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Not every movie should be watched. I watch the ones that most people avoid. I'll tell you what's good, what's great, what's horrible.

How vital is a Director to a film's Quality?

June 3rd 2008 01:11
OK, I realise that the heading is pretty loaded, so let me explain. Certain directors have a very distinct style that makes them unique, Tarantino's work, for example, is full of stylized violence. Also I'm talking here specifically about respected and quality directors, I don't doubt the Uwe Boll could turn any classic script into a steaming pile of crap.

But much of the time content seems to be one of the major differences between directors. Scorsese for example has a hard on for Gangster/Underworld movies, both Italian and Irish-American (and who can blame him), see Taxi Driver, The Departed, The Goodfellas, Gangs of New York etc. Peter Jackson (at least his Hollywood work, I don't know his old stuff) is all about epic scenes, as demonstrated by the Lord of the Rings', King Kong and his interest in doing Halo and Temeraire). The Wachowski brothers do crazy computer special effects laden pop-culture epitaths.


But how much better or worse would say the Godfathers have been if Scorsese directed them? Or if Jackson had directed Star Wars? What if James Cameron did Jaws or Speilberg did Aliens?

Again I realise certain directors with very distinct stylistic preferences could significantly alter a movie, but for a quality director with a quality script how much would really change?
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11 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Cibbuano

June 3rd 2008 02:39
well, if you believe in the auteur theory, it's all about the director.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of filmmaking by directors that submerge themselves into their work.

Big budget Hollywood movies are not as free, unfortunately, as the producers and marketers often have a lot of control over the final product... as witnessed by the god-awful, blasphemous remake of "I Am Legend".

Comment by S.L. Bradish

June 3rd 2008 03:26
As you pointed out, Geoff, some directors are drawn to certain types of scripts. Putting together the right combination can result in a great movie. Some directors are just not able to translate the pages to the screen with style and flair, and some are. Speculation and "what if's" about directors are much like those about actors. Interesting, but can drive you crazy if you let it! lol

Comment by David O'Connell

June 3rd 2008 05:08
I'm sure all those directors would have left slightly different but just as distinctive individual marks on all those films. Any fillmmaker whose given enough creative control over a period of time to leave an imprint on their work is worth watching, but of course it's becoming less likely all the time within the mainstream American system.

There are promising young directors getting bought by Hollywood all the time, now making films that anyone could make in exactly the same way - they don't have any control over the final product anyway, and if they think they do, then it's only an illusion of control.

Look at Bryan Singer's early work as one example - Public Access, The Usual Suspects and even Apt Pupil - as compared to his made-by-committee movies XMen, X2 and Superman Returns. Personally I think his talents are being wasted and he's not the only one.

Comment by Morgan Bell

June 3rd 2008 13:22
id like to see a Woody Allen remake of Titanic!

actually in all seriousness you only have to look at film sequels to see the impact a director makes . . .

Ridley Scott made Alien a sci-fi suspense drama while James Cameron made Aliens into a high octane action flick

David Fincher (The Game, Seven, Fight Club) did Alien 3 and it is dark and grusome

Alien 4 was practically a comedy

Comment by Cibbuano

June 3rd 2008 21:26
morgan, I'd like to see a Woody Allen directed Alien sequel! "Alien 5: Everything you wanted to know about killer parasitic aliens, but were afraid to ask"

Comment by Geoff Egan

June 3rd 2008 23:35
Woody Allen? Aliens? I'd probably shoot myself.

Morgan, despite how excellent Seven and Fight Club are, Alien 3 sucked epically. Epically.

Comment by Morgan Bell

June 4th 2008 04:57
haha woody allen could explore the inner neurosis of the alien over dinner at a new york restaurant . . . the alien could explain her sexual disfunctions and relationship with her parents

i agree, alien 3 wasnt much chop compared to the original

Comment by Cibbuano

June 4th 2008 22:56
In fact, let's just ignore everything after "Aliens".


Comment by Anonymous

October 5th 2008 22:49
The director is the most important person as everything is in their hands. They are responsible ibn nmaking sure that everythibng runs snmoothly and that the cast crew understands their vision. If it doesn't turn out the way they intended then their is only one person you can blame. The only case where this wouldn't be true would be for example - budget restrictions, interferrence from studios etc. If any of these caused problems the producer would grant the director to be credited as Alan Smithee A.K.A the Alias Man and be dissacotiated with it.

Comment by Anonymous

October 5th 2008 22:49
The director is the most important person as everything is in their hands. They are responsible ibn nmaking sure that everythibng runs snmoothly and that the cast crew understands their vision. If it doesn't turn out the way they intended then their is only one person you can blame. The only case where this wouldn't be true would be for example - budget restrictions, interferrence from studios etc. If any of these caused problems the producer would grant the director to be credited as Alan Smithee A.K.A the Alias Man and be dissacotiated with it.

Comment by Anonymous

October 5th 2008 22:49
The director is the most important person as everything is in their hands. They are responsible ibn nmaking sure that everythibng runs snmoothly and that the cast crew understands their vision. If it doesn't turn out the way they intended then their is only one person you can blame. The only case where this wouldn't be true would be for example - budget restrictions, interferrence from studios etc. If any of these caused problems the producer would grant the director to be credited as Alan Smithee A.K.A the Alias Man and be dissacotiated with it.

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