Opinions: Wes Anderson/List of auteur directors.

Sourced from the Wikipedia page 'List of auteurs'...because I live dangerously...

The names I have highlighted in BOLD are ones that I think could challenge Wes for the world's greatest...with reason explained why, in my opinion, not quite making the mark, at the bottom of the page.

The term auteur (French for author) is used to describe film directors (or, more rarely, producers, or writers) who are considered to have a distinctive, recognizable style, because they (a) repeatedly return to the same subject matter, (b) habitually address a particular psychological or moral theme, (c) employ a recurring visual and aesthetic style, or (d) demonstrate any combination of the above. In theory, an auteur's films are identifiable regardless of their genre. The term was first applied in its cinematic sense in François Truffaut's 1954 essay "A Certain Tendency of the French Cinema" (see Auteur theory).

List of auteurs

The following is a list of directors whose status as an auteur is supported by published studies of their body of work.

A

• Chantal Akerman (1950–). Belgian, makes films in France.
• Fatih Akin (1973-). Turkish-German director.
• Robert Aldrich (1918–1983). American Hollywood director.
• Woody Allen (1935–). American independent filmmaker.
• Pedro Almodóvar (1949–). Spanish.
• Robert Altman (1925–2006). American.
• Alejandro Amenábar. Spanish.
• Paul Thomas Anderson (1970) American.
• Wes Anderson (1969–). American.
• Theo Angelopoulos (1936–). Greek.
• Kenneth Anger. American
• Michelangelo Antonioni (1912–2007). Italian, made film in Europe and the United States.
• Gregg Araki (1959–). American
• Vicente Aranda (1926–). Spanish.
• Denys Arcand (1941-). Canadian.
• G Aravindan (1935–1991). Indian.
• Dario Argento (Italy)
• Darren Aronofsky American. (1969)
• Fernando Arrabal (1932). Spanish.
• Dorothy Arzner (1897–1979). American, Hollywood 1920s-30s.
• Hal Ashby (1929–1988). American, worked in Hollywood.
• Olivier Assayas. French.
• Jacques Audiard. French.

B

• Ramin Bahrani (1975-). (USA)
• Kailasam Balachander (India)
• Mario Bava (Italy)
• Michael Bay (USA)
• Marco Bellocchio (Italy)
• Madhur Bhandarkar (1960–). Indian
• Jean-Jacques Beineix. French
• Shyam Benegal (1934–). Indian.
• Ingmar Bergman (1918–2007). Swedish.
• Bernardo Bertolucci (1941–) Italian, makes films in Europe and the USA.
• Susanne Bier (Denmark)
  
• Bong Joon-ho (1969–). South Korean filmmaker.
• John Boorman. (1933–). British.
• Danny Boyle (UK)
• Catherine Breillat (1948-). French.
• Robert Bresson (1901–1999). French.
• Edwin Brienen (1971–). Dutch, makes cult films in Germany and Europe.
• Lino Brocka (1970-1991). Filipino. Brocka was openly homosexual and many of his films incorporated LGBT themes into their often dramatic storylines.
• Albert Brooks (1947–). American
• Jan Bucquoy (1945-). Belgian, maker of cult movies.
• Luis Buñuel (1900–1983). Spanish, made films in Europe and Mexico.
• Tim Burton (1958–). American, Hollywood filmmaker.
• Leonid Berdichevsky (1945-).
• Alice Guy Blache (1873–1968). French. Made films in France and the United States. The first woman film director and producer.
• Mel Brooks (1926-) American comedic director, screen writer, and producer.
• Tod Browning (1882–1962). USA

C

• Sergio Corbucci(1926-1990). Italian.
  
• Silvio Caiozzi (1944–). Chilean.
  
• James Cameron (1954-). Canadian.
  
• Jane Campion (1954–). New Zealander.
• Frank Capra (1897–1991). American.
• Laurent Cantet (France)
  
• Leos Carax (1960–). French.
• Marcel Carné (1906–1996). French.
• John Carpenter (USA)
  
• John Cassavetes (1929–1989). American, independent filmmaker.
• Nuri Bilge Ceylan (1959–). Turkish.
• Youssef Chahine (1926–). Egyptian.
• Claude Chabrol (1930–2010). French.
• Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977). British, made films in Hollywood.
• Chen Kaige (1952–). Chinese.
• Stephen Chow (1962-). Hong Kong Chinese.
• Alice Chuangstein (2000-). American.
• René Clair (1898–1981). French.
• Larry Clark (1943-). American.
• Henri-Georges Clouzot (1904–1977). French.
• Jean Cocteau (1889–1963). French.
• Tony Comstock (1966-). American
• Coen brothers (USA)
• Francis Ford Coppola (1939-). American, mostly Hollywood
• Sofia Coppola (1971-). American.
• Pedro Costa (1959–). Portuguese
• David Cronenberg
  
• Cameron Crowe (USA)
  
• Alfonso Cuarón (1961–). Mexican.
• George Cukor (USA)
  

D

• Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (1951–, 1951–). Belgian.
• Jules Dassin (1911–). American, made films in France after being blacklisted.
  
• Terence Davies (1945-). British.
• Brian De Palma (1940-)
• Jonathan Demme (USA)
  
• Jacques Demy (1931–1990). French, key New Wave filmmaker.
• Claire Denis (1948–). French.
• Vittorio De Sica (1901–1974). Italian, key neorealist filmmaker.
  
• Stanley Donen. American. (1924-)
• Alexander Dovzhenko (1894–1956). Soviet.
  
• Carl Theodor Dreyer (1889–1968). Danish.
  
• Bruno Dumont (1958–). French.
  
• Guru Dutt (1925–1964). Indian.
  

E

• Jessica Earley (1981-). American.
• Clint Eastwood (1930-). American.
• Blake Edwards (1922–2010). American.
  
• Atom Egoyan (1960–). Canadian.
• Sergei Eisenstein (1898–1948). Soviet.
• Jean Epstein French.
• Victor Erice (1940-). Spanish.
• Mckay Evans (1991-). American

F

• Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1945–1982). German, key New Wave filmmaker.
  
• Federico Fellini (1920–1993). Italian.
  
• Abel Ferrara (USA)
• Larry Fessenden (1963–). American.
• David Fincher (1962–). American.
• Robert Flaherty (USA)
• Victor Fleming (USA)
  
• Miloš Forman (1932–). Czech, makes films in Hollywood.
  
• John Ford (1894–1973). American.
  
• Stephen Frears (1941-). British
  
• Lucio Fulci (1927–1996). Italian.
  
• Samuel Fuller (1912–1997). American.
  

G

• Vincent Gallo (1962-). American.
• Abel Gance (1889–1981). French.
  
• Matteo Garrone (Italy)
• Costa Gavras (1933–) Greek, makes films in France and the United States.
  
• Ritwik Ghatak (1925–1976). Indian, independent Bengali filmmaker.
• Terry Gilliam (1940–). American born British, makes films in the UK and US.
• Sergio Giral. Cuban.
• Amos Gitai (1950–). Israeli
  
• Crispin Glover (1964-). American.
• Jean-Luc Godard (1930–). French, key New Wave filmmaker.
  
• Noël Godin (1945-). Belgian, independent filmmaker and writer.
• Michel Gondry (1963–). French.
  
• Alejandro González Iñárritu (1963–). Mexican.
  
• Adoor Gopalakrishnan (1941–). Indian, independent filmmaker.
• David Gow, writer/director/producer "Steel Toes", also a playwright and theatre director
• James Gray (1969-). American.
• David Gordon Green (USA)
  
• Paul Greengrass (UK, makes films in America as well)
  
• Peter Greenaway (1942–). British, independent, avant-garde filmmaker.
  
• D.W. Griffith (1875–1948). American.
• Ruy Guerra (1931–). Mozambican, makes films in Brazil.
  
• Yilmaz Güney (1937–1984). Turkish.
• Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (1928–1996). Cuban.

H

• Kamal Haasan (India)
• Hal Hartley (USA)
• Michael Haneke (1942–). Austrian,
• James Marcus Haney (USA)
  
• Howard Hawks (1896–1977). American.
• Todd Haynes (USA)
  
• Rolf de Heer (Australia)
  
• Werner Herzog (1942–). German, key independent New Wave filmmaker.
  
• Walter Hill (USA)
  
• Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980). British, made films in Hollywood.
  
• Agnieszka Holland (1948–). Polish.
  
• Ishirō Honda (1911–1993). Japan.
  
• Hong Sang-soo (1960–). South Korean filmmaker.
• Hou Hsiao-Hsien (1947–). Taiwanese, key New Wave filmmaker.
  
• King Hu (1931–1997). Chinese, made films in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
  
• John Hughes (1950–2009) (USA)
• Danièle Huillet (1936–2006). French, collaborated with husband Jean-Marie Straub.
  
• Steven HAuse (USA)
  

I

• Kon Ichikawa (1915–2008). Japanese, postwar New Wave filmmaker.
• Im Kwon-Taek (South Korea)
  
• Shohei Imamura (1926–2006). Japanese, key New Wave filmmaker.
• James Ivory (1928–). American, made films in the UK.
  

J

• Derek Jarman (1942–1994). English, independent filmmaker, stage designer, artist and writer .
  
• Jim Jarmusch (1953–). American, independent filmmaker.
• Jean-Pierre Jeunet (1953–). French.
  
• Jia Zhangke (1970–). Chinese.
  
• Alejandro Jodorowsky (1929–). Chilean, surrealist, makes films in Mexico and France.
• Spike Jonze (1969-). American.
• Peter Jackson (New Zealand)
  
• Rian Johnson American independent filmmaker. Famous for Brick and The Brothers Bloom.
• Neil Jordan Irish film-maker.

K

• Puttanna Kanagal (Kannada)
• Phil Karlson (USA)^[
  
• Girish Karnad (Kannada)
• Girish Kasaravalli (Kannada)
• Aki Kaurismäki (Finland)
  
• Elia Kazan (Turkey, made films in the USA)
  
• Buster Keaton (USA)
  
• Abbas Kiarostami (1940- ) (Iran) Iranian filmmaker.
• Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941–1996) (Poland)
  
• Kim Jee-woon (1964–). South Korean filmmaker.
• Kim Ki-duk (1960- ) (South Korea)
• Takeshi Kitano (Japan)
  
• Masaki Kobayashi (Japan)
  
• Satoshi Kon (1963–2010) (Japan)
• Andrei Konchalovsky (Soviet Union)
  
• Hirokazu Koreeda (1962– ) (Japan)
• Harmony Korine (1973- ) (USA)
• Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) (USA)
• Akira Kurosawa (1910–1998) (Japan) Post-war Japanese filmmaker.
• Kiyoshi Kurosawa (1955-) (Japan)
• Emir Kusturica (Serbia)
  
• Stanley Kwan (Hong Kong)
  
• Mikhail Kalatozov (Soviet)
  
• Richard Kelly (USA)
  

L

• Fritz Lang (Austria) Austrian and American (Hollywood) filmmaker.
  
• David Lean (UK)
  
• Patrice Leconte (France)
  
• Ang Lee (Taiwan/USA)
  
• Spike Lee (USA)
  
• Mike Leigh (United Kingdom)
  
• Sergio Leone (Italy)
• Sarah Lewen (United States)
• Jerry Lewis (US)^[
  
• Richard Linklater (US)
• Ken Loach (UK)^[
  
• Joseph Losey (USA, made films in the USA and UK)
  
• Ernst Lubitsch (USA)
  
• George Lucas (USA)
  
• Baz Luhrmann (Australia)
• Sidney Lumet (USA)
  
• Bigas Luna (Spain)
  
• Ida Lupino (USA)
  
• David Lynch (1946- )(USA)

M

• Guy Maddin (Canada)
  
• Dušan Makavejev (Serbia)
• Mohsen Makhmalbaf (Iran)
  
• Terrence Malick (USA)
  
• Louis Malle (France)
  
• David Mamet (USA)
  
• Joseph L. Mankiewicz (USA)
  
• Michael Mann (USA)
  
• José Mojica Marins (1936-) (Brazil) Filmmaker, actor, screenwriter, and television and media personality.
  
• Chris Marker (France)
  
• Shane Meadows (UK)
  
• Julio Médem (Spain)
• Deepa Mehta (Indian born Canadian)
  
• Fernando Meirelles (Brazil, makes American films as well)
  
• Georges Méliès (France)
  
• Jean-Pierre Melville (France)
  
• Sam Mendes (UK)
  
• Brillante Mendoza (Philippines)
• Takashi Miike (Japan)
  
• Vincente Minnelli (1903–1986) (USA)
• Hayao Miyazaki (Japan)
  
• Kenji Mizoguchi (1898–1956) (Japan) Key Japanese filmmaker.
• Michael Moore (1954-) (USA) Director, producer, author, & activist.
• Nanni Moretti (Italy)
  
• Errol Morris - American documentary film director
  
• Kira Muratova - Russian film director
• F.W. Murnau (Germany)
  
• Geoff Murphy (New Zealand)
• Fei Mu (1906–1951) (China) Pre-revolutionary Chinese filmmaker.
  
• Cristian Mungiu (Romania)
• Carl Mygind (1900–2000) (Norway) (Norwegian pre-modern).

N

• Mikio Naruse (1905–1969) (Japan) Key Japanese filmmaker.
• Christopher Nolan (1970-) (UK)
• Raphael Nadjari (1971-) (FR/IL)

O

• Manoel de Oliveira (Portugal)
  
• Max Ophüls (Germany)
  
• Mamoru Oshii (Japan)
• Nagisa Oshima (1932-) Japanese, New Wave filmmaker, critic & theorist.
• Katsuhiro Otomo (Japan)
• Idrissa Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso)
  
• François Ozon (France)
  
• Yasujiro Ozu (1903–1963) (Japan) Key Japanese filmmaker.

P

• P.Ramlee (MAS) (1929-1973)
• Georg Wilhelm Pabst (Germany)
  
• Padmarajan (India)
  
• Jafar Panahi (Iran)
  
• Alan Parker (UK) (1944-)
• Pier Paolo Pasolini (Italy)
  
• Sergei Parajanov (USSR)
  
• Park Chan-wook (South Korea)
• Alexander Payne (USA)
  
• Sam Peckinpah (USA)
  
• Nelson Pereira dos Santos (Brazil)
  
• Tyler Perry (USA)
  
• Roman Polanski (Poland)
  
• Corneliu Porumboiu (Romania)
• Sally Potter (UK)
  
• Michael Powell (UK) (1905-1990)
• Otto Preminger (USA)
  
• Emeric Pressburger (UK) (1902-1988)
• Vsevolod Pudovkin (Soviet Union)
• Cristi Puiu (Romania)

R

• Sam Raimi (USA)
  
• Bob Rafelson (USA)
• Lynne Ramsay (GB)
• Pen-ek Ratanaruang (Thailand)
  
• Nicholas Ray (USA)
  
• Satyajit Ray (1921–1992) (India) Indian (Bengali) filmmaker & writer.
• Kelly Reichardt (USA)
• Jason Reitman (USA)
• Jean Renoir (France)
  
• Alain Resnais (France)
  
• Carlos Reygadas (Mexico)
• Arturo Ripstein (Mexico)
• Jacques Rivette (France)
  
• Glauber Rocha (Brazil)
  
• Robert Rodriguez (USA)
• Nicholas Roeg (UK)
  
• Éric Rohmer(France)
  
• George A. Romero (USA)
• Roberto Rossellini (Italy)
  
• Raúl Ruiz (Chile)
• David O. Russell (USA)
  
• Ken Russell (GB)
  

S

• Gus van Sant (USA)
  
• Carlos Saura (Spain)
  
• John Sayles (USA)
  
• Volker Schlondorff (Germany)
  
• Paul Schrader (USA)
  
• Martin Scorsese (USA)
• Ridley Scott (GB)
  
• Tony Scott (GB)
• Ousmane Sembène (Senegal)
• Mrinal Sen (1923- ) (India)
• Kirill Serebrennikov - Russian film director
• Rod Serling (USA)
  
• Jim Sheridan (Ireland)
• Daryush Shokof (Iran)
• M. Night Shyamalan (India)
• Tarsem Singh (India)
• Douglas Sirk (USA)
• Victor Sjöström (Swedish)
• Burleigh Smith (1979- ) (Australia)
• Kevin Smith (1970- ) (USA)
• Zack Snyder (1966-) (USA)
• Steven Soderbergh (USA)
• Alexander Sokurov (Russia)
• Todd Solondz (1959- ) (USA)
• Paolo Sorrentino (1970- ) (Italy)
• Steven Spielberg (1946- ) (USA)
• Josef von Sternberg (USA)
• George Stevens (USA)
• Oliver Stone (USA)
• Jean-Marie Straub (France)
• I. V. Sasi (1948- ) (India)
• Erich von Stroheim (USA)
• Preston Sturges (USA)
• Seijun Suzuki (1923–). Japanese, B-movie and independent New Wave filmmaker.
• Hans-Jürgen Syberberg (Germany)
• Jan Švankmajer (Czech Republic)

T

• Patrick Tam (Hong Kong)
• Quentin Tarantino (USA)
• Andrei Tarkovsky (USSR)
  
• Bela Tarr (Hungary)
  
• Jacques Tati (France)
• Julie Taymor (USA)
  
• André Téchiné (France)
• Eddy Terstall (The Netherlands)
  
• Hiroshi Teshigahara (Japan)
  
• Tian Zhuangzhuang (China)
  
• Johnnie To (Hong Kong)
  
• Giuseppe Tornatore (Italy)
  
• Guillermo del Toro (Mexican, makes films in Mexico, Spain and America)
  
• Manny Torres (United States)
• Lars von Trier (Denmark)
  
• Jan Troell (Sweden)
  
• Margarethe von Trotta (Germany)
  
• François Truffaut (France)
  
• Ming-liang Tsai (Taiwan)
  
• Shinya Tsukamoto (Japan)
• Tsui Hark (Hong Kong)
  
• Tom Tykwer (Germany)
  

V

• Agnès Varda (France)
  
• Paul Verhoeven (Holland)
  
• Dziga Vertov (USSR)
  
• Jean Vigo (France)
  
• Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark)
  
• Luchino Visconti (Italy)
  

W

• The Wachowskis (USA)
• Andrzej Wajda (Poland)
  
• Regis Wargnier (France)
• Alex van Warmerdam (The Netherlands)
• John Waters (USA)
  
• Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
  
• Orson Welles (USA)
  
• Wim Wenders (Germany)
  
• Joss Whedon (USA)
• Bo Widerberg (Sweden)
  
• Billy Wilder (USA)
• Hype Williams (USA)
  
• Wong Kar-wai (Hong Kong)
  
• John Woo (Hong Kong)
  
• Edgar Wright (UK)
• William Wyler (USA)
  

Y

• Edward Yang (Taiwan)
  
• Yasmin Ahmad (Malaysia)
• Yuen Woo-ping (Hong Kong)
  

Z

• Robert Zemeckis (1952-) (American)
• Zhang Yimou (China)
  
• Fred Zinnemann (American)
  
• Rob Zombie (American)
• Erick Zonca (French)
• Andrzej Żuławski (1940-) (Poland)
• Andrey Zvyagintsev - Russian film director
• Terry Zwigoff (USA) 

Woody Allen (1935–). American independent filmmaker- Difficult for me, as I'm such a huge Woody Allen fan, but it is undeniable that his films have gone downhill in more recent years. Bring back the 70's Woody, bring back Diane Keaton.

Paul Thomas Anderson (1970) American- Not enough material produced to accurately measure the talent, in my opinion. Though I was quite fond of 'There Will be Blood'...might have had something to do with Daniel Day Lewis mind...hubba, hubba.

Michael Bay (USA)- Sorry, but Michael Bay only makes films for boys. I don't want to sound like a cliche, but Transformers and space ships just don't do it for me. Ta.  

Ingmar Bergman (1918–2007) Swedish- Truly a visionary master. Sadly, however, not very commonly known by mainstream audiences today- artistic style plus subtitles doesn't make for a good viewing for Mr. Joe Bloggs- a filmmaker's filmmaker.

Danny Boyle (UK)- There was a time when I really enjoyed Danny Boyle's films- now I find them somewhat predictable/unexciting, sorry Boyle fans.

Luis Buñuel (1900–1983). Spanish, made films in Europe and Mexico- Great directors, sadly, again, not known by many today. A classic, not a contemporary.

Tim Burton (1958–). American, Hollywood filmmaker- Very common and popular choice as "the greatest auteur" among teens (especially). However, despite many great films, there is evidence that Burton's work is on a bit of a downward slope- with film popularity certainly decreasing in more recent years.

Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977). British, made films in Hollywood- Definately more well known for his comedy and acting that directing, I think that's reason enough alone.

Francis Ford Coppola (1939-). American, mostly Hollywood- Certainly a master of Hollywood- sadly, outside of the film-buff world, his films may be recognised, but his name, not necessarily.

Sofia Coppola (1971-). American- Again, part of the truly talented Coppola clan. Despite the fact that I was really quite fond of 'Lost In Translation', there were varied opinions...I'll leave it at that...

Clint Eastwood (1930-). American- Nowadays, he is regarded equally as an actor and as a filmmaker. However, the vast majority of Eastwood's films contain high adult content- therefore cutting out a great potential market for younger audiences.

David Fincher (1962–). American- Pretty much just see above. Fight Club is not for the faint of heart.

Terry Gilliam (1940–). American born British, makes films in the UK and US- Again, some of Gilliam's films are truly terrific, some are truly slow and beyond obscure. Still, I'll always love you for being a Python.

Michel Gondry (1963–). French- Again, slightly difficult for me as his films 'The Science of Sleep' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' are among my favourites, though, I must admit, his visionary and complex approaches aren't everybody's cup of tea.

Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980). British, made films in Hollywood- Too contreversial for my own good butttt... whilst Hitchcock's films are undoubtedly more than a little bit brilliant...he clearly knew it, and, in my humble opinion, it showed. I went there.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet (1953–). French- Again, a tough thing to say (being the director of my FAVOURITE FILM EVER) but certainly not to everyone's taste...ah, c'est la vie!

Spike Jonze (1969-). American- See above.

Peter Jackson (New Zealand)- Though an undoubted commercial success with the LOTR franchise, King Kong, etc- he does have quite a few hit/misses- 'The Lovely Bones' and 'Heavenly Creatures' anyone? Bit too wishy-washy for my taste.

Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941–1996) (Poland)- Lord knows that I LOVE the three colours triology...but lord also knows I wouldn't have a clue the director's name if I hadn't been starring at this screen for hours on end. An unhailed visionary genius, for sure.

Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) (USA)- Again, another touchy subject. Though Kubrick's films are iconic (dare I say it...) they have the tendancy to be a little slow. Watching 'Lolita', I swear, took longer than it did to read the book...

Mike Leigh (United Kingdom)- Sadly not very well known amongst contemporary audiences, shame that.

Baz Luhrmann (Australia)- Personally, I don't feel that Luhrmann's film portfolio showcases great variety- good if you like glittery musicals though.

David Lynch (1946- )(USA)- Only the brave can handle Lynch...oh, and over 18's (for nearly all his films).

Sam Mendes (UK)- Sadly, again, a little hit and miss. Where 'American Beauty' is a true contemporary classic, 'Revolutionary Road' just made me want to top myself. Clearly not a very happy director.  

Christopher Nolan (1970-) (UK)- Again, highly celebrated and obviously talented- but dark subject matter does not make for an uplifting film- a reasonably selective portfolio of work. 

Park Chan-wook (South Korea)- A master of Asian cinema with contemporary classics such as 'Sympathy for Lady Vengance' and 'Oldboy'...but only if you have a REALLY strong stomach. You have been warned... 

Roman Polanski (Poland)- Fantastic films...if you have 4 hours to spare... 

Nicholas Roeg (UK)- Again, the filmmaker's filmmaker of choice. Famous for a rather sexy scene which prompted me to "don't look now" (oh, see what I did there...). 

Gus van Sant (USA)- Sadly not very well known/praised among contemporary audiences. 'Milk' and 'My Own Private Idaho' are beautiful, however. Take a look for something a little bit different. 

Martin Scorsese (USA)- Sorry, again but...'THE DEPARTED'. SERIOUSLY...WHAT ARE YOU?! A genius, but that film put me off for life. Yawn.

Ridley Scott (GB)- Too intense for me...too intense for anyone without a dark soul. Probably.

Zack Snyder (1966-) (USA)- As my boyfriend so rightly put (in reference to the film '300') "A bit too Photoshopped"- great potential, but sadly hidden away but OTT of effects/flashy lights.

Steven Spielberg (1946- ) (USA)- A tough call, I love 'The Goonies', but contrary to most people, 'E.T' TERRIFIED me. I have my own personal scars. 

Quentin Tarantino (USA)- Again, ultra-violent, though brilliant. A big restriction on viewings due to explict content.  

Guillermo del Toro (Mexican, makes films in Mexico, Spain and America)- See above...though less extreme- seemingly more visually creative, also. 

John Waters (USA)- My ultimate guilty pleasure. Can see how transvestites might not do it for everyone, mind. 

Orson Welles (USA)- Citizen Kane, I'm afraid, felt like THE BIGGEST waste of my life. Oh, and ROSEBUD.

Robert Zemeckis (1952-) (American)- Back to the Future: CLASSIC. Sadly, in modern cinema audiences, his name is not all too familiar.

*Wes Anderson, in my opinion, for various reasons is King. Here is just a brief summary:

- Despite his "auteur" label he keeps us guessing with interesting subjects, varying greatly- with various characters, locations and themes.

- His characters are often very flawed and human- they don't try to be something magical and untouchable, and people can relate to that well.

- His music is so integral to his films- and fits perfectly...and who doesn't love music? (Particularly one of his reacurring, and favourite bands, 'The Rolling Stones'.

- FUTURA, FUTURA, FUTURA. I'll explain later...

- His use of colour throughout his films adds so much quirk and character, you can't help but to be drawn in.

- Although adult context is often referenced it's not forced upon you...hints and subtle and humourous, opening it up to a wider viewing audience.

- He's not afraid to experiment with new techniques, a la 'Fantastic Mr. Fox'...

I would go on, but I'll just get RSI...at the end of the day, Wes is bi-winning.