Filmmaking / Directing : Directors You Love The Most by Chaun Lee

I have SO many. At one time, I wanted to be a film director. The one's I've learned the most would by first Stanley Kubrick. His vision was total and exact and revolutionary. I miss his films, but am so grateful for the ones he left us.

Other filmmakers that have greatly influenced me are definitely Spielberg (for obvious reasons, in my opinion), Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Ingmar Bergman, Denis Villeneuve, Barry Jenkins, Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, Terrence Malick, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, The Coen Brothers, etc.

Each of these talents (and so many more) have fueled my imagination like no other. I'm sure I'll think of a few more before the day is out. I simply love film and the men and women behind the camera...

John Woo. In his prime, he reinvented gun fighting, and because I worked with him! Humble gent. When he talks to you, he talked to you as a peer, whether you are a movie star or crew.

Ridley Scott (Alien), Barry Levinson (Diner, Wag the Dog, etc), Sam Mendes (American Beauty), Rob Reiner (Harry Met Sally), David Lynch, Tim Burton, Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), James Cameron (Aliens, Avatar, etc), Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee (Do The Right Thing), many others too

Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, and Tim Burton because they've made many hit movies that I've enjoyed. Simple reason; I know. :)

If your looking for Horror/Drama id like to suggest "The Light House " by ( Robert Eggers ) this movie has great acting , cinematography , and will leave you if an unquestioned answer !

I've had the honor of watching Hitch at work - his creative cinematic vision was/is awe inspiring and legendary. I'm inspired by Martin Scorsese's attestation to the fine details involved in cinematic projects; along with many others for various & sundry reasons.

These are some great ones and include a few of my favs. I didn't see any female directors make your lists though, lol! I had to mention it as a woman. I think film primarily through a male lens is what we've been used to and it's interesting to see a small shift occurring. But, that's another post altogether.

I would say my favorite female directors are contemporary, as I fall short in seeing more films by female filmmakers from the Golden Age and before like Ida Lupino and Alice Guy-Blaché. Kathryn Bigelow (her gorgeous one-two punch of The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty) is a legend, as well as Greta Gerwig (her Little Women). Sofia Coppola I'm a bit hot and cold on, but I still admire her output so far. Newly minted Best Director winner Chloe Zhao is in a category all her own, and I cannot wait to see what she does in the next few years (especially after Eternals).

I neglected to add Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Heartburn), Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)

James Welday I'm with you on Chloe Zhao, Kathryn Bigelow and Greta Gerwig!

Their work is just top-notch, every film they've made so far. Women filmmakers need more of a presence. On that note, how the heck could I forget a mention of Emerald Fennell and her Promising Young Woman, easily among my favorite films of the last few years? EDIT: ...and Regina King for One Night in Miami and Ava DuVernay for her work on Selma?! Both are so freakin' good.

Absolutely - Regina King and Ava DuVernay.

I look forward to near future when the best female directors will have ready access to content and budgets to create films that are far more epic in scope and cinematic glory. While waiting for those flicks, I'm still blown away by Debra Granik - Winter's Bone, Kathryn Bigelow - Detroit, Julie Taymor - Across The Universe.