1. Jeff Nichols
His first movie was 2007s Shotgun Stories, about a feud between two families of half-brothers in rural Arkansas, and he then followed up with 2011s Take Shelter, a story about a young father whose visions of an apocalyptic terror could either be prophetic, or delusional. Most recently though, he made Mud, a coming of age story in which two teenage boys encounter a mysterious fugitive. Jeff Nichols work possesses all the heart of Spielberg, all the psychological depth of Fincher, and all the Coens love an admiration for classic Americana. Hes a rock-solid storyteller, and when it comes to directing, he's incredibly talented. In 2016, Nichols is once again teaming up with actor Michael Shannon to make Midnight Special, a movie about a father who becomes a fugitive in order to protect his superpowered young son. If youre a fan of E.T., Superman, Michael Shannon, or sci-fi films in general, you should absolutely be looking forward to it. Are there any other directors you think deserve to be on this list? Comment below and let me know.
Spencer Serra
Spencer is a Film Studies major at the Rhode Island College in Providence. He is a professional video editor, hopeful screenwriter, aspiring director, and prays that his ambitions aren't just starry-eyed daydreams. Follow him on twitter @NotSpencerSerra
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