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Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

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Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Old 05-23-10, 04:20 PM
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Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Two movies that i can't get enough of, from this decade at least, are:
Kissing Jessica Stein
Garden State


ever since KJS i have always wanted a follow-up or at least another pairing with Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen as they were the writers on the movie.

i've watched it so many times and find it to be just a charming romantic and touching comedy that hits on all cylinders. though each has popped up, to my surprise, here and there as actors, Jennifer more known now as Jon Hamm's other half, they have not done another thing worthwhile together or separate.

Zach Braff's Garden State is one of my most watched movies since 2004 and i love just about everything about it. for a Director's first effort i thought it was a marvel. i too wish he would do something as equally compelling as GS, but alas nothing since and nothing seemingly on the horizon.

so what creative that made a stellar first impression for you would you like to see an equally dazzling follow-up?
Old 05-23-10, 04:44 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Primer - writer/director Shane Carruth has literally not made anything since this film, which is a crime.

Six String Samurai - co-writer/director Lance Mungia did a Crow sequel in 2005, but otherwise nothing.
Old 05-23-10, 04:51 PM
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but a great topic! I'll think on it

Darn, I was hoping this thread was about God smiting bad filmmakers.
Old 05-23-10, 04:54 PM
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Re: but a great topic! I'll think on it

Originally Posted by Trevor
Darn, I was hoping this thread was about God smiting bad filmmakers.
Wouldn't they have to have been struck by lightning once already before you could wish they'd be struck again?
Old 05-23-10, 04:57 PM
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Re: but a great topic! I'll think on it

Originally Posted by Jay G.
Wouldn't they have to have been struck by lightning once already before you could wish they'd be struck again?
God watched Zombieland and has learned to double-tap.
Old 05-23-10, 05:02 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

George Lucas
Old 05-23-10, 05:07 PM
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Re: but a great topic! I'll think on it

Originally Posted by Trevor
Darn, I was hoping this thread was about God smiting bad filmmakers.
That's what I thought. Scott needs to work on his thread titles.
Old 05-23-10, 11:47 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt
George Lucas
He had both American Graffiti and Star Wars. Depending on your feelings of THX, he's been struck either 2 or 3 times.
Old 05-24-10, 12:13 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Neil LeBute - In The Company of Men. Absolute brilliance. Then...he went weird. Your Friends and Neighbors was a close miss, but he quickly went into a dark downward spiral with Nurse Betty, Possession, Lakeview Terrace, The Wicker Man, and that dreaded Death At A Funeral remake.
Old 05-24-10, 01:18 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

The guys behind Six String Samurai, Boondock Saints, Versus, or Twilight Samurai.
Old 05-24-10, 07:30 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by Jay G.
He had both American Graffiti and Star Wars. Depending on your feelings of THX, he's been struck either 2 or 3 times.
Yes, in 1971, 1973, and 1978. Pretty good run, but would have been nice to see something else decent from him.
Old 05-24-10, 10:19 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by Navinabob
The guys behind Six String Samurai, Boondock Saints, Versus, or Twilight Samurai.
The directors of Versus and Twilight Samurai have both directed solid movies since... SSS and BS, not so much.

My pick is Richard Kelly who had a reasonable debut with Donnie Darko and has since done shit (Southland Tales, The Box).
Old 05-24-10, 10:49 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

I saw the ads for The Box, had no idea that was Richard Kelly. Geez.
Old 05-24-10, 11:25 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Wolfgang Peterson and Richard Donner. Petersen is working on a big-budget alien invasion flick that is looking like a summer tentpole, so that's promising. Donner I'm not sure what he has cooking but would love to see him make a triumphant return.
Old 05-24-10, 11:29 AM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Donner is 80 years old!
Old 05-24-10, 12:02 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

What about Matt Damon/Ben Affleck for Good Will Hunting? They won Oscars for it but as far as I know, haven't written anything together since.

Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Not sure if he counts since he did write Lethal Weapon, but I was impressed with his directorial debut with KKBB, but I don't see anything on the horizon for him and that was 5 years ago now.
Old 05-24-10, 12:40 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

I think Shane Black was tapped to direct Doc Savage for 2011.
Old 05-24-10, 12:51 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by RichC2
I think Shane Black was tapped to direct Doc Savage for 2011.
Ah, I see that in the development on IMDb (need Pro to view the details).
Old 05-24-10, 12:54 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Surprised at the love for "Six String Samurai". I personally wanted to drown everyone involved with that movie in a horse trough. Starting with that fucking shrieking kid...

My pick would be Jack Nicholson, as a director. I happened to really enjoy "The Two Jakes" and probably am one of the extreme few (it's no "Chinatown", but few films are).
Old 05-24-10, 01:17 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by Groucho
Donner is 80 years old!
Wow, you're right. Then I really hope he comes back swinging. He can't let Timeline and 16 Blocks be the last films of his career.
Old 05-24-10, 01:23 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

/\ I liked 16 Blocks
Old 05-24-10, 01:44 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by trespoochies
Neil LeBute - In The Company of Men. Absolute brilliance. Then...he went weird. Your Friends and Neighbors was a close miss, but he quickly went into a dark downward spiral with Nurse Betty, Possession, Lakeview Terrace, The Wicker Man, and that dreaded Death At A Funeral remake.
In the Company of Men is his masterpiece (thus far), but I really, really liked The Shape of Things and would personally consider it a success. I also rather enjoyed Nurse Betty and Lakview Terrace when I saw them, but neither stands out as much as In the Company of Men and The Shape of Things.


Not counting his plays and his short film, Martin McDonagh who did In Bruges is someone I am eagerly awaiting a film follow up from. Though it seems he's hinted at a somewhat lengthy time frame before that happens.
Old 05-24-10, 06:58 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

IMO Bryan Singer has not done anything near as good as The Usual Suspects.
It's a rare treat when a film like that comes along.
I think he needs to tone it down and go lower budget. Focus on the characters more.

And I'll also give a thumbs up to Shane Curruth and Primer. Based on that movie I could imagine him alongside Nolan and Raimi right now if he kept on writing/directing.

Last edited by fmian; 05-24-10 at 07:04 PM.
Old 05-24-10, 07:35 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by fmian
IMO Bryan Singer has not done anything near as good as The Usual Suspects.
It's a rare treat when a film like that comes along.
I think he needs to tone it down and go lower budget. Focus on the characters more
Couldn't disagree more. Apt Pupil is an excellent movie & X-men 2 is arguably the best pure "superhero" film to date.
Old 05-24-10, 07:54 PM
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Re: Directors or writers you wish lightning would strike twice?

Originally Posted by Sessa17
Couldn't disagree more. Apt Pupil is an excellent movie & X-men 2 is arguably the best pure "superhero" film to date.
I disagree. Apt Pupil was mostly mediocre, X-Men was average, X2 was really good, and Superman Returns was average. Nothing has shown the potential that Usual Suspects promised (above and beyond "the twist", it was still an excellent movie).

For "pure superhero", I'd go with either Superman (the first Reeve) or Iron Man as being the best.

Last edited by Hokeyboy; 05-25-10 at 02:27 AM.

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