Top 10 Underrated Movie Directors
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: these filmmaking visionaries deserve more of it. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 most underrated movie directors. For this list, we're focusing on established filmmakers who don't get enough credit for their work on the big screen. Which means we're excluding stage and television directors.
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Top 10 Underrated Movie Directors
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T: these filmmaking visionaries deserve more of it. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 most underrated movie directors. For this list, we’re focusing on established filmmakers who don’t get enough credit for their work on the big screen. Which means we’re excluding stage and television directors.
#10: Lynne Ramsay
This Scottish filmmaker may not be at the top of your Netflix queue, but she’s well respected amongst her industry peers. Lynne Ramsay’s short film “Small Deaths” stunned audiences at Cannes in 1996, and her feature-length debut “Ratcatcher” became an instant classic just three years later. With a poignant sensory style and complete devotion to her vision, Ramsay’s small but powerful filmography packs an emotional punch, and Hollywood’s elite actors are lining up for a chance to work with this directorial wonder.
#9: Andrew Dominik
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With a style steeped in criminality and existential dialogue, this New Zealand-born Australian director delivered a cult hit with his 2000 debut “Chopper.” Not only did the film introduce Eric Bana to the world, but also announced the arrival of a most promising new talent behind the camera. Brad Pitt joined forces with Andrew Dominik for the 2007 western “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” and once again for the 2012 sleeper “Killing Them Softly.” The cinema world may have an abundance of cookie-cutter crime thrillers, but the world also has Andrew Dominik.
#8: David Gordon Green
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Southern crisis and social unrest unraveled in the early films of this Arkansas-born filmmaker, but his versatility allowed him to open the comedic gates of Hollywood. The late Roger Ebert praised David Gordon Green’s feature debut, “George Washington,” while his 2003 follow up “All The Real Girls” cemented his place as a legit filmmaker. Green crossed over to comedy with the 2008 hit “Pineapple Express,” and directed the uproarious HBO series “Eastbound & Down.” The possibilities are endless, and David Gordon Green has a ticket to ride.
#7: Kelly Reichardt
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The year 1994 ushered in a new cinematic talent who earned international accolades for her debut “River of Grass.” However, it would be another 12 years until Kelly Reichardt made another feature - but what a powerful one it was. “Old Joy” examined themes of friendship and paternal anxiety, while her next two road trip films starred the ultra-talented Michelle Williams in “Wendy and Lucy” and “Meek’s Cutoff.” Reichardt’s subtle exploration of the human element and political undertones make her one of the more polished filmmakers of modern cinema.
#6: Martin McDonagh
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As one of the United Kingdom’s preeminent playwrights, this British-Irishman crossed over to film and won an Academy Award in 2006 for his live action short entitled “Six Shooter.” Just two years later, his feature-length debut “In Bruges” won over critics with dazzling performances by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as bickering hitmen, and a screenplay that was honored by the Academy with a nomination. McDonagh’s films are accessible to all, but also appeal to die-hard cinephiles in both style and substance.
#5: Walter Hill
Whether it’s sci-fi or comedy, his films have become cult classics. Walter Hill wrote ‘70s tough-guy flicks like “The Getaway” and “The Drowning Pool,” but took to the directorial chair for the 1979 sensation “The Warriors.” Hill’s stripped-down western themes bring a unique versatility to his work, and his crystal clear writing style drives home the dialogue. Eddie Murphy made his acting debut in Hill’s 1982 film “48 Hrs.,” which enhanced the reputation of both star and director. Walter Hill began his career as an assistant director in the late ‘60s and has been a fan favorite ever since.
#4: Edgar Wright
His films guarantee big laughs and even bigger visuals. English filmmaker Edgar Wright arrived on the scene in 2004 with the hysterical zombie flick “Shaun of the Dead.” The box office smash was the first production of “The Cornetto Trilogy,” which also featured Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the follow-ups “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End.” Wright created a visual wonderland for the 2010 film “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” and even wrote “The Adventures of Tintin” for Steven Spielberg. Truly an innovative mind, Edgar Wright offers a memorable time at the movies.
#3: Thomas McCarthy
The 2003 Sundance Film Festival established this accomplished actor as a potent force behind the camera. Thomas McCarthy’s feature debut “The Station Agent” earned numerous accolades, including the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award. McCarthy’s follow-up was an even greater success, as “The Visitor” chronicled a middle-aged New Yorker’s identity crisis after 9/11. His films investigate the mindsets of emotionally damaged individuals who discover the proverbial light through the unlikeliest of characters. McCarthy doesn’t make films often, but when he does, he’s the most interesting man alive.
#2: Rian Johnson
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An eruption of cinematic glory; that’s what happens whenever Rian Johnson releases his latest directorial feature. His 2005 neo-noir debut entitled “Brick” earned an instant following and established the USC graduate as one the most promising new American filmmakers. Johnson’s 2008 tale of magical realism, “The Brothers Bloom,” further enhanced his reputation and the 2012 sci-fi smash “Looper” proved that audiences love them some Rian Johnson. Undeniably original and absolutely awesome, this brilliant filmmaker is only getting started. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - David Ayer - Ben Stiller - Ramin Bahrani - Duncan Jones
#1: Rob Reiner
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This Bronx-born filmmaker was already a well-known TV star when he directed the 1984 mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap.” Rob Reiner’s debut was an immediate success, and a subsequent tear through the ‘80s produced several classics like “Stand By Me”, “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally.” His unique ability to touch on genuine moments of daily life allows viewers to reflect, laugh and embrace their inner spirit, while Reiner’s more dramatic films like “A Few Good Men” and “Ghosts of Mississippi” offer a poetic dialogue about American culture. All in all, Rob Reiner has a long history of providing the goods and will never be praised enough for his contributions to cinema. Do you agree with our list? Who is your favorite most underrated movie director? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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