Who are your favorite auteurs?

[Richie Millennium]

It would be a shame to start this group and not start my favorite topic of discussion. So here's my list:

• Wes Anderson - the man can do no wrong in my estimation.
• Sofia Coppola
• Charlie Kaufman - a fine example of the writer auteur, even though he is getting into directing now.
• Wong Kar-Wai
• Tim Burton - probably my first favorite auteur, though I've been lukewarm about the films he has made in recent years.
• Wim Wenders
• Paul Thomas Anderson

[YnEoS]

To name a few

Werner Herzog
Akira Kurosawa
Sergio Leone
Wong Kar-Wai
Wisit Sasanatieng - has only released a few films so far, but they seem to have a very clear distinct style and I'm eagerly awaiting more films from him.
Russ Meyer
Johnny To

[NewfMom]

Welcome YnEoS.

Ah, I am not familiar with most of those names, I have to look them up.

[Richie Millennium]

Did you see the Ashes of Time Redux? I didn't care for Ashes of Time at all the first time I saw it, but the first time I saw the Redux I noticed so much complexity I had missed the first time around. It's still not at the top of my list of WKW movies, but I do have a new appreciation for it.

[YnEoS]

Ashes of Time is actually my favorite Wong Kar-wai film, even before the redux was released. The Redux is certainly a great improvement over lots of the crappier releases that have been out there, and seeing it restored and on the big screen definitely deepened my appreciation of it. Just curious, how did you originally see it (pre-redux)? Because lots of the releases do not do the film justice at all. The one Netflix had (from World Video) was Panned and Scanned and then had Black Bars added over that to make it widescreen again, and was basically unwatchable.

[Richie Millennium]

I had forgotten that Netflix had Ashes of Time available before the Redux - that must have been how I saw it - I can't imagine where else I would have found a copy to watch back then. I don't remember much about watching it back then, except for wondering how much longer I'd be able to endure it. World Video did me no favors. The second time I saw the redux, I was finally able to really enjoy it. It took quite an investment to finally get there, but such is my fandom of WKW.

[NewfMom]

Richie, I hope you don't mind me welcoming new comers. I know you're a busy guy. LOL

[Richie Millennium]

LOL - of course I don't mind, Sis, you're a natural at noticing and welcoming folks! I'm just the guy who had the idea of creating the group.

[Randal]

Alfred Hitchcock - The Master of Suspense! Big Hitchcock fan. Seems most people consider "Vertigo" or "The Birds" to be his greatest films(I could be mistaken but that SEEMS to be the impression) but for me "Pyscho" can't be beat. NOR CAN IT BE REMADE! Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche? Seriously?

David Lynch - Lynch opened me up to the fact that movies don't have to be these cookie-cutter stories presented in cookie-cutter fashion. Nor does every single element of a film(OR any element at times lol) have to be explained and wrapped up in a tidy bow. He has the ability to use his nearly trademarked "Lynchian" super surrealistic style to capture emotions that no other filmmaker can...it's just that many times those emotions are like a terrible fever dream.

Paul Thomas Anderson - I have not seen "Hard Eight" yet but I've been a fan of all his other work. "Boogie Nights", was enjoyable and well made. "Magnolia" is what really caught me up. It's a long one for sure but the way the film is constructed always struck me as near mastery. That constant rise and fall of momentum and energy while zipping between the many characters was AMAZING. "Punch-Drunk Love", this is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies... So I won't even get into that or else this reply will simply go ON and ON. "There Will Be Blood" was fantastic too. I'm impressed that there's a few guys out there who can still get a big studio(and budget) behind these slightly off-kilter films.

David Fincher - "Se7en" is also one of my all-time favorite movies. He may have broke into the scene with "Alien 3" but "Se7en" was his first real FILM. Next, "The Game" was a good movie if not a little forgettable. "Fight Club"...it's Fight Club, gotta love it. "Panic Room" was much more BLAH. I appreciate what I think Fincher was going for with this(kind of an old school suspense thriller, maybe?) but it really was a miss for me. "Zodiac" was enjoyable and well made too, doesn't hold the same appeal to me as some of his earlier films but still good. I have not seen his newest film...it looks interesting. He's one of those directors who's work varies quite a bit from project to project but always leaves us with an interesting and entertaining experience.

Tim Burton - I would have to agree with Richie here. One of the first directors I really got in to but ever since the "Planet of the Apes" remake nothing he has done has really struck me. I am excited for his version of "Alice in Wonderland" though, holding high hopes for that one.

Charlie Kaufman - I like Kaufman's work so far but am holding out a bit longer to rate him as an actual FAVORITE or not. He did write "Eternal Sunshine for a Spotless Mind", which is my number one FAVORITE movie right now. It was fantastically directed by Michel Gondry. "Being John Malkovich" was good too. A lot of people really seem to get jazzed about "Adaptation." and while I like it, it is my least favorite that he's written. He wrote himself into the script, as the central character no less. I have no problem with this but the BALLS on this guy, LOL. His talent is being able to convey the TRUEST of human emotions by way of these "Science Fiction"-like plot devices...very cool. Interested to see how he fairs as a writer/director.

The Coen Brothers - I need to wrap this reply up so... "Barton Fink" is my favorite Coen Brothers film. "Blood Simple", "Fargo", and "No Country for Old Men" rounding out the runners-up. Also, if you haven't seen "Burn After Reading" yet, forget whatever the reviews say and check it out.

[Richie Millennium]

Have you seen Synecdoche New York yet? I think Kaufman did a remarkable thing with that movie - I don't know if any other movie has captured my imagination the way that movie did. But I'm right there with you - I think Eternal Sunshine is number two on my all-time favorites list.

I too am looking forward to Alice in Wonderland - I still feel the need to see everything Burton makes.

[Randal]

I have not seen Synecdoche New York yet...it is good then? Sweet. I hadn't heard much about it and I usually don't search after what the critics have to say. I'm definitely going to check it out.