Good call on Landis.

Fifth from the bottom

Sayles
Huston
Ford
Carpenter

Hughes

Yeah this is for favorite not "best". Thought I would have still voted for Carpenter.

Still would have voted for Ford but totally understand those who prefer others (or have more 'favorite films' directed by them). Different tastes and all that (and acknowledge that Ford may be too over-sentimental and 'old-school' for many). Some people recognize Hitchcock as a master craftsman but don't care that much for his films.

Also agree with the love for Sayles & greatly admire several of Boorman's works (Zardoz notwithstanding). Sayles is a fine novelist, too.

And agree with Hokeyboy that Milius was a better writer than director...his screen credits probably influenced my vote for him although I still love several of his films. Wind & the Lion is classic.

If anyone has EPIX, highly recommend the 'Milius" doc currently being aired free On Demand. Reminds you of the influence he had on a lot of filmmakers & the incredible writing he produced (and how many artists/producers/directors went to him for help). Spielberg's account of how the Indianapolis speech came about is priceless along with how Robert Shaw took the 20-page speech and edited it down to a length he could memorize. Dreyfus recounts how his favorite shot in the movie was him staring memorized at Shaw during the speech....my favorite part of the movie (and much more chilling than any of the shark attacks actually depicted).

That would be my vote for "favorite director named Howard". Hawks a distant second because he didn't create such "uplifting" movies.

Hughes (John) had a lot of influence on other filmmakers in his heyday.

another vote for Sayles !

Jon Turteltaub

Waters, then Carpenter, then Huston.

Now I wanna go watch The Asphalt Jungle again...

Carpenter, McTeirnan, the Favreau.

From the list I'd choose John Carpenter with John Hughes coming in at a close second.

An excellent point. To which, I can only reply : Maltese Falcon, Treasure of Sierra Madre, Key Largo, The Asphalt Jungle, The African Queen, Moby Dick, Night of the Iguana, The Man Who Would Be King, Prizzi's Honor.

John Woo, followed by Carpenter.

I'd really like to say Ford or Carpenter here, but hell, it's John Hughes.

I'll take Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Desperate Living, Polyester, Hairspray, Serial Mom, Pecker, and A Dirty Shame over almost all of those films.

I suppose "Cry-Baby" was too mainstream for you.

No more mainstream than Hairspray. I just don't think it's a particularly enjoyable film.