Movie Watching for the Director: My Journey and Recommendations

Have you ever watched a movie solely because of the director's reputation or work? This phenomenon is very common, and as a movie enthusiast, I can attest to the power of a director's influence. For instance, I have watched films by Alfred Hitchcock not out of interest in the plot, but simply because I admire his work as a director. In a similar vein, I watched The Stupids based on John Landis's directorial skills, even though I was confused with Roald Dahl's book 'The Twits'.

The Confusion with The Stupids and The Twits

When I saw The Stupids, I had no idea it was based on a book. In fact, I got it mixed up with 'The Twits', a Roald Dahl story. This mix-up led me to mistakenly believe that the books were inspired by Jonathan Weller's novel, 'The Blunders'. While I did not understand the plot of The Stupids completely, there were elements that stood out to me - such as a joke about a man named Lloyd being referred to as 'the lord', the 'I am my own grandpa' song, and Christopher Lee's appearance as 'Mr Sender'. Notably, I recognized Mark Metcalf's role as 'Niedermyer' from Animal House.

A Rough Period for John Landis

The 90s were a challenging period for John Landis, known for his cult comedy hit Animal House. After facing significant blame for a helicopter crash, it must have been difficult to restore his career. Despite this, his unique style and comedic genius have always drawn me to his work.

What Motivates Me to Watch Movies by Directors?

I watch movies not just for the story or the cast, but for the director's vision and creativity. Directors like Werner Herzog inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity. Any film by Herzog is on my must-see list, as is anything by other directors whose work I can't resist, such as John Landis, Lucio Fulci, Jess Franco, and R.W. Fassbinder.

Following an Auteur Director's Style

Autor directors bring a unique stylistic imprint to each of their films. If you have a director whose style you're drawn to, it's easier to find similar films to enjoy. For example, if you enjoy suspenseful films, you'll find much to like in the catalog of a director like Alfred Hitchcock. His gothic romance films, such as Rebecca, are equally captivating.

The Power of Director's Influence

Directors are not shy about their influences. For instance, watching an early film by Jean-Luc Godard could inspire you to explore other film noirs, Monogram films, or even the works of Carl Th. Dreyer. After watching a scene in Godard's 'My Life to Live' where Anna Karina watches Carl Th. Dreyer's 'The Passion of Joan of Arc', viewers were likely to seek out that film. This cross-pollination between directors and their works can create a ripple effect of cinematic discovery.

So whether you're drawn to the suspenseful thrill of Hitchcock, the whimsical humor of John Landis, or the experimental style of Werner Herzog, there's a director out there whose work will captivate you and guide you towards new and exciting films.