Cinema Spotlights

I. Scott Derrickson: Horror Filmmaker who explore themes of belief and faith; the notion that there is something out there and watching us whether good or evil. A Protestant but fascinated with Catholicism, hence a couple of his work revolving around exorcisms.

1. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
2. The Day the Earth Stood Still
3. Sinister
4. Deliver Us From Evil
5. Devil's Knot & Sinister 2 (Writer Only)
6. Doctor Strange

II. Taika Waititi: New Zealand's answer to Wes Anderson. Quirky comedic dramas that center on lonely characters who yearn for love. Along with his eccentric humor are plenty of pop cultural references.Frequently collaborates with Rachel House and casts himself in a big or small role.

1. Eagle vs Shark
2. Boy
3. What We Do in the Shadows
4. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
5. Thor: Ragnarok
6. Jojo Rabbit 

III. J.A. Bayona: Spanish filmmaker who explores the fear of loss whether natural or supernatural and the bond between a mother and her son. Nature plays a role whether trekking dangerous waters or holding on for dear life. Children play a crucial role and frequently casts Geraldine Chaplin

1. El Orfanato (The Orphange)
2. The Impossible
3. A Monster Calls
4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

IV. James Wan: Horror master who brings in the scares the old-fashioned way without the need of sexual or graphic content and deliver surprising results when working outside the genre. Characters carry a haunted past, with evil wearing a tint of red and a creepy doll or ghostly presence sometimes involved. Frequent collaborators include Patrick Wilson, Leigh Whannell, and Joseph Bishara.

1. Saw
2. Dead Silence
3. Death Sentence 
4. Insidious
5. The Conjuring
6. Insidious: Chapter 2
7. Furious 7
8. The Conjuring 2
9. Aquaman

V. David F. Sandberg: Swedish Youtuber who got his start when one of his videos got Hollywood's eye and got the chance to make it a movie. Characters are mostly children longing for a family. The villains being a product of being unloved, whether the pain was intentional or not. The demonic are involved,  lights flickering, antagonists with silver eyes. Sandberg's wife/actress Lotta Losten appears in his work. 

1. Lights Out
2. Annabelle: Creation
3. Shazam!

VI. Jon Favreau: Comedian turned actor, writer, and director. Travels around the genre from science-fiction, superhero, Christmas, crime, and comedy. Characters come from a broken family. Father figures play a central role. Allows for improvisation adding to the authenticity and humor. Frequently appears in his own movies from cameos to lead role.       

1. Swingers (Writer Only)
2. Made
3. Elf
4. Zathura
5. Iron Man
6. Iron Man 2
7. Cowboys & Aliens
8. Chef
9. The Jungle Book
10. The Lion King 

VII. Andy Muschietti: Argentinian filmmaker who got his start like Wan and Sandberg on adapting his horror short into a feature film. His movies center on children being stalked by an otherworldly monster invisible to adults and with an innocent item signifying its presence. Likes to use the color beige at the very start of his movies and throughout when his characters question their sanity and reality. Portrays how ordinary humans can be capable of being just as monstrous.   

1. Mama
2. It
3. It: Chapter Two

VIII. Leigh Whannell: Australian screenwriter and actor. Creator of the Saw and Insidious franchise. Collaborates with James Wan who directed many of his scripts. Works on low-budget projects, particularly in the horror genre but amplifies it with his screenplays. His movies deal with damaged characters who are hurt on a mental and physical level with an unseen threat out to get them.       

1. Insidious: Chapter 3
2. Upgrade
3. The Invisible Man