Who is your favorite directors of all time?

[lennyd44]

What's yours? List 2 of your most favorite movies from the directors. Here's mine.

1. Stanley Kubrick (The Shining, Dr. Strangelove)

2. David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en)

3. Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood, Magnolia)

4. David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises, Videodrome)

5. Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas)

6. Steven Spielberg (Schindler's List, Minority Report)

7. Coen Brothers (Fargo, No Country For Old Men)

8. Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking)

9. Michael Mann (The Insider, Heat)

10. Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Blade Runner)

[FranklinTard]

kubrick and kurosawa.

[saveus1011]

Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Collateral, Heat)
Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo)
John Woo (Hard-Boiled, A Better Tomorrow)
Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, The Departed)
Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down)
Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket)
Sergio Leone (The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, Once Upon A Time In the West)

[SnoBorderZero]

The best is without a doubt Spielberg, but other favorites include David Fincher and John Hughes (where has he been for the last 15 years?). I'd say these are the only directors who I make sure I see all of their films (except Curly Sue).

[MovieBuff801]

The best is without a doubt Spielberg, but other favorites include David Fincher and John Hughes (where has he been for the last 15 years?). I'd say these are the only directors who I make sure I see all of their films (except Curly Sue).

Agreed. Spielberg is without a doubt the best; his range is fantastic.

[WuTical]

David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en)
The Coen Brothers (Fargo, No Country for Old Men)
Tony Scott (True Romance, Man On Fire)
Tim Burton (Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands)
Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Gangs of New York)

[Where's my elephant?]

Scorsese (King Of Comedy,Goodfellas)
Mann (Heat,The Insider)
Hughes (Bueller,Breakfast Club)
Fincher (Fight Club,Panic Room)
John Landis (Coming To America,Into The Night)
Burton (Beetlejuice,Ed Wood)
Zemeckis (Back To The Future,Used Cars)
Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan,Minority Report)
Mendes (American Beauty,Road To Perdition)
Coen (Raising Arizona,Fargo)
Frank Oz (Death At A Funeral,What About Bob?)
Rob Reiner (his older ones since his movies have declined quality wise) - Stand By Me,This Is Spinal Tap
John Carpenter (Christine,They Live)

[saveus1011]

Agreed. Spielberg is without a doubt the best; his range is fantastic.

He's so overrated it's not funny.

[chewie]

John Ford (Young Mr. Lincoln, The Searchers)
Howard Hawks (Bringing Up Baby, Sergeant York)
Frank Capra (It Happened One Night, It's a Wonderful Life)
Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window, North By Northwest)
Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket)
Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas)
Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan)
Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump)

[JBond]

He's so overrated it's not funny.

Care to elaborate on that? Or I suppose The Beatles are very overated, too?

[saveus1011]

Care to elaborate on that?

He's a great entertainer, but I wouldn't put him in the top 15 greatest directors of all-time. Very few of his films carry the depth that a piece by Kurosawa or Scorsese would. I don't care that he's made the most money because at the end of the day box office revenue does not equal quality.

Or I suppose The Beatles are very overated, too?

No, but it's really peculiar Bob Dylan thought their early stuff was crap (which is pretty much true.)

[jbailey84]

Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade, Saving Private Ryan)
Tim Burton (Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Batman Returns)
Ron Howard (Cocoon, Apollo 13)
Robert Zemeckis (Back To the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?)
Ridley Scott (Legend, Black Hawk Down)
Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown)

[Ramplate]

Frank Capra
Alfred Hitchcock
Quentin Tarantino
Ron Howard
Rob Reiner
Coen Brothers
Tim Burton
Stephen Spielberg
James Cameron

[iv3rdawG]

Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill Vol. 2, Pulp Fiction)
Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, Schindler's List)
Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Sin City)
Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Taxi Driver)
Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part II)
Ridley Scott (Alien, Matchstick Men)
Judd Apatow (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up)
Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, Amores Perros)
Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil's Backbone)
Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy)
Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Pi)
Sergio Leone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, For a Few Dollars More)
James Cameron (Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day)
Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz)

[Doomsday]

Or I suppose The Beatles are very overated, too?

A friend of mine tried to rant on that same thing a while back, I didn't even respond.

[Doomsday]

Michael Mann, Sergio Leone, and Ridley Scott are my favs, but I'm really getting into Wes Anderson.

[JBond]

No, but it's really peculiar Bob Dylan thought their early stuff was crap (which is pretty much true.)

That's interesting, what qualifies as their early stuff?

[rosncranz]

Wong Kar Wai-Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, Days of Being Wild.

Woody Allen-Annie Hall, Manhattan

Wes Anderson-Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums.

The only directors I need!

[Doomsday]

That's interesting, what qualifies as their early stuff?

Probably pre-Rubber Soul stuff. To me, that's where they started getting really great and broke out of the pop scene. Still, that doesn't mean their early stuff was bad, not by a long shot.

[JBond]

Yeah, I was thinking that. There's songs like "I Should Have Known Better" and "Can't Buy Me Love", but most of it is kind of hum-drum in comparison.

[Where's my elephant?]

Ticket To Ride is my personal favorite of the pre "Dylan pot" era and I just can't resist She Loves You.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Tzarinna]

Clive Barker and Wes Craven. :mad: :rolleyes:


Edit: How could I forget my true love, Rob Zombie?

[FranklinTard]

That's interesting, what qualifies as their early stuff?

all that crap like 'love love me do' and 'please please me' and those poppy bull**** songs. its arguably the most important night in rock and roll history when bob dylan introduced the beatles to marijuana. say what you will, drugs made the beatles.

[Tornado]

I'm a big Spielberg fan (Raiders, Jaws), but I also like David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac) and Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill) a lot too. Also, Ron Howard (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind)

[The Crusher]

John Carpenter. I love ALL his movies!

Ron Howard

Ridley Scott

[Burton Fan]

My favorites are:

1. Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood)
2. Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York)
3. Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey)
4. Steven Spielberg (E.T.- The Extra Terrestrial, Schindler's List)
5. Coens (Fargo, O' Brother, Where Art Thou?)

I also really like:

James Cameron (Terminator 2, Titanic)
Todd Field (In the Bedroom, Little Children)
Mel Gibson (Apocalypto, The Passion of the Christ)
John Hughes (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, tons of others)
M. Night Shyamalan (The Village, Signs)
Peter Jackson (LOTR Trilogy, King Kong)
Clint Eastwood (Mystic River, Unforgiven)

[JBond]

Has anybody said Gilliam yet? For shame.

[Tornado]

Has anybody said Gilliam yet? For shame.

I'm not a Monty Python fan, which prevented me from including him on my list. I do like Brazil and 12 Monkeys quite a bit though.

[Deexan]

I don't really have a favourite that stands out and whose every picture i can say that i love, but there's a huge list of directors whose every film i try to watch out of respect for their past material:

Hayao Miyazaki
Stephen Soderbergh
James Cameron
Richard Donner
Coen brothers
Darren Aronofsky
David O. Russell
Michael Mann
Martin Scorcese
Cameron Crowe
M. Night Shyamalan
Steven Spielbergo
Danny Boyle
Christopher Nolan
Curtis Hanson
Robert Zemeckis
Terry Gilliam
David Fincher

[TheKing88]

Alfred Hitchcock and then...

Akira kurosawa
Andrei Tarkovsky
Steven Spielberg
Stanley Kubrick
Peter Jackson
David Lean
Ingmar Bergman
Jean-luc Godard
John Ford
Martin Scorsese
Paul Thomas Anderson
Francis Ford Coppola (for the 70's alone)
Kenji Mizoguchi
Sam Peckinpah
Coen Bros.
Terry Gilliam
Ridley Scott
Billy Wilder
Ang Lee

[FilmJerk]

Michael Mann. responsible for my all time favorite movies Heat and Collateral.
Steven Spielberg. obvious reasons.

[SnoBorderZero]

He's a great entertainer, but I wouldn't put him in the top 15 greatest directors of all-time. Very few of his films carry the depth that a piece by Kurosawa or Scorsese would. I don't care that he's made the most money because at the end of the day box office revenue does not equal quality.



No, but it's really peculiar Bob Dylan thought their early stuff was crap (which is pretty much true.)

LOL! Scorcese is probably the most overrated director out there, who unlike Spielberg, won his Best Director out of respect, not because his film was the best of the year. You're telling me that The Departed, Goodfellas (overrated), Raging Bull (really overrated), Taxi Driver, and The Aviator (overrated) are better than Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, E.T., and Jaws? You are really stupid.

And you think The Beatles aren't any good either? Let me guess, The Turtles were the better band.:rolleyes:

[rosncranz]

I don't really have a favourite that stands out and whose every picture i can say that i love, but there's a huge list of directors whose every film i try to watch out of respect of their past material:

Hayao Miyazaki
Stephen Soderbergh
James Cameron
Richard Donner
Coen brothers
Darren Aronofsky
David O. Russell
Michael Mann
Martin Scorcese
Cameron Crowe
M. Night Shyamalan
Steven Spielbergo
Danny Boyle
Christopher Nolan
Curtis Hanson
Robert Zemeckis
Terry Gilliam
David Fincher



Oooooh, good job on the Curtis Hanson love! Easily one of the best new filmmakers there is right now!

[Burton Fan]

To say that Scorsese is overrated is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I love both Scorsese and Spielberg, but Scorsese is obviously the most talented of the two. Spielberg is more popular because he makes more mainstream films. I have enjoyed all of Scorsese's films, whereas Spielberg has made quite a few duds (Always, JP:The Lost World to name a few).

Goodfellas and Raging Bull, overrated!!!???

[sshuttari]

1. Stanley Kubrick

2. Steven Spielberg

3. Peter Jackson

4. Ridley Scott

5. Martin Scorcese (aviat

6. James Cameron

7. David Fincher

8. Clint Eastwood

9. Micheal Mann

10. Cameron Crowe

[Deexan]

Forgot to put Kevin Smith on my list.

[rosncranz]

To say that Scorsese is overrated is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I love both Scorsese and Spielberg, but Scorsese is obviously the most talented of the two. Spielberg is more popular because he makes more mainstream films. I have enjoyed all of Scorsese's films, whereas Spielberg has made quite a few duds (Always, JP:The Lost World to name a few).

Goodfellas and Raging Bull, overrated!!!???


Ugh, it is an oppinion and it is one that is somewhat widely held so don't dismiss it so quickly.

[Burton Fan]

I didn't mean to offend anyone, as I am new here. I was just stating my opinion, and you are entitled to yours. They are both talented, and have made many of my favorite films.

[saveus1011]

LOL! Scorcese is probably the most overrated director out there, who unlike Spielberg, won his Best Director out of respect, not because his film was the best of the year. You're telling me that The Departed, Goodfellas (overrated), Raging Bull (really overrated), Taxi Driver, and The Aviator (overrated) are better than Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, E.T., and Jaws? You are really stupid.

And you think The Beatles aren't any good either? Let me guess, The Turtles were the better band.:rolleyes:


You sir are a complete joke and should give up watching film altogether. To say Scorsese is overrated is a slap in the face. It is insulting everyone on this, and any fillm message boards intellegence when you say the man behind Goodfellas and Raging Bull is overrated. All of the films you listed by Spielberg can't hold a prayer to Goodfellas (yes, even Schindler's List.) When you say Scorsese is worse than Spielberg, who's most commerical film (The Departed) runs circles around Saving Private Ryan. When you say Raging Bull is overrated, a film that puts Jaws to shame, you basically show how much you know about film (which is nothing.)

Scorsese has done more for film than ANY American director in the last 50 years or so. He knows how to work a camera and can tell a story better than just about anyone. Spielberg can do one thing better than anyone, and that's entertain. At the end of the day, he's a more respected and more hyped up version of Michael Bay.

And as for The Beatles, they can't measure up to Floyd, Zeppelin, or The Who.

[Kitty]

So yeah..my top directors...

Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket)
Alfred Hitchcock (Vertigo, Psycho)
Martin Scorsese (Mean Streets, Goodfellas)
Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Y Tu Mama Tambien)
Micheal Mann (Collateral, Heat)
Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now)
Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down)
Tim Burton (Big Fish, Edward Scissorhands)
Terry Gilliam (Fear and Loathing, Brazil)

[rosncranz]

You sir are a complete joke and should give up watching film altogether. To say Scorsese is overrated is a slap in the face. It is insulting everyone on this, and any fillm message boards intellegence when you say the man behind Goodfellas and Raging Bull is overrated. All of the films you listed by Spielberg can't hold a prayer to Goodfellas (yes, even Schindler's List.) When you say Scorsese is worse than Spielberg, who's most commerical film (The Departed) runs circles around Saving Private Ryan. When you say Raging Bull is overrated, a film that puts Jaws to shame, you basically show how much you know about film (which is nothing.)

Scorsese has done more for film than ANY American director in the last 50 years or so. He knows how to work a camera and can tell a story better than just about anyone. Spielberg can do one thing better than anyone, and that's entertain. At the end of the day, he's a more respected and more hyped up version of Michael Bay.

And as for The Beatles, they can't measure up to Floyd, Zeppelin, or The Who.

This represents everything that is wrong with message boards for, and more broadly people who love film.

[rosncranz]

So yeah..my top directors...

Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket)
Alfred Hitchcock (Vertigo, Psycho)
Martin Scorsese (Mean Streets, Goodfellas)
Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Y Tu Mama Tambien)
Micheal Mann (Collateral, Heat)
Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now)
Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down)
Tim Burton (Big Fish, Edward Scissorhands)
Terry Gilliam (Fear and Loathing, Brazil)

This is probably the best list I have seen on here, though some of these director's work has drastically decreased in quality in recent years.

[halo7]

I think most people would agree that both Snoborder and Saveus are wrong.

[JBond]

This represents everything that is wrong with message boards for, and more broadly people who love film.

No kidding. I mean, Led Zeppelin and The Who are great, but they're no Beatles.

[saveus1011]

No kidding. I mean, Led Zeppelin and The Who are great, but they're no Beatles.

Yeah, because stuff like 'Love Me Do' and 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' trumps 'Won't Get Fooled Again', 'Tommy', 'Communication Breakdown', and 'Immigrant Song', right?

Go listen to more music then talk to me.

[Citizen Kane]

Do you really want to do a Beatles debate? Do you not realize how many absolute classic songs they have that you neglected to mention in your post? I really don't understand how you can post about how Scorsese is great because of the massive influence he's had on film as an art form and then diss one of the most influential bands in the history of music.

[saveus1011]

Do you really want to do a Beatles debate? Do you not realize how many absolute classic songs they have that you neglected to mention in your post? I really don't understand how you can post about how Scorsese is great because of the massive influence he's had on film as an art form and then diss one of the most influential bands in the history of music.

Oh, I do because I love The Beatles just as much as anyone. And yes, later in their careers they had a BIG influence on music as art. But if you want to do a Beatles debate then fine, we'll do it elsewhere.

[Citizen Kane]

Eh, we both seem to agree on their importance, so it just comes down to a matter of taste.

[Deexan]

This is probably the best list I have seen on here, though some of these director's work has drastically decreased in quality in recent years.

Yeah, especially Hitchcock's and Kubrick's...lazy bastards.

[Justin]

Alfred Hitchcock and then...

Akira kurosawa
Andrei Tarkovsky
Steven Spielberg
Stanley Kubrick
Peter Jackson
David Lean
Ingmar Bergman
Jean-luc Godard
John Ford
Martin Scorsese
Paul Thomas Anderson
Francis Ford Coppola (for the 70's alone)
Kenji Mizoguchi
Sam Peckinpah
Coen Bros.
Terry Gilliam
Ridley Scott
Billy Wilder
Ang Lee

Impressive list. Jean-Luc Godard is my favorite director.

[JBond]

Yeah, because stuff like 'Love Me Do' and 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' trumps 'Won't Get Fooled Again', 'Tommy', 'Communication Breakdown', and 'Immigrant Song', right?

Go listen to more music then talk to me.

Haha, If you like them more than the Beatles thats fine. Perhaps you'll notice I didn't include Pink Floyd in my post (which was meant to be a JOKE to rosncranz, btw). But don't talk to me like I don't know music. I own every just about every Zeppelin, Beatles and WHo album there is, and it's my choice to place Beatles ahead of them.

Besides, it's real easy to make a case when you pick and choose your own songs. Would "Immigrant Song" really trump "Revolution" or "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"?

[saveus1011]

Haha, If you like them more than the Beatles thats fine. Perhaps you'll notice I didn't include Pink Floyd in my post (which was meant to be a JOKE to rosncranz, btw). But don't talk to me like I don't know music. I own every just about every Zeppelin, Beatles and WHo album there is, and it's my choice to place Beatles ahead of them.

Besides, it's real easy to make a case when you pick and choose your own songs. Would "Immigrant Song" really trump "Revolution" or "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"?

Being civil, I'd say it's up there with them. I never said The Beatles were overrated, but their early stuff isn't no where near as classic as their older material.

[JBond]

Same goes for the Who.

[Brock Landers]

The usuals:

Steven Spielberg
Stanley Kubrick
Quentin Tarantino
Terry Gilliam
Wes Anderson
Michael Mann
Tim Burton
Alfred Hitchcock

[SnoBorderZero]

You sir are a complete joke and should give up watching film altogether. To say Scorsese is overrated is a slap in the face. It is insulting everyone on this, and any fillm message boards intellegence when you say the man behind Goodfellas and Raging Bull is overrated. All of the films you listed by Spielberg can't hold a prayer to Goodfellas (yes, even Schindler's List.) When you say Scorsese is worse than Spielberg, who's most commerical film (The Departed) runs circles around Saving Private Ryan. When you say Raging Bull is overrated, a film that puts Jaws to shame, you basically show how much you know about film (which is nothing.)

Scorsese has done more for film than ANY American director in the last 50 years or so. He knows how to work a camera and can tell a story better than just about anyone. Spielberg can do one thing better than anyone, and that's entertain. At the end of the day, he's a more respected and more hyped up version of Michael Bay.

And as for The Beatles, they can't measure up to Floyd, Zeppelin, or The Who.

Scorcese being overrated is an opinion shared by many. Are you saying he honestly deserved the oscar for The Departed? They handed him the longevity award. I never said any of his movies were bad, I stated they aren't nearly as good and flawless as people make them out to be, and if you honestly think Raging Bull deserved to be #4 on AFI's movie list then you're as dumb as I suspect you to be. You're a real idiot if you think Spielberg can't create stories and you're really stupid to compare him to Michael Bay. Scorcese has done so much for film huh? I'll give you Goodfellas and Taxi Driver, but what other films have influenced America in any way at all? I love how people think that just because Spielberg is so widely known that he's overrated and a cop out. Maybe the fact that he's the best and can actually win his Best Picture and Best Director awards without being handicapped is why he's so widely known. And none of his movies run circles around any of the films I mentioned, not even close.

[saveus1011]

Scorcese being overrated is an opinion shared by many. Are you saying he honestly deserved the oscar for The Departed? They handed him the longevity award. I never said any of his movies were bad, I stated they aren't nearly as good and flawless as people make them out to be, and if you honestly think Raging Bull deserved to be #4 on AFI's movie list then you're as dumb as I suspect you to be. You're a real idiot if you think Spielberg can't create stories and you're really stupid to compare him to Michael Bay. Scorcese has done so much for film huh? I'll give you Goodfellas and Taxi Driver, but what other films have influenced America in any way at all? I love how people think that just because Spielberg is so widely known that he's overrated and a cop out. Maybe the fact that he's the best and can actually win his Best Picture and Best Director awards without being handicapped is why he's so widely known. And none of his movies run circles around any of the films I mentioned, not even close.

Yeah, it's an opinion shared by people who hate film. No, I won't say Raging Bull deserved to be number 4 (and it's not even his second best film) but it's better than just about anythng Spielberg can spit out. Raging Bull has influenced America in the fact that almost every boxing movie after it pretty much copied the edits of those fights.

Spielberg is like Bay in the sense that they both do big budget summer blockbusters. Spielberg obviously is better because he can get the best performances out of his actors and Bay can't. However, they both at the end of the day go for entertainment, just one does it better than the other.

And yes, all the films I mentioned run circles and figure eights around all the movies you listed.

[FranklinTard]

thats right fight fight! no one can have differing opinions! kill em all!

[Doomsday]

Interesting (but kinda juvenile) debate....

Yeah, it's an opinion shared by people who hate film. No, I won't say Raging Bull deserved to be number 4 (and it's not even his second best film) but it's better than just about anythng Spielberg can spit out. Raging Bull has influenced America in the fact that almost every boxing movie after it pretty much copied the edits of those fights.


I guess that means I hate film. I'm a fan of Taxi Driver and I think Goodfellas is pretty good (although not my favorite film), but I have to stand on the side of the argument that says that Robert DeNiro made Raging Bull, not Scorcese. Performance aside, Raging Bull had all the usual Scorcese factors shared in Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, Aviator, etc. I think Dracula and I argued about it before, but as much as I think Scorcese is a good director, I think the legacy of Raging Bull would be drastically different if it weren't for Bobby DeNiro's performance in it. As for Scorcese's Oscar.....I don't know who can disagree that it was a legacy award. Departed will never go down with any regard in cinematic history, and the Best Picture Oscar will be the only thing that keeps it afloat. It's been pretty obvious that Scorcese has been showboating with far inferior pictures the past 8 years or so with Gangs of New York, Aviator, Departed. Hopefully now he can go back and make a good character piece like he used to without all the fluff that bogged down Aviator.

As for comparing duds, Scorcese has quite a list as well, you just need to check out imdb and read about films like Bringing Out the Dead.

Spielberg is like Bay in the sense that they both do big budget summer blockbusters. Spielberg obviously is better because he can get the best performances out of his actors and Bay can't. However, they both at the end of the day go for entertainment, just one does it better than the other.

And yes, all the films I mentioned run circles and figure eights around all the movies you listed.

Summer blockbusters? Munich, Amistad, Terminal, these were summer blockbusters? I don't think either of you have realized that both make different films. I don't think I could see Spielberg making a Taxi Driver, just like I don't think I could see Scorcese making a Hook. But to discredit Spielberg by saying he only makes 'summer blockbusters' is only showing that you're attempting to sound intelligent by going against the mainstream, which can work if you have a sensible argument, but in this case you don't

[Burton Fan]

Why did this become an arguement over the best band? There should be a battle of the directors.

(Maybe there has been one already, I'm new.)

[JBond]

I still can't believe Spielberg can be cut against for "only making movies entertaining" (though he does go deeper than that). Isn't Goodfellas entertaining? Can't men with different talents to reach the same outcome be seen as equals?

[Justin]

Scorcese being overrated is an opinion shared by many. Are you saying he honestly deserved the oscar for The Departed? They handed him the longevity award. I never said any of his movies were bad, I stated they aren't nearly as good and flawless as people make them out to be, and if you honestly think Raging Bull deserved to be #4 on AFI's movie list then you're as dumb as I suspect you to be. You're a real idiot if you think Spielberg can't create stories and you're really stupid to compare him to Michael Bay. Scorcese has done so much for film huh? I'll give you Goodfellas and Taxi Driver, but what other films have influenced America in any way at all? I love how people think that just because Spielberg is so widely known that he's overrated and a cop out. Maybe the fact that he's the best and can actually win his Best Picture and Best Director awards without being handicapped is why he's so widely known. And none of his movies run circles around any of the films I mentioned, not even close.

I agree that Scorsese is overrated. But come on, you're sticking up for Spielberg. Spielberg is more overrated. I'd highly recommend you broaden your spectrum of films and then try and convince anyone with any bit of knowledge on the history of cinema that Spielberg is one of the greats. Can you actually name any influential film Spielberg has done? Everything he has done has been done over and over again.

By the way, Scorsese is a storyteller and is taken seriously. Mean Streets would have to be my favorite of his -- see it. Spielberg makes films for those who will gobble up anything. For instance, he makes films that these award shows are likely to love. They love sentimentality and fakery. If you want to notice real influence on modern and independent cinema, then try Jean-Luc Godard and John Cassavetes' films. There are many more directors out there than Spielberg, Kubrick (who I value a lot, by the way), and Scorsese.

[JBond]

Can you actually name any influential film Spielberg has done?

Close Encounters and ET reminded us aliens can be good in movies. Jaws showed us less is more. Radiers of the Lost Ark brought to us the "non-stop action" film.

[Justin]

Close Encounters and ET reminded us aliens can be good in movies. Jaws showed us less is more. Radiers of the Lost Ark brought to us the "non-stop action" film.

A reminder is not an influence. Cinematically speaking, Spielberg has yet to use anything special whatsoever. There are directors around the globe who are experimenting with new ideas and Spielberg is still churning out the same crap.

[JBond]

Do I really have to name movies that have aliens as good guys? What does Spielberg have to do to be considered "good?" I think you're all forgetting the name of thread, it says "favorite" director, not most technically astuite. Some of us are quite alright with calling Spielberg brilliant for what he does, even if it's "the same crap" in a manner of speaking. Yet people are rushing in to say they're wrong and that he's "overrated" because they can't appreciate him.

[Justin]

Do I really have to name movies that have aliens as good guys? What does Spielberg have to do to be considered "good?" I think you're all forgetting the name of thread, it says "favorite" director, not most technically astuite. Some of us are quite alright with calling Spielberg brilliant for what he does, even if it's "the same crap" in a manner of speaking. Yet people are rushing in to say they're wrong and that he's "overrated" because they can't appreciate him.

And thats exactly the point. We all know its subjective. We're merely arguing as to why some of these directors are called "overrated" or "the best". Yes, its quite all right for someone to call Spielberg their favorite, I won't argue. I respect everyone's opinion.

Spielberg will forever be known as the director who made it easy on his audience. I'm not calling him evil for doing that, but its just what he does. That I would say is no different than what Bay does. He makes it simple for the audience; allows the audience to turn off their brain. There have been a few Spielberg films that have accomplished -- what I believe anyway -- as true subversive, honest cinema. Take Saving Private Ryan for example: the opening was incredibly honest, but then he takes a turn into typical Hollywood (I'm not at all saying its a bad film). He is just a Hollywood director. I'm not saying he is a bad director, because I do respect what he does. But if someone wants to argue that he is the best then I will certainly have a rebuttal.

[rosncranz]

And thats exactly the point. We all know its subjective. We're merely arguing as to why some of these directors are called "overrated" or "the best". Yes, its quite all right for someone to call Spielberg their favorite, I won't argue. I respect everyone's opinion.

Spielberg will forever be known as the director who made it easy on his audience. I'm not calling him evil for doing that, but its just what he does. That I would say is no different than what Bay does. He makes it simple for the audience; allows the audience to turn off their brain. There have been a few Spielberg films that have accomplished -- what I believe anyway -- as true subversive, honest cinema. Take Saving Private Ryan for example: the opening was incredibly honest, but then he takes a turn into typical Hollywood (I'm not at all saying its a bad film). He is just a Hollywood director. I'm not saying he is a bad director, because I do respect what he does. But if someone wants to argue that he is the best then I will certainly have a rebuttal.

You are very narrow-minded. Many people on here have countered your rude comments all the while mantaining respect for differing oppinions. So I am going to break down your argument.

Scorsese-Mean Streets is probably his most important film and is very good, but the style seems a bit film school to me. Very good though. Taxi Driver, a good film, possibly his best, though already starting to trudge the same themes and it is his second feature. New York, New York-Laughably bad. Raging Bull-Doomsday said it all. The King of Comedy-Crap. The Color of Money-A movie that was good in spite of its flawed direction. The Last Temptation of Christ-Good for what Scorsese was trying to do but is ultimately forgettable.

Goodfella's-A decent movie, but arguably in the top ten most overrated films ever. Cape Fear-one of the most over looked films of his, quite good. Casino-My least favorite film of his, lack of direction and rehasing the so common territory of his. Kundun-Good and probably the film of his I can appreciate the most due to its vision and difference from his other films and themes. Bringing out the Dead-Another good film and extremely underrated. THIS IS WHERE THINGS REALLY WENT WRONG. Next comes the most bloated and dissapointing film I have ever seen...and worst casting choice ever with Cameron Diaz. Awful awful film. The Aviator-The worst case of Oscar chasing I have ever seen. Good performances are the only thing to note from this dry film. The Departed-Top ten overrated film also. Good and fun, but nothing more than fun.

The problem I have with Scorsese comes from two major things: constant retreading of ideas and themes, and how he can get away with any movie and people praise him only because he made maybe three great films out of about 35.

Spielberg: Duel-The greates tv movie ever. The pacing, filming etc. were very different from what had been seen before. Very tense. Sugarland Express-A good film, nothing special. Jaws-Possibly the greatest horror film ever made. Once again recreated how this genre was done, the tense atmosphere and all technical aspects were brilliant. Close Encoutners of the Third Kind-The beginning of the fealing of awe and wonder in his films. Showing his immense imagination perfectly. 191-Pretty bad, but had Belushi so somewhat redeemable lol. Raiders of the Lost Ark-The best adventure film ever. Really showing what a popcorn film can be. E.T.-best family film ever and true sense of wonder put on to celluloid.

The Color Purple-Good solid drama, with good performances the exact kind of film Scorsese wanted to copy for Oscra bait. Temple-Solid entry into a great series. Empire of the Sun-A really great period drama. Last Crusade-Another good entry. Always-Another solid entertaining film. Hook-Somewhat enjoyable but considered really bad. Jurassic Park-Possibly the most important step in the furthering of special effects. Schindler's List-A film that deserves awards but not one that seems to be trying to get one. Great film. The Lost World-Not great. Amistad-Mixed and not great overall, but decent. Saving Private Ryan-Arguably the greatest war film there is, great story and effects. Perfectly filmed. AI-Mixed but at times great. Minority Report-Yet another time he makes one of the best genre films. Catch me if you Can-A good film but too much like the Oscar bait Scorsese started making in recent years. The Terminal-A very fun Capra-esque film. War of the Worlds-A highly misunderstood great alien invasion film. Munich-Another great drama that proves Spielberg is very versatile. Overall Spielberg does action, sci-fi, and family films really well. Changes what he is doing often and has perfected the craft. Sometimes gets too whimsical and has made some bad popcorn films.

Now that is pretty exhaustive. What I think these lists show is that both are very good in many ways, both seem to be slowing in quality though. Playing the numbers game Spielberg has made more films that are considered good. Though some might say Scorsese has made more great films. Both have done some very important things.


Scorsese probably knows more about the craft of actual film making whereas Spielberg knows how best to write a story and to put it up there.

More important than all of this is, as people have been pointing out. You are ignoring Spielbergs good films and Scorsese's bad films. For a fair comparison you have to compare best to best and worst to worst.

For example-Taxi Driver/Schindler's List. In my opinion and like others I think they don't need and shouldn't be compared.

Those are my thoughts on this subject.

[SouthsideX300]

John Carpenter
Marten Scorsese
Wes Craven
Ron Howard
Clint Eastwood
Speilberg

[Justin]

You are very narrow-minded. Many people on here have countered your rude comments all the while mantaining respect for differing oppinions. So I am going to break down your argument.

Scorsese-Mean Streets is probably his most important film and is very good, but the style seems a bit film school to me. Very good though. Taxi Driver, a good film, possibly his best, though already starting to trudge the same themes and it is his second feature. New York, New York-Laughably bad. Raging Bull-Doomsday said it all. The King of Comedy-Crap. The Color of Money-A movie that was good in spite of its flawed direction. The Last Temptation of Christ-Good for what Scorsese was trying to do but is ultimately forgettable.

Goodfella's-A decent movie, but arguably in the top ten most overrated films ever. Cape Fear-one of the most over looked films of his, quite good. Casino-My least favorite film of his, lack of direction and rehasing the so common territory of his. Kundun-Good and probably the film of his I can appreciate the most due to its vision and difference from his other films and themes. Bringing out the Dead-Another good film and extremely underrated. THIS IS WHERE THINGS REALLY WENT WRONG. Next comes the most bloated and dissapointing film I have ever seen...and worst casting choice ever with Cameron Diaz. Awful awful film. The Aviator-The worst case of Oscar chasing I have ever seen. Good performances are the only thing to note from this dry film. The Departed-Top ten overrated film also. Good and fun, but nothing more than fun.

The problem I have with Scorsese comes from two major things: constant retreading of ideas and themes, and how he can get away with any movie and people praise him only because he made maybe three great films out of about 35.

Spielberg: Duel-The greates tv movie ever. The pacing, filming etc. were very different from what had been seen before. Very tense. Sugarland Express-A good film, nothing special. Jaws-Possibly the greatest horror film ever made. Once again recreated how this genre was done, the tense atmosphere and all technical aspects were brilliant. Close Encoutners of the Third Kind-The beginning of the fealing of awe and wonder in his films. Showing his immense imagination perfectly. 191-Pretty bad, but had Belushi so somewhat redeemable lol. Raiders of the Lost Ark-The best adventure film ever. Really showing what a popcorn film can be. E.T.-best family film ever and true sense of wonder put on to celluloid.

The Color Purple-Good solid drama, with good performances the exact kind of film Scorsese wanted to copy for Oscra bait. Temple-Solid entry into a great series. Empire of the Sun-A really great period drama. Last Crusade-Another good entry. Always-Another solid entertaining film. Hook-Somewhat enjoyable but considered really bad. Jurassic Park-Possibly the most important step in the furthering of special effects. Schindler's List-A film that deserves awards but not one that seems to be trying to get one. Great film. The Lost World-Not great. Amistad-Mixed and not great overall, but decent. Saving Private Ryan-Arguably the greatest war film there is, great story and effects. Perfectly filmed. AI-Mixed but at times great. Minority Report-Yet another time he makes one of the best genre films. Catch me if you Can-A good film but too much like the Oscar bait Scorsese started making in recent years. The Terminal-A very fun Capra-esque film. War of the Worlds-A highly misunderstood great alien invasion film. Munich-Another great drama that proves Spielberg is very versatile. Overall Spielberg does action, sci-fi, and family films really well. Changes what he is doing often and has perfected the craft. Sometimes gets too whimsical and has made some bad popcorn films.

Now that is pretty exhaustive. What I think these lists show is that both are very good in many ways, both seem to be slowing in quality though. Playing the numbers game Spielberg has made more films that are considered good. Though some might say Scorsese has made more great films. Both have done some very important things.


Scorsese probably knows more about the craft of actual film making whereas Spielberg knows how best to write a story and to put it up there.

More important than all of this is, as people have been pointing out. You are ignoring Spielbergs good films and Scorsese's bad films. For a fair comparison you have to compare best to best and worst to worst.

For example-Taxi Driver/Schindler's List. In my opinion and like others I think they don't need and shouldn't be compared.

Those are my thoughts on this subject.

Where have I been rude, exactly? Did you even read my opening statement? "I agree that Scorsese is overrated.", I don't know what that says to you, but it seems to me that I agreed that he is overrated. Now, you may have typed up quite an essay, but you hardly said anything. You may have skimmed over some brief aspects of Spielberg's films, but nothing more. I could name hundreds of directors who have done more than he has and have made more important films than he has. Shall I? Perhaps you should read some essays by the film theorist Ray Carney Ph.D before you try and defend Spielberg.

Can you actually name any scene in any Spielberg film that even rivals the steadicam shot in Children of Men? I don't honestly think so.

[halo7]

And thats exactly the point. We all know its subjective. We're merely arguing as to why some of these directors are called "overrated" or "the best". Yes, its quite all right for someone to call Spielberg their favorite, I won't argue. I respect everyone's opinion.

Spielberg will forever be known as the director who made it easy on his audience. I'm not calling him evil for doing that, but its just what he does. That I would say is no different than what Bay does. He makes it simple for the audience; allows the audience to turn off their brain. There have been a few Spielberg films that have accomplished -- what I believe anyway -- as true subversive, honest cinema. Take Saving Private Ryan for example: the opening was incredibly honest, but then he takes a turn into typical Hollywood (I'm not at all saying its a bad film). He is just a Hollywood director. I'm not saying he is a bad director, because I do respect what he does. But if someone wants to argue that he is the best then I will certainly have a rebuttal.

How can you say Schindler's List and Munich are movies you need to "turn your brain off" for?

[SnoBorderZero]

JustinW, you really think that Spielberg keeps making the same movie? Name one movie that is similar. What's really funny is that Scorcese is probably one of worst when it comes to variety. Gangster films? Check on many accounts. Bio pics? Check on many accounts. Set in New York? Check on many accounts.

And Raging Bull's boxing scenes were the only good parts of the movie, the rest is just dragged out. And Rocky would hold the boxing influence title, many today (talking general audiences) forget Raging Bull was even made while Rocky continues to influence America. And still no retort for Scorcese's longevity award for The Departed? You think his movies are better than Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan? You say I know nothing about film, I think you're just too stupid to believe that once you've seen one Scorcese film, you've seen 'em all.

[rosncranz]

Where have I been rude, exactly? Did you even read my opening statement? "I agree that Scorsese is overrated.", I don't know what that says to you, but it seems to me that I agreed that he is overrated. Now, you may have typed up quite an essay, but you hardly said anything. You may have skimmed over some brief aspects of Spielberg's films, but nothing more. I could name hundreds of directors who have done more than he has and have made more important films than he has. Shall I? Perhaps you should read some essays by the film theorist Ray Carney Ph.D before you try and defend Spielberg.

Can you actually name any scene in any Spielberg film that even rivals the steadicam shot in Children of Men? I don't honestly think so.

While I quoted you, my post was directed more at Saveus and for that I apologize. However I said plenty in the post. And why did you bring Cuaron into this?

For the record Quint's speech in Jaws will stick in my memory more than anything in the great film Children of Men.

[SnoBorderZero]

And what does Children of Men have to do with anything?

[Justin]

My point was because of Cuaron's technical achievements in Children of Men. Something Spielberg has never and will never do. I'm not speaking of CGI or anything of that sort, more or less his use of the camera. Spielberg uses theatrics and sentimentality. Something I heavily disagree with. His films take no risk (Saving Private Ryan's opening scene is an exception, as I have stated).

Rocky? Oh please, Rocky was a cheesy, sentimental story with absolutely nothing unique about it. If there was anything unique and memorable about Rocky then feel free to share it. If Raging Bull was "boring", then you have an extremely short attention span. Raging Bull was a character study. A very real person with real flaws.

Concerning Munich and Schindler's List, there are a few films where Spielberg is obviously trying to make us take him seriously for a change. But they are not bad films.

[SnoBorderZero]

No one is discrediting that sequence, it was absolutely amazing, but now you're just blatantly attacking Spielberg with one worthless idea after the other. Theatrics and sentimentality? So you disagree with a movie having a plot and character development? It seems to be you're one of those moviegoers that's wowed over technical aspects and doesn't want to be bothered with an actual storyline.

Yes Rocky is overrated, but it's better than Raging Bull which aside from its boxing and early sequences is just a dragged out biopic. And a New York biopic by Scorsese? What a shocker!

You act as if anyone who likes Spielberg doesn't know what a quality film is. Just because he's had commercial success you think he's not up to standard with more under the radar directors. That's just stupid. No one has still yet to explain how Scorsese deserved his Oscar or how each of his films are substantially different from one another, yet you state that Spielberg does the same old film (still waiting on those as well). You also wrote that Spielberg only does his movies for the awards and critics. How stupid. You honestly think the most acclaimed director of the last 30 years cares about awards? Could it be perhaps that he wins awards and gets praise because he's exceptionally good at what he does?

[Justin]

No one is discrediting that sequence, it was absolutely amazing, but now you're just blatantly attacking Spielberg with one worthless idea after the other. Theatrics and sentimentality? So you disagree with a movie having a plot and character development? It seems to be you're one of those moviegoers that's wowed over technical aspects and doesn't want to be bothered with an actual storyline.

Yes Rocky is overrated, but it's better than Raging Bull which aside from its boxing and early sequences is just a dragged out biopic. And a New York biopic by Scorsese? What a shocker!

You act as if anyone who likes Spielberg doesn't know what a quality film is. Just because he's had commercial success you think he's not up to standard with more under the radar directors. That's just stupid. No one has still yet to explain how Scorsese deserved his Oscar or how each of his films are substantially different from one another, yet you state that Spielberg does the same old film (still waiting on those as well). You also wrote that Spielberg only does his movies for the awards and critics. How stupid. You honestly think the most acclaimed director of the last 30 years cares about awards? Could it be perhaps that he wins awards and gets praise because he's exceptionally good at what he does?

I never said Scorsese deserved it, did I? You assumed I think that because I have been "attacking" Spielberg. And actually, some of my favorite films have had plenty of plot and character development. By that same logic, then you should have loved Raging Bull. Raging Bull was filled with character development and interesting techniques. Mean Streets and The Departed were both filed with plot, character development, and interesting techniques. What I mean is that Scorsese has never been the type to use theatrics and sentimentality. Look at the ending of nearly every film he has done.

I even said I would name the directors that have contributed more to cinema than Spielberg has and no one has replied to that bit.

[rosncranz]

What I mean is that Scorsese has never been the type to use theatrics and sentimentality. Look at the ending of nearly every film he has done.


To this nonsensical and just completely wrong statement, I will say only this...The Departed is apparently not a film you have seen.

I am done with this topic of conversation.

[Justin]

To this nonsensical and just completely wrong statement, I will say only this...The Departed is apparently not a film you have seen.

I am done with this topic of conversation.

Actually, I have. Perhaps from a shallow point of view the "antagonist" had what was coming to him but not in the stereotypical, Hollywood way. I'm sure if it had been any other typical Hollywood director, the protagonist would have lived -- no matter what.

[JBond]

I guess Saving Private Ryan would have been a lot better had Ryan had a heart attack there in the cemetary. No on woudl have seen that coming. Nothing's wrong with happy endings if that's the way they should end. It doesn't take a visionary to decide the hero dies in a two way decision. Perhaps it makes a director/writer more risky, but not necessarly better.