He's done some good films, but the overwhelming majority of his films have ranged from mediocre to average. He's never directed a masterpiece, he's never directed an amazing film, he's never directed a film that's a classic. "The Fly" is the closest thing people would say is a classic, but it's a remake and is often referred to as a "horror classic", rather than simply "a classic". I own roughly 400 movies and none of them is a single film of his.
shareGiven his initial budgets...both 'Shivers' and 'Rabid' (the latter especially) are masterpieces.
I also think highly of 'Eastern Promises' too
Eastern Promises is one of the few of his I liked.
shareWhat do think of Rabid, Shivers, Dead Zone?
I'll be honest and say I'm indifferent about 'The Fly' or 'Videodrome'
I liked Dead Zone, didn't love. The Fly is good, but not great. The others were just okay.
shareAs I previously mentioned, forgo the budgetary/technical constraints associated with Shivers & Rabid (and instead concentrate on the ideas /implications behind such) and I'm have to say I prefer Cronenberg over Lynch (given that the latter can only do his 'weird' schtick, and little else) Croneenberg has (at very least) proven himself to be a seasoned all-arounder.
As it stands, I couldn't give a dry-Ethiopian-fart for anything Scorsese did after 'Raging Bull' (despite his subsequent popularity)
And don't get me started on Tarantino?
I guess 'taste' is truly subjective?
No, you're an overrated filmmaker! I've never even seen or heard of a single film directed by samoanjoes. Cronenberg is an excellent director. He has directed four films that I would rate a 9/10, five films that would be an 8/10, and even his lesser films are still at least a 7/10. I own 8 of his films.
shareHe made a string of great movies in the 80's (The Dead Zone (the best King adaptation there is) - The Fly - Dead Ringers), and hasn't made a single bad movie. Even when he isn't great, he is still an interesting film maker. One of the few active director's still working that I find interesting. But stupid times yearn for stupid filmmakers, I guess, and Cronenberg is too intellectual for the masses.
shareSome of his stuff is Luke-warm to me. However, I love Videodrome so much that can't speak ill of him. Fond of Existenz (1999) as well.
What made you celebrate your indifference to him with this post?
I saw a few people praising his new movie but it's only a 6.1 on IMDb. It reminded me of his other films I didn't love which also had low scores but somehow there were a large group of people who thought it was great. I think he's more of a cult director than an actual legendary one.
shareThough I like him, I can agree with that distinction.
... but wait. He does get mention in a Rick and Morty episode. He got just big enough to graduate from cult following to pop culture. I see it as debatable but I agree with your angle on it.
The Fly is a masterpiece in several aspects;
- The acting, particularly from the leads Goldblum and Davis, is superb.
- The make-up and special effects are truly outstanding.
- The story is brilliant, an emotional journey as someone watches the one they love wither away.
- The OST from Howard Shore is utterly fantastic.
A top-10 Horror film of all time.
Other than that are you a fan of his?
shareYes I am.
Aside from The Fly I'm also a very big fan of Videodrome & eXistenZ. The rest of his filmography varies from decent to very good. Stuff like The Dead Zone, Scanners, The Brood, Rabid etc, etc are all decent watches.
Great director in my opinion.