An interesting note -- my Best Director award has matched up with the Academy's every year but 2012 -- I'd like to think that makes me sophisticated, but that's giving the Academy too much credit.
Honorable Mentions
#7 - John Lee Hancock - Saving Mr. Banks
#6 - Alexander Payne - Nebraska
And the Top Five...
#5 - Scott McGehee and David Seigel - What Maisie Knew
While What Maisie Knew may not be a fantastic film in terms of story, what directors McGehee and Seigel do by telling the tale almost entirely as if from the perspective of the six year-old title character is a bit ingenious. The film may not be technically groundbreaking, but kudos to the directors for keeping the concept throughout the film. It gives things a unique spin as we see these adults looming over Maisie's life.
While What Maisie Knew may not be a fantastic film in terms of story, what directors McGehee and Seigel do by telling the tale almost entirely as if from the perspective of the six year-old title character is a bit ingenious. The film may not be technically groundbreaking, but kudos to the directors for keeping the concept throughout the film. It gives things a unique spin as we see these adults looming over Maisie's life.
#4 - Martin Scorsese - The Wolf of Wall Street
When I think of Martin Scorsese, I don't necessarily think about humor. I will admit I'm not a Scorsese connoisseur -- in fact, I'm really not all that familiar with his repertoire prior to the aughts -- but his ability to create comedy from the miserably extravagant existence of the film's main character was admirable. Considering the film's length, Scorsese keeps things moving along at a pretty breathless pace with a vivacious, full-of-life vibe throughout.
When I think of Martin Scorsese, I don't necessarily think about humor. I will admit I'm not a Scorsese connoisseur -- in fact, I'm really not all that familiar with his repertoire prior to the aughts -- but his ability to create comedy from the miserably extravagant existence of the film's main character was admirable. Considering the film's length, Scorsese keeps things moving along at a pretty breathless pace with a vivacious, full-of-life vibe throughout.
#3 - Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave
I respect this film for Steve McQueen's direction more than anything else as he refuses to shy away from the atrocities of slavery moreso than in most other Hollywood films on the subject. Through the use of several long takes, McQueen's technique forces the viewer to "stay with" these rough scenes, filling us with dread and heartache. I'm not quite sure this is McQueen's best directorial work -- Shame may take the cake on that front -- but he's one of the few directors whom I will look forward to his future endeavors.
I respect this film for Steve McQueen's direction more than anything else as he refuses to shy away from the atrocities of slavery moreso than in most other Hollywood films on the subject. Through the use of several long takes, McQueen's technique forces the viewer to "stay with" these rough scenes, filling us with dread and heartache. I'm not quite sure this is McQueen's best directorial work -- Shame may take the cake on that front -- but he's one of the few directors whom I will look forward to his future endeavors.
#2 - Ron Howard - Rush
There's a palpable excitement that runs throughout Rush and that's due to Ron Howard's direction. Although he directed the special effects-heavy Apollo 13, Howard's never been a director whom I'd turn to for action and thrills. Here, Howard certainly does well with what he's best known for -- those more intimate character-driven moments -- but he also elevates his game by lensing the auto racing scenes with retro-looking designs mixed with modern sensibilities. By mixing up the vantage points, the viewer never gets tired of seeing a car go around a track.
There's a palpable excitement that runs throughout Rush and that's due to Ron Howard's direction. Although he directed the special effects-heavy Apollo 13, Howard's never been a director whom I'd turn to for action and thrills. Here, Howard certainly does well with what he's best known for -- those more intimate character-driven moments -- but he also elevates his game by lensing the auto racing scenes with retro-looking designs mixed with modern sensibilities. By mixing up the vantage points, the viewer never gets tired of seeing a car go around a track.
#1 - Alfonso Cuarón - Gravity
I'm not quite sure what to say here except that from a directing standpoint, Gravity is a masterpiece to me. Long takes (I care not if they were computer generated) help depict the vastness and openness of space which, in Cuarón's hands, has never felt so claustrophobic and lonely. In tandem with the stunning cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, Cuarón's camera is constantly spinning, creating tension simply via his lens. A master class in directing a science fiction film...a master class in directing any film, period.
Previous RyMickey Award winners
2012
2011
2010
2009
I'm not quite sure what to say here except that from a directing standpoint, Gravity is a masterpiece to me. Long takes (I care not if they were computer generated) help depict the vastness and openness of space which, in Cuarón's hands, has never felt so claustrophobic and lonely. In tandem with the stunning cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, Cuarón's camera is constantly spinning, creating tension simply via his lens. A master class in directing a science fiction film...a master class in directing any film, period.
Previous RyMickey Award winners
2012
2011
2010
2009
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