The comic book nerd gone director makes mostly comedies, and some of them I didn't care for much. However, his vision is something I must agree with. Tera and I watched all three of his Evenings and he is a director one can admire for how much he humanizes himself, and really allows himself to stay at a point where nobody could idolize him like they do with Spielberg or Cameron. But they can appreciate him regardless.

Robert Rodriguez - Sin City, Four Rooms, Planet Terror, Once Upon A Time In Mexico; and I saw one of the Spy Kids movies once, even though I don't remember it.
Quentin Tarantino - Reservoir Dogs, Four Rooms, Death Proof, Inglorious Basterds, Kill Bill 1, Kill Bill 2
Kevin Smith - Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Jersey Girl, Clerks 2, Zack and Miri Make A Porno, Cop Out