tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post7096401822485364965..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: 15 Directors Whose First Films Were Their BestAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-6635112200184383562019-03-31T12:05:22.715-04:002019-03-31T12:05:22.715-04:00I agree it's a very moving film. Great choice....I agree it's a very moving film. Great choice. It's about time I see that one again actually.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-7053538183435353502019-03-09T10:34:23.658-05:002019-03-09T10:34:23.658-05:00As much as I adore Citizen Kane and Touch Of Evil,...As much as I adore Citizen Kane and Touch Of Evil, Magnificent Ambersons has always moved me the most deeply. Even half-butchered, it contains more poetry and magic than most other directors can create in an entire career. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06942155112788163294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-89497622282162042842015-07-22T15:31:40.311-04:002015-07-22T15:31:40.311-04:00Yeah, the Huston one is a tough call. Could go eit...Yeah, the Huston one is a tough call. Could go either way there.<br /><br />Lumet is SUCH a hard choice. 12 Angry Men, Dog Day, Network... what a body of work.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-25531492506699238142015-07-20T08:15:40.417-04:002015-07-20T08:15:40.417-04:00I re-watched the Falcon yesterday, and Sierra Madr...I re-watched the Falcon yesterday, and Sierra Madre right now. I gotta say I disagree with you there. I just see so much more in the latter picture. Falcon is still damn good though.<br /><br />Saw Kane at the big BFI screening recently, and that was great too. Always preferred The Third Man (although I know that was Reed's game)<br /><br />Sadly hard to with Lumet though. As incredible as Dog Day is, its hard to compete with one of the very best films ever written. 12 Angry Men will always remain his (or at least one of his) masterpiece.Mark Woollonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072777957640381767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-83430656690232153942015-01-26T12:30:06.564-05:002015-01-26T12:30:06.564-05:00Just my opinion:
François Truffaut - best film is...Just my opinion:<br /><br />François Truffaut - best film is Day for Night<br />Sam Raimi - best film is A Simple Plan<br />the Coen brothers - best film is Fargo (or No Country)<br />Kevin Smith - best film is Chasing Amy<br />Spike Jonze - you're right, best film is Being John Malkovich<br />Terry Gilliam - best film is Brazil<br />M. Night Shyamalan - common misconception that his first film was The Sixth Sense, it was actually Praying with Anger, then Wide Awake (but I still think his best film is Unbreakable)<br />David Mamet - very tough call, I love House of Games, but ultimately prefer Homicide, Heist, and SpartanAlex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-15120491974439627512015-01-24T04:37:15.477-05:002015-01-24T04:37:15.477-05:00So what films are better than The 400 Blows (La Nu...So what films are better than The 400 Blows (La Nuit Américaine?), The Evil Dead (A Simple Plan?), Blood Simple (No Country for Old Men?), Clerks (Chasing Amy?). <br />Others that could or should be here:<br />Spike Jonze - Maybe, I saw Her and although was amazing Being John Malkovich has the best ending. Ever. <br />Terry Gilliam - I never saw Brazil, which I might love, but it's Monty Python better than The Fisher King? I think so.<br />M. Night Shyamalan - His first two films are fantastic, his next tow films are pretty solid and his last. I'll really want to see his next two films. Okey is a debate between The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable but I can say that Unbreakable isn't such a classic film. "I see dead people." That will stay forever.<br />David Mamet.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09332012499555292021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-10575186584035963792014-07-01T15:29:26.480-04:002014-07-01T15:29:26.480-04:00Yep, exactly. Actually, I could stand to watch Ord...Yep, exactly. Actually, I could stand to watch Ordinary People again. Hutton is sensational in that film.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-11271302726020958132014-07-01T10:03:42.203-04:002014-07-01T10:03:42.203-04:00Agree with Mendes and Redford. I saw both films qu...Agree with Mendes and Redford. I saw both films quite long ago, but I'm sure I'll never forget them. Nikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10302904519424893854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-47202064048469656742014-04-21T11:19:36.720-04:002014-04-21T11:19:36.720-04:00That's a solid idea for a list, for sure. I gu...That's a solid idea for a list, for sure. I guess I never considered it because the crossover to this list would be so high. But hey, a year and a half has passed, so why not? Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-666018698836513862014-04-19T13:50:52.983-04:002014-04-19T13:50:52.983-04:00Would love to see your list of top 10 directorial ...Would love to see your list of top 10 directorial debuts and see if some not mentioned here are listed...From this post I would certainly include Citizen Kane and Reservoir dogs....hap46sthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01701887163710502789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-73567858377608942122013-06-29T21:54:36.870-04:002013-06-29T21:54:36.870-04:00Well, he says Joe is really dark and uneasy, which...Well, he says Joe is really dark and uneasy, which has me interested. Prince Avalanche's trailer did nothing for me, which bums me out.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-54309731021233548192013-06-29T04:28:42.081-04:002013-06-29T04:28:42.081-04:00Any expectations for Prince Avalanche or Joe from ...Any expectations for Prince Avalanche or Joe from DGG? maskofgojirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18305737005899440472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-58168607774354413752013-01-14T18:01:28.167-05:002013-01-14T18:01:28.167-05:00I'm justa regula bloke, a regula bloke who lik...I'm justa regula bloke, a regula bloke who likes a bit a torture. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-56284466373679636482013-01-14T17:53:43.302-05:002013-01-14T17:53:43.302-05:00Deakins' cinematography definitely lifts Jesse...Deakins' cinematography definitely lifts Jesse James visually well above Chopper, but Chopper has this manic, rambling energy and charm to it that exceeds the beauty of Jesse James.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-81686872888562828572013-01-14T11:05:10.662-05:002013-01-14T11:05:10.662-05:00Thanks man! Ahh god, that is such a tough call. I ...Thanks man! Ahh god, that is such a tough call. I love the hell out of Chopper. I mean really, really love it. But Jesse James was just so goddamn <i>gorgeous</i>. <br /><br />Yeah, I'd still go with Chopper. Great choice!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-88219888097414545512013-01-13T21:43:35.248-05:002013-01-13T21:43:35.248-05:00Great list, and excellent idea for a list. I'd...Great list, and excellent idea for a list. I'd nominate Andrew Dominik's Chopper - the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is certainly a high quality film, but I love his debut.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-12790821361402088362013-01-02T10:48:14.228-05:002013-01-02T10:48:14.228-05:00I'd agree with that!I'd agree with that!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-24741793512891472672012-12-30T02:36:50.292-05:002012-12-30T02:36:50.292-05:00EDGAR WRIGHT!!!! Shaun of the Dead <3 <3EDGAR WRIGHT!!!! Shaun of the Dead <3 <3Nikhathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379713171889712078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37110828911972926682012-12-13T23:04:40.953-05:002012-12-13T23:04:40.953-05:00@ Jeff: Gotcha. That is a good idea for a list, an...@ Jeff: Gotcha. That <i>is</i> a good idea for a list, and yeah, Fear and Desire is rough.<br /><br />@ Anon: Good call!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-73160136552759104602012-12-13T23:01:06.805-05:002012-12-13T23:01:06.805-05:00"Field of Dreams" wasn't Robinson..."Field of Dreams" wasn't Robinson's first film. "In the Mood" was his first film. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-9485375198909609772012-12-10T20:20:11.401-05:002012-12-10T20:20:11.401-05:00It is astonishing, isn't it? More personal fil...It is astonishing, isn't it? More personal films is definitely fair, I wouldn't argue that at all. You know, I actually had Robinson listed at first, but he got bumped out. I honestly haven't liked any of his other movies. <br /><br />Thanks for reading/commenting!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37211539933620396192012-12-10T11:20:43.446-05:002012-12-10T11:20:43.446-05:00It is astonishing to think these great films were ...It is astonishing to think these great films were the first in a director's career. It perhaps highlights that difficult second album syndrome musicians face - they spend years writing songs and a bunch of their best, most passionate go on the debut album for them to struggle to make new material under the weight of fame and fortune.<br /><br />I suppose you could argue some of these filmmakers went on to make more personal work - favourites of mine Mike Nichols and Sidney Lumet come to mind - but that doesn't necessarily take away from the idea the films features above have never been bettered. <br /><br />Can I add one suggestion: Bruce Robinson, whose debut was Withnail and I. Danhttp://www.top10films.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-15449682767550100452012-12-10T01:42:32.295-05:002012-12-10T01:42:32.295-05:00No, no the 'Others to Consider' I agree wi...No, no the 'Others to Consider' I agree with everyone you have listed here in the main list. The inverse of the list would be interesting, first films of great directors that are their worst. Kubrick would be a good first choice, it's not exactly fair, it's more like his student film, but his Fear and Desire is one of the worst inauspicious debuts ever. He even took it out of circulation, for very good reasons. Jeffhttp://cityuponahillmedia.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-61221414472905863832012-12-09T12:37:36.695-05:002012-12-09T12:37:36.695-05:00Thanks man! Lumet's inclusion definitely wasn&...Thanks man! Lumet's inclusion definitely wasn't an easy one, but I've gotta stand by those 12 angry bastards. Res Dogs is just perfect, isn't it?<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and commenting!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-40586628646329418002012-12-09T12:11:09.302-05:002012-12-09T12:11:09.302-05:00Great list. I totally agree with Sidney Lumet'...Great list. I totally agree with Sidney Lumet's inclusion. I'd have put Tarantino in there too though. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11186833811296327739noreply@blogger.com