Since I'm a budding screenwriter (I enjoy doing it, have three under my belt, but haven't sold anything yet), I wanted to blog about who influences me and who I think makes a great movie.  Since this is a public sort of forum, I just want to say in case they ever read this... I really wouldn't mind sitting down with you over a soda or a greasy cheeseburger and talk about making movies and/or telling stories.

Anyway, here is the Balooken official list in order:

1) M. Night Shymalan - This film maker in my opinion is the bomb!  I started with The Sixth Sense, and have looked for/watched every major feature film he's made.  I think his stories are very thought provoking and intense, the way he frames shots is exceptional, and his use of color and light looks great!  My wife and I just finished watch The Lady In The Water not too long ago, and enjoyed it alot.  I would love to spend an afternoon talking with him about movie making.

2) George Lucas - What can I say about Mr. Lucas... how about his little space epic has changed the way movies are made.  I love every Star Wars film that has been released.  I can't wait to see the things he's going to make in his "after-Star-Wars" years.  People often accuse him of writing "wooden" dialog and casting sub-standard actors, but I didn't notice at all.  I didn't watch any of the Star Wars movies to pick apart a film, I watched them for the sheer entertainment value.  I wasn't disappointed.  I could spend a week with George Lucas and never get tired of talking about movies with him.  Plus he hangs out with other directors on this list! Thanks Mr. Lucas. 

3) Kevin Smith - I watched Kevin's film Dogma first.  I would consider myself a relatively conservative christian, and normally I would probably be offended by a lot of things Mr. Smith included in that picture, but I wasn't.  I was intrigued. Although I don't think God will turn out to be Alanis Morisette, he did make me think about God's interaction with us and our outlook on Him.  Dogma is my favorite.  I also appreciate that Kevin recognizes God in the credits. 

Seeing Dogma made me do a little research on Kevin.  I read things about his early career and some of the chances he took and I gotta say, he's an inspiration.  Kevin knows how to tell a great story as well, and I think he's really funny.  I've since watched Chasing Amy, Mall Rats, Clerks, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, and Clerks 2.  His characters include traits like quite a few people I grew up with in the 80's, so it kinda takes me back.  Probably my biggest problem with any of Kevin's movies is the over abundance of cursing.  Normally I can overlook a few in a movie, but Kevin uses them a lot.  That's just a personal pet peeve of mine.  (I'm sure if he ever reads this, one of the first things out of his mouth would be a few choice words!)  I still totally respect him though and will most likely watch anything the guy ever makes.  Plus he's written plenty of comics and digs George Lucas too, so I'm sure we would have plenty to talk about.

4) Steven Spielberg - This guy is gold!  Anything he directs, produces, or more-or-less has his hands in turns into gold.  He's like King Midas.  He tells the stories that everyone wants to watch.  His visual effects are the best, but he's good without them.  Even the films like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List stand on their own as a good stories.

No one else but Mr. Spielberg can bring us films like Jaws, E.T. and Jurassic Park.  No one!  I only have one other thing to say... Indiana Jones.  Enough said.

5) Alfred Hitchcock - I've only seen a handful of his movies but I was very impressed with his style of directing when I first saw Psycho.  For a black-and-white film that's not gory, that movie scared the CRAP out of me.  He was the master of suspense.  I also enjoyed The Birds, Vertigo, and Rear Window.  He was a master of the medium.

Other directors I enjoy:

- Ron Howard
- Mel Gibson
- Tim Burton - most of the time
- Wes Craven
- Quentin Tarantino - The Kill Bill films are awesome!  Make more like that Quentin!
- Robert Rodriguez
- Oliver Stone
- Sam Raimi
- Andy & Larry Wachowski
- Bryan Singer

These are the folks who make me want to tell stories on film.