The 411 Movies Top 5 07.03.09: Week 172 - Top 5 Best Directors Right Now

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 07.03.2009

This week, the 411 crew offers their thoughts on who the best directors of the moment are.

Man, I can't win. Last week in this very column, I was one of a few writers who gave Michael Bay props as one of the best action directors in history. This, not surprisingly, led to some nay-saying from the readers (one comment I enjoyed referred to us as "kiss-asses"…why would we need to kiss Michael Bay's ass?). Then, only a few days later, I blasted Bay's Transformers sequel in a fairly harsh review, and was once again met with a deluge of hate (to be fair, there were those who agreed with me, as well, but I found the angry responses much more entertaining). A general consensus amongst those who disagreed with me (besides their constant claims that it "wasn't supposed to be a good movie" – a brilliant argument that I hope Uwe Boll is taking notes on) was that I was probably just bashing Bay because that's the "cool thing" to do now.

I realize nothing good or productive can really come out of responding to your online critics, but let me just say – nothing could be farther from the truth. I mean, I hate to disappoint those real Bay-haters who did think I believed in their cause, but the fact is I don't really have anything against the guy. Even now, I still like more Bay films than I dislike (I even proudly own the Criterion Collections of The Rock and Armageddon). I've even defended the guy in the past – I was all for him directing the first Transformers movie back when the majority of the fans were claiming he was going to rape their childhood (I can't help but wonder how many of the people mad at me for criticizing the new movie are the same folks who bitched about Bay originally getting the job a few years ago). I just think that movies like Bad Boys II and now Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen prove that when Bay gets too cocky and is left to his own devices a little too much, he overdoes it on every stylistic element that is otherwise entertaining in his more restrained films. Look, if you really believe that Transformers 2 is better than the first, more power to you. But search deep down within yourself and ask – why should we have to settle for a movie where "well, it was supposed to be that stupid" is the only defense its fans have to offer? I'm just saying, is all…

Anyway, I just wanted to get that off my chest. I promise not to bring it up again. In fact, I'm pretty sure you won't be reading anything more about Michael Bay in this particular week's column. That's because this week I asked my fellow writers to join me in listing who we consider to be the best pure directors working today. "Best Directors of All Time" lists are pretty prevalent, but I wanted to know who everyone thought were the kings of the current moment. So check out our choices below, and be sure to share your own in the comments board. Now on with the show:


THE TOP 5 BEST DIRECTORS RIGHT NOW


Trevor Snyder

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Eli Roth - Nah, just kidding. I just wanted to rile up the Roth haters for a second, there. OK, let's get serious…

Clint Eastwood - Eastwood will probably always be remembered more as an actor, but just look at the body of work he has delivered from behind the camera. He's a master, plain and simple.

David Fincher - Thanks to films like Seven, Panic Room, The Game, and Zodiac, I have no doubt that Fincher's name will be mentioned in the same breath as legends like Hitchcock when all is said and done.

THE TOP 5

5. Steven Spielberg

Oh, ho-hum. It's a boring choice, I know…but who can argue with it? Sure, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was somewhat of an artistic misstep, but it's a testament to how much we all like the guy that no one – except for South Park – seemed to personally attack Spielberg for (it helps we had George Lucas around to fill the scapegoat role). Besides, Spielberg has made underwhelming films before, but he's always managed to fire right back and deliver a string of instant classics. The guy is the undisputed master of balancing rich dramatic work with big-ass blockbusters, and has inarguably earned his spot on this list several times over.

4. David Cronenberg

Cronenberg is, in my opinion, one of those rare directors who has managed to go years without ever making a bad film (although, to be fair, I've never seen Fast Company, his 1979 drag racing movie – for all I know, that could be a real stinker). What is particularly impressive about Cronenberg is how he has managed to re-invent himself. Back when he was making some of the best horror films of the modern era (Shivers, Rabid, Videodrome, The Brood and The Fly), it was easy to think that his eventually place in history would simply be as one of the all-time horror greats. That's certainly not too shabby, but as it turned out, Cronenberg had a lot more to offer, as he started to prove with his amazing work on films like Dead Ringers, M. Butterfly and Naked Lunch (Cronenberg deserves extra credit for tackling that supposedly un-filmable Burroughs novel). In the last few years, Cronenberg has evolved even further away from the horror genre, and a rewarding partnership with leading man Viggo Mortensen has produced two excellent films, A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. His upcoming Matarese Circle, which is set to star Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington, may finally bring him back to the mainstream spotlight that he once enjoyed with The Fly. But even if it doesn't, I have no doubt Cronenberg will continue making films his way, and continue to surprise us. Although, as a horror fan, I have to admit there's a greedy part of me that really wants to see him direct at least one more film in that genre.

3. Guillermo del Toro

Remember when for awhile it looked like Peter Jackson wouldn't be attached to The Hobbit, and everyone was going apeshit over the idea of that movie moving ahead without him? Well, OK, I know Jackson is still attached as a writer and producer, but let's face – there is only one director out there who could have stepped into his place behind the camera and not caused fanboys the world over to go insane with rage. And wouldn't you know it, that guy got the job. No offense to Jackson, but Guillermo del Toro is the reigning king of fantasy, thanks largely to Pan's Labyrinth, arguably the greatest live-action fairy tale-esque film ever. The rest of his filmography ain't so bad, either, as time and time again he has reminded us just how powerful his creative vision is. Whether it was taking the Blade sequel to heights the first film only hinted at, or delivering visually stunning Hellboy films a much smaller budget than many comparable comic-book films are given, del Toro continues to blow audiences and critics alike away with his visionary films. I'd like to see the guy direct a small, character-driven drama with no special effects, just to see how it would be, but in the meantime I'm perfectly fine with the amazing worlds he keeps bringing us.

2. The Coen Brothers

If I can be allowed to re-use the same sort of analogy I did with Guillermo del Toro and The Hobbit, consider this – it was recently announced that the Coens would be taking on a remake of the John Wayne classic, True Grit. This announcement was not met with any of the typical online hatred and bile that seems to come along with every classic remake announcement out there. In fact, the response seemed pretty positive. I think that's because most movie fans have simply learned to trust the Coen Brothers. And why not – for years now they have consistently brought us some of the most interesting films around. Their unique mixture of screwball comedy and noir-ish thrillers have made them darlings to art-house fans, and yet has also proven effective enough to cross over to the mainstream from time to time. Quite frankly, I think it's pretty hard to call yourself a serious fan of film and not love these guys.

1. Takashi Miike

When I gave this topic to my fellow writers, I urged them not to favor quantity over quality – to make sure not to exclude some one just because they only have a few films under their belt, and to likewise not include some one just because they have a lot. And yet here I come with my #1 choice, a man arguably most known for how insanely prolific he is (seriously, the amount of movies he has directed in the last decade+ is insane). Hypocrisy? Not quite. You see, to me the most impressive thing about Miike is not how many movies he makes, but how many of them are really damn good. I'm sure some critics will complain that his films are not as visually or technically stunning as more big-budget fare, but they're missing the point. Miike doesn't have access to the same sort of budgets and effects that Hollywood directors are so used to (nor, it would seem, does he really want to), and yet he still manages to make movies that rival their larger competitors in terms of imagination and style. I'd gladly put films like Audition, Ichi: The Killer or Ley Lines up against more well-known Hollywood hits. As one might expect from someone who makes this many movies, not all of them are as good as the others, and there's even a few flat-out duds here and there (although, surprisingly enough, there are very few). But even his lesser films are interesting, thanks to the fact that you never know what you're going to get. No offense to a director like Martin Scorsese (don't get your panties in a bunch – I love Scorsese), but when you watch one of his films, you more or less know what you're getting into. I have watched more Miike films than I can even remember at the moment, and I never know what to expect with each one. He is not tied to one genre, nor any sort of particular style (he has even claimed that he will basically direct just about any script given to him, because he feels there must be a reason they want him to do it, and therefore he is instantly interested in the material). So while I'm not necessarily claiming that he is a better director than some of the other names on my list, I'm giving him my top spot because, more so than any other current director, I am always intrigued to see whatever Miike does next.



Shawn S. Lealos

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Joel and Ethan Coen - The brothers are two of the most talented filmmakers working in the business right now. No Country for Old Men is a perfect movie but is just one of many fantastic films in their catalogue.

Darren Aronofsky - The Wrestler finally proved to audiences how great of a technical filmmaker Aronofsky is. If he actually makes Robocop, it will give him his first mainstream appeal and that is a great thing.

Quentin Tarantino - The man has never made a bad movie. This guy is every fanboy's wet dream.

THE TOP 5

5. Guillermo del Toro

He is about to give the world the continuation to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings tales with The Hobbit prequels. The world is going to be impressed. Most people know about Hellboy and it is amazing how he was able to do what he did with a limited budget. His masterpiece though is the even smaller Spanish film Pan's Labyrinth. It is one of the most amazing, visually dynamic and heartbreakingly tender movies you will ever see. It is an absolutely perfect film and if he brings half the brilliance that movie showcases to the big budget Hobbit movies, we are in for a treat. Also, make sure to check out The Devil's Backbone for another fantastic little film by Del Toro.

4. David Fincher

He is one of the most technically brilliant directors on my list. He has done things in a movie that I have never seen before. His work on The Game, Fight Club, Seven and even Panic Room is revolutionary. He took a weak story in Panic Room and even makes it visually fantastic. Who can forget the scene where the camera travels through the house, going places that are obviously impossible? His work on the Forrest Gump like Benjamin Button was amazing in the visual aspects as well. The guy can take a story that would fail in any other director's hands and make it something special. Finally, look at Zodiac, the movie where everything meets from the story to the work behind the camera as he created his masterpiece. Fincher is one director that I will follow to the ends of the world because I know he will never disappoint me.

3. P.T. Anderson

Magnolia is the greatest movie ever made, period. It is a perfectly balanced character drama that is cut together by the hands of a perfectionist who knows how to deliver the beats and tell a story like no one else. He has proven to be a master with the camera, a perfect example the swimming pool scene in Boogie Nights or the Goodfellas homage that starts that same movie. He almost won his Oscar with the amazing There Will be Blood, only to lose to the Coen brothers. Anderson's time will come. He is too damn talented and, at 39, has a lot more years ahead of him to make many more great films. Did I mention Magnolia is the greatest movie ever made?

2. Martin Scorsese

The guy is a God among men. He has made some of the most iconic films of all time with Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, The Last Temptation of Christ and Goodfellas. He was the poster child for the ineptitude of the Academy until they finally awarded him his first Oscar for The Departed, a fantastic movie that proves he still has a lot left to give us. He is an encyclopedia of movie knowledge and I can only dream of sitting down with him to pick his brain about the history of this great business. Scorsese is the embodiment of what a great director should be. There is no one better than him, save one man...

1. Steven Spielberg

While he may not be as masterful with a camera as Scorsese, no one can deny what this man has given to the world of film. Look at the evidence: Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Empire of the Sun, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can, Munich. While most directors would kill for one success, Spielberg has numerous hits and at least five masterpieces. He has done summer blockbusters, historical period pieces, war movies, comedies, sci-fi, horror and action adventure thrillers. He is a master of all genres of filmmaking and is one of the only directors whose name alone could sell tickets. He is not only the greatest director working today but easily ranks near the top of a list of the greatest filmmakers of all time.



Len Archibald

I had already written no less than FOUR drafts with four different lists in about four hours, but I ultimately figured – I *know* who will be listed (Speilberg, Tarrantino, Scorsese, Raimi, P.T. Anderson, The Coen Brothers), so I decided I'd keep with my "gimmick" of being the foreign film guy...A quick shout out to James Cameron (Canada!) and Christopher Nolan (UK) – who, along with Speilberg has become a living license to print money and can do whatever the hell they want now, since they hold claim to the two highest grossing films of all-time (Titanic and The Dark Knight, respectively.)

In alphabetical Order...

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Takashi Miike (Japan) - Fans of Saw and Hostel can thank this man for possibly inventing the modern version of "torture porn" (I really do hate that term) with Ôdishon (Audition) in 1999. He then took the idea of violence and dread and amped the volume up to about a million with Ichi The Killer. He's a sick bastard, sicker than anything Eli Roth or Rob Zombie imagines they're capable of – and he's able to display it with a style and chutzpah that isn't seen on this side of the ocean.

Chan-wook Park (South Korea) - "Mr. Vengeance" has rightfully earned his nickname in the film world, depicting action and violence with acute technical saavy. (His single shot take of the main character battling 40 with a HAMMER in Oldboy is just breathtaking). He took on a blasphemous and daring look this year at vampires with Bakjwi (Thirst), about a failed medical experiment that turns a man of faith into one of the undead. I wonder how Spielberg and Wil Smith is going to tackle a remake of Oldboy? I'll certainly be sure to find out.

Lars von Trier (Denmark) - Here's the thing with von Trier – he doesn't bullshit about attempting to make film as art. He really *tries* - he may try too hard, but you can feel the passion in his work. The self-professed "best filmmaker in the world" made an uproar at this years' Cannes Film Festival with Antichrist, a psychological drama that de-evolves into a horror movie – probably the most polarizing film since Gaspar Noe's Irreversible. He won the Palme D'Or for Dancer in the Dark, a melodrama that gave Björk an Oscar nomination. Breaking The Waves and Europa are tales that center on pure emotion. Most filmmakers may hate his guts and self-centered attitude, but they wish to show as much technical mastery as Mr. Von Trier.

THE TOP 5

5. Michel Gondry (France)

The french filmmaker, former pop drummer and former music video director is one of those names that keeps popping up quietly, but with respect. He made his feature film debut directing a Charlie Kaufman screenplay, Human Nature, which led to another, better collaboration in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. He was able to take memories and dreams and visualize it with a flare and drama that had not been seen before. Be Kind, Rewind was a fun film that depicted a love for movies. He is slated to tackle The Green Hornet (maybe), but his future project I'm most anticipating is Master of Space and Time – A sci-fi comedy that is rumored to star Jack Black and DAVE M-F'ing CHAPPELLE!

4. Werner Herzog (Germany)

And we come to the eldest on this list. Herzog has created some cinematic masterpieces with Stroszek, Fitzcarraldo and Aguirre: The Wrath of God - in the 70's and 80's...But don't count him out as some old guy past his prime. He has created some stunningly beautiful visual films in the past few years with Grizzly Man (2005), Rescue Dawn (2006) and his documentary, Encounters at the End of the World (2007). His next project is to tackle a remake of Bad Lieutenant which may put Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer as serious actors back in the good graces of film critics. Trust me, this is a filmmaker who just KNOWS how to make good movies.

3. Ang Lee (Taiwan)

While all the filmmakers on this list are artists, not one has enjoyed the amount of worldwide mainstream appeal that Ang Lee has. Since his breakout film, Eat Drink, Man Woman, the former assistant director to Spike Lee has enjoyed success, both artistically, critically and commercially with films such as Sense and Sensibillity and The Ice Storm. But it was Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon that put his name on the map. The film that I felt was the best of 2000 became his calling card and gave him license to make Hulk, which was considered a misfire (I didn't mind it). He came back with a vengeance with Brokeback Mountain, winning a well-deserved Best Director Oscar (should it have beaten out Crash for Best Picture?) With Taking Woodstock, he may be taking on his biggest challenge - the defining concert of the 1960's. I'm sure he will be up for it.

2. Gaspar Noé (Argentina)

Controversy! Well, maybe not – I guess it depends on how you feel about his subject matter. While even I may find myself turned off from the issues he decides to explore, there is no doubt in my mind that the exploration isn't in the hands of a truly capable and daring filmmaker. Seul Contre Tous (I Stand Alone> is an unflinching look at the life of a sociopath ("Now your baby is hamburger meat!"), and Irreversible was an assault on the senses: a story told in reverse that was made with every intention to make the viewer feel ill – physically and emotionally – and succeeded on perhaps every possible level (maybe the two most shocking and disturbing moments of violence ever filmed, right here). Enter the Void, which premiered at this years' Cannes Film Festival was another project that was met with polarizing reviews. You either love his work or hate it, but there's no denying talent.

1. "The Three Amigos" (Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu) (Mexico)

A cheat, yes – but honestly, I couldn't pick one without the other. The three filmmakers rose through the ranks together, and share ideas and crew. Basically, one doesn't make a movie without support from the other two; and what a body of work the three have produced recently: Curaron made what I felt was the best of the Harry Potter movies with The Prisoner of Azkaban and the dazzling Children of Men, while Iñárritu won critical acclaim with 21 Grams and an Oscar nomination for Babel. But Del Toro is truly the man to watch: through his imagination that propelled Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy to great mass appeal, he is now the creative mind and force behind The Hobbit. I think it's time to truly recognize the unparalleled amount of talent that is coming from Mexico right now.



Bryan Kristopowitz

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Bret A. Hart - He's only directed one movie so far, 2007's Bone Dry, but it was and is such a great movie that he at least deserves an honorable mention. It's one of the best B-movies I've ever seen.

Stuart Gordon - For the last decade or so Gordon seems to be directing something every two years, which seems like a good strategy since, in that time he's given us both King of the Ants and Edmond. I haven't seen Stuck yet, but I heard it's great. It all seems to be horror related but not quite exactly horror. He's mixing things up.

Steven Spielberg - I didn't particularly care for War of the Worlds, but the fact that he made that movie and Munich in the same year is mind boggling. How could he not be one of the best if he's willing to make a gamble like that?

THE TOP 5

5. George A. Romero

Romero didn't get a chance to work much in the 1990's (he did Two Evil Eyes with Argento, The Dark Half, a couple Japanese video game commercials, and that's about it), but the 2000's have given the world three fine horror movies with a new one coming soon. Romero did his slasher movie Bruiser in 2000 (and that's what Bruiser is, regardless of what Romero himself may claim), and then he did two very different zombie movies, Land of the Dead (the biggest budget movie he's worked on so far) and the small, first person Diary of the Dead. And now he's got a third zombie movie coming out (it's titled ...of the Dead at the moment). There's just no stopping him now. He's going to keep churning out movies as fast as he can to make up for that lost time. And we're going to get his social commentaries, which are always fun to sit and think about afterwards. I can't wait to see what he has waiting in the wings for us. He's probably going to make us think again.

4. Mimi Leder

She's been working in television for the last decade or so and her latest movie is a direct-to-video effort, despite its A-list cast. It's a shame because, if you've seen either The Peacemaker or Deep Impact, you know she can make a thrilling, ass kicking movie. Hell, even the awful Pay it Forward had its moments, which shows she can try other genres besides ass kicking. I think it's a shame she doesn't get to work more because she knows how to make a movie work. Maybe she needs to team up with Kathryn Bigelow and make some kind of butt kicking anthology movie. Maybe then people will start to take notice.

3. Neil Marshall

While Doomsday was half good (the post apocalyptic Road Warrior rip off stuff was awesome, the medieval stuff was terrible), he's made two very fine horror flicks in Dog Soldiers and The Descent and now he's rumored to be doing a Predator reboot (I don't think he's actually doing it, though. But, like being nominated for an Oscar, just being thought of is an award in and of itself, isn't it?). He knows how to scare you, he knows how to do action, and he knows how to make it feel special even if it ends up badly (like Doomsday). That's real talent.

2. Robert Rodriguez

I've never been all that big a fan of Rodriguez but there's no denying that he's one of the best directors working today. He can make any kind of movie he wants (horror movie, action movie, kids fantasy movie) and he can do it quickly and, above all else, his movies make money. Not big, gigantic money, but just enough money to keep going. And it's that burning need to keep making movies and then actually making them that ultimately sets him apart from so many others. His "brother" Quentin Tarantino has that same zeal but he doesn't seem to be as enthusiastic as Rodriguez. Tarantino wants to sit around, let his ideas stew for a bit, and then when he gets ready to do something he does it. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'd rather see a director direct than not direct. Tarantino seems to be much more prolific this decade than in the 1990's. Now if only John Carpenter would get going on something. It's been eight years, man. Follow Rodriguez's lead and do something. Anything.

1. Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro has managed to be both a major movie director and a small, personal movie director at the same time. At times you can't really tell where each side ends and the other begins. Both Hellboy movies exist in the same cinematic world as Cronos, The Devil's Backbone, and Pan Labyrinth. It wouldn't be all that out of place to see Blade and the mutant cockroach monsters from Mimic in the same spooky underworld as that thing with the hand in its eye from PL. And yet you don't confuse any of them. They all overlap but they don't interfere with one another. It's the ultimate in consistency and general coherence. In short, when you watch a del Toro movie, you know you're watching a del Toro movie, regardless of its size. That, to me, is an amazing accomplishment. That's why he's the best director going today, and why those Hobbit movies are going to rock.



Steve Gustafson

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Clint Eastwood - I really wanted to put Jason Reitman in this spot but I think he needs a couple more under his belt. Clint gets his props but I still feel he's under the radar even with critical accolades for Gran Torino, Changeling, Letters from Iwo Jima, Flags of Our Fathers, Million Dollar Baby, and Mystic River.

Brad Bird - I know this might be a head scratcher but he's directed some of the best animated films of our time with Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and one of my favorite movies EVER...The Iron Giant! If you didn't tear up at that you are either lying to me or lying to yourself! I can't wait for Bird's 1906!

David Fincher - I'm sure you think he got here for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or Zodiac. Maybe for Fight Club or Se7en. Those all work. But The Game really hooked me on him. Yeah, I have my doubts about his next film, The Social Network, but if anyone can pull it off, it's the Fincher!

THE TOP 5

5. Christopher Nolan

Do you remember the first time you saw Memento? I do. I turned and asked a complete stranger, "Who is this Chris Nolan guy and how do we get him to direct more movies?" Then you watched it a second time and are completely blown away how he set up the rules of the movie and was able to stay within those parameters. He followed it up with Insomnia and while it didn't reinvent movie making, I still enjoyed it. Then he came out and just clubbed us repeatedly over the head with Batman Begins, The Prestige and The Dark Knight. It was an orgy of greatness! Watching his movies is like eating at a top notch restaurant filled with comfort food. He gets it. He understands the balance between entertaining the masses and structuring a film so that it doesn't insult our intelligence. I was very pleased when they attached him to The Prisoner. He will do it right. In Nolan we trust? Yes we do.

3. Paul Thomas Anderson

He doesn't have many but what he does have speaks much. Boogie Nights was a film that could have really gone wrong in so many ways. His vision was realized on the big screen and it's on repeated views that you can really pick out little things that a lesser director would have missed, cut, or gone somewhere else. He pulled a masterful acting job out of Mark Wahlberg and showed the world he could act. Magnolia came out and blew everyone's mind. On first viewing, it threw audiences for a loop. It was so different and accomplished so much, people left leaving numb. But it made an impact and showed just how far ahead Paul was when compared to other director's. He also pulled an amazing acting job out of Tom Cruise. Punch-Drunk Love was a quieter film, and like previous ventures, showcased Adam Sandler in a way that hadn't been seen by audiences. His latest masterpiece, There Will Be Blood, was nothing short of epic. One of my favorite movies of all time, he allowed one of the greatest actors of our time, Daniel Day Lewis, to do what he does best. He let the scenes breath and laid before the audience a movie that is untouchable. He's the type of director that leaves you saying, "What will he do next?"

4. Martin Scorsese

He seems like he would be one of the coolest guys to hang out with. His reputation precedes him. Yes, it was built on Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull. Solidified with Goodfellas, Cape Fear, and Casino. And pushed further with Gangs of New York, The Aviator, and The Departed. Did I miss some? Oh, most definitely. That's just how impressive his directing resume is. His trademarks are many with the long tracking shots, slow motion flashbulbs, and accented camera/flash/shutter sounds. You might assume he's slowing down but a quick look says that we have a lot to look forward to from Marty with Shutter Island, Silence, Sinatra, and The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. He's even showing a little muscle back on television with Boardwalk Empire. Is it even a question why so many talented actors and actresses want to work with him?

2. James Cameron

He seems to divide fans, I don't know why. A quick run of his movies gives us The Terminator & Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens, True Lies, Titanic...Wait. Is that it? Are fans so simple as to discount Cameron because of Titanic? I refuse to believe that. By a show of hands, how many of you own Titanic? I'm seriously curious. BE HONEST! Back to Cam "The Man", yes, it's been a while since he's made a movie but I'm betting that when Avatar hits, it will BLOW OUR MINDS! Those of you who jumped off the Cameron Love Train will be jumping right back on and I'll be there, welcoming you back. Cause my heart will go on.

1. Steven Spielberg

Yeah, I know it's not a risky or edgy number one, but it's a honest one. I don't need to list his resume. I don't need to make any excuses. Spielberg is the best director out there. And I'm saying this even while saying that I didn't like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Across the board he hits all the right notes, tells a story, and entertains the masses. He's achieved such levels of success that his name alone is worth millions in box office returns. His influence on movies is unmatched. You might love him, you might hate him, but you will always watch him.

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