Best director among actors?

Who do you think is the absolute best director among all those legendary actors?

Clint Eastwood, Kevin Costner, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Diane Keaton, George Clooney, Peter Moran, Mel Gibson...

While I have a huge amount of respect for Eastwood's *Unforgiven*, De Niro's *Bronx Tale*, and Redford's *Ordinary People*, if I had to pick a favorite, I’m giving my vote to Warren Beatty. His work on *Reds*, *Heaven Can Wait*, and *Bulworth* is just on another level.

I can't stand Mel Gibson. His take on *Braveheart* just feels incredibly pretentious and over-the-top, and don't even get me started on Horner's score—it’s just too much.🙂

Tarantino, Spike

😎

I honestly believe Clint deserves the top spot. If we’re arguing that Tarantino is the definitive actor here, then sure, put him in second place—but I have to disagree with anyone suggesting that Gibson's 'Braveheart' wasn't a standout. To be perfectly clear, I consider that film a masterpiece, and that Oscar for Best Director was more than earned.

It’s definitely Clint. Whether he’s in front of the lens or behind it, he’s easily one of the heavyweights in the game.

Clint Eastwood is simply the best
Mel Gibson takes second place

Yip, definitely Clint!

Even if he doesn't have a ton of runway left before retirement, I truly believe Clint Eastwood is the toughest actor out there, and his brilliance really shines when he's behind the camera too...
Huge respect to Clint Eastwood!!🙏 👍 👍

CHARLEY CHAPLIN!!!

What about Crazy in Alabama? Starring Banderas.

Clint Eastwood? That Good Will Hunting thing or whatever it was... what a total snooze fest.
Robert Redford is alright, I guess. But what was Jodie Foster even doing there?

granitewolf1 said:That movie, Good Will Hunting or whatever it was called, is just pure, unadulterated boredom.

Don't you dare blaspheme! 🙂

The film is a masterpiece! 😛

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is actually a pretty solid movie.

But does that really make George Clooney a great director? Personally, I hope not.
I mean, you need more than just a bit of "beginner's luck" to prove you've truly arrived in this industry, right?

As far as I'm concerned, he's still just not my cup of tea—both in front of the camera and behind it.

Clint Eastwood is basically the king of them all.

I mean, seriously, he was just incredible in The Bridges of Madison County...

🙏

Oh, right... I totally blanked on this:

Woody Allen

So, yeah... those two.

John Cruz14 said:Who do you all think is the best director among these actors?

Clint Eastwood, Kevin Costner, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Diane Keaton, George Clooney, Peter Moon, Mel Gibson.........

While I really dig Eastwood's Unforgiven, De Niro's Bronx Tale, and Redford's Ordinary People—I’d actually put my money on Warren Beatty: Reds, Heaven Can Wait, and Bulworth...

For me, Mel Gibson is the worst—his Braveheart feels way too over-the-top and sappy, especially with Horner handling the score🙂

Now, look—Clint was at his absolute peak in his first film, Play Misty for Me, where he used those gorgeous colors and Hitchcockian editing to create this beautiful tribute... then he slipped a bit through Sudden Impact and Great Challenge, before finally finding his groove again to become a true master in Unforgiven. In terms of both scope and sheer quality, Clint is the champion. As for the others—Foster, Pacino, De Niro, Keaton, Clooney—calling them directors is just a joke! It's pure nonsense!
And claiming Beatty is the best? That's honestly laughable! Especially since Reds is such a weak flick it almost makes you cringe🙂

Tarantino might just pull a surprise move with Salma Hayek.

While Clint Eastwood is perfectly fine, my vote goes to John Cassavetes. I’ve sat through four of his films: Shadows, Opening Night, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and A Woman Under the Influence. Aside from Shadows, they were all incredibly powerful—especially Opening Night, which possesses something truly transcendental about it. A masterpiece.

I don't even count Woody Allen in this conversation, since he's primarily a director and screenwriter first, and only then (and poorly at that) an actor.

I might add two more to the list:
Tim Roth and Gary Oldman. It’s a damn shame they only directed a single film each. Especially Oldman; his Nil by Mouth is exceptionally good, and the man carries this uncommon amount of depression within him. It’s beautiful, really.

Just Clint Eastwood, no questions asked...

...but honestly, he’d be right there on the list just below him... Billy Bob Thornton...his... Sling Blade... man, what a movie. Such a heavy hitter. It’s perfect...

...hmmm, François Truffaut? 🙂
...but I bet the PSUs are going to sweep the floor with them next year 😍

Clint Eastwood 🙏

Clint Eastwood, without a single second of hesitation 👍

goldenhound32 said:While I can see why people like Clint Eastwood, my vote personally goes to John Cassavetes. I've seen four of his films—Shadows, Opening Night, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and A Woman Under the Influence. Aside from Shadows, they were all incredibly powerful, especially Opening Night. There’s something almost transcendental about that one. Truly a masterpiece.

Signed,

But man, I absolutely love Shadows.