Osiris3657

These 3 relatively young and upcoming directors (all have 3 or less feature films) have impressed me with their work so far. I'm excited about what the future holds for these guys. Who's work have you been most impressed with and/or who's future projects are you most looking forward to?

If there's any other directors that show great potential feel free to list them.

PopcornTreeCt

All of the above?

I gained a new appreciation for Moon the other night when I watched it again. Source Code was really good too so I could go with Jones. On the other hand, Refn made Drive. However, that's the only film from him I've seen and despite my undying love for the film I cannot vote for him without seeing his other works. District 9 was pretty good. It was a unique and fun film that I enjoyed. But it was only one film. So if I have to vote, I guess it's for Duncan Jones.

Dan

Oh man. That's a nearly impossible decision to make!

Drive and Source Code were both in my Top 10 for 2011. Moon and District 9 were fantastic films, and Bronson was pretty cool, too. I have yet to see Valhalla Rising, but it's in my Netflix queue.

Damn you.

Osiris3657

I would be shocked if Blomkamp's "Elysium" isn't awesome, so I had to include him. Really looking forward to it.

Osiris3657

I'm surprised that Chris Nolan is only 41...wow, he has a long career ahead of him. I didn't think he was old but he has a much more extensive filmography than the rest of these guys. (Blomkamp is the youngest at 32, Refn and Jones are 41)

Solid Snake

uhm...Refn has made 8 films and he's 41. I think he's been pretty established in his career for a while. Now w/ Drive..he's hit it big .

Osiris3657

He only has 3 feature films (in English) that have been released in the US. Nobody knew who he was until Bronson. Have you seen any of his films besides the ones I mentioned? No? I rest my case.

LickTheABCs

Shane Carruth.

Refn. 'cause he made Bronson and that's enough for me.

Osiris3657

Didn't care much for Primer...it was a chore to get through actually.

LickTheABCs

So, wait.. because he has films that weren't released in the US, that means nobody has heard of him? No. That means you didn't hear of him. I saw the Pusher trilogy way before I ever even heard of Bronson.

Solid Snake

actually yes...Pusher trilogy was cool. And Fear X was in English. He's not new. New to the US? Depends on how you mean it. But he's known. Now moreso than before cuz of Bronson for sure, Valhalla didn't really raise him any higher, and Drive sure as fuck did.

He's not new. And he's 41 years old. He's not a young guy. He's not an old fuck but he's a mature (take that as you well) man w/ a solid career.

LickTheABCs

I should really see Drive.

Osiris3657

Why do you keep pointing out his age? I know how old he is. I listed it before you posted it. Do you also know what the phrase "relatively speaking" means? He's young relative to the big name directors we know in the US. He may have had a niche following here in the US but didn't enter the general moviegoing public's consciousness until Bronson, which was his first feature released here.

Anyway stop nitpicking, the point of this thread was that these 3 guys have made a name for themselves with the films they've released in the US over the last couple of years and have a long career ahead of them.

Apple Gooncha

Yes, I've seen all 3 Pusher movies and have wanted to see Bleeder well before Drive ever came out.

Dragon Tattoo

That sucks that Refn's so old then, because he's promising as an up-and-comer, but other than Drive (and let's face it, most people have not seen Drive. Even that movie is still very indie) I guarantee no normal person has heard of him. Unless Drive actually leads to something looks like he'll spend the rest of his life as an under-appreciated indie director.

JumpCutz

All three are obviously very talented filmmakers. Since I want to see how their respective careers develop, I'm going to hold off casting my vote until 2015...just to be sure.

Bronson is a particular favorite of mine, looking forward to seeing Drive next week.

Blomkamp and Jones are batting a thousand so far.

CloverClover

yea refn doesnt count in this poll, he has had almost ten films to hone and perfect the craft. the other guys have only made two flicks.

fmian

+1
The guy practically goes off the grid for several years after Primer; an incredibly well executed film on a tiny budget ($7k), with Curruth filling in all major production duties. Took 5 weeks to film it, and 2 years to post. It has zero special effects. He has done nothing in the industry before Primer, and nothing since.

I'd say his input:expectation ratio is bigger than the 3 listed by the OP, even though I love Drive, District9, and can appreciate Moon.

For me, what he is doing next is as exciting as waiting for Tarantino to follow up Reservoir Dogs.

I hope he delivers without pressure, and doesn't end up another Richard Kelly.

Forgot to add, it was filmed with a 2:1 shooting ratio, while Spielberg shooting 4:1 is considered low.

riotinmyskull

jeff nichols.

Drexl

Ben Affleck.

LickTheABCs

Yeah, really wanna see Argo.

fmian, it's not a directing or writing credit but Carruth is the effects supervisor on Rian Johnson's Looper. He should also be mentioned, btw.

Matthew Chmiel

As per the thread's guidelines, I voted Refn based off Bronson and Drive alone.

Outside of the thread's guidelines? Rian Johnson because his only two films, Brick and The Brothers Bloom, are awesome. I can't wait for Looper this fall... which Shane Carruth helped out with.

I'd love for Paramount to finally release Oren Peli's Area 51 to see if the man isn't a one pump chump. And yes, I thought the original Paranormal Activity was a fantastic slow burn.

Speaking of slow burns, I'd even nominate Ti West based upon The House of the Devil, but he's made more than three films and Cabin Fever 2 is wretched.

Supermallet

Refn is not comparable to the other two, as previous posters have mentioned. His filmmaking technique is more mature than the others, due to the fact that he's been making films since the 90's.

fmian

Yes, I saw a photo of Curruth in the Looper thread.
I am guessing his role is to make sure all the time travel stuff seems genuine.

jrsl76

Didn't love District 9, so out goes Blomkamp. I liked Moon, but didn't love it, out goes Jones.

Loved Bronson & Drive, Refn it is.