11. Spike Jonze
Director of some of the most unique films of the last few decades, Jonze has only directed three films to date with a fourth to be released later this year. Jonze is most notable for his collaboration with screenwriter Charlie Kaufmann, resulting in two very influential movies, Being John Malkovich and Adaptation. Being John Malkovich, which earned Jonze an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, follows a puppeteer who discovers a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The film was one of the most acclaimed films of 1999, particularly for Kaufmann's screenplay but Jonze direction shouldered its fair share of the movie. In 2002, the duo teamed up again for Adaptation, a film about Kaufmann's inability to adapt the novel the Orchid Thief.Adaptation features Nicolas Cage in one of his finest performances as he portrayed both Kaufmann and his fictional twin brother. Adaptation was praised by many critics, particularly Roger Ebert who later added the film to his Great Movies list. In 2009, Jonze co-wrote and directed an adaption of Where the Wild Things Are. Without Kaufmann, Jonze still produced a very original and effective film. Where the Wild Things Are received slightly less unanimous acclaim than Jonze's previous films but was featured on a number of critics top 10 of the year lists. Jonze's upcoming film Her, promises to be one of 2013's best and will hopefully confirm Jonze's standing as one of the elite modern directors.
Eligible Films: Being John Malkovich (1999), Adaptation (2002), Where the Wild Things Are (2009)