This is my first post in the Getting to Know Me series. As we are bogged down in mundane preproduction legalities and logistics, I have decided to write some articles about myself and my film-industry influences. I thought that this might be a good way to give you some basic facts about me and still provide some interesting content.
To begin my Getting to Know Me series, I have decided to post a list of the top ten directors who have been most influential to me. Along with my list of directors, I will discuss briefly how they have influenced me and talk about my favorite movies of theirs.
Please feel free to comment on the list or talk about those directors or films who have influenced you as I look forward to getting to know all of you as well.
Without Further Adieux, the List:
1. Antoine Fuqua
Antoine Fuqua has a memorable name. I remember seeing his name on a thousand credits when I was a child. My friends and I referred to him as Antoine “Fah-Q.” Antoine grew up to direct his own films. Films like The Replacement Killers and Training Day
are at the top of favorite movie list. Antoine captures the Asian Action genre almost as well as John Woo and also adds his own hard-boiled flavor of Pulp Drama. Not many people are making Pulp Movies these days and I have to applaud Antoine Fuqua for doing them so well. 2. Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino seems a fitting to director to follow Antoine if only for the fact that his films use the f-word more frequently and more stylistically than any other directors. I have been a fan of Mr. Tarantino ever since Pulp Fiction
. After watching Pulp Fiction, I went directly to the video store and rented Reservoir Dogs. The thing I appreciate most about Quentin Tarantino is his consistency. He never fails to disappoint his fans. Kill Bill, Volume 1
was both innovative and nostalgic and I am sure that I am going to love Grindhouse.
3. Robert Rodriguez
Robert Rodriquez is like Quentin Tarantino from a parallel dimension. It was fate that these two directors became friends and it has been great to watch how these two unique and genius directors have influenced each other’s films. Whether it’s the Robert Rodriguez Mexico Trilogy or Sin City, Robert Rodriquez is another director who rarely disappoints his fans.
4. Stanly Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick is the director that I go to for off-kilter, weird and often controversial films. You never know what kind of world you are going to get drawn into and that is the exciting part. Full Metal Jacket
is definitely the best movie made about the Vietnam War and is arguably the best war movie of all time. The Shining
is a chilling rendition of Stephen King’s hit novel, and movies like Spartacus
showed that he was capable of making good mainstream movies as well. 5. Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa would be my vote for the greatest director of all time. This is the director who drew me into Asian Cinema. My favorite movie of his, Seven Samurai was a huge inspiration for the original Star Wars Trilogy. His movies are the backbone of any cinema involving Samurai or Asian Action. I also enjoyed one of his last films called Akira Kurosawa's Dreams
which was based off of dreams that Akira had as a child.6. Buster Keaton
I wanted to toss a little something comedic and something old school. I don’t want you all to think that I am only into old movies. Sadly I only had time to list my top ten influential directors. So in order to list them all I was forced to combine comedy and old school. My most obvious choice would have to be Buster Keaton. Buster Keaton was a legend who formed the basis for Johnny Depp’s character in the hit movie, Benny and Joon
7. John Woo
It’s hard for me to believe that I have placed John Woo so far down on my list. But I felt like breaking up the Asian Cinema directors a bit. Plus this list is not in any particular order as to quality or favorite. John Woo began what Antoine Fuqua started. He made my favorite actor Chow Yun Fat what he is today. Hard Boiled was the film that started it all for me. Once a Thief
is an obscure title but I would argue that it is John Woo’s best film.8. Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro is a master illusionist. The imagery in his movies is both stunning and unique. Blade II
was my favorite of the series. I loved how the junkie scene in the beginning where the prey becomes the predator. He hasn’t done a lot so far but there are a couple of movies, including the new Pan's Labyrinth 
that really inspire me.9. Martin Scorsese
For years, I have watched the Academy all but ignore Martin Scorsese and I am finally glad that he received the recognition that he deserves with The Departed. I couldn’t believe that he went so long without an Oscar. It was a travesty that really made me question the validity of the whole awards ceremony. I really began to think that it was more politics than quality of movie that determined the winner. But finally he was able to create something so great that they just couldn’t ignore him anymore. I have just one thing to say to anyone who disagrees with me on this matter. “Are You Talkin’ to Me?”
- Taxi Driver
10. John Carpenter
John Carpenter directs the best of the bad movies. More of his movies have become cult-classics than any other director that I can name. And he is a very capable director as well. He has the distinction of creating my favorite movie of all time, Big Trouble in Little China (Single Disc Edition)
. In my opinion, Jack Burton was the greatest hero to ever walk the face of a Hollywood Film. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell were a powerpacked team. Kurt also played Snake Plisken in other Carpenter Classics such as Escape from New York (Special Edition)
.Honorable Mention:
Stephen Spielberg is probably the greatest director on this list. His resume and repertoire are endless. If this were a list of the top ten best directors of all time Mr. Spielberg would most likely be at the top of that list. However this is post contains the top ten directors who have influenced me. Of all the directors on the list Stephen has influenced me the least but to say that I have not been deeply influenced by his movies would be mistake. Who hasn’t Stephen Spielberg influenced on some level? And so for that reason I gave him honorable mention.
