7. Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs
Quentin Tarantino's directorial debut is a vibrant, rough and ultra violent tale about a jewel heist gone wrong and the nameless men behind it. Tarantino (who also appears in a small role) added his hat to the crime film circle with this masterpiece and he made sure it was going to stay a while. As the film progresses we are introduced to the characters in what would become Tarantino's signature style of non-linear storytelling. While bouncing through his timelines, writer-director Tarantino weaves a wonderful tapestry of vulgar language and pop culture discussions for his characters, as they discuss not only the inner details of their upcoming robbery, but also their favorite music and TV shows. Tarantino adds humanity to his characters, and also begins another theme that would become standard in his films, honor among low-lives. Reservoir Dogs found a new resurgence two years later when Tarantino's Oscar winning classic Pulp Fiction was released, and allowed audiences to catch up to a film-maker who was already one film in to being a legend. Tarantino's next film, Django Unchained opens December 25th.