Director Dirty Dozen

So far I have released my movie, actor and actress dirty dozen. Let me tell you those were not easy to narrow down to 12. I might have to do sequels to those posts and call it extended dirty dozen. There are soooooooo many more movies and actors/actresses I wanted to list but for your reading ease I narrowed it down.

I want to thank Alex J. Cavanaugh for thinking up the original dirty dozen idea. Without him I might not even thought up these posts. I love movies and talk about them any chance I get. Today I present you with my dirty dozen of directors. I realize that some of you don't follow or know of directors like you do actors. I, on the other hand have a good amount of favorite directors. I usually search IMDb to see what movies they are coming out with next. To help you understand my picks I am including major films you may have seen that have been directed by these folks as well as my favorites.

Without further adieu (I really don't know what that means) here is my director dirty dozen, in no particular order.

Martin Scorsese - If you enjoy movies at all you have to know this name. He has a plethora of greats but you probably have seen: Shutter Island, The Departed, The Aviator, Cape Fear, Casino and my all time favorite (which wasn't easy to pick) Goodfellas.

Christopher Nolan - He has to be my current favorite director. His films are so original and filled with awesomeness. I haven't seen anything that I didn't like by him. I can't wait for the next Batman installment. His films include: Memento, Insomnia, Inception, The Prestige, Batman Begins and my favorite The Dark Knight.

Joel & Ethan Coen - Joel has directed more than Ethan but they are both involved in all the films. These brothers always amaze me with what they create. You may have seen: Fargo, The Lady Killers, O Brother, Where Art Thou? Raising Arizona, No Country for Old Men and my personal favorite The Big Lebowski ( that pick is for you Pat).

Steven Spielberg - You would have to be living in a cave not to know something directed by him. He has also produced like half the movies in Hollywood. His list goes on forever: E.T., Saving Private Ryan, Indiana Jones series, Schindler's List, The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can. It is really hard to pick a fave out of his films but I will go with a classic, Jaws.

David Fincher - This name might not be as recognizable as Spielberg but he has directed some superb flicks, not many but that doesn't affect my vote. Zodiac, Panic Room, Seven, Curious Case of Benjamin Button and his best work Fight Club.

Clint Eastwood - I don't know how this guy still does at 80 but he gets better with age. He was also on my dirty dozen of actors. Must sees: Mystic River, Changeling, Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven, and my fave Gran Torino. I need to get around to seeing Invictus & The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Paul Thomas Anderson - Another name you might not know but I'm sure you have seen something he did. His films are a little off kilter but that's what makes them great. You should see Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, Boogie Nights & There Will Be Blood. I would say my favorite is a tie between Magnolia and Boogie Nights.

Kevin Smith - One of the greats of my generation. Either you have seen all his movies or none of them (maybe I'm wrong but that's how I feel). I like his earlier work better. His creds: Dogma, Chasing Amy, Clerks, Clerks II, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Cop Out. I think I like Clerks the best because it was so simple and in B&W.

Cameron Crowe - Only has a few films under his belt but they are some of my favorites. Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky & Singles. Another tough fave to pick. I'm gonna have to go with Jerry Maguire but it's almost a 3 way tie with Almost Famous and Vanilla Sky.

Guy Ritchie - I think he might be underrated as a director because he is Madonna's ex. His films are so freakin' good. You have to watch Snatch; Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, RocknRolla, and his best (I think) Sherlock Holmes. Psst, he is making a sequel..... woohoo!!

Tim Burton - That kooky man must be on here. I love that his movies are so weird and out there. His flicks: Batman, Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, Ed Wood, Beetlejuice and my fave Big Fish

Quentin Tarantino - Quite the film genius if I say so. If it wasn't for Nolan he would be my current favorite. Either you like him or you don't. His movies are usually pretty intense. His creds: Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Jackie Brown, Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds, Four Rooms, Sin City (special guest director) and still my favorite Pulp Fiction. He recently announced Kill Bill Vol. 3.

Robert Rodriguez - If you are keeping track you would know that he is #13 but I had to add him since I have Tarantino, they are kind of one and the same like conjoined twins, I have to have them both. He's done: Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, The Faculty, From Dusk til Dawn, Grindhouse, Sin City, Planet Terror. I enjoyed Sin City the most. I can't wait for his new film Machete with Danny Trejo as the lead.

Damn that took a long time. I already had the list made up but naming all those films took the most time. I would like to make a few honorable mentions that didn't make the list; Wes Anderson, Sam Mendes and Terry Gilliam. All great directors but there was only room for 12 (13 really). Who would make your list?