The Directors Series, Honorable Mention Films

 


Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey.

Today, before we dive into the first selection, it's a few of the films that just missed the cut. This will give you an idea of a few of the directors on this list, but keep you guessing about what of their work is included.

Dune: Part One (2021): All of Denis Villenueve's films have a unique cinematic style. This is no exception. But I haven't resonated with the story and characters in all of them. That's certainly the case here, a film that was close but doesn't make my Top 5 for him.

The Fabelmans (2022): Of all of Steven Spielberg's films, this one might have been the most polarizing. Some hated it. I loved it, but he has such a great body of work I liked five others more.

Fargo (1996): This is a classic from the Coen Brothers. Some might think of it as their best, and I get that. But there are other films that I liked more that made the list.

Little Women (2019): I love what Greta Gerwig does with this version of the film. The performances are great, as is the decision to tell this classic story out-of-sequence. It all works.

Manhunter (1986): Michael Mann knows his way around a crime drama. This one delivers as the first of the Thomas Harris books adapted. Bonus is seeing Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter!

Raging Bull (1980): It's probably not a surprise that Martin Scorsese makes the list, but maybe a surprise this film doesn't. It's exceptional, and I love the use of black-and-white, I just had a few other films higher.

Rope (1948): Alfred Hitchcock is a master filmmaker. This one has some incredible moments and I love Jimmy Stewart. It was tough to narrow him down to five.

Selma (2014): Ava DuVernay is a talented filmmaker and I nearly included her on this list. If I had, Selma would have been the selection.

Tenet (2020): It will come as no surprise that Christopher Nolan makes this list. I love so many of his films that unfortunately this twisty tale just misses the list.

Zodiac (2007): It says a lot about David Fincher's body of work that this twisty and exceptional crime drama just missed the cut.

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