Best Director of all time?

Simple question, really: who in your opinion deserves the title of "best film director"? I thought about making a poll, but my picks for what to choose would've reflected my own bias, and plus it's best to get some directors mentioned whom I or others might not know of.

My pick: the master of modern film, Stanley Kubrick

Whether tackling black end-of-the-world humor in Dr. Strangelove or exploring the psychotic inner workings of Jack Nicholson in The Shining, no other director I know of has been able to tackle such a variety of styles and subjects. He just rules, in my honest and rather fan-boy-ish opinion.

:\pimp:

today, my answer is Jan Svankmajer. His 'Faust' kills me every time. It's a tough question and fortunately not one that must be definitely answered since there are so many films out there and more being made all the time. Kubrick is indeed awesome, I love all his movies except 'Eyes Wide Shut', which I don't care for, and 'Barry Lyndon' which is OK.

Originally posted by teleharmonium today, my answer is Jan Svankmajer. His 'Faust' kills me every time. It's a tough question and fortunately not one that must be definitely answered since there are so many films out there and more being made all the time. Kubrick is indeed awesome, I love all his movies except 'Eyes Wide Shut', which I don't care for, and 'Barry Lyndon' which is OK.

jan whatsisface did a great version of Alice in Wonderland...invented the word Surreal with that little film...

For being way ahead of his time in terms of editing (it was the 1920's after all), I'd go with Eisenstein, and of course his landmark film Potemkin. Seen today, it looks like an average movie, but by introducing the quick cut aways to invoke emotion, he truly distanced himself from the picture makers of the day.

In general terms for more modern movies, I like Hitchcock, who certainly knew the value of ideas like dialog, camera angles, lighting, story, and things like mise-en-scene (the placing of elements in a scene) to create powerful movies.

Of course, the leaves out a whole list of people like John Ford, Howard Hawks, D.W. Griffith, Truffant, Renoir, Welles, Bergman, etc. but I'll stop there.

i'm a big fan of stanley kubrick, as well. but as far as most influential, i think orson welles earned that accolade with one film: citizen kane. there's nothing like it, and probably never will be!

May I add Ridley Scott to the list for introducing the language of advertisemnt to the cinema, for creating one of the most beautiful films ever: the Duellists and the best film this side of Clockwork Orange: Blade Runner.

But to answer your question the Best Director award should be a close call between Hithcock & Kubrick.

Surrealism in cinema is better represented by Luis Buñuel, if you haven't you should see "Un chien Andalou".

billy wilder. end of story.

Steven Kubrick

It has to be Major.. i mean Quentin Tarantino.

think that depends on how kill bill turns out,been a long time coming...

Georgie Lucas

This is a really difficult one to answer. After seeing the Criterion version of Solaris yesterday, my impulse is with Tarkovsky. I think Solaris is the best science fiction film I have ever seen. But, Gilliam is very high on the list and Kubrick deserves to be up there for a Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and Barry Lyndon.

Originally posted by Budvar Huber May I add Ridley Scott to the list for introducing the language of advertisemnt to the cinema, for creating one of the most beautiful films ever: the Duellists and the best film this side of Clockwork Orange: Blade Runner.

But to answer your question the Best Director award should be a close call between Hithcock & Kubrick.

Surrealism in cinema is better represented by Luis Buñuel, if you haven't you should see "Un chien Andalou".

I'm a big Ridley Scott fan too, I always bring him up to friends and theyre like who?? Alien, Blade Runner, one of my all time favs LEGEND.....Thelma and Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down was good too. Hannibal was ok. But Ive always liked his style. He has always been one of my favorite directors, along with Tony Scott for good action flicks, Nicholas Meyer for his ST work, Stanley Kubrick for just being a big ol freak, JOhn Landis is my all-time favorite comedic director, and Steven Speilberg just makes good films. Oh yea, must not leave out Tarantino. Way to go Major!!

Originally posted by Green For being way ahead of his time in terms of editing (it was the 1920's after all), I'd go with Eisenstein, and of course his landmark film Potemkin. Seen today, it looks like an average movie, but by introducing the quick cut aways to invoke emotion, he truly distanced himself from the picture makers of the day.

I love Potemkin, I saw it during my brief stint at the University of Sout Carolina and was blown away by how goos it is. Eisenstein certainly deserves to be included.

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 > Originally posted by Green> For being way ahead of his time in terms of editing (it was the 1920's after all), I'd go with Eisenstein, and of course his landmark film Potemkin. Seen today, it looks like an average movie, but by introducing the quick cut aways to invoke emotion, he truly distanced himself from the picture makers of the day.

I love Potemkin, I saw it during my brief stint at the University of Sout Carolina and was blown away by how goos it is. Eisenstein certainly deserves to be included.

and the part with all the maggots in battleship potemkin--just to think, they didn't have special effects back then! :barf:

and of course the baby carriage scene so grandly imitated in the untouchables.

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 > Originally posted by Green> For being way ahead of his time in terms of editing (it was the 1920's after all), I'd go with Eisenstein, and of course his landmark film Potemkin. Seen today, it looks like an average movie, but by introducing the quick cut aways to invoke emotion, he truly distanced himself from the picture makers of the day.

I love Potemkin, I saw it during my brief stint at the University of Sout Carolina and was blown away by how goos it is. Eisenstein certainly deserves to be included.

Yeah, I saw it in a film class as well, and I love the homage that was done in the Untouchables.

One thing I noticed when I watched it on laserdisc (remember those?) is that when the action against the Czarist troops begins to really heat up, there are a couple of quick 3-shot takes that symbolize both the revolution and the mood of the people taking part in it. There is a shot of a lion statue slumbering, but with some very quick editing, a close inspection of the film reveals first the normal statue, then one of a lion that has been awaken, and finally one of a lion ready to poise at its prey.

The next one is of a statue (my mind is thinking of one similar to the one on the cover of Technique), and the editing on that sequence shows that rising up to throw a projectile against the oppressive rulers. These are some of the little techniques that he used to increase the emotion of the viewer (almost subliminally in a way, but it sure works well).

David Lynch. But maybe it's just one of those nights, so I'm gonna say John Carpenter too.

Hitchcock.

Originally posted by Lickmodem This is a really difficult one to answer. After seeing the Criterion version of Solaris yesterday, my impulse is with Tarkovsky. I think Solaris is the best science fiction film I have ever seen. But, Gilliam is very high on the list and Kubrick deserves to be up there for a Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and Barry Lyndon.

I'm eagerly anticipating Soderbergh's version. I saw the original 20 years ago and never forgot it... even though, at the time, I didn't understand zilch about it, but I was 14 or 15 then ( the same as with 2001, but this one I own on VHS and DVD and saw it almost every week on cable, so I've been able to "understand" it a little bit better since!)

Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA > Originally posted by Lickmodem> This is a really difficult one to answer. After seeing the Criterion version of Solaris yesterday, my impulse is with Tarkovsky. I think Solaris is the best science fiction film I have ever seen. But, Gilliam is very high on the list and Kubrick deserves to be up there for a Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and Barry Lyndon.

I'm eagerly anticipating Soderbergh's version. I saw the original 20 years ago and never forgot it... even though, at the time, I didn't understand zilch about it, but I was 14 or 15 then ( the same as with 2001, but this one I own on VHS and DVD and saw it almost every week on cable, so I've been able to "understand" it a little bit better since!)

It's not really something you watch once. Like 2001, it was intended for multiple viewings and there are so many questions it asks. Criterion, as usual, have done a splendid job with it and I highly recommend purchasing it if you enjoyed 2001 that much.

I haven't seen the Soderbergh version yet. I am a little weary seeing James Cameron's name as the producer. I've heard mixed reviews so far.

Ken Russell, "The Devils" was a masterpiece.

Mr. LF Dibley's latest film "If" is also a masterpiece.

Originally posted by Lickmodem > Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA> > > > Originally posted by Lickmodem> > This is a really difficult one to answer. After seeing the Criterion version of Solaris yesterday, my impulse is with Tarkovsky. I think Solaris is the best science fiction film I have ever seen. But, Gilliam is very high on the list and Kubrick deserves to be up there for a Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and Barry Lyndon.>

I'm eagerly anticipating Soderbergh's version. I saw the original 20 years ago and never forgot it... even though, at the time, I didn't understand zilch about it, but I was 14 or 15 then ( the same as with 2001, but this one I own on VHS and DVD and saw it almost every week on cable, so I've been able to "understand" it a little bit better since!)

It's not really something you watch once. Like 2001, it was intended for multiple viewings and there are so many questions it asks. Criterion, as usual, have done a splendid job with it and I highly recommend purchasing it if you enjoyed 2001 that much.

I haven't seen the Soderbergh version yet. I am a little weary seeing James Cameron's name as the producer. I've heard mixed reviews so far.

You're right, but I neglected to mention that my one-and-only viewing of it was indeed not my fault. Here in Portugal it never had a proper theatrical release (I saw it in the now internationally "famous" Fantasporto festival), was never available on VHS and it never appeared in national or cable TV (they're more interested in Big Brother- unfortunatelly not the Orwell one). A DVD -NOT the Criterion double-disc- was released last month... but costs €40!!!!!!!!!!!

Jorge, I suggest that if you want a copy, order the Criterion through Amazon or some place like that. Criterion DVDs will play universally on any player.

Originally posted by Lickmodem Mr. LF Dibley's latest film "If" is also a masterpiece.

I liked his "Rear Window" best...:D

Bloody Grace Kelly!

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 > Originally posted by Lickmodem> Mr. LF Dibley's latest film "If" is also a masterpiece.

I liked his "Rear Window" best...:D

Or maybe "Finian's Rainbow" starring the man from the Off-License....

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 > Originally posted by Taboo # 7> > > > Originally posted by Lickmodem> > Mr. LF Dibley's latest film "If" is also a masterpiece.>

I liked his "Rear Window" best...:D

Or maybe "Finian's Rainbow" starring the man from the Off-License....

Ten seconds of solid boredom!