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It's the Director, stupid.Oct 07 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Look first for innovative direction, then strong acting, great cinematography and script. There are way too many movies to list just 10, but if I had to, I would have to choose movies based on how IMPORTANT they were to film history. It's easy for great acting to get lost in a poorly directed film. At the same time, without acting, script, and cinematography, even the best director will be lost. While I think that direction is the most important element, there are some movies that had it all. Here's 10 movies that changed film making for ever: 1) Citizen Kane. No doubt here. Way ahead of it's time, both in Direction and Cinematography. Orson Welles wrote, starred, and directed it in his early 20's. Absolutely incredible. The camera angles are still being taught at UCLA. 2) Pulp Fiction. The closest any movie has ever come to beating Citizen Kane. Tarantino wrote, directed, and starred in it (again in his 20's). The script is genius, the acting flawless and the direction should be taught at film school. 3) Saving Private Ryan. The first 45 minutes will have you glued to your seat, sweating. The closest any movie has come to the real war experience. Terrific acting, subtle direction, and incredible cinematography. 4) Lawrence of Arabia. Should only be seen on the big screen. You will remember some of the shots in this one for the rest of your life. 5) The Best Years of our Lives. This is my sleeper pick. Wilder directed a beautiful film about coming home after WWII. He actually used a disabled vet for one of the leading roles, a non-actor, who won an Academy Award for his performance. 6) The Matrix. It's not one of the most brilliant scripts, but the special effects have changed movies for ever. Great acting by Keanau and Lawrence. 7) The Godfather II. The only sequel to win an Academy Award. The direction is brilliant, the acting superb, and the script innovative. Did I mention the score? 8) The Godfather. Took the world by storm when it came out, still memorable. Coppola's direction broke new ground, the actors all put in flawless work, and the script was mind-boggling. "Leave the gun, take the cannolis." 9) Schindler's List. Once again, Speilberg takes film making and flips it on it's rear end. Huge direction here, with memorable acting from the leads. Best shot: red dress on the little girl, red dress in the cart of bodies. 10) Vertigo. Hitchcock at his best (yes, even better than Psycho). Beautifully restored, great score, great acting, great direction, great cinematography, great script. Jimmy Stewart just got better with age.  |
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by George_Chabot by Stephen_Murray by jeff_wilder78
