The Great Director Debate

Marie Antoinette: The World's First "Celebutant"

2006-10-20T18:03:00.000-04:00

'Marie Antoinette', the new Sofia Coppola film opens today and in my opinion, officially kicks off the Fall movie season. I mean, you wouldn't expect her to have a movie open in May, would you?

It seems the older (and wiser?) I get, the longer in the year I have to wait for movies that really appeal to me on more than a superficial level. Although there were a couple (like two) gems this year, '06 has more or less been a drag (on that note, there was a screening of 'Hedwig' at the ENZIAN this summer).

Now is this the result of the evolution of the filmmaking process? The one where tighter production schedules, monster marketing budgets, and focus groups have taken hold, pushing artistry and experimentation to the bottom of the list?

I have a theory that Kubrick didn't actually die because of natural causes, but that he just decided to stop breathing when he realized the days of forty takes and a two year edit session were a thing of the past.

Well, here's to what will hopefully be an award winning Fall movie season. Let's hear what you thought about 'Marie Antoinette' and maybe offer some insights into where movies are headed in the forseeable future.

The Departed - Scorsese's Return to the Street

2006-10-02T20:03:00.000-04:00

(Consider this the first post of phase II of 'The Great Director Debate'.)

It's that time again. Marty has another offering for us on Friday, and to me, Christmas comes early this year. As he gets older, I appreciate even more the movies he creates and I wonder how many more he's got in him.

Let's take a survey on how many of you are looking forward to 'The Departed', and maybe voice your opinion on his work over the last 5-10 years.

What's the soundtrack going to be like? How many Stones songs will there be? Will there be V. O.? Freeze frames? Intense graphic violence? If you've already seen it, don't answer. This is strictly speculation. In a week or two, we'll come back and see if our predictions were on, or way off.

THE SUPER LATE DEBATE!!!

2006-09-06T12:14:00.000-04:00

Holy crap, I guess my head WAS up someone's ass!

I completely got busy in doing other things and totally forgot about the debate.
What was I doing?

Oh, I don't know - being a father, watching movies, making music, hanging with Ray...oh...wait...that last one didn't happen...in fact...what DID happen there, Ray? You drag your ass all the way up to the Big Apple and now you're too good to hang with Pete and me in NYC?

Is it because I'm black? You rascist bastard!

Oh well...

Gore won the last one...no big surprise.
But due to the voting system here in the Director's Debate, George W Bush claimed himself the winner...

I'm thinking now is the time to spice things up.
Let's really get a debate going here.

I was gonna save this one for last...but you know what?
(I'm about to get all Tarantino on yer asses with not only a pop culture reference, but with a Tarantino pop culture reference)

I'm Travolta and this debate is Uma and I'm about to jab her in the heart with adrenaline!

Here we go folks...

Wes Anderson VS Paul Thomas Anderson

Argue to your heart's desire.

Go forth like the warrior Sean Connery...

THE ROUND TO DRIVE PETE MAD!!!

2006-08-21T11:50:00.000-04:00

First off...

THE KING IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE NIGHT!

Peter Jackson is gone. He shuffles off to go live on those white shores that Gandalf talked about and that I'm too tired to access that geeky part of my brain to go into further detail about...blah blah blah...dirty hobbits...

Now...

We go with two people that I have heard Pete spend hours ripping to shreds. These were hours I was never going to get back.

Ever.

Goodbye hours…

So, for pay back, I present you with the following debate….

Robert Rodriguez VS Gore Verbinksi

Ah…I can hear Pete screaming from here…in fact...he just ran by my office, heading for the bathroom to try and escape this debate...

VOTE!!!!!

ROUND 3, DEBATE 2 - THE KING VS THE NIGHT!!!

2006-08-08T10:31:00.000-04:00

First off...Sods took it!
He tooks it hard from Liman!
He tooks it likes he owns it!
And he is a bit cocky about it!

SO...while he's off shooting Ocean's Twenty-Three...

The New Debate!!!

Peter Jackson VS M. Night Shyamalan

Jackson directed the Lord Of The Rings movies...but he also directed King Kong.

Night directed Unbreakable...but he also directed Lady In The Water.

Now...are any of these 'bad' movies?

Not for me to say.

It's up to you!

SO DEBATE BEYOTCHES!!!

ROUND 3 BEGINS – ROUND 2 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

2006-07-25T11:35:00.000-04:00

There are 9, count ‘em, 9 debates in this round.

It’s going to get harder and harder from here on out, kids!

Also, we’ll only be doing one match-up per round – 2 seems to be slowing us down and like Reeves and Bullock on a bus, I’m all about the speed!

First off, Round 2 updates that you’ve all sorta, kinda been waiting for.

The Superman Returns Debate has done the exact same thing the movie has done box-office-wise – it’s stalled. Oh, well, so much for trying to start some conversation around here. You guys just want blood!
Darabont kicked Mingellas’ ass. Hopefully we’ll get that Green Mile musical I dream of late at night.
Cuaron is the conquering conquistador.
Liman makes it out of the Thunderdome to be thrust back in and against a heavyweight!

Let Round 3 Begin!!!

We start off Round 3 with no remorse and soft punches!!! Steven Soderburgh VS Doug Liman

An no matter how brutal it gets around here...remember...we're all friends...

MOVIE QUESTIONNAIRE

2006-07-25T11:33:00.000-04:00

Name a movie you loved upon first viewing, but doesn’t hold up for you now
Name a movie you disliked upon first viewing, but upon second viewing, is better than you thought
Name a movie you had high expectations for and were let down
Name a movie you had high expectations for and they were met (possibly exceeded)
Name a movie everyone else liked/loved and you hated
Name a movie you liked/loved everyone else hated

(copy and paste into the respond box and add your answers -- if you like)

NON-DIRECTOR RELATED DEBATE #1 'Superman Returns'

2006-07-13T13:40:00.000-04:00

Discuss...

NEW DEBATE!!!!!!!!!!!! finally...

2006-07-03T11:35:00.000-04:00

It’s the BATTLE OF THE BOURNES!!!

No…not Bjorns...Bournes... directors…

Paul Greengrass VS Doug Liman

Next up is the BATTLE OF THE SPANIARDS!!!

Fernando Meirelles VS Alfonso Cuaron

Although I don’t really know who is Spanish and who is Mexican and who is Portuguese and who is from Bolivia…I’m kinda ignorant when it comes to things like that…

Have a great holiday everyone - enjoy Life Day with your family and loved ones!

IMPORTANT FOR NEWBIES!!!

Also, if you're a new member and you're NOT getting updates via email from me, please send me your address so I can get you on the list. Thanks!

theechomusic@yahoo.com

WINNERS OF THE LAST 37 WEEKS!!!

2006-07-03T09:13:00.000-04:00

So let’s do a quick recap at who has won…

Peter Jackson VS Stephen Sommers.
Pete Jackson won.
Big surprise.

Big Pete.

Thinner Pete.

Big Pete vs Thinner Pete.
Hmmm…

Looks like Big Pete = Jolly Pete.
Don’t diet…it’s makes you a miserable fuckwad!

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Martin Riggs took it from Jimmy Mangold by one vote!

Riggs and Murtagh live to direct another day!

(by the way, I may be one of the only people you’ll meet that can actually do a Danny Glover from Lethal Weapon impression…you just have to really know the movie to get the impression…)

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

PT Anderson kicked the shit out of Alexander Payne. I’m totally surprised by that. Off the last four debates, I thought this one would be more of a tie than any other.

(what the fuck is it with Director’s and their Boob Grabbing Hand Posture? – check out the old pics and you’ll see what I mean)

But PT walks off with it leaving staunch Payne supporters, Joe and Pete to form their own website http://www.houseofpayne.org/.

Good luck with that guys.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Now…the debate that’s been pissing me off like a VD from an ex-girlfriend I just can’t seem to shake (not a true story, by the way)

Minghella VS Darabont

This bitch has been at a tie forever.

For!

Evah!

So it will lay there until one of our newer members (Lew or Tim or Tim K or…wait, are there actually two Tims on here?) unties it like a date’s dress on prom night…horrible analgy, I know, I know.

I don’t know if this is going to help sway your votes but here are the fates that await ‘ol Frankie and Minghey if they lose…

Darabont lives on at Eleanor Roosevelt High School teaching drama and interpretive dance 101 to those aspiring actors/actresses/dancers in Scornsville, Kansas. Dance on, Darabont…dance on…

Minghella goes on the road with his one man show ‘Sling Blade – After The Machete Falls’.

So that’s that. Think about the fate you want for these two, newbies! The choice is yours!

And choosing…is three quarters of the battle!

New debate to be up shortly!

NEW DEBATE MOVES AHEAD!!!

2006-06-16T14:10:00.000-04:00

For the first time in the history of the Director’s Debate, we are stuck at a tie. I am waiting for a tie breaker to come through. So instead of sitting around with our collective thumbs up our collective asses while listening to Collective Soul…think about it, think about it…I’m going to move ahead with the new debate.

The tally’s for the last debate will be up by Monday…but until then…let’s move on…

Alrighty then…you complained, so I listened.

You requested, so I delivered.

This here debate is a little more interesting and little more “what the people want”

You gots one week to come to decision.

Mel Gibson VS James Mangold

Alexander Payne VS Paul Thomas Anderson

Gary and David say "This one's a good one!"

TWO FOR TUESDAY - WINNERS & NEW DEBATE!!!

2006-06-07T09:03:00.000-04:00

This was supposed to be up Tuesday, but I had work stuff to do and we had to wait for the tie-breaker and for that, a big round of applause for The Dash! Glad to have you back, man. I missed you. I love you, man...I love you...YOU'RE MY BOY, DASH!!!!

So M. Night defeats the big nasty, stanky dragon thing...

And he's so happy in and understated way...

Gore is back for more!!! WOO HOO!!! (rhyme scheme provided by Shitty Rhymes Inc.)

And since he's out of the picture, I think now is a good time to drive Justin up the wall and see how many ways we can misspell David O. Russell's name.

O' Russell. O: Russell. O; Russell. O! Russell. Oh! Russell.
Oi Russell. Oy Vey Russell. O.R. McRussell. David O. Russellcrowe.

Ah...so many ways...

OK, these debates are taking longer than they normally should so I’m going to impose a new rule here.

One week per debate OR until we have enough votes to move on.

In the case of a tie, cell phone #’s for people who haven’t voted will be published for all to see and call…early in the morning…I’m talking REEALLLL early…

So here goes…the debate for the week...have fun chillens...

The B.H.O.C. (Big Hobbit On Campus) VS ....

Peter Jackson VS Stephen Sommers

(consider it another mercy round...or maybe not)

This next one is the BATTLE OF THE BEARDS!!!!

(which I jus trealized sounds like gay porn)

Shawshank VS The English Patient!
The Green Mile VS The Talented Mr. Ripley!
The Majestic VS Cold Mountain!

Frank Darabont VS Anthony Minghella

So let's start the debate!!!

ROUND 2, DEBATE 4

2006-05-26T14:18:00.000-04:00

This is a debate that is two-fold.

It is one part serious debate.
It is one part mercy killing debate.

First, the mercy killing debate…

Based on the #of votes one director got last round, he is now going up against a two-headed beast so frightening, so terrifying, that the mere mention of this beast’s name inspires cold sweats and shivers around the world.

Behold…McBay!!!

The two headed monstrosity that continues to unleash it’s plague against the world! Behold it’s keen sense of kinetic editing, loud music, gratuitous butt shots! Behold it’s works of art forever immortalized in the Criterion Collection!

McBay! Who is brave enough to confront this unholiest of unholy demons?

Why it’s a little lad from Pennsylvania. A young lad who has removed the sword from the stone and is prepared to slay the beast.

A young lad we like to call M. Night.

M. Night Shyamalan VS Mc Bay

Next is an odd match up, but I’m going with my gut on this one.

I present to you the two directors who will do battle…and their doppelgangers…okay…not so much doppelgangers as it is that one of these guys looks like the slower (i.e. retarded) version of the other guy…you figure it out…

David O. Russell

and Opera Man

Gore Verbinski

and John Corbett

And so it begins…

Opera Man VS John Corbett

Have a great weekend!

(McBay image provided by Alt Industries)

WE GOT WINNERS!!!!

2006-05-26T10:33:00.000-04:00

OK, here we go…

Wed Anderson wins again and by the bemused expression on his face…well…he’s bemused…what can you do about that? At least Wes has a song or two in his heart he wants to share with us all…

OK, that was a colossal waste of time…

Looking like the offspring of Dave Grohl and Matt LeBlanc, Richard Linklater takes the cake.

Meanwhile, Bryan Singer is said to be using pre-existing footage from previous Superman films for his movie...here we present an exclusive picture from Singer's upcoming 'Superman Returns'!

Damn...that looks good...................

And that’s that.

Next round will be up today.
It’s a Memorial Day Weekend Round.

Lots of fun to be had!!!

ROUND 2, DEBATE 3

2006-05-17T09:55:00.000-04:00

(Crap! I just realized that the initials for last round were R2-D2…and I didn’t do anything with it…I am slacking in my sci-fi geek responsibilities)

This is a round I’m interested in seeing how it plays out. People are fanatical about these first two directors. They either love, love, love them…or think they’re OK.

Quentin Tarantino VS Wes Anderson

The second set of guys are each doing comedy movies in their own tone and fashion.

Farrelly Brothers VS Richard Linklater

Have fun with this one kiddies...and remember...

ROUND 2 – DEBATE #2 IS FINALLY OVER!

2006-05-16T11:19:00.000-04:00

It took about as long as it did for the Stone Roses to make their second album (a reference lost on many I’m sure…) but it is finally here!

An end to Round 2 – Debate 2.

Ding Dong The Baz Is Dead! The Baz Is Dead! Ding Dong!!!

Although I’m happy this hack is no longer involved in this debate, I still know that no one here probably agrees with my opinion that he is over-rated and a marginal talent at best.

(the opinions expressed by erin_echo do not reflect the opinions of the makers of The Great Director’s Debate and are in no way affiliated with The Hanso Foundation)

But I would like to take a look at the future of Mr. Luhrmann, leaving the world of directing behind, and becoming a full time actor…

Annnnnnnd...scene!

Aronofsky. Trippy. Rachel Wiesz. Still pregnant…I think…don’t know…

UPDATED!!!!

Boyle beat Les Mendes!!!

Danny feels bad about Sam losing out and taking my comments about his Morrissey-ness, Boyle has taken it upon himself to sing the Morrissey song, 'Suedehead' to Mendes.

(...a joke that no one on this board will probably get...)

OK, new match will be up today…hopefully this one will go quicker and spark more debate…

We’re on our way…albeit slowly…but we’re on our way…

DEBATE 2, ROUND 2

2006-05-05T09:48:00.000-04:00

SECTION 4, VERSE 1

An yay tho they shall maketh a movie…they shall not know the financial outcome until after the opening weekend. And He said it shall be…so it was.

And if it isto be art, He said, then mae it be art. But ifith it is to be a movie about jarheads or heroin users…then make it an honest one…for the masses can notith withstandith the truth…ith…

Danny Boyle VS Sam Mendes

SECTION 6, VERSE 5

And tho the eye of beauty is unseen to the blind, it is the flash of images quicker than what the normal eye can stand that shall condem thee to hell…if voted out of this round, that is…and ye of the dark subject and dark tone shall force us to shower and scrub after viewing a requiem of one’s dream for it is said that he who…as to hell with this…

Darren Aranofsky VS Baz Luhrmann

ROUND TWO’S FIRST WINNERS!!!

2006-05-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

Our first winners of Round Two have arrived!

First up, it’s Mr. Do-Everything-Himself-On-A-Movie-Set Guy, Robert Rodriguez!

Muy bien, my friend. Muy bien!

This guys directs, he writes, he produces, he does the music, he edits, he casts the films…he does it all!

But watch out, Pete’s got his sights trained on your back and he’s ready to fire.

I feel kinda bad for the Mockney…

...he’s gotta face Madonna and tell her that he’s a loser…hate to be in that house tonight!

Fincher wins and despite that the fact that one person didn’t vote for him, he’s in a forgiving mood…sort of…

And Gondry doesn’t seem to care about his loss.

He’s on the look out for new ways to push the boundaries of film making…

…yeah, can’t wait to see that shitty film quality piece of art…

OK, stay tuned for the next round which shall be up shortly...

AND SO...ROUND 2 BEGINS...

2006-04-28T09:41:00.000-04:00

OK, we’re getting right into it.

I’d like to first welcome Miss Leslie to these proceedings. She is a movie buff, film knowledge extraordinaire and…a film director to boot. She knows her stuff.

And…she’s a lady…so watch the dick jokes, people…although I have a feeling Miss Leslie will be the first out of the gate with a dick joke…oh sure, on-set she seems nice and quiet, but I’ve seen her in a drunken argument/brawl up against twelve sailors and I’ll give you two guesses as to had the foulest mouth of the lot…even the sailors were shocked…

OK…so Round 2 begins…and we start off strong with two names that were held out of Round 1…

Robert Rodriguez VS Guy Ritchie

Good ‘ol Roberto has made some entertaining films and has, I believe, really advanced the whole D.I.Y. sensibility to film making.

Guy….well…you know how I feel about him, but this isn’t about me…it’s about YOU!

David Fincher VS Michel Gondry

Two visual masters. The question is…whose vision would like to be your master? Wait…that sounded kinda S&M-ish…

So have at it kiddies! The fun (and hate and anger and resentment) is about to begin!!!

Be Tough! Be Strong! Be like Chuck Norris!

NEW FEATURE -- DIRECTOR’S DEBATE!!!!!

2006-04-25T10:01:00.000-04:00

While we are waiting for the next debate to be pieced together and for all of you to continue garnering your strength for the battles that are yet to come…I wanted to take this time and introduce a new feature to the Great Director’s Debate.

It is called, Director’s Debate Man Of The Month.

And this month, it’s none other than sex pot George Lucas…

Let’s take a look at George’s stats shall we…

George Lucas
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 180 – 302 lbs
Hair: Salt & Pepper

George’s Likes:
· Long walks in the forest
· Watching silent movies and Japanese films
· Tinkering with old films
· Hostess Cup Cakes
· The feel of yarn
· Readjusting history to make it more to his liking

George’s Dislikes
· People who shoot first
· Licorice
· Unaltered history
· Republicans
· Bad sound in theaters
· The color ‘sand’

Quote:
"Everything is, in the end, fiction."-George Lucas

In the immortal words of Joanie from ‘Happy Days’…’What a fox!’

New debate will be up Friday…

ROUND ONE HAS BEEN COMPLETED!!!

2006-04-21T14:44:00.000-04:00

ROUND 1 IS OVER!!!!

We have our winners, we have our losers.

Round 2 shall be interesting and with the welcomed addition of Ray-Ray, things will become more and more heated.

CHRIS NOLAN

Looking a little like a cross between a Bond Villain and an MC for Britain’s Next Top Comic Reality Show, Nolan takes the prize from Singer.

Singer, as you can see, isn’t that happy about it.

The repercussions of the Nolan VS Singer debate will ring through these hallowed halls for quite some time.

DARREN ARONOFSKY (otherwise known as the man who got Rachael Weisz pregnant)

He’s so happy about his win that when asked how he plans to celebrate, he responded…

(they all can’t be winners folks)

And speaking of winners…here’s the list of the Round 1 winners…

1. Richard Linklater
2. Wes Anderson
3. M. Night Shyalaman
4. Frank Darabont
5. Todd Haynes
6. Baz Luhrmann
7. Stephen Sommers
8. Michael Bay
9. McG
10. Sam Mendes
11. Michelle Gondry
12. Farrely Brothers
13. David O'Russell
14. Paul Greengrass
15. Guy Ritchie
16. Paul Thomas Anderson
17. Alfonso Cuaron
18. Doug Liman
19. Danny Boyle
20. Chris Nolan
21. Darren Aranofsky

Next round will see these guys going up a host of new names that have been held back. Also, expect a couple of wild cards thrown into the second round to do one of two things:

1. Keep you interested
2. Piss you off

The beginning of next week will be the calm before the storm, so I ask of you the following…

If you know someone who will benefit from arguing about movie directors, then get their emails to me and let’s get them into this. The more the better! make sure they know the rules, know what the past debates have been like, and that they can respond in a timely fashion (under a month)! So go out and spread the word of the great Director’s Debate!!! Then, sometimes next week…Round Two begins!!!

And wouldn’t you know it? Alec is so excited about it that he can’t help but dance!

FOR 'THE DASH'

2006-04-21T10:15:00.000-04:00

FINAL DEBATE FOR ROUND 1

2006-04-10T14:21:00.000-04:00

Check out these guys...

One is trippy as hell. The other likes to push boundaries of storytelling. Actually, they both like to do that, just in their own unique ways. Oh, and after watching some of these guys’ movies…you feel the need to take a shower. And not in a good way…like with Angelina Jolie…that’s a good shower...

Darren Aranofsky VS Neil Labute

The next one…whew…OK, here goes…

One gave us a movie that…um…ok…wait a second…OK this guy…wait, I’ll start with the other guy first, the other guy gave us a film…they both…superhero movies…cool thrillers...great performances from actors…genre films…I…I don’t…awwww fuck it! JUST VOTE!

Chris Nolan VS Bryan Singer

Make this one a good vote. Alec wants you to...HE REALLLLLY WANTS YOU TO...

Good hunting!

MATCH #8 WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!!!

2006-04-10T09:54:00.000-04:00

Wow.
We have our first legit tie. Now…I could go and wait for someone else to get off their ass and vote to break the tie…but I don’t have that kind of time.

So…

BOYLE AND LIMAN MOVE ON TO ROUND 2!!!!!!!!

Boyle lives to trainspot another day.

Wait a minute…I mean Morrissey…wait, I mean…wait…what…?

All is well with the worl d.

Except Liman's hair...dude...get a comb...or a hat...not that expensive...

Cuaron will go on to have another semester at Las Cucarachas Mágicas Maravillosas © (Justin Alt Ltd.)

And what the fuck is Cuaron doing here in this shot? I was gonna put some sort of funny line in the pic about Cuaron's magic snake about to bite the Harry Potter chick, and she's telling him to piss off...but...I'm lazy today

OK, the final debate of Round 1 will be up later today. It’s a doozy.

MATCH UP #8 – THE BEGINNING OF THE END (of round 1)

2006-03-29T12:07:00.000-05:00

One introduced us to da hood and the boyz that live in it! The other gave us a good Harry Potter film! Both directors really try and tack on different genres and spread themselves out. Is that a good thing?

Maybe, maybe not.

But when you’ve got Samuel L. “Motherfucker” Jackson as Shaft, what could go wrong?

(ok, so it’s not a Shaft picture…but…look how cool he looks…so cool...)

John Singleton VS Alfonso Cuaron

This next debate is the beginning of the tough ones to come…

Both directors are strong. Both have directed particular movies that (in my opinion) are true definitions of a time and place in the mid/late 90’s. Both are good at what they do.

So vote.

Doug Liman VS Danny Boyle

Oh, and none of this ‘I’m voting with a tie’ pussy shit again! You pick one and you stand by that decision. And if someone gets in your face…you tell them why YOU’RE right!!!

Ain’t that right Natalie?

You heard her, folks! Don’t piss her off!

Now go vote, bitches!!!

WINNERS SO FAR

2006-03-29T11:31:00.000-05:00

We’re near the end of the first round, so I thought we’d take a look at who has won so far…

• Richard Linklater
• Wes Anderson
• M. Night Shyalaman
• Frank Darabont
• Todd Haynes
• Baz Luhrmann
• Stephen Sommers
• Michael Bay
• McG
• Sam Mendes
• Michelle Gondry
• Farrely Brothers
• David O. Russell
• Paul Greengrass
• Guy Ritchie
• Paul Thomas Anderson

THE END OF MATCH UP #7

2006-03-29T11:18:00.000-05:00

DIRECTOR’S DEBATE NEWS FLASH!!!!!

The Mockney takes it home dontchaknow?

But there's no love for The Crowe!

Madonna so elated with her husband's win, she makes out with Britney again!

For victory, Paul Thomas Anderson simply pretends he’s Sean Penn!

MATCH UP #7

2006-03-22T10:35:00.000-05:00

No funny words. No quips.
Just get straight into it.

Rob Bowman VS Guy Ritchie

Paul Thomas Anderson VS Cameron Crowe

Good hunting!

INFAMY DEBATE ENDS – THANK GOD!

2006-03-22T10:13:00.000-05:00

OK, so the debate ends…I kept this one up longer so people could take their sweet time to find out more about these directors, maybe see their films, and maybe…just maybe…find some love for one another…

None of that happened.

WINNERS!!!!

Farrely Brothers!

David O’ Russell

Paul Greengrass

Next debate will be up today…should be an interesting one…

MATCH UP – MARCH 13…A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY

2006-03-13T10:11:00.000-05:00

And where exactly is Infamy? In the Bronx? In the flatlands of North Dakota? Infamy…someone look that up will ya?

OK…so today’s match up is a trifecta of interstingness…

One of the match ups in Battle of the Comedies. Two directors (actually three) who have crafted some of the funniest movies in a long time…but they’ve also crafted some pieces of crap as well…

The Farrelly Brothers (Zeke & Pookie) VS Jay Roach

After that, we’ve got two guys starting out in their career. One made what was (in my opinion) one of the best movies of that year -- Bold, inventive and exciting and contained one of the best ensemble performances in that genre. The other directed a hard-hitting docudrama about one a horrific act that is remembered to this day (and the subject for a U2 song…see how I got them in there?)

Jonathan Glazer VS Paul Greengrass

And finally, two guys who do their own thing. Their movies can be hit or miss, but they are unique in their vision and the way they run their catering trucks on their sets. They always have scripts that are inventive and always offer tasty tuna dishes for a good price.

Don Roos VS David O. Russell

Look up who they be and vote!!!

VIVA LA GONDRY!!! VIVA LA MENDES!!!

2006-03-13T10:01:00.000-05:00

Even though The Dash only voted for one of the match ups…ahem…we got winnahs!!!!

Mr. Mendes has taken it from Jim Sheridan.

And for those of you didn’t vote for Jim Sheridan…well..you’ve pissed off Fiddy…

And The Fraanch won over America in this race.

Monsieur Gondry is ze winnah leaving Spike Jonze in the dust—wait a minute…Spike Jones and Wes Anderson kinda look…the same…you don’t think…nah…

The next round shall be up shortly…

THE NEXT MATCH UP BEGINS!!!!

2006-03-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

OK, so upon further reflection maybe this next match-up won’t be so hard. But then again…maybe it will…muwhahaha ALL HAIL MING!!!

On one hand we have the man who gave us some of Daniel Day Lewis’ most compelling performances – on the other hand, he also gave us 50 Cent’s (Fiddy’s) movie debut.

The other guy gave us Kevin Spacey masturbating in the shower…on the other hand he gave us Kevin Spacey masturbating in the shower. Do with that what you will.

Sam Mendes VS Jim Sheridan

Ah, this one I’m interested in seeing. They’ve both directed two movies written by the same guy – Charlie Kaufman. Both seem to run in the same circles as far as music videos go. They both have Bjork on speed dial. Now, which one has a clear style and vision on his way to becoming one of the best directors of the ages!

Michel Gondry VS Spike Jonze

Good hunting!!!

‘LESSER OF TWO EVILS’ WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!!

2006-03-06T09:15:00.000-05:00

• Michael Bay

• Stephen Sommers

• McG

Some of us aren’t proud of our votes. But we move on.
The next round will be announced in a few hours.
This upcoming match up may be one of the toughest one’s we’ll have to do until we get to the later rounds.

So in the meantime, just imagine yourself hanging at the Regal Beagle with your friend and mine…Larry.

WEEKEND ONLY SPEED ROUND!!!

2006-03-03T10:22:00.000-05:00

WEEKEND ONLY SPEED ROUND!!!

THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS MATCH UPS

OK, since the last round took 47 days to get through, this is going to be a speed round.

The round will end Monday morning and winners will be announced 9 am EST.

Get your votes in while you can!!!

Cue Imperial Theme here while we bring on this group of scum and villainy.

We must be cautious.

This round will be interesting cos we get to pick through such notable helmers of such film classics as Family Man, Fast & The Furious, XXX, The Rock, The Mummy, Con Air, Charlie’s Angels 2, the list goes on…

But…do any of this group show that they have a talent and knack for possibly making a good film? I think there are a couple of good films in the resumes listed below…but does that entitle them to move on to Round 2?

We have the glorious task of choosing from the following match ups…

Michael Bay VS Brett Ratner

Stephen Sommers VS Rob Cohen

McG VS Simon West

Quien es less crappy?

LET’S GET ON WITH THIS ALREADY – THIRD SET OF WINNERS!!!!

2006-03-03T10:06:00.000-05:00

Just got off the phone with The Dash and he said his votes were going to be for Baz and Haynes…so that makes it official. Now, we can get on to the next round (which will hopefully be more exciting for Tidal)

We have winners!!!!

We have Todd Haynes and Baz Luhrman. They go on to fight in Round Two.

Apparently, I’m the only one who doesn’t like Luhrman and have received repeated private messages telling me how much of an idiot I am for not liking him.

To all of those who revel in his talentless, hyper-kinetic glory and voted for him, I simply say to you…

ROUND 1 - THE TODDS & MUSICALS SECTION

2006-02-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

BATTLE OF THE TODDS!!!

NO!!! Not Todd Bridges, but rather two men who have unique visions and unique ways of telling their stories. One likes making movies about screwed up people, the other likes making movies about people who are screwed up (there’s a difference, look it up!) We’ve got it all here, folks! Pedophilia, closeted homosexuality,
racism, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, etc.

Will one of these Todds be the next Marty or Francis? You make the call!

Todd Solonoz VS Todd Haynes

Now, these two guys…they both haven’t directed solely musicals, but that’s the main things they’ve been noted for in the pas tfew years, so I’m taking the lazy route and calling this one…

BATTLE OF THE MUSICAL REVIVALISTS

One likes to create exciting, kinetic images, the other likes to savor the beauty of the frame. One of these men could very well be one of the director’s who we will be talking about for years to come. Or…they could be a couple’a washed up has beens by the time we start flying around on jet packs.

You decide!!!

Baz Luhrmann VS Rob Marshall

SECOND SET OF WINNERS!!!

2006-02-27T09:41:00.000-05:00

Why is Ravidam Patel smiling? Cos he won in a clean sweep against the Wachowskis, thus giving them more time to support one or the other in the whole sex change caper! (Mr. Jingles And The Sex Change Caper - written by Frank Darabont, directed by The Wachowski Brothers)

And Mr. Frank 'I look like a High School Dance Instructer' Darabont took it from Barry 'Sorry, 'bout Men In Black 2' Sonnenfeld by one vote (Mr. Darabont will be sending an autographed copy of The Shawshank Redemption (Korean Edition) to Scruffy in the mail)

So now we're on to the third round...

ROUND 1 CONTINUES…

2006-02-22T09:10:00.000-05:00

Today’s Director’s Debate Match Ups are as follows:

BATTLE OF FOREIGN SOUNDING LAST NAMES PART 1

M. Night Shyamalan VS The Wachowski Brothers (Cletus and Jethro)

Shyalaman! Wachowski! One has given us some of the more interesting thrillers in the last few years. The other has given us one of the most influential sci-fi movie in the last few years. Both have odd sounding last names! Who will win in the caged match of LAST NAME SLAUGHTER FRENZY!!!!

BATTLE OF THE GUYS WHO WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY AND THEN BECAME DIRECTORS PART 1 (I know, it’s a stupid category, but I couldn’t think of anything more interesting)

Frank Darabont VS. Barry Sonnenfeld

One was a screenwriter and script doctor. The other a cinematographer on several films (some actually good). One has a big body of work behind him and the other has only a few films to his credit, but one very, very important one that has moved millions.

Let the debates begin…

AND THE FIRST WINNERS ARE...

2006-02-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

OK, so we have our first winners.

Wes Anderson comes out on top of Sofia (You like that, Wes? Huh!? DO YOU LIKE THAT YOU DIRTY, DIRTY BITCH!!!?? OK, don't get all excited at once, dude...)

And Linklater wipes the floor with Smith’s ass. And oh, what an ass it is! (What the--!?)

So Wes Anderson and Richard Linklater wait until Round 2 to reemerge.

1st DIRECTOR'S DEBATE MATCH UP

2006-02-20T08:36:00.000-05:00

Richard Linklater vs. Kevin Smith

Wes Anderson vs. Sofia Coppola

So make your arguments and post them as to who is the better director.
Out of Linklater vs. Smith, out of Coppola vs. Anderson.

Winners will get set aside for the second round of match ups.

Go to work!!!

Just a couple of more suggestions...

2006-02-19T02:56:00.000-05:00

Howdy - just looking over the list, I feel there may have been a couple left out, but being the new guy, I'll leave it up to y'all if they are worthy of adding (I think I may have posted this twice?):

Christopher Nolan
Doug Liman
Barry Sonnefeld
Andrew Stanton
Brad Bird (ok, he's the questionable one with two entries, and animated ones, but... darn good films.)

Just my two-and-a-half cents.
Ticketboy

FEB 20 UPDATED !!! NEW DIRECTOR'S LIST

2006-02-15T09:59:00.000-05:00

Additions in BOLD TEXT

1. Richard Linklater
2. Kevin Smith
3. Danny Boyle
4. M. Night Shyamalan
5. Don Roos
6. Steven Soderberg
7. Brett Ratner
8. McG
9. John Singleton
10. David Fincher
11. Simon West
12. The Wachowski Brothers
13. Wes Anderson
14. Todd Solonondz
15. Jay Roach
16. Frank Darabont
17. Michael Bay
18. Jim Sheridan
19. Cameron Crowe
20. Paul Thomas Anderson
21. Sofia Coppola
22. Farrely Brothers
23. Spike Jonze
24. Michele Gondry
25. Bryan Singer
26. Eli Roth
27. Rob Marshall
28. Ang Lee
29. Darren Aronofsky
30. Todd Haynes
31. Rob Cohen
32. Sam Mendes
33. David O. Russell
34. Baz Luhrmann
35. Alfonso Cuaron
36. Jonathan Glazer
37. Paul Greengrass
38. Quentin Tarantino
39. Rob Bowman
40. Robert Rodriguez
41. Chris Nolan
42. Doug Liman
43. Barry Sonnenfeld
44. Andrew Stanton
45. Brad Bird

SEE FIRST MATCH UP!

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT FILM ICONS?

2006-02-09T14:51:00.000-05:00

You say the names Spielberg, Coppola, Scorcese and immediately, you can see scenes from their films. You know who they are and you know what they bring to the game. The question posed here is this; Who will be the next set of names everyone will know?

What we will do here is present a list of 30 or so names of directors who have met the following criteria:

1. They have to have started their career as a full length feature film director by 1990 (1989 is acceptable, nothing before that)
2. They can have worked in the film industry prior to 1989 in some capacity (actor, producer, cater waiter, etc)
3. They can have directed short movies prior to 1989
4. They have to have directed more than 2 films

These criteria may be added to as we get closer to game time.

Once we have all the director’s names established, we will pair up two directors against one another and we will debate the pros and cons of each director. Each person who comments must pick the director they feel is the strongest. That winning director will be placed aside and will eventually go up against another director in the second round.

Your obligation to this is simple - Once a pairing has been set up - make your case for who you think should win.

We cannot move to the next round until all members have made their argument.

Does it make sense?
If not…then I will send you an elaborate pie chart that will help you understand.

OK, so the more people we can bring in to this, the better off it will be.

Here’s to the next set of directors!

Erin