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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.
SAM RAIMI
Years Active: 1977-present
Films as Director: 14
Oscar Wins: 0
Who: There are few directors who are as aesthetically confident and successful as Raimi. Beginning in horror, his ability to blend violent imagery with dark comedy has paved the way for a career of very striking films that make him feel like a looser and more casual equivalent of Tim Burton. His films, while inherently cult, are packed with a lot of energy and often features Bruce Campbell doing something crazy. Even as he enters his fourth decade, he continues to produce interesting and challenging work that appeals to mass audiences ranging from that of his horror roots to some of the most lively and enjoyable superhero films in a genre that seems to be increasingly bloated. He is fun and strange in all of the most enviable ways possible.
POINTS TALLY
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| Scene from Evil Dead II |
-- Evil Dead II (1987) --
Flickchart Ranking: #740 (850 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: The Evil Dead Trilogy (Overall 10 points)
Total: 910 points
-- Spider-Man 2 (2004) --
Flickchart Ranking: #126 (800 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 970 points)
Perks: The Spider-Man Trilogy (Overall 10 points)
Total: 870 points
-- Spider-Man (2002) --
Flickchart Ranking: #263 (650 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: The Spider-Man Trilogy (Overall 10 points)
Total: 720 points
-- Army of Darkness (1992) --
Flickchart Ranking: #499 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: The Evil Dead Trilogy (Overall 10 points)
Total: 510 points
-- The Evil Dead (1981) --
Flickchart Ranking: #525 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: The Evil Dead Trilogy (Overall 10 points)
Total: 520 points
-- Drag Me to Hell (2009) --
Flickchart Ranking: #719 (300 points)
IMDb Rating: 4/10 (40 points)
Perks: None
Total: 340 points
-- Spider-Man 3 (2007) --
Flickchart Ranking: #925 (100 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: The Spider-Man Trilogy (Overall 10 points)
Total: 170 points
OVERALL TOTAL: 4090 points
WHY DO I LOVE?
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| Scene from Spider-Man 2 |
Raimi holds the distinct honor of being the only director on this list to have two trilogies qualify. While I must admit that I don't know a lot of his work outside of these two franchises, I am thoroughly impressed with his dedication to tone and stylized action sequences. His films have an insanely basic enjoyment level to it that is distinguished from everyone else. It is wondrous, kind of campy, but always engrossing and pushing boundaries. His aggression in film also has pretty solid work done to the stories and he makes universes that are self-aware without being too cynical about them. To say the least, he is one of the most purely fun directors out there with a keen eye for craft and visual flair.
UP NEXT: A comedian-turned-sci-fi director whose impulsive nature makes for some of the most delightfully weird films in 80-10's cinema.
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