8. Kevin Smith (Clerks)
Just as the American independent movie scene was beginning to pick up steam, Kevin Smith joined the fray with his sublimely funny Clerks, which helped crowbar open both an audience and a mythology for the director; his so-called Askewniverse is now comprised of six films, though none of the others - Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back and Clerks II - have managed to quite live up to the blindsiding excellence of his debut feature. Perhaps it's simply a case that we're too familiar with Smith's writing style now, but back in 1994 it felt incredibly fresh - there was nothing like it, whereas now, Smith has arguably exhausted much of his material. Outside of this world, his other films have been a mixed bag - Jersey Girl and Cop Out weren't great, Red State was passable, while Zack & Miri Make A Porno was good fun - yet perhaps with the impending Clerks III, Smith might find a way to truly outdo himself.