A Cinephile’s Critiques

Movie directors (and television producers) are frequently held responsible for the content of a film. Their job is to supervise and direct the activities of the screenwriter, set and costume designers, actors, cinematographer, sound engineer, editor, and composer that work on a movie. Most of the time, directors will exercise their judgement, provide guidance, select from the best available options, and turn out competent, if not very distinctive, work.

Sometimes, however, a directer will weave his ideas and personality into his projects so thoroughly that the results clearly reflect his worldview. Film scholars call these directors auteurs. Every once in a while, I get the urge to write about of one of these movie-makers. You can read my profiles of these people, and their work, below.

• Tim Burton