Top 10 Movies by Canadian Directors
They may not have been born around Hollywood, but they certainly made a name for themselves there. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Movies by Canadian Directors. For this list, we're looking at the best movies from directors who were either born in Canada or chose the Great White North as their adopted home at a young age.
Special thanks to our user mattwatchmojo for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Movies By Canadian Directors
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They may not have been born around Hollywood, but they certainly made a name for themselves there. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Movies by Canadian Directors. For this list, we’re looking at the best movies from directors who were either born in Canada or chose the Great White North as their adopted home at a young age. We’re ranking our list based on critical reception and box office totals.
#10: “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013) Jean-Marc Vallée
While most likely remembered as the climax of Matthew McConaughey’s career renaissance and the film that won him an Oscar, this drama is also a great showcase for the directorial skills of Jean-Marc Vallée. Eight years after earning rave reviews for his gay-themed drama “C.R.A.Z.Y.,” Vallée took on the true story of Ron Woodruff, an electrician in Dallas who refused to take his diagnosis of AIDS sitting down and tries to save his own life as well as the lives of others afflicted with the disease. The film was a hit at the Academy Awards, receiving six nominations, including Best Picture, and a nod to Vallée for Best Film Editing.
#9: “Juno” (2007) Jason Reitman
The son of beloved director Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman had no problem following in his father’s footsteps with this quirky and lovable indie comedy. Directing an Academy Award winning script from Diablo Cody and aided by an acclaimed performance from Ellen Page as the title character, Reitman handles the sensitive topic of Juno’s teen pregnancy effectively and maturely, while integrating plenty of laughs and memorable characters in the process. We also have to give him bonus points for casting two Canadian leads in the form of Page and Michael Cera.
#8: “The Sweet Hereafter” (1997) Atom Egoyan
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Often considered one of the greatest Canadian films ever made, this drama from acclaimed director Atom Egoyan is a haunting, riveting piece of cinema. The movie takes place in the aftermath of a bus crash in a small British Columbian town, where fourteen kids were killed, and sees a lawyer approach the grieving families seeking to sue those they see responsible. Egoyan received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for his incredible adaptation of the Russell Banks novel. The movie holds the distinction of receiving a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is still praised to this day.
#7: “Mommy” (2014) Xavier Dolan
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Since coming onto the scene in 2009, Dolan has racked up critical praise with his dramas, but it was only with this 2014 film about a single mother and her neighbor that he became appreciated as one of Canada’s greatest talents. Dolan has become known for taking risks in his work, and “Mommy” was no different. In it, actress Anne Dorval plays a widow who has to deal with both the bad hand she’s been played in life as well as her violent and troubled son. The film was a huge success in Canada, winning several awards and even being nominated for the Palme d’Or and winning the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
#6: “Sicario” (2015) Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve has become one of Canada’s most talented exports in the industry, and HE truly hit the big time in 2015 with this intense crime thriller. Bolstered by incredible performances from Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro and cinematography from Roger Deakins, the Mexican Drug War-set film not only looks great, but also provides an unbelievably tense ride for all of its two-hour runtime. In addition to raising your blood pressure, it also presents interesting questions about the war on drugs. The film made $80 million worldwide, proving that Villeneuve can helm a cast and crew to success across the board, and not just at home.
#5: “In the Heat of the Night” (1967) Norman Jewison
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Adapted from a 1965 novel and released at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Jewison was responsible for this racially charged mystery film. In it, Sidney Poitier plays the iconic role of Detective Virgil Tibbs, who faces racism and prejudice when assigned to a murder case in Mississippi. It became iconic for Poitier’s portrayal of Tibbs, an African-American hero in a predominately white world. The film also won five Oscars, including Best Picture, with Jewison receiving a nod for Best Director, a nomination he received again two decades later for the acclaimed romantic film “Moonstruck.”
#4: “First Blood” (1982) Ted Kotcheff
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While the series is more associated with writer and star Sylvester Stallone, director Ted Kotcheff was responsible for getting the series off the ground. The first installment in the “Rambo” series is about Stallone’s Vietnam veteran coming back to America and facing animosity because of his service in the unpopular war. Despite the tense action that makes up much of the movie, “First Blood” is actually a very subtle, emotionally driven character film, regarded as one of the best works of both Stallone’s and Kotcheff’s careers, and today it stands as a cult classic.
#3: “The Fly” (1986) David Cronenberg
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Those squeamish in the audience might want to look away. Cronenberg made a name for himself in 1983 with his gore drenched sci-fi film “Videodrome,” and then turned his affinity for body horror up to 11 with this remake of the classic ‘50s horror film. Not only does it feature great performances from stars Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, it’s also a testament to the wonder and horror of practical effects. After an experiment goes wrong, Goldblum’s Seth Brundle undergoes a terrifying transformation into a human sized fly, complete with ooze and loss of body parts. It remains Cronenberg’s only film to win an Oscar, appropriately for Best Makeup.
#2: “Ghostbusters” (1984) Ivan Reitman
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If there’s something strange in the neighborhood, who ya gonna call to put it on-screen? The director/producer of some of the best comedies of the ‘70s and ‘80s is a good place to start. Thanks to Reitman’s deft hand at action and comedy, this supernatural romp, which starred fellow Canadians Dan Aykroyd and Rick Moranis, made sure we’d never look at refrigerators or marshmallows the same way again. After immigrating to Canada from Czechoslovakia at age 4, Reitman eventually began his professional career in his adopted homeland, where he honed his skill at directing broad and somewhat immature – albeit highly successful – comedies. “Ghostbusters” itself became a monster hit and to this day is one of the most quotable movies ever. Busting must make him feel good. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a couple honorable mentions: - “My Winnipeg” (2007) Guy Maddin - “The Barbarian Invasions” [aka “Les Invasions barbares”] (2003) Denys Arcand - “Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner” (2001) Zacharias Kunuk - “The Hurricane” (1999) Norman Jewison
#1: “Titanic” (1997) James Cameron
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We could’ve filled this list with projects by the legendary action-sci-fi director, like “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” or the box office behemoth “Avatar.” But Cameron will be most fondly remembered for this historical epic, which at the time was the most expensive film ever. Having nurtured his interest in both the arts and technology while growing up in Ontario, the director combined the two to push the boundaries of practical special effects and CGI, and give us a love story for the ages in Jack and Rose, two star-crossed lovers who met for the first and last time on the ill-fated ship. Cameron rode the film’s success to multiple Oscar wins and box office triumph as the first movie to gross over a billion dollars worldwide. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite movie from a Canadian director? For more entertaining top tens posted every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
