David Fincher is the most underrated living filmmaker

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TheWoodlandsTxAg
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5:41p, 9/19/24
Se7en, Zodiac, Fight Club, Gone Girl, Alien 3, The Game, Panic Room, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network, and Benjamin Button.

Scorsese, Tarantino, Scott, PTA, Coen Brothers, Nolan, Coppola, and Spielberg get all of the credit.

However, I believe Fincher is just as great if not better than some of them.

Your brain goes into shock and usually hurts after watching a Fincher movie.

Spoiler Alert:

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Lathspell
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5:47p, 9/19/24
AG
Who is underrating Fincher?

Are you saying he should have more awards or be thought of higher? I don't know anyone who loves movies and doesn't think highly of Fincher...
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TCTTS
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5:48p, 9/19/24
AG
Probably my all-time favorite director.

I don't know if I'd call him "underrated," though.

Dude is a legend.
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The Porkchop Express
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5:48p, 9/19/24
AG
Benjamin Button is trash
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TCTTS
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In reply to Lathspell • 5:49p, 9/19/24
AG
Beat me to it.
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In reply to The Porkchop Express • 5:49p, 9/19/24
AG
The Porkchop Express said:
Benjamin Button is trash

It used to be my least favorite of his. I re-watched it a couple years ago, though, and it's actually pretty damn great, IMO. Still not anywhere near his best stuff, but it certainly has its charms.
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TCTTS
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5:52p, 9/19/24
AG
I will say, Fincher's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is definitely underrated. But is finally starting to get its due, at least online, has been mentioned as of late on podcasts I listen to, etc. I wasn't super high on it in the theater, but I now rewatch it probably once a year and it's just incredible.
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TheWoodlandsTxAg
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In reply to Lathspell • 6:19p, 9/19/24
Lathspell said:
Who is underrating Fincher?

Are you saying he should have more awards or be thought of higher? I don't know anyone who loves movies and doesn't think highly of Fincher...
basically more awards and thought of higher

Zero Oscars

One Golden Globe
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Brian Earl Spilner
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6:30p, 9/19/24
AG
I like Benjamin Button.
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Faustus
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6:47p, 9/19/24
NM.
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Lathspell
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In reply to TheWoodlandsTxAg • 7:03p, 9/19/24
AG
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
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TheWoodlandsTxAg
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In reply to Lathspell • 7:25p, 9/19/24
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.
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Lathspell
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In reply to TheWoodlandsTxAg • 7:38p, 9/19/24
AG
I mean... out of the nominees, sure. But For movies released in 2010, I prefer Inception and Scott Pilgrim vs the World.
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Sea Speed
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In reply to TheWoodlandsTxAg • 8:00p, 9/19/24
AG
TheWoodlandsTxAg said:
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.


This is my barometer. If I asked my wife who David fincher is she would have no idea. She absolutely would know who the others are, plus maybe one or two more. I think the premise of the OP is solid.
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Trajan88
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In reply to TheWoodlandsTxAg • 8:05p, 9/19/24
AG
"What's in tbe box?!"

That scene would have been even more stunning with whips of hair fluttering in the wind.
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Proposition Joe
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In reply to Sea Speed • 8:34p, 9/19/24
Sea Speed said:
TheWoodlandsTxAg said:
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.


This is my barometer. If I asked my wife who David fincher is she would have no idea. She absolutely would know who the others are, plus maybe one or two more. I think the premise of the OP is solid.

So you'd put Fincher on the level of Tarantino, Scorsese and Spielberg?

I'd put Nolan starting to get close to that group.

Then a rung below you've got your Fincher's, Michael Mann's and Peter Jacksons. Solid movie makers, experts at certain areas of the craft, but not masterclass level.
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Sea Speed
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In reply to Proposition Joe • 8:39p, 9/19/24
AG
No, but I think he probably deserves to be more of a household name.
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Faustus
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In reply to Proposition Joe • 8:44p, 9/19/24
Proposition Joe said:
Sea Speed said:
TheWoodlandsTxAg said:
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.


This is my barometer. If I asked my wife who David fincher is she would have no idea. She absolutely would know who the others are, plus maybe one or two more. I think the premise of the OP is solid.

So you'd put Fincher on the level of Tarantino, Scorsese and Spielberg?

I'd put Nolan starting to get close to that group.

Then a rung below you've got your Fincher's, Michael Mann's and Peter Jacksons. Solid movie makers, experts at certain areas of the craft, but not masterclass level.


It's like the Stones and the Beatles. Until a certain segment of film critic die off no one will ever be as good. It's ingrained that Scorsese, Spielberg, Kubrick, etc. are better than those that have come after.

But you never have anyone throwing Wilder, Kurosawa, or Godard in your face. Nolan and crew will be the standard before too long.
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TCTTS
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In reply to Proposition Joe • 9:01p, 9/19/24
AG
Proposition Joe said:
Sea Speed said:
TheWoodlandsTxAg said:
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.


This is my barometer. If I asked my wife who David fincher is she would have no idea. She absolutely would know who the others are, plus maybe one or two more. I think the premise of the OP is solid.

So you'd put Fincher on the level of Tarantino, Scorsese and Spielberg?

I'd put Nolan starting to get close to that group.

Then a rung below you've got your Fincher's, Michael Mann's and Peter Jacksons. Solid movie makers, experts at certain areas of the craft, but not masterclass level.

I would, 100%.

IMO, Zodiac and The Social Network are two of the best five-or-so movies of the century, while Seven and Fight Club are all-timers as well. Yes, Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are higher on the list, but IMO they're all in the same tier (along with Nolan and Villeneuve), in terms of modern, currently-working directors who are still churning out bangers (hence why I'd leave Jackson and Mann off).
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TCTTS
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9:08p, 9/19/24
AG
If anything, Fincher is responsible for some of the best trailers of the last three decades as well...





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Jim01
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9:27p, 9/19/24
AG
Absolutely one of my favorites of all time.

Social Network losing to Kings Speech is indeed a tragedy. TSN is one of the most influential movies in recent memory I would argue. Some had already started to cop Finchers style but after TSN a TON of shows started to look like Fincher. Also the score from Reznor and Ross ushered in a ton of sound alike soundtracks to shows.

I've always liked Button as well. I remember when it came out people compared it to Gump but I liked it better. Gump is a realistic premise (dimwit) who stumbles into incredibly unrealistic situations. Button was an unrealistic premise but his life was very realistically lived if you buy into the premise.

And Dragon Tattoo not getting a sequel is another Hollywood crime. Rooney Mara in that movie? Anything she wants at any time!
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Geriatric Punk
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9:39p, 9/19/24
AG
"I disagree with your hypothesis." - Tarantino
Life's an endless party, not a punch card.
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fig96
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In reply to Sea Speed • 10:09p, 9/19/24
AG
Sea Speed said:
TheWoodlandsTxAg said:
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.


This is my barometer. If I asked my wife who David fincher is she would have no idea. She absolutely would know who the others are, plus maybe one or two more. I think the premise of the OP is solid.
I don't know that your average moviegoer could name more than a handful of directors, and the ones they know are the ones that put themselves all over media.

No cinephile doesn't know Fincher and how good he is.
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Proposition Joe
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In reply to TCTTS • 10:20p, 9/19/24
TCTTS said:
Proposition Joe said:
Sea Speed said:
TheWoodlandsTxAg said:
Lathspell said:
I guess I just don't think of Fincher as underrated. Hell, his movies are literally reference points for other movies like The Batman.

As for the Award argument, I would have to look at each movie and what won for that year. I'm sure I would probably choose a Fincher movie other something else for that year, but would have to see.
I would also say in the general public no one knows about him.

They know about his movies, but no one could tell you who David Fincher is.

Everyone knows who Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are.

Also while it is not my favorite Fincher movie, The Social Network losing the Oscar to the King's Speech is criminal.


This is my barometer. If I asked my wife who David fincher is she would have no idea. She absolutely would know who the others are, plus maybe one or two more. I think the premise of the OP is solid.

So you'd put Fincher on the level of Tarantino, Scorsese and Spielberg?

I'd put Nolan starting to get close to that group.

Then a rung below you've got your Fincher's, Michael Mann's and Peter Jacksons. Solid movie makers, experts at certain areas of the craft, but not masterclass level.

I would, 100%.

IMO, Zodiac and The Social Network are two of the best five-or-so movies of the century, while Seven and Fight Club are all-timers as well. Yes, Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg are higher on the list, but IMO they're all in the same tier (along with Nolan and Villeneuve), in terms of modern, currently-working directors who are still churning out bangers (hence why I'd leave Jackson and Mann off).

I really enjoyed The Social Network, but I don't consider it anything more than a Moneyball or The Big Short (but two of my favorites). The movie itself wasn't groundbreaking.

And Zodiac one of the best five movies of the century? Sorry that's just insane to me. It's downright plodding at times.

Seven and Fight Club are masterpieces.

Hell, I even think Scorcese post 2000's is pretty underwhelming. The editing on The Departed was god awful and Wolf of Wall Street wasn't the movie it could have been -- both movies just very much carried by amazing actors/acting.

I'm downright excited for a Nolan or Villeneuve film. With Fincher I tend to just think "well this will be solid". Panic Room and Gone Girl aren't movies I walk out of going "wow!". They are beautifully shot in a way that only Fincher can, but not groundbreaking IMO.
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The Porkchop Express
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In reply to TCTTS • 10:28p, 9/19/24
AG
TCTTS said:
The Porkchop Express said:
Benjamin Button is trash

It used to be my least favorite of his. I re-watched it a couple years ago, though, and it's actually pretty damn great, IMO. Still not anywhere near his best stuff, but it certainly has its charms.
Benjamin Button is my top 2 "Longest/Worst movie I've watched in order to hook up with a girl" films.
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The Porkchop Express
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In reply to Jim01 • 10:32p, 9/19/24
AG
Jim01 said:
Absolutely one of my favorites of all time.

Social Network losing to Kings Speech is indeed a tragedy. TSN is one of the most influential movies in recent memory I would argue. Some had already started to cop Finchers style but after TSN a TON of shows started to look like Fincher. Also the score from Reznor and Ross ushered in a ton of sound alike soundtracks to shows.

I've always liked Button as well. I remember when it came out people compared it to Gump but I liked it better. Gump is a realistic premise (dimwit) who stumbles into incredibly unrealistic situations. Button was an unrealistic premise but his life was very realistically lived if you buy into the premise.

And Dragon Tattoo not getting a sequel is another Hollywood crime. Rooney Mara in that movie? Anything she wants at any time!
I lean into Bill Simmons on the Rewatchables podcast - the farther away we get from The Social Network, the more of a travesty it is that it didn't win best picture. There is almost zero action in that movie and it is one of the most compelling movies I've ever seen.

I will watch it from any point in the film, and the scene were Sean Parker returns Eduardo's check and Eduardo fake swings at him - combined with the great Reznor BONG sound is one of my favorite little moments from a movie of all time.

In that moment - we see the real Sean Parker - the guy who is still the terrified dweeb from high school who is just pretending to be the coolest guy in the room - and we see that incredible knowing smirk from Andrew Garfield, reminding Sean that he knew exactly who Sean was from the moment they met.

Just incredible film making.
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BowSowy
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In reply to The Porkchop Express • 10:43p, 9/19/24
AG
The Porkchop Express said:
TCTTS said:
The Porkchop Express said:
Benjamin Button is trash

It used to be my least favorite of his. I re-watched it a couple years ago, though, and it's actually pretty damn great, IMO. Still not anywhere near his best stuff, but it certainly has its charms.
Benjamin Button is my top 2 "Longest/Worst movie I've watched in order to hook up with a girl" films.
I'd rather watch Benjamin Button than impersonate a football player
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Lathspell
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7:29a, 9/20/24
AG
I would personally put Fincher over Scorsese and Kubrick, as far as my enjoyment of their movies. I think Fight Club and Se7en are better than anything Scorsese and Kubrick have ever made. They were just around first and their movies have garnered some mysticism around them.
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BowSowy
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In reply to Geriatric Punk • 8:12a, 9/20/24
AG
Geriatric Punk said:
"I disagree with your hypothesis." - Tarantino
Are you implying that Tarantino is somehow underrated? I'd disagree completely.
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The Porkchop Express
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In reply to BowSowy • 8:44a, 9/20/24
AG
BowSowy said:
The Porkchop Express said:
TCTTS said:
The Porkchop Express said:
Benjamin Button is trash

It used to be my least favorite of his. I re-watched it a couple years ago, though, and it's actually pretty damn great, IMO. Still not anywhere near his best stuff, but it certainly has its charms.
Benjamin Button is my top 2 "Longest/Worst movie I've watched in order to hook up with a girl" films.
I'd rather watch Benjamin Button than impersonate a football player
I'd rather serve my time and be forgiven by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ than be a dickless ***** on the Internet that has such a pathetic ****ing life that they get on a message board to zing other people's pasts. But I don't really see what either of those has to do with David Fincher.
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Btron
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9:11a, 9/20/24
AG
I need to rewatch Benjamin Button. I took a girl on a date at the Alamo to watch it. She drank a whole bottle of wine, got so drunk during this almost 3 hour filmstubbled outside. I went to look for her and she was peeing in the parking lot. Why she didn't think to use the movie theater bathroom is why it didn't work out for us
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TXAG 05
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In reply to Lathspell • 10:03a, 9/20/24
AG
Lathspell said:
I would personally put Fincher over Scorsese and Kubrick, as far as my enjoyment of their movies. I think Fight Club and Se7en are better than anything Scorsese and Kubrick have ever made. They were just around first and their movies have garnered some mysticism around them.


I'm with you on Kubrick, don't think there is anyone more overrated than he is.
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Max Power
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In reply to TCTTS • 10:22a, 9/20/24
AG
TCTTS said:
The Porkchop Express said:
Benjamin Button is trash

It used to be my least favorite of his. I re-watched it a couple years ago, though, and it's actually pretty damn great, IMO. Still not anywhere near his best stuff, but it certainly has its charms.
Fincher is also my favorite and the first time I saw Benjamin Button I was 28 years old and it fell flat for me. I saw it in the theater and didn't watch it again until I was in my 40s. It's a very different movie at those two ages. You don't think about getting old and things you missed at that age. Once you've been married and have kids you think about your mortality and your past a lot more. I stil don't think it's close to his best but if you only saw it when you were young and haven't seen it in a long time I would recommend watching it again because the time of your life when you see it makes a big difference in how you experience it.

Fincher not winning best director for The Social Network is criminal and the academy should be made to answer for it.
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Brian Earl Spilner
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In reply to Max Power • 10:27a, 9/20/24
AG
The fact that Tarantino has never won as director is criminal as well.
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GIF Reactor
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11:17a, 9/20/24
AG
I see that I am clearly alone in my indifference for The Social Network. It was ok, but nothing I'd care to re-watch.

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