12 Times A Director Went On An INSANE Streak Of Great Movies
5. Alfonso Cuaron: Five Films From 2001-2018
The Streak: Y Tu Mamá También, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men, Gravity, Roma
The longest streak on this list, the fact this spans 17 years is a testament to Alfonso Curaon's enduring quality as a filmmaker, and his ability to wait for the right project - and spend the time necessary to get it right.
His movies here run the full gamut of styles and genres. With Prisoner of Azkaban, he took the Harry Potter franchise to its greatest height, making it slightly darker, but also giving it a visual stlye that blended that more adult tone without trading on the magical sense of wonder, something it was never quite able to replicate. Post-apocalyptic drama Children of Men and Gravity, meanwhile, showcase a director of unbelievable technical prowess, pushing the envelope with regards to cinematography and effects.
This trio of blockbusters is bookended by Y Tu Mamá También and Roma, two foreign-language, deeply personal films that perhaps best showcase Cuaron as a true auteur. And yet what is most remarkable about it is that there is a very tangible human connection linking all five movies; whether his budget is $5m or $130m, there's an emotional core linked to the idea of humanity, that he is able to play for wonder and awe, immense sadness and uplifting joy. It takes a special filmmaker to perfect either the portrayal of humanity or the technical brilliance that Cuaron has. To do both, in the same film, on a number of occasions, is really just unfair to everyone else.
[JH]