Alejandro Amenabar, potential great or will he flop in American?

[The Delfonics]

This is something that I have wondered. Alejandro kicked some major thriller ass with the films Thesis and Abre los Ojos. He then went on to make The Others which was a suprising horror gem. Im not completey interested in seeing his next project being thats I heard it was more of a real story and not a thriller/fantasy. However, I pray that he wont start making Hollywood level films. Sadly I must accept he may not make films that have the same quality as his low budget works such as the dark look and grainy film. I realize this makes you money but it ruins the artistic integrity of the director. I think AA is smart though, like Jean Pierre Jeunet. JJ knew that after he made his big Alien4 flick (trash) that he could go back to making his amazing French movies. The product of this was Amelie, one of my all time favorites. Ill talk more about him in another thread. Getting back to AA. I was just wondering what people thought about him and where they think his career will go. IMO I think he will be a GREAT.

[bowieee]

I think he has a bunch of great movies still left in him. I think he actually allready is quite popular over here in the states. The Others and Abre Los ojos are bopth really well known. i think those will be the stepping stones to many inventive movies to come.

[A.J. Hakari]

I think this guy is an Almodovar in training, a filmmaker who will put a unique spin on most of the storylines that come his way. I haven't seen THESIS yet, but ABRE LOS OJOS was a brilliant, involving, and unsettling suspense picture, and THE OTHERS was a solid jump to "mainstream" films while retaining a bit of an art house feeling. Amenabar might be more successful with indie crowds, but I have the feeling the man will know what to do if he finds himself at the helm of a large-scale production.

[Fisting Ackbar]

I thought THE OTHERS was less good than TESIS and ABRE LOS OJOS, but I have the feeling that he will remain strong, or at least good enough to compete with other films/directors.

I haven't heard anything about his upcoming project though...

[The Delfonics]

Originally posted by Fisting Ackbar

I haven't heard anything about his upcoming project though...

I found out about it while browsing IMDB. Its called Mar adentro. The link is here for more info: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0369702

Plotline (from IMDB): The real-life story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 25 year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die.

[James Logan]

He's gonna be one of the very best soon. Mark my words. I can't wait to see MAR ADENTRO...sounds great.

[Damned Martian]

I'm really looking forward to his new film, and more because he has Bardem to play the main character. I think it's his proof of fire. If he can make also a great film in a non-suspense genre, I think we got here a BIG master.

From what i've seen of him (actually, everything, even his shorts), he has a great potential, but still he needs to make his masterpiece. And from his interviews I know he has the intention of making his own films even if this means low budget. So good for him!

And Adam, don't know exactly what did you mean with "the new Almodovar", but they have nothing in common. That's like saying "Soderbergh is the new John Huston". Just because both are succesful spanish directors?:confused: Don't work for me.

[Tuukka]

I would give Tesis, Abre Les Ojos and Others all 8/10. I think he is a great filmmaker and the fact that Others was a much bigger hit than anyone expected makes me believe that he will have a good creative control over his films in Hollywood as well.

[A.J. Hakari]

Originally posted by damned martian
And Adam, don't know exactly what did you mean with "the new Almodovar", but they have nothing in common. That's like saying "Soderbergh is the new John Huston". Just because both are succesful spanish directors?:confused: Don't work for me.

I said that because both take ordinary sounding storylines and add their own unique twists and turns to them. TALK TO HER and TODO SOBRE MI MADRE weren't just normal dramas/character studies, just as ABRE LOS OJOS sort of changed things as a romantic thriller. Either that, or I really don't know what I'm talking about. :D

[Voodoodoll]

I think he'll remain great (I'm definitely hoping he will anyway!) :)

The Others implies he can make great films in Hollywood too. It's a very good sign.

[Deckard]

I cross my fingers that his creative control holds out in Hollywood and hes able to sustain the great run he is on.....aside form the obvious THE OTHERS, OPEN YOUR EYES and THESIS he has done some other stuff worth checking out.

NOBODY KNOWS ANYBODY & BUTTERFLY TONGUE are both worth seeing as they show different side again to this directors grasp of visuals and sound.

Cant wait for MAR ADENTRO which should be at the very least captivating to look at.

[Damned Martian]

Originally posted by Deckard
NOBODY KNOWS ANYBODY & BUTTERFLY TONGUE are both worth seeing as they show different side again to this directors grasp of visuals and sound.
Don't know if you have said it anywhere in your post, or if you know it but haven't said it, but i'll make a pointment here: he works as the soundtrack composer in these two films. Just to let things clear;)

[Deckard]

Good Point "damnedMartian"....sorry gang I thought I had written that he was Composer NOT Director of those films.

[bob]

I thought The Others was supremely uninspired, so I'm kind of split on this.