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Scene from Cinema Paradiso
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With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.
JOHN LANDIS
Years Active: 1966-present
Films as Director: 18
Oscar Wins: 0
Who: While he isn't immediately thought of as an auteur of 70's comedy as immediately as the actors, Landis is responsible for a lot of the most iconic films in the category. Creating an anarchic style, he rebelled against the standards by making films that had disaffected heroes challenge societal structures in destructive manners that resulted in some of the funniest, most iconic scenes in film history. He was also reverent of his subject matter, making sure to never allow the gags to ever fall flat or do a character trait that was out of line. Along with his impressive career in comedy, he was also keen in doing horror films that were just as shocking and challenging as his peers. One of the charms of Landis is that he is a director of many genre talents, and the results are created into some of the most iconic, unique films of their era.
POINT TALLY
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| Scene from The Blues Brothers |
-- The Blues Brothers (1980) --
Flickchart Ranking: #66 (850 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 920 points
-- Animal House (1978) --
Flickchart Ranking: #320 (600 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 670 points
-- The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977) --
Flickchart Ranking: #540 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 510 points
-- Trading Places (1983) --
Flickchart Ranking: #569 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 510
-- Three Amigos (1986) --
Flickchart Ranking: #774 (250 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 310 points
-- Coming to America (1988) --
Flickchart Ranking: #853 (150 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 210 points
WHY DO I LOVE?
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| Scene from Trading Places |
I will admit that I haven't seen or care to see any of Landis' work after the 80's. However, from what I have seen, he is quite a crucial figure in American comedy. Having worked with a lot of the great Saturday Night Live veterans, he is able to make poignant stories of the underdogs in an anarchic fashion that is both destructive, yet slightly logical. While there is a sense of the juvenile, he does manage to pack plenty of intelligent humor and produce some of the funniest performances of these actors' careers. Few people can underestimate the impact that films like Animal House or Trading Places has on modern comedy. While his name isn't nearly as recognizable as other directors of the period, he is an influential figure that I feel is worthy of his placement on this list.
UP NEXT: A technical wizard who mixed character studies with cutting edge special effects in endearing ways while exploring time travel, space travel, and American history.
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