DIRECTORS - THE NEXT GENERATION

Legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock

Everyone has a favourite actor whether it's Robert Downey, Jr, Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe, blah blah blah, the list is endless! And everyone has a favourite film or films if you can't pick one. But most of the time we don't even look into who produced, screen-wrote or even directed those films! However now and again, we acknowledge the screenwriter or the producer. But one role within a film stands out for everyone to either grab the attention of the viewer and that role is, the director.

From 1970 onward, names like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, James Cameron, Ridley Scott, Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick would have great appeal. Even before the plot of the film was released, people would have already decided whether they wanted to see it. The reason is because anything with these names attached would be seen to be a success and the public weren't wrong! This generation of directors released magnificent and splendorous classics such as the Star Wars (Lucas) and Terminator (Cameron) franchises, but to name a few. These directors have even created films that have inspired the next chapter in film making. They could even be described as pioneers of modern blockbuster films.

Martin Scorsese (left) Steven Spielberg (middle) and George Lucas (right)

Unfortunately though, nothing lasts forever. In 1999, Stanley Kubrick, a true visionary and director of greats such as 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971) and The Shining (1980) died. Kubrick's films broke new ground in cinematography and was even said to be of mass importance and great influence for Spielberg. The reason why Kubrick is in the category of greatest directors is simply because he has left his mark on film-making and has influenced others and will continue to do so even after his death.

However, in the early 90's a new set of directors or the 'next generation' had come to fruition. Enter Quentin Tarantino with his fresh new, yet controversial approach to film making. His films Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994) and Jackie Brown (1997) are filled with conversations of trivial things that relate to the audience, which hooks them into the story, a ploy arguably invented by Tarantino. Other noticeable 90's directors include David Fincher (Se7en & Fight Club) and Peter Jackson (The Frighteners, 1996) who would later director The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fincher's Fight Club (1999) is probably one of the most important ideological films and the 1990's. Obviously there are many other 1990's directors that are amazing at their craft, but these particular three influenced myself greatly and it would be hard to disagree on them being in anyone's top 10. 

Fast forward to the 21st Century and we have a clean slab for any director to make their mark on film making. So far the most notable success has come from Christopher Nolan who has had great success with The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005, 2008, 2012), The Prestige (2006) and Inception (2010), but to name a few. But other directors are starting to make their mark on the film making business in their own particular way. In my opinion, I believe the greatest influence that has captured the essence of the 21st century is James Gunn (pictured left). His big screen directorial debut came with Slither (2006), which didn't do too badly at the box office, but is arguably an underrated horror with well placed humour. Recently he directed Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), which possessed a blend of  ironic current pop-culture (something I hope he keeps putting in his films) and was a great sci-fi box office hit.

Another name that is increasingly spoken about is Zack Snyder (pictured below). Snyder may fill his films with CGI, but you can't doubt his ability to entertain. He's already directed great films such as the Dawn of the Dead (2004) remake, 300 (2006), the massively underrated and unique film on superhero culture Watchmen (2009), Sucker Punch (2011), Man of Steel (2013) and is set to release the eagerly anticipated Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).

From time to time we are given a film by Steven Spielberg and we automatically assume it's going to be another one of his hits, but we have to face the ever-impending truth, these directors will have to hang up their 'action boards' and call it a day sooner or later. I hope directors like Martin Scorsese keep surprising me with fantastically funny and greatly written films such as his recent hit The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), I really do! But what's certain is the proverbial-film-directing-torch will have to be passed on eventually. Not to worry though, with directors like Zack Snyder, James Gunn and the odd box office hit from Tarantino, I'm sure we'll be fine! 

We are truly in a new era of film making and this era does have it's critics, but like Bob Dylan said, "Times, they are a changing".