The three that I most admire currently are Paul Thomas Anderson, the Coen brothers, and Michael Haneke.
Paul Thomas Anderson is a genius in my opinion and every movie that he has made is great. He brings out amazing performances in actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Joaquin Phoenix, and even Adam Sandler. Not to mention be provides an acute portrayal on lofty subjects without resorting to manipulation or sentiment.
The Coen brothers also provide a wry look at society. Their movie combine an in-depth look at deeply flawed characters while utilizing dark and often bizarre humor. Not to mention they’re masters of many genres from westerns to musicals.
Michael Haneke is also one of my favorites. I saw my first Haneke film, Amour, a bit over a year ago. Since then, I’ve also seen Caché, The White Ribbon, The Piano Teacher, and Funny Games (1997). All of them are takes on the sadism and brutality of humanity. A Haneke movie isn’t for everyone, but his films thrill me like few others. Also, I actually got to meet him and get his autograph.
But who would you pick?
Great post, Spielberg would have to be on the list as well as Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola.
By: vinnieh on October 20, 2013
at 6:02 am
Thanks!. I’d love to say Francis Ford Coppola (he’s in my top 3 of all time), but he hasn’t done anything great for a while :-(. The other two are very good choices though.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 10:51 am
If you’re only talking about the current generation of directors, I’d need to reflect on it very carefully. If we’re just talking about directors still making films, it’d probably between Scorsese and Lynch for me (though Lynch is possibly not making films anymore?)
By: davecrewe on October 20, 2013
at 6:11 am
Thanks for the comment. I mostly focused on director’s of the current generation. I would throw Scorsese and Lynch there in the mix though.
I heard that Lynch was trying to pursue a Ronnie Rocket movie. Hope that comes through.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 10:53 am
All good names. Wes Anderson has to be up there, too. And Jeff Nichols. And a bunch of others.
By: jjames36 on October 20, 2013
at 6:13 am
Thanks for the comment. Both two strong choices I can’t disagree with.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 10:54 am
Oh. I don’t know how I managed to omit Alphonso Cuaron. Like I said in my review of Gravity, that dude might be my favorite director.
By: jjames36 on October 20, 2013
at 11:08 am
For me I’d probably say Tarantino. I’ve never seen anything from the first guy you mentioned though. I want to see Haneke’s Amour!
Though I’ve only seen 1 film from Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers, I was really impressed by Moonrise Kingdom & No Country For Old Men, can’t wait for their next films!
By: Jon Harrison on October 20, 2013
at 6:30 am
Thanks for the comment. Try checking out some work from PTA and Haneke, as well as more from Wes Anderson and the Coens. They have some outstanding films.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 10:55 am
I dig you’re style, man. Not only is De Niro you’re favourite actors but The Coens and PTA would be my choices for directors too. I’d also give David Lynch a shout.
By: Mark Walker on October 20, 2013
at 6:37 am
Thanks! The Coens and PTA always make great stuff. I would have said Lynch, but he hasn’t done a film in a while. I heard he’s working on a Ronnie Rocket script he’s been making for decades. Hope that comes through.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 10:57 am
Scorsese has to be up there for me, and I haven’t seen 12 Years a Slave but Hunger and Shame were amazing so I’d probably sling Steve McQueen in there too.
By: Terry Malloy's Pigeon Coop on October 20, 2013
at 8:17 am
Thanks for the comment. I would have said Scorsese, but I tried focusing on the younger generation. I’ve only seen Hunger from McQueen and thought it was great. I’m trying to see 12 Years a Slave within the next week.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 10:59 am
I’m not as familiar with Haneke, but the other two are some great choices. As for myself, I really have no clue who I’d consider the BEST, but my current favorite would probably be Zack Snyder. Yeah, that’s right, lol. I just love his signature style and general campy approach to film. 😛
By: Chris on October 20, 2013
at 10:00 am
Thanks for the comment. Try checking out Haneke’s work, he’s got some great films.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 11:00 am
Like a few others, I’d give Lynch a nod though it’s been years since his last theatrical piece (INLAND EMPIRE from 2006). If I had the cash, I’d sit in on one of his transcendental meditation sessions.
By: Thomas Ostrowski on October 20, 2013
at 10:12 am
Thanks for the comment. I would have mentioned Lynch, though it’s been years since his last movie. Hope he goes through with Ronnie Rocket.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 11:01 am
I’d say Alfonso Cuarón. Just wish he made more movies, and faster.
By: le0pard13 on October 20, 2013
at 10:48 am
Thanks for the comment. Cuaron is a great choice.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 11:01 am
I second Michael about Cuarón, he’s definitely more ‘quality over quantity’ kind of guy. My other faves are Michael Mann, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan and after having seen 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen is definitely one to watch!!
By: ruth on October 21, 2013
at 12:59 pm
Nice choices. For me, and for right now it’s Ron Howard, Wes Anderson, and Chris Nolan
By: Tom on October 20, 2013
at 11:10 am
Thanks! Nice picks!
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 8:05 pm
Without a doubt it is Paul Anderson. Those Resident Evil movies are amazing.
By: ianthecool on October 20, 2013
at 11:17 am
Nice list. I will just throw in some other names that people have already mentioned: Wes Anderson, Steve McQueen, and Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained was an absolute masterpiece).
I also think Lee Daniels has to be on any list of truly original and talented up-and-coming directors. Also, I know that Lars Von Trier is a controversial filmmaker, but he is supremely talented. And Nicholas Winding Refn needs a shout-out as well.
I am looking forward to reading some more of your stuff!
By: Jacob Meindersee on October 20, 2013
at 11:34 am
Thanks! Nice picks!
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 8:07 pm
Well I’m a P T Anderson devotee – in fact I devoted an entire post to him s couple of months back! – so I’m very glad to see him on your list. But like Jacob, I’d put Wes Anderson and Steve McQueen right up there too. But… I’d need to start watching more non-US/British films… as we’re way to focussed on that. For example, Pawel Pawlikowski, who just won best director at the LondonFilm Festival is a brilliant talent. And I love Park Chan Wook.
By: beautifulorange on October 20, 2013
at 12:51 pm
Thanks! PTA is a great director, Inherent Vice is my most anticipated movie of next year.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 8:08 pm
It’s a tossup between Paul Thomas Anderson and Darren Aronofsky for me.
By: Eric @ The Warning Sign on October 20, 2013
at 2:41 pm
Nice picks! Aronofsky’s a great director, one of the best working today.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 8:08 pm
Man, you didn’t list “Benny’s Video” on your Haneke list; let that be the next movie you watch! If you like Haneke it’s a must see. 🙂
This question is close to impossible to answer; every director listed on these comments are uber talented. There are no right or wrong answers here. Different directors are great for different reasons.
For me a few of my favorites are:
Aja Alexandre for horror.
Michael Mann for his excellent framework.
Christopher Nolan for his vision and courage at pushing film to new heights.
James Cameron for his vivid imagination and strict attention to detail.
The Farrelly Brothers for delivering some of the funniest comedies in the history of Cinema.
And then the mentions of Haneke, Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino, Zack Snyder and every other director listed above are spectacular, as well.
Good topic for a blog entry; next to impossible to list only one favorite. 🙂
By: GaryLee828 on October 20, 2013
at 6:41 pm
Thanks for the comment. Nice picks. Got to watch Benny’s Video.
By: ckckred on October 20, 2013
at 8:09 pm
Loved your article. Michael Haneke is for me a unique visionary who delivers. Many times I scratch my head with those directors who are considered amazing but I don’t get their message. Not with Haneke. He’s intellectual, artistic, and compassionate. I love him.
By: cindybruchman on October 20, 2013
at 9:00 pm
Thanks! Haneke’s a genius. I know some people find his work perplexing, but I think he’s a phenomenal director.
By: ckckred on October 21, 2013
at 6:52 pm
Difficult question as there are some many great ones out there. I guess I’d say either Werner Herzog or Quentin Tarantino.
By: Nostra on October 21, 2013
at 5:06 am
Thanks for the comment. Both great choices, though I have somehow never seen a Werner Herzog movie. I have Aguirre on my Netflix queue, looks like I’ll have to check it out soon.
By: ckckred on October 21, 2013
at 6:53 pm
Good list! I would definitely say that Tarantino and Nolan are both damn fine directors.
By: Zoë on October 21, 2013
at 8:21 am
Thanks! Both twp great choices.
By: ckckred on October 21, 2013
at 6:53 pm
Nolan may have the most going for him right now. He’d be near top of my list, Ron Howard is also there he always delivers something solid. And although he hasn’t directed enough to really be in the running for a list like this, Ben Affleck is on his way if he keeps up the quality of what he’s done already.
By: Gene on October 21, 2013
at 10:50 am
Nice picks!
By: ckckred on October 21, 2013
at 6:53 pm
Nice post. I think PT Anderson, the Coens and Tarantino for me, simply because I look forward to their releases more than anyone else’s.
I would also throw out a couple of names not mentioned yet in the comments as they have directed some of my favourite films of recent years – Alejandro González Iñárritu because of 21 Grams, Biutiful and Amores Perros and Jacques Audiard (for The Beat That My Heart Skipped and A Prophet…I haven’t seen Rust and Bone yet).
By: Popcorn Nights on October 22, 2013
at 5:12 am
Thanks! Nice picks, I will see anything by PTA, the Coens, and Tarantino.
By: ckckred on October 22, 2013
at 6:47 pm
Godard is still the best filmmaking in the world if you ask me.
Paul Thomas Anderson is my favourite however; I think you know how much I love The Master.
By: Thomas Priday on October 22, 2013
at 8:23 pm
Thanks for the comment. I haven’t seen any of Godard’s recent movies, but he’s undoubtedly one of cinema’s brightest directors. And I’m in full agreement with PTA, I’ve seen The Master a few times, each viewing loving the movie even more.
By: ckckred on October 22, 2013
at 8:44 pm