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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.
JOEL & ETHAN COEN
Years Active: 1984-present
Films as Directors: 18
Oscar Wins: 4
- Best Picture (No Country for Old Men)
- Best Director (No Country for Old Men)
-Best Adapted Screenplay (No Country for Old Men)
- Best Original Screenplay (Fargo)
Who: The definitive voice of contemporary Americana. What makes the Coen Brothers so unique is their ability to find something absurd in the ordinary. Even when dealing with tough subjects, there's always a deeper subtext to be explored that inevitably paves way for something wholly unique and engrossing. With a stable of top notch actors, they continually succeed at making films that are distinguished and are rewarding upon multiple viewings. It is beneficial to their style that they rarely do adapted material and thus create a universe reflective of reality, but not part of it. Some characters may do dumb things, but their dark take on life that's full of whimsy remains one of the most perplexing styles currently out there.
POINTS TALLY
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| Scene from The Man Who Wasn't There |
-- A Serious Man (2009) --
Flickchart Ranking: #10 (900 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 970 points
-- No Country for Old Men (2007) --
Flickchart Ranking: #106 (800 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 860 points
-- Barton Fink (1991) --
Flickchart Ranking: #108 (800 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 870 points
-- Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) --
Flickchart Ranking: #122 (800 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 870 points
-- The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) --
Flickchart Ranking: #197 (750 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10
Perks: None
Total: 820 points
-- Raising Arizona (1987) --
Flickchart Ranking: #267 (650 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 720 points
-- Burn After Reading (2008) --
Flickchart Ranking: #314 (600 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 660 points
-- The Big Lebowski (1998) --
Flickchart Ranking: #336 (600 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 660 points
-- Blood Simple (1984) --
Flickchart Ranking: #371 (550 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 620 points
-- The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) --
Flickchart Ranking: #405 (500 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 570 points
-- True Grit (2010) --
Flickchart Ranking: #476 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 520 points
-- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) --
Flickchart Ranking: #513 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 510 points
-- Fargo (1996) --
Flickchart Ranking: #585 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 7/10 (70 points)
Perks: None
Total: 520 points
-- Miller's Crossing (1990) --
Flickchart Ranking: #593 (450 points)
IMDb Rating: 6/10 (60 points)
Perks: None
Total: 510 points
OVERALL TOTAL: 10080
WHY DO I LOVE?
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| Scene from The Hudsucker Proxy |
If it wasn't for #1's prolific nature, these two would be my top pick. With exception to a very limited selection, I endearingly love everything that the Coen Brothers have done. Not only are they able to maintain a unique style that mixes dark humor with absurd Americana, it is able to be done no matter in comedy or drama or any genre. The duo have hopped so many boundaries and have managed to never lose their tone in the process. Their work is infectious, bursting with their own personality and causing one of the strongest expositions of creativity to be shown for the past few decades. Their work is often hilarious and philosophically profound. Their stable of actors always bring their eccentric personalities to life and with an off-kilter wardrobe, there's so much that is off about these characters that they become immediately memorable. I love the Coen Brothers more than any other director and will always pop them on be consumed in something wholly unique.
UP NEXT: It's the top of the pile with a rather prolific yet singular voice.
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