David Cronenberg

Probably the smartest film director alive. Made horror films in the 70s and then started making his unique "Cronenfilms" in the 80s. The formula is: show really fucked-up stuff in a really neutral way. Classic example: The scene in Videodrome where a guy grows a vagina-like stomach slit and then pokes around in it with a handgun while the camera just watches, like it's an instructional film ("What to do with Your New Organ"). The main rules of a Cronenfilm: Don't judge, just show. Don't make it exciting, just make it weird. But show what's really going on, even if it makes no sense. Best films: Scanners, Videodrome, The Fly, Crash, Naked Lunch, A History of Violence. Has been a huge influence on: horror movies (esp. the Ring movies) and sci-fi (esp. the Matrix movies). Best time to watch: drunk/high, or in a mood to think about weird shit. Worst time: when you're in the mood for action or romance.