With CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR hitting DVD last week, I thought it appropriate to spend some time on director Mike Nichol's uneven but illustrious filmmaking career.

Mike Nichols

Genre of choice:
Drama / Comedy

Filmography:
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
The Graduate (1967)
Catch-22 (1970)
Carnal Knowledge (1971)
The Day of the Dolphin (1973)
The Fortune (1975)
Gilda Live (1980)
Silkwood (1983)
Heartburn (1986)
Biloxi Blues (1988)
Working Girl (1988)
Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Regarding Henry (1991)
Wolf (1994)
The Birdcage (1996)
Primary Colors (1998)
What Planet Are You From? (2000)
Wit (2001)
Closer (2004)
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

The Best

1. WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? - Mike Nichols directorial debut (adapted from the play of the same name) is also his best work, delivering a merciless, darkly funny psychological study of two married intellectuals engaging in a battle of words and wit alongside a younger unsuspecting couple. It's just about perfect.

2. THE GRADUATE - You can read my review for this joyously entertaining and historically significant film HERE.

3. CLOSER - Mike Nichols once again studies the darkness and dysfunctionality of relationships and the people in them, with each character making horrible, self-destructive choices that echo real life more than most people are willing to admit. This is the type of movie you need to watch more than once to fully appreciate. (And since I know this is one of those love it/hate it type of flicks, feel free to comment on what you'd put in the #3 spot below.)

The Worst

WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? - A bland, hugely unfunny comedy starring Garry Shandling as an alien sent to Earth to impregnate a woman. There's really not much to say about it other than its stupid and all of its gags fall flat.

Hidden Gem(s)

THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN - George C. Scott stars in this film about a scientist who trains dolphins to communicate with humans, only to have them stolen for use in an assassination attempt against the President. This movie's worth seeing primarily because Nichols is able to take such a ridiculous plot and make it almost believable.

Style/Trademarks

Nichols has adapted a number of popular plays and novels, and has dissected various aspects of relationships and sexual politics in several of his films. He also gets very strong performances out of his actors, having directed 17 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances.

Sky Shots - Nichols is sometimes known for including long starting/ending shots that take place high in the air.

Behind the Camera

Born in Germany under the name Michael Igor Peschkowsky, Mike Nichols moved to the U.S. to flee the Nazis when he was 8 years old.

Before going on to direct films, Mike Nichols worked in an improvisational comedy team and directed numerous Broadway hits. He has additionally spent time on projects for the small screen with "Wit" and "Angels in America," both of which earned him Best Director Emmy's. In 2001, he had won one of every major show business award (Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Grammy).

Nichols wanted to direct First Blood, with Dustin Hoffman as Rambo. No kidding.

He's also a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.

Upcoming Projects

As of now, Mike Nichols currently has no new projects that have been announced.

Overall

Mike Nichols' career hasn't flourished as well as you would have expected based on his first two masterpieces, but at least his films have been consistently better than average throughout the years. Also, his most recent works (CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR and CLOSER) have proven that he still has a lot of a talent in him, so we shouldn't rule him out just yet.

What are your favorite/least favorite Mike Nichols films? Submit your choices in the Strike Back section below!