Live Poll: One Hit-Wonder Directors

Nice pick Peter, thanks for the vote!

I feel like the problem here is that his other two films are both better.  It isn't that it isn't a great film or isn't comparable to the other films in merit, I just don't see it as a one hit wonder.  

Thanks for the vote Leavey!

It's a scandal to resume Michael Cimino's career just to one movie... 

You're right — the other's aren't mediocre per se, but none of them have come even close to the stature of ESOTSM and I think that is the objective I'm trying to achieve with this poll; essentially, when you think of these directors, these films are the first of theirs that come to mind and are placed on a pedestal as these director's best by a long shot. When I think of Michel Gondry , I immediately think of ESOTSM and struggle to think of his other films- with directors like Scorsese, Woody Allen or Spielberg, many gems come to mind instantly. But these guys are, in a sense, 'one-hit wonder' directors - it's a tough one to judge for sure..

Thanks for the explanation, Kyle! It may even be just my subjective opinion about his other films.
But, you were right about the fact that whenever I think about him, only this wonderful collaboration with Charlie Kaufman (God..I love that guy!) comes to my mind. 

Kyle, I'm not sure I like your premise.  I'm not a fan of Woody Allen's.  I think in terms of me saying that Annie Hall stands far and above is most notable works is a fair statement.  It stands head and shoulders above all of this other works, but I'm also not dismissive enough to say that it is his only good film or that none have merits of their own.  I mean there are the exceptions like Scorsese, Kubrick, Hitchcock etc where claiming a single film as the stand out is difficult, most directors have a single highpoint, some two.  I'm not sure if the point of the list is to say that there was a box office high point or a critical one or just a general feeling, which seems vague.  I would argue that for Costner, Open Range was his high point.  Wachowski's I'd say Bound has aged better.  John Singleton also did similarly good films throughout a long career.  Curtiz made many great films over his career, the issue was mostly that he dabbled and defined so many genres he never solidified a style to brand him.  I feel like so much of your argument comes from marketing and not from them being classics.  I'm also going to say that while SW:ESB is a classic in that it is one of the most popular films of all time, he also did solid work.  I don't think there was a push for Kirshner to come up with his own Star Wars.  I am a bigger fan of his other films.  I have heard this argument before, but then question why it doesn't get brought up with the director of RotJ, as that director truly did nothing else noteworthy.  I feel like by the logic of your argument, The Shawshank Redemption's Darabont.  He will always be in the shadow of that film and nothing else comes close in terms of prestige.  Green Mile was still nominated for Best Picture.  Still kind of gets summarized as him trying to redo Shawshank.  Most great directors have a peak.  I would agree that Singleton's first film got the most buzz, but it is by no means his best film.  If you compare his filmography to Spike Lee's, I would say Singleton's is stronger overall, but there is a stigma around Lee that it is insensitive to dismiss everything after Do The Right Thing, though I think you could make that argument for him if you so chose.  Some I might include are Network, Tombstone (Cosmotos is credited, but not only is the film much better than his others, it was rumored to be directed by Russell).  Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Gone with the Wind, The Wicker Man, The Great Escape, Amelie (possibly controversial, but definitely a high point).  I think another interesting interpretation would be Pasolini.  At the time of his death, he was famous for art movies and Salo was a departure, but it is the only film that still has a shelf life now.  Another name I'd suggest is Clive Barker with Hellraiser, and while I loved both Nightbreed and Lord of Illusions, both films flopped and are not really remembered, though the former does have some cult following. I'm also thinking of foreign films where a single film captures our attention, say like 400 blows, Audition, Life is Beautiful, Suspiria.  I wouldn't suggest any of those directors never did great work again, but that these were high points and what they are known for by American audiences.

I would agree, one-hit wonder implies that you had a flash of genius and never did anything else or had anything close. A couple of these directors had decent careers or films that I would call great, but not exceptional. I would question how you define hit, the list seems very suspect.

V for Vendetta and  The Lives of Others

Thanks for the vote Urbane!

Based on these thoughts what do you suggest?

To be honest I had not heard of Matthau and Lemmon films before writting, I found them doing some research.

Thanks for the vote Hyker! The Lives of Others was indeed a fantastic film - would love to see more like it in the future...

Thanks LD! Great one.

Thanks Ruby! I think it was a good idea but I too am struggling to determine the parameters - do you think any changes should be made to exclude/include anyone? I'm so unsure with this one ...