Overrated directors

[TheZoof]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

Ok let me get this straight, you think Nolan has made better films than FFC? Wow just wow. Godfather I & II, Apocalypse Now (not overrated) in fact the greatest war film of all time. The Conversation is a "Masterpiece" that gets overlooked because it came out inbetween Godfather 1 and 2. Nothing and I mean nothing Nolan has done comes close to the films I mentioned.

No... I never said Nolan's films were better... I was arguing that if drop those 4 films from FFC that other directors are better than his remaining films.

I am a big fan of Godfather 1&2, and Dracula.


Apocalypse now! is not the best war movie ever made, that is for sure. I admit that there are some scenes of true amazement... and one of the best opening shots ever... however I would certainly put Full Metal Jacket, Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, and a few others over it. I would actually say Black Hawk Down was a better movie too, from at least an entertainment standpoint.

I also want to point out that I didn't mention Hitchcock or Kubrick in my post, because they aren't overrated. I doubt anyone could argue that. They are the best of the best.

I only compared FFC to Nolan, Spielberg, and Cameron to argue that after those 4 films, FFC doesn't have much to offer.

The person who mentioned 'The Conversation', I actually haven't seen it. I will put it on a list to watch.
-----------------

Cameron discussion.

I still feel Cameron is the best director of all time. Now I will give you all credit in arguing that Avatar wasn't the best original story, however from a film lover point of view, he really pushed the boundaries of what I would call a movie experience. I left the theater with goosebumps at the Imax screen and credit must be given to him for making that experience possible.

His earlier work, like FFC, was his best. T1, Aliens... however I would certainly argue that if you look at his complete body of work, that it is tough to beat. Perhaps only Kubrick has a better overall filmography.

T1, Aliens, Abyss, T2, True Lies, and Titanic.

Seriously... I could watch any of these movies... at anytime. That says something about how great a film maker he is.

[blurayisnice]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

All this thread is going to do is start arguments and flaming.

...but what the hell. Here's mine. Don't agree? Deal with it

Stanley Kubrick
Darren Aronofsky
Wes Anderson
Martin Scorsese
Francis Ford Coppola
Paul Thomas Anderson
Sofia Coppola
Woody Allen
Brian DePalma
Terence Malick
Gus Van Zant
Ang Lee
Clint Eastwood
Roman Polanski
John Carpenter
Quentin Tarantino

I agree that they are hit-and-miss, but I would say their only good ones are Lebowski, Raising Arizona, and Hudsucker Proxy. Then there's a few mediocre ones, and a lot of horrible ones.

Clint Eastwood overrated? TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOOOOL

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Clint Eastwood overrated? TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOOOOL

I thought your reaction would have been more like this

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by TheZoof

The person who mentioned 'The Conversation', I actually haven't seen it. I will put it on a list to watch.

You won't regret it. It's awesome. He's also done a few collaborations with his nephew Nicolas Cage - The Cotton Club, Peggy Sue Got Married, Rumble Fish, and about 6 seconds in The Outsiders. If you're a Cage diehard like me, then youshould check those out.

Originally Posted by TheZoof

T1, Aliens, Abyss, T2, True Lies, and Titanic.

Seriously... I could watch any of these movies... at anytime. That says something about how great a film maker he is.

Well, it says something about how great a filmmaker he is in your opinion, that's for sure.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by Kevin Holly

You won't regret it. It's awesome. He's also done a few collaborations with his nephew Nicolas Cage - The Cotton Club, Peggy Sue Got Married, Rumble Fish, and about 6 seconds in The Outsiders. If you're a Cage diehard like me, then youshould check those out.

I've seen The Cotton Club, Peggy Sue Got Married and Rumble Fish (all enjoyable movies) but didn't know he was in The Outsiders, even for 6 seconds! IMDb said nothing!

(I watched the entirety of a so-so film called Never On Tuesday simply for his 1 minute cameo in a ridiculous accent and nose prosthetic.)

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by metaridley

I've seen The Cotton Club, Peggy Sue Got Married and Rumble Fish (all enjoyable movies) but didn't know he was in The Outsiders, even for 6 seconds! IMDb said nothing!

(I watched the entirety of a so-so film called Never On Tuesday simply for his 1 minute cameo in a ridiculous accent and nose prosthetic.)

He's in it during the rumble scene when it pans by all the characters faces. If you blink you'll miss it, but it's there.

The cameo from Cage I have never been able to find is in Brubaker (1980) - his first film of all. Apparently he was an uncredited extra. I've seen the film, but I've never found Cage hiding in it.

[TheZoof]

Originally Posted by Kevin Holly

You won't regret it. It's awesome. He's also done a few collaborations with his nephew Nicolas Cage - The Cotton Club, Peggy Sue Got Married, Rumble Fish, and about 6 seconds in The Outsiders. If you're a Cage diehard like me, then youshould check those out.



Well, it says something about how great a filmmaker he is in your opinion, that's for sure.

I have seen those movies. Peggy Sue Got Marries was ok... Outsiders was watched in school(grade 7?)... they aren't that impressive to me.


You are right about my opinion. The thing is, in my personal life, I don't know anyone who doesn't feel those movies aren't watchable or entertaining. Do they hold up against the Godfather 1&2? Unlikely... although I would argue that T1 and Aliens could be considered in a similar league to those movies. I also bet that if you asked people on the street(not on a movie website), which they prefer... and Cameron would win out... almost every time.

[blonde_devil]

for me, Peter Jackson is a bit overrated. he has been making movies for years but only when CGI started to take over did his career really take off. I think without CGI, he would have no career.

I will go back to my idea that pretty much every director is overrated in some form or fashion. People out there think Woody Allen is the greatest director that ever lived yet I really don't see anything special in his movies. People don't seem to like Nolan but I found that I really like his movies and that he does some interesting things. all depends on what you like and don't like.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by TheZoof

No... I never said Nolan's films were better... I was arguing that if drop those 4 films from FFC that other directors are better than his remaining films.

I am a big fan of Godfather 1&2, and Dracula.


Apocalypse now! is not the best war movie ever made, that is for sure. I admit that there are some scenes of true amazement... and one of the best opening shots ever... however I would certainly put Full Metal Jacket, Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, and a few others over it. I would actually say Black Hawk Down was a better movie too, from at least an entertainment standpoint.

I also want to point out that I didn't mention Hitchcock or Kubrick in my post, because they aren't overrated. I doubt anyone could argue that. They are the best of the best.

I only compared FFC to Nolan, Spielberg, and Cameron to argue that after those 4 films, FFC doesn't have much to offer.

The person who mentioned 'The Conversation', I actually haven't seen it. I will put it on a list to watch.
-----------------

Cameron discussion.

I still feel Cameron is the best director of all time. Now I will give you all credit in arguing that Avatar wasn't the best original story, however from a film lover point of view, he really pushed the boundaries of what I would call a movie experience. I left the theater with goosebumps at the Imax screen and credit must be given to him for making that experience possible.

His earlier work, like FFC, was his best. T1, Aliens... however I would certainly argue that if you look at his complete body of work, that it is tough to beat. Perhaps only Kubrick has a better overall filmography.

T1, Aliens, Abyss, T2, True Lies, and Titanic.

Seriously... I could watch any of these movies... at anytime. That says something about how great a film maker he is.

Apocalypse Now > any war film youve mentioned above.

[TheZoof]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

Apocalypse Now > any war film youve mentioned above.

We can agree to disagree. There is some serious pacing issues in that movie. I also think that it isn't a movie that can be watched over and over.

I do own it on Blu... it isn't terrible... but compared to Full Metal Jacket... fail. Compared to Platoon... fail.

I would even say Paths of Glory (2nd Kubrick flick) is better than it too.

Das Boot is also better imho.

All this being said, I could watch 'The Doors opening shot all day'.

[TheZoof]

One other thing I wanted to add.

The reason I would say FFC is overrated is because he took some amazingly written movies, with some spectacular support(music, acting etc) to make top movies of all time(Godfather)... however a great director takes what he is given, and makes it more than it should be.

IMO Cameron is the best at this. He takes what he has and makes a fantastic movie. Even when the story or acting is questionable(no offence to Arnold or Linda or Michael but T1 acting is... suspect...) he pulls off an amazing experience for the audience, with very few mistakes.

[zgritz]

David Lynch... I know I'll get a lot of hell for this but people make excuses for why they think his films are good. He has even said in old interviews that he thinks people who like his films are idiots.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Clint Eastwood overrated? TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOOOOL

as a director, hell yes. His films are boring overrated snorefests.

[threefiftyrocket]

Originally Posted by zgritz

David Lynch... I know I'll get a lot of hell for this but people make excuses for why they think his films are good. He has even said in old interviews that he thinks people who like his films are idiots.

+1, I don't get them either... after watching Mulholland Drive and Lost Highway, I had this nagging feeling like slapping my forhead and yelling "WTF JUST HAPPENED?!?!"

Kinda like if I had just out of nowhere watched Season 4 episode 7 of Lost. Kinda get the same feeling.

I don't even wanna try to watch something like Eraserhead... prob end up smashing my face into a mirror...

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by threefiftyrocket

+1, I don't get them either... after watching Mulholland Drive and Lost Highway, I had this nagging feeling like slapping my forhead and yelling "WTF JUST HAPPENED?!?!"

Kinda like if I had just out of nowhere watched Season 4 episode 7 of Lost. Kinda get the same feeling.

I don't even wanna try to watch something like Eraserhead... prob end up smashing my face into a mirror...

Nooooo!!!! they're not that difficult, yes theyll take two viewings to "get" but its totally worth it. Mulholland Drive gets better every time.

[Romulus]

The most popular director in Hollywood has been, and always will be, viewed as the most overrated. The bigger you are, the more detractors you have.

[threefiftyrocket]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Nooooo!!!! they're not that difficult, yes theyll take two viewings to "get" but its totally worth it. Mulholland Drive gets better every time.

I dunno... Watchmen took me a few viewings to actually like, Anchorman took me a few viewings to actually like, Dumb and Dumber took me a few viewings. But those were all movies that actually had interesting parts to them. Anything I have tried to watch Lynch has been so mind numbingly dull to me... I don't think I could sit through them again.

If you like them, and get them... more power to you buddy! I'm not gonna say bad things bout u cuz you dig em... I just can't...

[Doomnaut]

Originally Posted by zgritz

David Lynch... I know I'll get a lot of hell for this but people make excuses for why they think his films are good. He has even said in old interviews that he thinks people who like his films are idiots.

Why do you think people are "making excuses for why they think his films are good"? Have you ever thought that people may genuinely like his films. Yes, his films are abstract and somewhat disturbing but at the same time they're heartfelt and interesting. There are fans of him, like myself who enjoy his movies very much and don't need to make "excuses" to justify their liken to him.

Also do you have a link to that interview?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by threefiftyrocket

I dunno... Watchmen took me a few viewings to actually like, Anchorman took me a few viewings to actually like, Dumb and Dumber took me a few viewings. But those were all movies that actually had interesting parts to them. Anything I have tried to watch Lynch has been so mind numbingly dull to me... I don't think I could sit through them again.

If you like them, and get them... more power to you buddy! I'm not gonna say bad things bout u cuz you dig em... I just can't...

The two you mentioned are two parts of his "identity trilogy." But let me tell you, hes made some pretty straightforward and accessible films.

*Elephant Man and Straight Story are his most "normal" "non screwy" films. You would never have guessed he directed them in fact, many Lynch fans often neglect these two.

*Wild At Heart and Blue Velvet are pretty straightforward with a few flights of fancy and mystery.

*Eraser head and Inland Empire are just as twisted as the ones you mentioned. Whereas Dune and Twin Peaks FWWM are his very weakest.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by zgritz

David Lynch... I know I'll get a lot of hell for this but people make excuses for why they think his films are good. He has even said in old interviews that he thinks people who like his films are idiots.

Link that interview please.