MY 33 MOST FAVORITE DIRECTORS OF ALL TIME

My most favorite movie: Howl's Moving Castle (2004).

His films usually focus on young protagonists or have children that play key roles in the plot.

He is sometimes called the "Walt Disney of Japan", but he hates that title.

[When asked if Studio Ghibli and Pixar have a rivalry] The illustrators at Pixar are all people I hold dear, we are not in competition. Our relationship is one that is based on friendship.

My most favorite movie: The Departed (2006).

Begins his films with segments taken from the middle or end of the story (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) and Casino (1995).

He lost three best director - and best picture - Oscars to leading-man actors turned directors: Robert Redford, Kevin Costner, and Clint Eastwood (Raging Bull (1980) lost to Redford's Ordinary People (1980); Goodfellas (1990) to Costner's Dances with Wolves (1990); The Aviator (2004) to Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby (2004)). On the only two occasions when he was Oscar-nominated as Best Director in years ending in zero, he was beaten by actors making their directorial debuts (Redford and Costner).

"My whole life has been movies and religion. That's it. Nothing else."

My most favorite movie: Snatch. (2000).

Frequently uses narration.

Numerous plot threads which intersect and assist in each other's payoffs.

Frequently employs the use of high speed photography in action sequences.

My most favorite movie: A Good Year (2006).

Sir Ridley was knighted in 2003 for his "substantial contribution to the British film industry".

Being the actors' director that he is, Scott favors extensive use of the two-camera 'V' set-up, thus enabling his actors to play more fluidly off one another without being constantly interrupted by calls to "Cut!".

Frequently casts Russell Crowe (Gladiator (2000), A Good Year (2006), American Gangster (2007), Body of Lies (2008), and Robin Hood (2010)).

Directed 5 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Ruby Dee. Crowe won for his performance in Gladiator (2000).

[on why his movies don't have sex scenes] Sex is boring unless you're doing it.

My most favorite movie: Legends of the Fall (1994).

Frequently casts Denzel Washington.

In terms of television, has frequently worked with Marshall Herskovitz.

Films about characters living through real-life historical events.

Has directed 4 actors in Oscar nominated roles; Djimon Hounsou, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, and Denzel Washington. Denzel won his Oscar.

Edward Zwick is one of the few directors to have worked with both Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise. The others are Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott.

He has made a total of three films with Denzel Washington. The only directors to work with Washington more times than that are Spike Lee and Tony Scott, who have done four films each with him.

My most favorite movie: Once Upon a Time in America (1984).

Frequently worked with Tonino Delli Colli and Ennio Morricone.

Invented the extreme close-up in western-style films.

Long periods of silence followed by quick bursts of action.

Frequently used the "Mexican standoff," whereby three men each point a gun at each other at the same time (adopted later by John Woo and Quentin Tarantino).

His favorite movies were reportedly (in no particular order) Yojimbo (1961), Warlock (1959), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), High Noon (1952), Shane (1953), and Vera Cruz (1954).

Aside from saying 'Goodbye', Sergio Leone never spoke a word of English and always relied on a translator when talking to American actors.

Was sued by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa for remaking his Yojimbo (1961) as "A Fistful of Dollars" (A Fistful of Dollars (1964)) shot-for-shot without crediting him, and copyright infringement.

My most favorite movie: In Bruges (2008).

"I can't stand up in front of people. It just fills me with horror."

My most favorite movie: Hero (2002).

Often works with the actress Li Gong.

Chief director of opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing.

"Many things, feelings especially, are common to all human beings. As long as the film appeals to universal human feelings, all audiences will enjoy it."

[on Akira Kurosawa] Other filmmakers have more money, more advanced techniques, more special effects. Yet no one has surpassed him.

My most favorite movie: I Saw the Devil (2010).

His script for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) was turned down by every major Hollywood studio, the reason being that no one would want to see it. In a last ditch attempt, Lucas approached 20th Century Fox who decided to go ahead with the script even though they were convinced it would flop. Star Wars ended up becoming the highest grossing movie ever released at that time. It still ranks as one of the highest grossing movies ever made to this day.

Sold Lucasfilm's Computer Graphics Division to Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs, and it later became Pixar Animation Studio.

Conceived Indiana Jones while on vacation with his friend Steven Spielberg in Hawaii. Lucas decided to produce while Spielberg would direct.

He originally wanted his friend Steven Spielberg to direct Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), but his dispute with the Director's Guild barred him from doing so. He settled for director Richard Marquand instead.

He based the character of Han Solo on his friend Francis Ford Coppola.

He was inspired to create his iconic villain Darth Vader by Marvel Comics villain, and arch enemy of the Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom.

On the influence of Star Wars on Hollywood films: People say my movies are just like Hollywood movies. And I say, "I can't help it if Hollywood copies."

My most favorite movie: Kung Fu Hustle (2004).

The king of comedy in Asia.

His over-the-top style of comedy, known as "Silly Talk"

Quentin Tarantino calls him "the best actor in Hong Kong.".

His favorite director is Steven Spielberg.

"I used to cry when I watched Chaplin's films. It was from him that I learned about the role of the underdog. And because I'm also from a poor family, this kind of thing moved me and I found that it also worked for the audience because most of them are like me - ordinary guys."

Trade mark: Main characters using big white gloves (Example: Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Peter Pete, Jiminy Cricket, etc.).

Became interested in personalizing animals' characters after carelessly killing a small owl as a young boy. He felt deeply remorseful and guilty and vowed never again to kill a living creature.

Has a record of 59 Oscar-nominations. Disney's record-breaking streaks of consecutive Oscar wins include: 1934-1940 (7) and 1951-1956 (6).

Became friends with Charles Chaplin during their respective days at United Arists in the 1930s; Disney credited Chaplin for helping him correctly pace his feature films.

"I don't make pictures just to make money. I make money to make more pictures."

"I'd rather entertain and hope that people learn, than teach and hope that people are entertained."

"I hope we'll never lose sight of one thing--that it was all started by a mouse."

R.I.P. Nora :)

My most favorite movies: Julie & Julia (2009) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

My most favorite movies: Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004).

My most favorite movie: Pulp Fiction (1994).

Frequently works with Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Uma Thurman, Michael Bowen, and Samuel L. Jackson.

[Director's Cameo] Often plays a small role in his films (Jimmie Dimmick in Pulp Fiction (1994), Mr. Brown in Reservoir Dogs (1992), the answering machine voice in Jackie Brown (1997), The Rapist in Grindhouse (2007) and Warren in Death Proof (2007)).

Has an IQ of 160 despite dropping out of high school.

Named after the Burt Reynolds character Quint Asper from "Gunsmoke" (1955).

Cites his influences as Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Sergio Leone, and Jean-Luc Godard.

On "rival" director Guy Ritchie marrying Madonna: "I guess I'll have to marry Elvis Presley to get even."

My most favorite movie: Memento (2000).

Trade mark: Non-linear timelines (Following (1998), Memento (2000), The Prestige (2006)).

His top ten favorite movies are: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), The Black Hole (1979), Blade Runner (1982), Chinatown (1974), The Hitcher (1986), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)), Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and Topkapi (1964), as well as anything by Stanley Kubrick.

As of 2012, 6 out of eight films Nolan directed are on the IMDB's top 250: The Dark Knight (2008), Batman Begins (2005), Memento (2000), The Prestige (2006), Inception (2010), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

Considers Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott as his primary influences.

He and Spider-Man (2002) director Sam Raimi are the only directors to do three live-action Comic Book adaptations of the same character.

After James Cameron, Christopher Nolan is the second director make 2 films that have grossed more than $1 billion in the worldwide box office (The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises). However, Nolan is the first director to have released both of the billion dollar grossing films in 2D only (James Cameron's Avatar and Titanic have both been released in 3D at some point during their releases).

My most favorite movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Likes to make cameo appearances in his movies: the morgue assistant in Braindead (1992), the homeless man in _Heavenly Creatures(1994)_, the dude in The Frighteners (1996), the drunk in _The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)_, the guy throwing a spear in Helm's Deep in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), and the Corsair Leader in _The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Both of his parents died during production of The Lord of the Rings.

Estimated earnings from the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy come close to $125 million.

Is among an elite group of 7 directors who have won Best Picture, Best Director & Best Screenplay (Orig/Adapted) for the same film. In 2004 he won all three for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). The other directors are Billy Wilder, Leo McCarey, Francis Ford Coppola, James L. Brooks and Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.

His five favorite films, according to Rotten Tomatoes, are King Kong (1933), Dawn of the Dead (2004), Jaws (1975), Goodfellas (1990) and The General (1926).

Has directed 2 actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Ian McKellen, and Stanley Tucci.

My most favorite movies: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather: Part II (1974) and The Godfather: Part III (1990).

In 1971, Coppola's film The Godfather (1972) became one of the highest-grossing movies in history and brought him an Oscar for writing the screenplay with Mario Puzo The film was a Best Picture Academy Award-winner, and also brought Coppola a Best Director Oscar nomination.

My most favorite movie: The Kid (1921).

Trade mark: A tramp with toothbrush mustache, undersized bowler hat and bamboo cane who struggled to survive while keeping his dignity in a world with great social injustice.

Long after becoming a millionaire, he continued to live in a shabby hotel room, and kept his studio checks in a trunk for months.

Was an accomplished musician who, in his later years, often reissued his silent films with scores he had composed himself. In his autobiography Keaton called Chaplin "the greatest silent comedian of all time."

His film, The Great Dictator (1940), was banned in Germany. Was a good friend of Winston Spencer Churchill.

He was awarded the Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1975 Queen's Honours List for his services to entertainment.

My most favorite movie: 25th Hour (2002).

My most favorite movie: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

My most favorite movie: Cast Away (2000).

Frequently casts Tom Hanks, Christopher Lloyd and Robin Wright.

[Opening Long-Take] Often utilizes long, complicated opening shots (Back to the Future (1985), Forrest Gump (1994), Contact (1997)).

Is a good friend of director Peter Jackson. The two of them have used four of the same actors: Michael J. Fox, who appeared in the Back to the Future trilogy, played the lead role in Jackson's The Frighteners (1996), which Zemeckis produced; Peter Dobson, who also appeared in The Frighteners, also played Elvis Presley in Forrest Gump (1994), although Kurt Russell provided the voice; Elijah Wood made his film debut in Back to the Future Part II (1989), then went on to play Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy; Miranda Otto, who played a distraught neighbor in What Lies Beneath (2000), played Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Has directed 2 actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Tom Hanks (twice), and Gary Sinise. Hanks won for his first nominated performance in a Zemeckis feature, Forrest Gump (1994).

My most favorite movie: Scarface (1983).

Brother of Lana Wachowski - The Wachowski Brothers.

My most favorite movie: The Matrix (1999) and The Matrix Reloaded (2003).

My most favorite movie: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).

Directed 5 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Linda Hunt, Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, Rosie Perez and Ed Harris. Hunt won an Oscar for The Year of Living Dangerously (1982).

My most favorite movie: Se7en (1995).

As a film director, he has achieved huge success with Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1999) and, Panic Room (2002).

His favourite films include: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Rear Window (1954), Being There (1979), Jaws (1975), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), 8½ (1963), Alien (1979), American Graffiti (1973), Citizen Kane (1941), Cabaret (1972) and The Year of Living Dangerously (1982).

Directed 4 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Brad Pitt, Taraji P. Henson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Rooney Mara.

R.I.P. Tony :)

My most favorite movie: Man on Fire (2004).

Younger brother of director Ridley Scott.

Often casted Denzel Washington and Christopher Walken.

Has used dogs in many of his movies including Top Gun (1986), True Romance (1993), Crimson Tide (1995), The Fan (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Man on Fire (2004) and Domino (2005).

Tony has worked five times with actor Denzel Washington with Crimson Tide (1995), The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009), Deja Vu (2006), Man on Fire (2004) and Scott's final film in the director's chair Unstoppable (2010).

[on Ridley Scott] Nobody does toga movies like my brother.

My most favorite movies: Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 2 (2004).

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen use many of Raimi's trademark camera movements in their films.

"I look at myself as an entertainer, more than anything else. I wanted to make the movie a little more different than the previous films. ... That was less about me growing as a craftsman. That was more about me trying to provide an element to the audience that I thought they might need something different, that came from a different place."

My most favorite movie: The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001).

My most favorite movie: Men in Black 3 (2012).

Used to receive sole credit as director for the Coen brothers movies', but has always directed films with his brother Ethan Coen (they also write and produce their films together).

My most favorite movie: No Country for Old Men (2007).

My most favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption (1994).

My most favorite movie: When Harry Met Sally... (1989).