Current Directors Top 25

I've always wanted there to be an around-the-clock, ESPN-style show that covered the world of film. With that in mind, I've decided to release my top 25 of current directors. Keep in mind, this is not a "Best Living Directors list", this is a "Best Directors of 2010" list, and as such if a director has not done any significant work in 2010 he won't be listed (example: David Lynch). Much like NCAA football and basketball release top 25's and update them throughout the year, this list will also change as new films come out, as critical reception evolves, and as awards are given out.

25. Mark Romanek
The trailer for his upcoming film Never Let Me Go has already started to create buzz. Based on the critically adored novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Romanek's followup to One Hour Photo boasts a solid cast that includes Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and Andrew Garfield.

24. Joseph Kosinski
Buzz for the much-anticipated Tron: Legacy is reaching a fever pitch. Early assessments indicate the film will certainly be a moneymaker. Whether or not it will be good... We'll see.

23. Roman Polanski
Legal problems aside, Polanski's The Ghost Writer was well-received, and thus far well-rewarded, winning the Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

22. David Michod
Michod's Australian crime drama, Animal Kingdom, has been one of the best reviewed films of the year. If by some chance it becomes popular with American audiences, Michod could move far up the rankings.

21. Noah Baumbach
Baumbach's tart gem Greenberg struck a chord with critics, who praised Ben Stiller's affecting performance.

20. Mike Leigh
With the release of Another Year, it seems Leigh has once proved why he's one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his time.

19. Todd Phillips
Phillips has been riding high ever since the breakout success of The Hangover. In his next film Due Date, Phillips combines the starpower of redhot Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifinakis for what looks to be a winning comedy formula.

18. Jon Favreau
Iron Man 2 didn't necessarily out-perform expectations, but it was still one of the biggest hits of the year.

17. Sophia Coppola
Athough Marie Antoinette was only a lukewarm success both financially and critically, I'm betting that Somewhere will be a return to form.

16. Debra Granik
Granik's gritty drama Winter's Bone has been one of the most acclaimed indie films of the year with Jennifer Lawrence's performance generating significant oscar buzz.

15. Julian Schnabel
The visionary filmmaker looks to make a splash in this year's oscar race with Miral, a film about a Palestinian woman's attempts to establish an orphange in Jerusalem amidst the burgeoning Isreali-Palestinian conflict.

14. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
There were some concerns for the Babel filmmaker after he and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga broke off their long-time collaborative relationship, but so far things are looking up. Biutiful probably won't be the feel-good success of the year, but if Javier Bardem's best actor prize from Cannes is any indication it could very well be an oscar contender.

13. Lisa Cholodenko
The Kids Are All Right has been something of a cause celebre this year. With it's endearing mix of comedy and sincere emotion, the film is an early best picture dark horse.

12. David O. Russell
Despite his ridiculous, youtube-blaring antics, Russell is still one of the most talented filmmakers working today, and with the Fighter he might have a legitimate oscar contender on his hands. Based on the true story of boxer Mickey Ward, the film stars Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, and Amy Adams.

11. Tim Burton
Alice in Wonderland was not a hit with the critics, but it was a hit with just about everyone else. There's something to be said for making a billion dollar grosser.

10. Edgar Wright
Off the strength of Scott Pilgrim's glowing advance reviews, Edgar Wright makes his first appearance in the top ten this year.

9. Doug Liman
The director of such highbrow fare as Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Jumper, Dough Liman isn't used to oscar buzz, but that's exactly what his new film Fair Game is generating. Based on the Valerie Plame scandal, the film stars Sean Penn and Naomi Watts, and based on early clips that have been released both actors might have oscar nominations in their future.

8. Lee Unkich
Toy Story 3 was not only a critical success, but it was a massive financial boon. This film has most likely already punched it's best picture ticket.

7. Clint Eastwood
Invictus was well-received by some and shrugged off by others, but make no mistake... Eastwood's past accolades more than warrant a top-ten ranking. The prolific director will be releasing the supernatural thriller Hereafter later on this year. Written by acclaimed screenwriter Peter Morgan and starring Matt Damon, this will certainly be one of the more anticipated films of the year. However, if this is just another Eastwood thriller ala Bloodwork, Eastwood will not be in the top ten for long.

6. David Yates
Early buzz for the first installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows couldn't be higher. Some were dissapointed with the Half-Blood Prince, but the core audience of the series isn't going anywhere, and the film should be one of the highest grossing of the year. If it is and if the reviews are strong, this film could be nominated for best picture.

5. Darren Aronofsky
A thriller centering on rival ballet dancers doesn't necessarily inspire much interest, but one simpy gets the feeling that somehow Aronofsky will make his upcoming film, Black Swan, fantastic.

4. Joel and Ethan Coen
With No Country for Old Men and A Serious Man, the Coen Brothers have come on particularly strong lately, and there's no reason to think their remake of True Grit starring Jeff Bridges won't be just as good.

3. Martin Scorcese
Shutter Island divided critics and audiences, but it was still a phenomenal success, grossing nearly 300 million at the box office.

2. David Fincher
The release of the new Social Network trailer has quickly made that film one of the most anticipated of the year. David Fincher proved with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button that he's capable of making a great film that can still connect with audiences.

1. Christopher Nolan
Inception is the best reviewed hit of the summer and seems poised for a best picture nomination. The debate over this unusually challenging blockbuster shows no sign of waning.