Hey, Music video directors- Stick to music video's?

[rocknblues81]

Is it me, or is the movie business feel like it's been flooded with horrible music video directors trying to make the jump to movies. Please guys, stick to making your horrible 3 minute video's. Please! There is already a lack of good directors now, and we don't need you shallow style over substance fuckers taking up spots. We want to see guys that are actually interested in making a movie with some depth.

Please, stay away!

[SkyNet]

Mark Pellington started as a Music Video director (Jeremy by Pearl Jam).. he then went on to direct my personal favorite flick: Arlington Road (as well as The Mothman Prophecies and Henry Poole is Here)

Didnt Michael Mann start as a Music Video director??

i will say that i wouldnt mind seeing more features from Hype Williams.

didnt Michael Bay also start in music videos?? I know some hate him, some love him.. but he is making a shit load of money at the box office making movies that i personally love!

there are some shit ones, but there are some very very good ones alos

[Tweek]

David Fincher did music videos and he's a favorite of mine. :)

[rocknblues81]

Mark Pellington started as a Music Video director (Jeremy by Pearl Jam).. he then went on to direct my personal favorite flick: Arlington Road (as well as The Mothman Prophecies and Henry Poole is Here)

Didnt Michael Mann start as a Music Video director??

i will say that i wouldnt mind seeing more features from Hype Williams.

didnt Michael Bay also start in music videos?? I know some hate him, some love him.. but he is making a shit load of money at the box office making movies that i personally love!

there are some shit ones, but there are some very very good ones alos


I don't know about Mann to be honest with you. I do know about Bay and pretty much all of his movies are empty trash.

[rocknblues81]

David Fincher did music videos and he's a favorite of mine. :)

From what I've seen, he is mostly just style over substance also. All his characters were predictable cutouts in Seven. Panic Room is a very empty flick that more worried about nifty camera tricks than it is an actual story.

[Tweek]

From what I've seen, he is mostly just style over substance also. All his characters were predictable cutouts in Seven. Panic Room is a very empty flick that more worried about nifty camera tricks than it is an actual story.

I don't love everything I've seen from him. I disliked Panic Room and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Se7en is in my top ten so I obviously disagree with you on that. Have you seen Zodiac?

[rocknblues81]

I don't love everything I've seen from him. I disliked Panic Room and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Se7en is in my top ten so I obviously disagree with you on that. Have you seen Zodiac?

I haven't watch it yet. It's funny, I own most of his movies as I've bought them cheap and given him a chance. Panic Room is decent enough entertainment, but it's not a must see movie. Seven... Well, it just didn't live up to the hype for me. Mainly the characters Pitt and Freeman have are pretty typical. You know, the hotheaded detective and the wise old cop. I don't feel their characters really went above that.

[Cop No. 633]

Didnt Michael Mann start as a Music Video director??

Actually, no. Mann was always a filmmaker. He went to the London International Film School in the 60's and came back in the early 70's to make a short film 17 Days Down the Line, and a TV movie named the Jericho Mile about life in a prison. Mann has actually never directed a music video. I think you may be thinking about how Miami Vice was shot like a music video.

[LordSimen]

People like Fincher, Bay, Jonze, Gondry and Lawrence are proof that people should director whatever it is they want to direct. Period.

[echo_bravo]

David Fincher did music videos and he's a favorite of mine. :)

He is my number one favorite!

And a lot of times thats the way a great filmmaker gets his foot in the movie business...by directing little music videos. Some of these music video directors are damn talented so I wouldnt write all of them off.

Who knows...there might be another Fincher or Spike Jonze out there thats waiting for his shot.

[Potter82]

You should qualify this a bit - case in point, David Fincher strated off as a music video director and in my opinon and in the opinon of many others on this board and elsewhere, he's one of the best if not the best director currently working in Hollywood.

Bay, on the other hand.....is a perfect example of all that is wrong with music video directors turned film directors - everything is big, loud, flashy, and everything moves at a break neck hyperkinetic pace that I sometimes wonder if his films are being shot by an ADHD inflicted 10 year old! (especially his action sequences! stop moving the damn camera so much so we can see what's going on)

I'll say this about McG, another music video turned film director, based on Terminator Salvation he's 10x better than Bay, at least when it comes to filming action sequences.

[The Postmaster General]

Music video directors account for some of the best directed and innovative films out there. Tarsem being another example to go along with all the other great ones brought up already. It's also worth noting that music videos have influenced film in so many ways. Look at the difference in Martin Scorsese's use of music before and after the rise of MTV.

[rocknblues81]

People like Fincher, Bay, Jonze, Gondry and Lawrence are proof that people should director whatever it is they want to direct. Period.

I'm coming from the viewpoint as a movie fan and wanting to see a quality movie rather than the fluff that Bay puts out. Yeah, they have filled their pockets, but that doesn't make the product good. McDonalds sells, but their food is still terrible.

[rocknblues81]

You should qualify this a bit - case in point, David Fincher strated off as a music video director and in my opinon and in the opinon of many others on this board and elsewhere, he's one of the best if not the best director currently working in Hollywood.

Bay, on the other hand.....is a perfect example of all that is wrong with music video directors turned film directors - everything is big, loud, flashy, and everything moves at a break neck hyperkinetic pace that I sometimes wonder if his films are being shot by an ADHD inflicted 10 year old! (especially his action sequences! stop moving the damn camera so much so we can see what's going on)

I'll say this about McG, another music video turned film director, based on Terminator Salvation he's 10x better than Bay, at least when it comes to filming action sequences.

Well, I'm waiting to see the Fincher brilliance. Alien 3, Seven, and Panic Room are average at best. I haven't heard good things about BB either. I know he is well liked, but I just can't seem to see the greatness.

[LordSimen]

I'm coming from the viewpoint as a movie fan and wanting to see a quality movie rather than the fluff that Bay puts out. Yeah, they have filled their pockets, but that doesn't make the product good. McDonalds sells, but their food is still terrible.

I couldn't care less about how much money those directors make. They make great movies, that I love and anyone who says they shouldn't be allowed to make movies simply cause they directed music videos should probably open up their darn minds a little.

I'm coming from the viewpoint as a movie fan and wanting to see good movies, which those guys provide in spades. ;)

[Servo]

Spike Jonze and Michal Gondry are two incredible filmmakers if you ask me. David Fincher has always been hit or miss, but I think everyone here can attest to the awesomeness of FIGHT CLUB.

Sure there's great-music-video-directors-turned-mediocre-directors, but there's just about as much, if not more, regular filmmakers that haven't touched music videos that suck balls as well. I don't think it's really affected the industry that much, unless that's the only shit you find yourself watching...

[ericdraven]

Oh man, I love me some Spike Jonze. That dude can DIRECT plain and simple. he has the tools. Also, Gondry has been miss lately(Be Kind, Rewind was a paper thin one joke premise stretched over a hour 30 minute time frame, and Hello Toyko or whatever it is called, looks awful.)

[echo_bravo]

Well, I'm waiting to see the Fincher brilliance. Alien 3, Seven, and Panic Room are average at best. I haven't heard good things about BB either. I know he is well liked, but I just can't seem to see the greatness.

Hmm thats too bad you hated Seven. Its my favorite film of all time and I think its definitely one of the best films of the 90s. Beautifully shot, awesome dialogue too. The scene in the car between Mills and John Doe always makes my hair stand up its that good.

Dont give up on Fincher yet.

Have you seen The Game? Terrific film all around.

ALso give Zodiac a chance.

[rocknblues81]

I couldn't care less about how much money those directors make. They make great movies, that I love and anyone who says they shouldn't be allowed to make movies simply cause they directed music videos should probably open up their darn minds a little.

I'm coming from the viewpoint as a movie fan and wanting to see good movies, which those guys provide in spades. ;)

Bay has never made a quality movie. All he has made is fast food junk. Brain dead ADD movies. Most people eat up his garbage the same way they do fast food. You can be lazy and just chow down/watch and not have to put any effort in at all. Kind of like with AC/DC... If you've heard (seen) one, then you don't have to bother with the rest.

I loved action movies as a 15 year old and I still disliked his movies. There is just so little to his movies that there is just nothing interesting. Even a movie like Die Hard has good humor to go along with action. With Bay you get Will's PG-13 kiddy comedy.

[rocknblues81]

Hmm thats too bad you hated Seven. Its my favorite film of all time and I think its definitely one of the best films of the 90s. Beautifully shot, awesome dialogue too. The scene in the car between Mills and John Doe always makes my hair stand up its that good.



Nothing in Seven bothered me in any way. It might have helped had I seen the movie before 2001, but I doubt it. I just felt cold to the entire thing including all the characters fates.

[LordSimen]

Bay has never made a quality movie. All he has made is fast food junk. Brain dead ADD movies. Most people eat up his garbage the same way they do fast food. You can be lazy and just chow down/watch and not have to put any effort in at all. Kind of like with AC/DC... If you've heard (seen) one, then you don't have to bother with the rest.


I do not agree. He makes excellent action movies that are fun, enjoyable and give you a good time at the movies. There was no law written that said good movies require people to have to put effort into watching them. That logic is completely false in my opinion, some movies just allow you to sit down, shut the fuck up and enjoy the damn show. Michael Bay movies provide that.

So no. I don't want to live in your world where music video directors aren't allowed to make movies, because there's a ton of movies and a ton of music video directors who have done quite good, Bay being one of them. Your world would suck and be pretty boring if you ask me.

[rocknblues81]

Nope. He makes excellent action movies that are fun, enjoyable and give you a good time at the movies. There was no law written that said good movies require people to have to put effort into watching them. That logic is completely false in my opinion, some movies just allow you to sit down, shut the fuck up and enjoy the damn show. Michael Bay movies provide that.

So no. I don't want to live in your world where music video directors aren't allowed to make movies, because there's a ton of movies and a ton of music video directors who have done quite good, Bay being one of them. Your world would suck and be pretty boring if you ask me.


Nope. He makes trash. There isn't even good humor in his action movies.... I guess if you like kiddy humor then it's there. His movie are about as one dimensional as a movie can get. You take a movie like Predator.... It's a great action flick, but it also works as a horror flick. With Bay it's basically shyt being blown up and NOTHING else. People don't just love Die Hard because shyt blows up. Even by action movie standards Bay is a shallow one dimensional movie maker. He even makes sure he doesn't have any worthwhile characters. I mean, why even bother to invest in a character? The action is awesome!

Your world would suck and be pretty boring if you ask me.

You can stick with your one dimensional PG-13 action movies and I'll stick with preferring stuff with a tad more substance.

[LordSimen]

Nope. He makes trash. There isn't even good humor in his action movies.... I guess if you like kiddy humor then it's there. His movie are about as one dimensional as a movie can get. You take a movie like Predator.... It's a great action flick, but it also works as a horror flick. With Bay it's basically shyt being blown up and NOTHING else. People don't just love Die Hard because shyt blows up. Even by action movie standards Bay is a shallow one dimensional movie maker.

You have yet to mention anything I'd consider to be a negative trait. ;) Those are all things to be proud of- Which Bay clearly is, and is one of the reasons why Bay has always and will always rule all. :D

[Tweek]

Oh man, I love me some Spike Jonze. That dude can DIRECT plain and simple. he has the tools.

Agreed. He directed my favorite music video (Buddy Holly ;)...Sabotage is a close second) and a favorite movie of mine (Adaptation)... I hope he and Kaufman do another film.

[BadCoverVersion]

Did you even consider Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind), Tarsem Singh (The Fall), Anton Corbijn (Control), Jonathan Glazer (Birth), Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) and Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow - an underrated feelgood gem)?

Jonathan Demme is worthy of a mention because he was making New Order videos and filming Talking Heads in concert before he made Silence Of The Lambs...and Gus Van Sant made a tonne of music videos in the early 90's...way before he became a bankable 'mainstream' director. Countless people have also offered up Fincher.

I actually hope that MORE video directors move on to making films...they're generally more visually creative and interesting. If I discovered that Chris Cunningham was directing a new horror movie I would probably pee myself on the spot.

[echo_bravo]

Did you even consider Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind), Tarsem Singh (The Fall), Anton Corbijn (Control), Jonathan Glazer (Birth), Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) and Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow - an underrated feelgood gem)?

Jonathan Demme is worthy of a mention because he was making New Order videos and filming Talking Heads in concert before he made Silence Of The Lambs...and Gus Van Sant made a tonne of music videos in the early 90's...way before he became a bankable 'mainstream' director. Countless people have also offered up Fincher.

I actually hope that MORE video directors move on to making films...they're generally more visually creative and interesting. If I discovered that Chris Cunningham was directing a new horror movie I would probably pee myself on the spot.

He's the guy that directs all the Aphex Twin videos right?

If so, yes he needs to make a full length film immediately.

[rocknblues81]

Did you even consider Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind), Tarsem Singh (The Fall), Anton Corbijn (Control), Jonathan Glazer (Birth), Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) and Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow - an underrated feelgood gem)?

Jonathan Demme is worthy of a mention because he was making New Order videos and filming Talking Heads in concert before he made Silence Of The Lambs...and Gus Van Sant made a tonne of music videos in the early 90's...way before he became a bankable 'mainstream' director. Countless people have also offered up Fincher.

I actually hope that MORE video directors move on to making films...they're generally more visually creative and interesting. If I discovered that Chris Cunningham was directing a new horror movie I would probably pee myself on the spot.

It's like Marcus Nispel and David as I said that frustrate me. I know some like the Texas Chainsaw remake, but for me it felt like a chore to sit through. I want more than camera tricks and camera work. I never watched Being John Malkovich because I suspected that maybe it's a gimmick movie of some sort. That, and I've been indifferent that John. Not that I hate the guy, but he's not an actor that overly excites me for some reason.

I've already spoke out on Fincher. I've put my feelings about him about as plain as a can. It seems as though I've ran into the work of the bad ones because I haven't seen Eternal Sunshine either. Although I did blind buy it and do own it.

[LordSimen]

Film is a visual medium. Film makers that are creative and know how to use the power of the visual are just as valid, if not more-so, than those who just stick to the same old boring classic style that we've seen a hundred times. "Camera Tricks," as you call them, are what make for good cinema. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake was quite good in my opinion.

[rocknblues81]

Film is a visual medium. Film makers that are creative and know how to use the power of the visual are just as valid, if not more-so, than those who just stick to the same old boring classic style that we've seen a hundred times. "Camera Tricks," as you call them, are what make for good cinema. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake was quite good in my opinion.

Fincher's camera work didn't make Panic Room any better. I didn't like the remake. The first 30 minutes are for the most part completely lifeless. Jessica Biel is only casted for her boobs. Hartman delivers his typical one note character that he's been doing since 1987. It was funny back then, but he's worn the one note performance out. They even had to be completely cliche and throw that god awful Sweet Home Alabama song in there.

Like I said though, there is always the chance that I've just ran into the work of the more lightweight music video directors.

[LordSimen]

Bashing good songs, fantastic actors as well as great camerawork that did make a movie better isn't gonna convince anyone to join your side that seems to be against great film makers making great movies. ;)

[rocknblues81]

Bashing good songs, fantastic actors as well as great camerawork that did make a movie better isn't gonna convince anyone to join your aside against great film makers making great movies. ;)

It's a terrible overplayed song. I don't see how somebody could be proud to be from Alabama. Have you ever been there?:D

How his camera work make the movie better? It's dull and superficial. I paid 3 bucks for that movie and I still felt ripped off. I should have suspected it was bad when it was so cheap brand new. A cheap price for a cheap forgettable thriller.

[LordSimen]

It's a terrible overplayed song. I don't see how somebody could be proud to be from Alabama. Have you ever been there?:D

Fair enough. ;)


How his camera work make the movie better? It's dull and superficial. I paid 3 bucks for that movie and I still felt ripped off. I should have suspected it was bad when it was so cheap brand new.

The camera work makes the movie Fincher's movie. No one does camera work or tells stories quite like Fincher and it gives it his own unique touch that no one could ever effectively replicate without feeling dull or superficial. When Fincher does it, it's not. It's him. It's fantastic. :D

[rocknblues81]

Fair enough. ;)



The camera work makes the movie Fincher's movie. No one does camera work or tells stories quite like Fincher and it gives it his own unique touch that no one could ever effectively replicate without feeling dull or superficial. When Fincher does it, it's not. It's him. It's fantastic. :D

My eyes rolled at some of the scenes and it's like GIMMICK. But I guess, when you got no real story to the movie that's about all you can aim for. The funniest part is the best Fincher movie that I liked was Alien 3. I think people are harsh on him for that one. I'm probably the only person that doesn't hate Alien 3 though.

[LordSimen]

I don't believe in the word "Gimmick" so whatever. Just dumb word created by people for the sole reason to bash good things.

[echo_bravo]

It's like Marcus Nispel and David as I said that frustrate me. I know some like the Texas Chainsaw remake, but for me it felt like a chore to sit through. I want more than camera tricks and camera work. I never watched Being John Malkovich because I suspected that maybe it's a gimmick movie of some sort. That, and I've been indifferent that John. Not that I hate the guy, but he's not an actor that overly excites me for some reason.

I've already spoke out on Fincher. I've put my feelings about him about as plain as a can. It seems as though I've ran into the work of the bad ones because I haven't seen Eternal Sunshine either. Although I did blind buy it and do own it.

Jesus Christ dude!:eek:
So let me get this straight. You havent seen Being John Malkovich OR Eternal Sunshine?!!?!?!?!?:eek::confused: Ummm see those immediately and get back to us.
And I promise you that Being John Malkovich isnt some "gimmicky" film. Its one of the most original films of the past decade and funny as fuck too.

[rocknblues81]

Jesus Christ dude!:eek:
So let me get this straight. You havent seen Being John Malkovich OR Eternal Sunshine?!!?!?!?!?:eek::confused: Ummm see those immediately and get back to us.
And I promise you that Being John Malkovich isnt some "gimmicky" film. Its one of the most original films of the past decade and funny as fuck too.

I didn't watch alot of flicks from 2000-2004 so I missed a lot in that time period.

Lord of the Rings
Memento
Mulholland Dr.
Road to Perdition
Ghost World
Donnie Darko
A beautiful Mind

Lots of others I haven't seem from those couple of years.

[Tweek]

rocknblues81, you own Eternal Sunshine...? Watch it...and soon!

I remember the big eye roll scene for me in Texas Chainsaw Massacre '03 was when the sprinklers turned on during the chase toward the end. (Jessica Biel in a wet t-shirt...Hmm...) I didn't hate the movie, though.

[LordSimen]

I remember the big eye roll scene for me in Texas Chainsaw Massacre '03 was when the sprinklers turned on during the chase toward the end. (Jessica Biel in a wet t-shirt...Hmm...) I didn't hate the movie, though.

God bless Nispel for that scene. :D

[Tweek]

God bless Nispel for that scene. :D

I laughed pretty hard at that. Who could that possibly appeal to? [please note the sarcasm]

[SoCool]

You can stick with your one dimensional PG-13 action movies and I'll stick with preferring stuff with a tad more substance.

Look, I'm not the type to shit on someone for their opinions, and so I don't expect mine to be shat on. So, for arguments sake, please explain what qualifies as "a tad more substance" to you...

Some of my favorite movies are piece of shit action movies, and some of my favorite movies are dense, substantial works of art - is that a contradiction? Of course it isn't.

To keep with the food analogy, yes, some action flicks are like McDonalds - they simply fill you up, not concerned with the quality or the content. But does that make me any less satisfied? 'Cause I'm pretty much just eating so I'm not hungry.

Sure, I'd prefer a five-star meal at a nice restaurant from time to time, but things like that are expensive and not something that can really be appreciated without me having eaten shit like a double cheeseburger for a buck.

So, sue me for liking both for different/the same reasons. I will enjoy my mindless Bayhem and my pretentious Fellini. I will have my cake and eat it too. I enjoy movies, plain and simple, regardless of whether or not they are deemed "worthy" and/or "substantial".

[The Postmaster General]

Nothing in Seven bothered me in any way. It might have helped had I seen the movie before 2001, but I doubt it. I just felt cold to the entire thing including all the characters fates.

Can you clarify this statement? You mean 2001: A Space Odyssey, or before the year 2001? Either way, it still needs further explanation.

Just to quote myself, since it seems like it was never said:

Music video directors account for some of the best directed and innovative films out there. Tarsem being another example to go along with all the other great ones brought up already. It's also worth noting that music videos have influenced film in so many ways. Look at the difference in Martin Scorsese's use of music before and after the rise of MTV.



I also highly question why you are telling people they like mindless shit, when you are the one who owns a copy of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, one of the most critically acclaimed movies of this decade, but instead of watching that, you watched the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. It sounds to me like you are the one who prefers the shit you are slighting others for liking.

[razgriz21]

I'll say this about McG, another music video turned film director, based on Terminator Salvation he's 10x better than Bay, at least when it comes to filming action sequences.

I'm shaking my head at this post.

Michael Bay is way better than McG.

Michael at least uses real stunts and practical effects when he can.

McG is everything wrong with a music video director.

Could McG direct Michael Bay's The Rock? Or Transformers?

Maybe but it would be damn unwatchable because of McG's approach to everything in movies. He basically steals from other directors and comes up with stupid gimmicks (unmanned motorcycles, giant Terminators, etc).


Look at Bay's career. It is way better than what McG can and will do. (I admit, I'm a Bay fan and not ashamed of it. The man can direct a hell of an action scene in all his movies.)



Fincher is also great and don't forget Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Tears of The Sun, Shooter).

[rocknblues81]

Look, I'm not the type to shit on someone for their opinions, and so I don't expect mine to be shat on. So, for arguments sake, please explain what qualifies as "a tad more substance" to you...

Some of my favorite movies are piece of shit action movies, and some of my favorite movies are dense, substantial works of art - is that a contradiction? Of course it isn't.

To keep with the food analogy, yes, some action flicks are like McDonalds - they simply fill you up, not concerned with the quality or the content. But does that make me any less satisfied? 'Cause I'm pretty much just eating so I'm not hungry.

Sure, I'd prefer a five-star meal at a nice restaurant from time to time, but things like that are expensive and not something that can really be appreciated without me having eaten shit like a double cheeseburger for a buck.

So, sue me for liking both for different/the same reasons. I will enjoy my mindless Bayhem and my pretentious Fellini. I will have my cake and eat it too. I enjoy movies, plain and simple, regardless of whether or not they are deemed "worthy" and/or "substantial".

It seems to me like he believes these movies are masterpieces or great movies. Nobody likes all great movies. I believe that. Everybody has guilty pleasure TYPES of movies. I do believe that. But movie like Bad Boys 2 is about as shallow as a movie can get. That's why I dislike Michael Bay.. To me, outside of pure action, there is nothing else to most of his action movies. Action movies don't have to be reduced to total action and nothing else. But if you like Bay's movies... Fine. But if you come at me acting like his movies are great movies, I'm going to respond saying they're not.

I'm not a snob. I own Young Guns, 16 blocks, Air Force One, Clerks II, Commando, True Lies, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Last Man Standing and lots of others. But they're shallow movies and you got to keep in mind what they are. Even a action movie like True Lies has more going for it than Bad Boys which basically fails on every level outside of crap blowing up. At least True Lies is a good screwball comedy also.

The difference between something like Die Hard and Bad Boys 2 should be obvious. Die Hard works with action, comedy and has some intense scenes and has a dark and gritty tone. It strives for a bit more than stuff just blowing up. Meanwhile, Bad Boys is just about things going BOOM and using a popular commercial actor to pull it through.

But if you like Bad Boys 2. Fine. Just don't come at me telling me it's a great movie and expect me not to laugh. You know the term torture porn to describe movies like Hostel... Well, Bay's movies are mostly just action porn.

[rocknblues81]

Can you clarify this statement? You mean 2001: A Space Odyssey, or before the year 2001? Either way, it still needs further explanation.

Just to quote myself, since it seems like it was never said:

Music video directors account for some of the best directed and innovative films out there. Tarsem being another example to go along with all the other great ones brought up already. It's also worth noting that music videos have influenced film in so many ways. Look at the difference in Martin Scorsese's use of music before and after the rise of MTV.



I also highly question why you are telling people they like mindless shit, when you are the one who owns a copy of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, one of the most critically acclaimed movies of this decade, but instead of watching that, you watched the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. It sounds to me like you are the one who prefers the shit you are slighting others for liking.

Can you clarify this statement? You mean 2001: A Space Odyssey, or before the year 2001? Either way, it still needs further explanation.

I was saying I hadn't seen Seven until 2001. By then, I've done seen so much serial killer stuff that maybe it took something way from this movie. More likely, it's the lackluster cliche characters that just drag the movie down for me.

Look at the difference in Martin Scorsese's use of music before and after the rise of MTV.

Some would also say that his best movies were before MTV.... Mean Streets/Taxi Driver/Raging Bull and others.


I also highly question why you are telling people they like mindless shit, when you are the one who owns a copy of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, one of the most critically acclaimed movies of this decade, but instead of watching that, you watched the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. It sounds to me like you are the one who prefers the shit you are slighting others for liking.

I blind bought Texas Chainsaw Massacre when it first hit DVD. I blind bought Spotless Mind about 1 month ago. I don't have the free time to watch movies that I used to have. I'm a great uncle to 4 kids now. So it takes me longer to watch movies that I've recently bought. I've done commented before that I didn't watch a lot of movies between 2000-2004 and now I'm trying to catch up some.

[echo_bravo]

Rocknblues, I dont think Bubba was saying that Scorsese was making his best films after the rise of MTV. He was just making an observation about Scorsese's use of music.

[rocknblues81]

Rocknblues, I dont think Bubba was saying that Scorsese was making his best films after the rise of MTV. He was just making an observation about Scorsese's use of music.

Yeah, maybe. But I think I prefer the use of music in Taxi Driver over The Departed. Movies have become more and more like music video's and I don't think that's a great thing myself.

[The Postmaster General]

I was saying I hadn't seen Seven until 2001. By then, I've done seen so much serial killer stuff that maybe it took something way from this movie. More likely, it's the lackluster cliche characters that just drag the movie down for me.

Okay, assuming the year, I was wondering what the heck happened in 2001. My first thought was to try and make 9/11 connections, so you can understand why I asked for clarification.



Some would also say that his best movies were before MTV.... Mean Streets/Taxi Driver/Raging Bull and others.

Yeah, I was just pointing out that music video has influenced established and quality directors. Say what you want about Martin's later work vs. his earlier work, but I don't think you can deny that his later work was at the least pretty good.


I blind bought Texas Chainsaw Massacre when it first hit DVD. I blind bought Spotless Mind about 1 month ago. I don't have the free time to watch movies that I used to have. I'm a great uncle to 4 kids now. So it takes me longer to watch movies that I've recently bought. I've done commented before that I didn't watch a lot of movies between 2000-2004 and now I'm trying to catch up some.

I'm in the same situation more of less. You can look at my blog and cry seeing the change in my theater habits over the years. I used to see every Best Picture nominee before the Oscars, and hadn't for many years - last year that changed, and I saw all the best picture nominees, in the animated film category.



I still think you are underselling a lot of great music video turned film directors by way of harping on bad examples. I'm pretty confident that the ratio of bad directors/music video to good directors/music video is equal to bad directors/film: good directors/film.

[rocknblues81]

I still think you are underselling a lot of great music video turned film directors by way of harping on bad examples. I'm pretty confident that the ratio of bad directors/music video to good directors/music video is equal to bad directors/film: good directors/film.


I noted that I've probably just ran into the wrong ones.


Okay, assuming the year, I was wondering what the heck happened in 2001. My first thought was to try and make 9/11 connections, so you can understand why I asked for clarification.

yeah

[adamjohnson]

Yeah fuck you Mark Romanek.,

[g1ng3rsnap9ed]

I've got no problem with music video directors directing their own films, but...

I cannot stand it when they remake another filmmaker's film into their MTV-Glam movie. Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13, and now poor Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street. (Which ANOES is truly a waste because the Samuel Bayer [I think that's his name] is truly a talented music video director.) :(

[CyclicNightmare]

Everybody's gotta start somewhere.

[Monotreme]

http://nyulocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/115.jpg

http://thumbs.filmstarts.de/wallpaper/spike_jonze.jpg

http://uberelastic.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/jonathan_glazer.jpg

http://www.academyleader.com/erikvidal/photos/MarkRomanekResFest.jpg

http://rumorifuoriscena.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/david-fincher1.jpg

Need I say more? Alright, I'll elaborate. Sure, it seems trendy to give every hack MTV video director some hack horror movie remake to fuck up and all that. But between Gondry, Jonze, Glazer, Romanek, Fincher and many others, there is just so much raw talent on display, and they are making by far the most high-quality, unique, innovative, striking, fascinating and visually genius movies of the past 10-20 years or so, that it's worth it and definitely not in place to make those generalizations. And their music videos are so much more than just videos, but actual, brilliant, unique works of art that are beautiful and amazing and incomparable to any hack job these legions of young MTV idiots are doing, and also incomparable to the relatively linear thinking of even the best directors, like Spielberg or Scorsese. I mean, none of the great directors of today or yesteryear could possibly achieve the sheer, insane, wildly imaginative genius that directors like Gondry and Jonze achieve by thinking so far outside of the box that it hurts. And we haven't even seen the best - trust me, the day that Chris Cunningham decides to make a movie, be prepared for what will be the most beautiful, disturbing, best movie of all time.

[drc5145]

We can also add Jonathan Demme to that list, who as BadCoverVersion pointed out, did music vids before doing Silence of The Lambs.

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris also did music vids before directing Little Miss Sunshine.



Funny Fact: Dayton and Faris directed the Smashing Pumpkins' Batman and Robin music video of "The End is The Beginning is The End", The song whose other version became popular via the 1st trailer from Watchmen.

[Monotreme]

Dayton and Faris directed some really amazing music videos, including "Tonight Tonight" by Smashing Pumpkins and a bunch of Red Hot Chili Peppers videos, including "Otherside" and "Californication". They really are great, but I wouldn't exactly consider them because they've only directed one movie so far, even though it was awesome.

Another great one is Garth Jennings: He's directed a bunch of great videos as "Hammer and Tongs" - "Coffee and TV" by Blur, "Pumping On Your Stereo" by Supergrass, "Imitation of Life" by R.E.M, and others - and he's also directed a couple of features, including the imaginative but not perfect Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the wonderful and whimsical Son of Rambow, which I really loved.

Also, although not quite music videos, Ridley Scott got his start in directing TV commercials, which is what many of these other directors - Gondry, Fincher, Glazer, etc - have also done before moving to motion pictures.

[BadCoverVersion]

Yoo guyz...I covered Demme and Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris and Garth Jennings in my original post...AND the prospect of a Chris Cunningham movie.

Not quite in on the Romanek love though. I thought One Hour Photo was awful.

[Monotreme]

Yeah, sorry about that... I have to admit that I didn't really read the entire thread. But at least I agree with you! :)

[MasterChief3624]

I believe Heath Ledger directed several music videos before he got into acting, though I could be wrong.

He is now known as one of the best actors to have ever lived (as well as, unfortunately, one of the most shocking losses we've had in the cinematic world :()

[HoyleHaw]

People like Fincher, Bay, Jonze, Gondry and Lawrence are proof that people should director whatever it is they want to direct. Period.

Which Lawrence are you referring to? Only one comes to mind is Marc Lawrence, who I think did the Pink Panther remake.

Not sure how Heath Ledger figures into this. I'm almost sure he was an actor first, and not famous for directing films.

[Monotreme]

Which Lawrence are you referring to? Only one comes to mind is Marc Lawrence, who I think did the Pink Panther remake.

Not sure how Heath Ledger figures into this. I'm almost sure he was an actor first, and not famous for directing films.

Ledger did this one video for Modest Mouse that I know of... I don't know how many other videos he's directed, but what's for sure is that he was an actor way before he dabbled in that other stuff.

And I believe the Lawrence is Francis Lawrence, who definitely isn't up there with the other names mentioned in the same sentence as his but who still is kind of doing his thing with his movies!

[LordSimen]

Yes, Francis Lawrence was the man I mentioned. He's definitely not of Fincher, Bay or Gondry caliber but I think he's proven himself a more than capable director at handling story and character. I just wish if he was so in love with CGI that he'd spend a little more time trying to get the CGI a little more impressive. He isn't Stephen Sommers in terms of his CGI laziness, but he sure ain't no Michael Bay or Peter Jackson when it comes to CGI pickiness.