Top 10: Film Directors

(10) Steven Spielberg

Many movie fans would put Spielberg at the top of their list as he is responsible for creating and directing some of the biggest franchises in cinematic history such as Jurrasic Park, Indiana Jones, Jaws, and E.T. But for every hit he's had he seems to have a miss not too far behind. While I loved Catch Me If You Can, Hook, and Saving Private Ryan. It was films like The Terminal, Munich, AI, Minority Report, and the atrocious War of the Worlds that kept him from a higher position. I am interested in Speilberg's upcoming Lincoln biopic and was one of the few that liked the fourth Indiana Jones, but the decline in the quality of Spielberg's films over the last decade just can't be ignored.


(9) Joel & Ethan Cohen

The Cohen brothers are synonymous with doing crazy screwball comedies or serious film noir. Some of their films can be hit or miss with a general audience but film purist's will realize their immense amount of talent behind the lens as well as on their screenplays. O Brother Where Art Thou, Fargo, Burn After Reading, No Country For Old Men, and The Ladykillers are films worthy of checking out by the duo.


(8) Wes Anderson

Anderson was responsible for one of the best movies of 2007 with The Darjeeling Limited. He has done a great job creating a fresh take on cinema with independent style films that are heavy in dry humor and cultural poignancy. Anderson's highlights are Bottle Rocket, Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Rushmore.


(7) Ridley Scott

Quickly becoming an iconic director in Hollywood, Ridley Scott has made some of the best period piece epic's we've seen. Scott is responsible for Gladiator, Alien, American Gangster, Black Hawk Down, Thelma & Louise, and Blade Runner. He has worked with all of the big Hollywood actors and even been an inspiration for his brother Tony Scott (Man on Fire, De Ja Vu, Enemy of the State). Ridley's current project is Body of Lies which has an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and he will be rebooting the Robin Hood franchise next year with the highly anticipated Nottingham.


(6) Christopher Nolan

Nolan would have been lower in this list had it not been for The Dark Knight which I think has catapulted him into the pantheon of great directors. Memento, Insomnia, and The Prestige were all tremendous films that showed his great level of imagination and directorial presence but it was the Batman series which has made him a household name. Christopher Nolan is one of the fastest rising directors in the industry and so far he has yet to make a bad flick. A guy who's range can go from Memento to Batman certainly belongs on a list of great directors.


(5) Chan-wook Park

Chan-wook Park is probably a name most of you do not know but should certainly get to know as he is one of the most talented directors to come out of Japan. His revenge trilogy Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, and Lady Vengeance are enough to put him on the list alone. Park's stock over here in America is fast rising as Oldboy is set to be made into a hollywood remake and he was even approached to do a movie version of the popular video game Metal Gear Solid. I urge you to go watch Oldboy or Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance immediately as you will not regret it.


(4) Quentin Tarantino

Tarantino is one of Hollywood's most passionate fan and purist. His career is a rise from rags to riches as he went from working at a Blockbuster type movie store to becoming a household name. His early movies are arguably his best. He was the writer on True Romance, made his directorial debut with Reservoir Dogs, turned around the career of has been star John Travolta and put Willis and Sam Jackson on the map with Pulp Fiction, all before he barely turned 30. Tarantino always does movies on his own terms as with the Kill Bill series and Grindhouse. Tarantino's up coming WW2 epic Inglorious Bastards will surely keep him on this list for some time to come.


(3) David Fincher

Fincher's hits are nothing short of masterpieces. He brings a visceral grit to the screen that no other director has been able to emulate. Fincher got his early directing start with music videos such as Madonna's Immaculate Collection before becoming a big name in the industry after doing Alien 3, Se7en, and The Game. His greatest work so far in my opinion has been Fight Club where he once again teamed up with Brad Pitt and seems to be the one director that can really keep Pitt focused and bring the best out of him. The two are working together for their third film in the upcoming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Fincher is an icon for modern directors and well deserving of this spot on the list.


(2) Clint Eastwood

Almost a better director than he was an actor, Clint Eastwood has spent the later part of his life reinventing Hollywood cinema. With his academy award winning Million Dollar Baby to classics like Unforgiven, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters From Iwa Jima, and the upcoming Changeling, Clint Eastwood has always found a way to remain relevant even at 78 years old.


(1) Martin Scorsese

What is there to say about this guy that hasn't been said? Many have tried to do realistic mob and gangster movies, but its Scorsese who always does it best. Casino, Goodfellas, and The Departed are all classic gangster movies that even give The Godfather a run for its money. Not to mention his early career working with DeNiro and putting him on the map with Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The King of Comedy. Scorsese shows the most depth as a director as he has covered multiple subjects and always makes his films riveting and intriguing. He even did a documentary on The Rolling Stones with Shine A Light which had a long and successful run in IMax and showed a new side of the beloved band. Martin Scorsese is this generation's finest director and very deserving of this top honor.