Drag Me To Hell is out this week, marking a return to his horror roots for director Sam Raimi.
The film also marks a return to form after the critical drubbing of his last venture, mega-budget three-quel, Spider-Man Tres.
Join us for a look at other directors we think need to get the hindsight checked, and the lessons to be learned from their first features.
Robert Rodriguez
The Present: Planet Terror (2007)
What’s Wrong With It?: An homage to schlocky B-Movie horror it may be, but Rodriguez’ roots as a guerilla filmmaker continue to fade.
The Debut: El Mariachi (1992)
What’s Right With It: Creative, economic, original. A labour of love.
Lesson to (Re)Learn: The non-budget ingenuity that stunned audiences at Sundance.
How To Put It Into Practice: Cut his Predators budget by giving him a handheld camera, a guitar, an octopus and Danny Glover, then stand back and shout action.
Next: Steven Soderberg
Comments
aelmo1
May 29th 2009, 10:33
Mathieu Kassovitz!!!! made a thumper of a movie with La haine, but sadly more recent efforts such as gothika and babylon ad dont do the man justice keep him away from big money grabbing studios, ship him to central london to make another gripping story about real people.
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aelmo1
May 29th 2009, 10:36
Mathieu Kassovitz made a thumper of a movie with La Haine, but sadly more recent efforts like Gothika and Babylon AD havn't been close to showing his best talents. ditch the big studio movies......and stay as far away from fox as possible, ship him to london to make a crime drama
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mydogminton
May 29th 2009, 14:03
I think Woody Allen could do worse than look back at his first few films.
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dgoodswen
May 29th 2009, 19:21
Both great ideas for a follow up article, though Vicky Christina Barcelona was great
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AYBGerrardo
May 29th 2009, 21:00
Zack Snyder - although there was little wrong with Watchmen, and 300 did what it said on the tin, his debut was a dazzling step forward for the zombie horror. He's producing Army of the Dead, but I'd rather he direct it.
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BigAndyT
May 30th 2009, 12:41
Eli Roth does nothing good he shouldnt go back to his roots he should f**k off back to his part time job!
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thedarkknight
May 31st 2009, 23:41
M. Night Shamylan. A twist is fine if it's at the end of a good film.
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somewhatfrail
Jun 12th 2009, 15:22
"What’s Wrong With It?: Apart from Hayden Christiansen, it was the strongest of the three prequels… which is like saying it’s the best type of Hepatitis." Best. Quote. Ever.
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SCY385
Aug 19th 2009, 23:56
I absolutely loved Once Were Warriors. It is one of the most realistic portrayals of domestic abuse I have ever seen in cinema. It is unflinching in it's examination of several controversial subjects including the downtrodden lives of a conquered people who find themselves guests in their country. Very good film making.
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