Certainly not a cult director? While Cronenberg may be one of the more widely know directors deemed "cult", he is still most definitely a cult director (even with the inclusion of A History of Violence and Eastern Promises). You seem to barr him from being considered "cult" because The Fly was a studio effort, but seem to be ignoring the fact that The Fly itself is very much a cult film. Since The Fly Cronenber has made Naked Lunch and Dead Ringers, two films which also have cult followings. I'm not sure what your definition of "cult director" is, but for me a guy who has been churning out "cult films" since the 60s qualifies for the title.

Orson Welles is unknown to most mainstream audiences, is Citizen Kane a cult film and Welles a cult director? You've got a very loose definition of the term. I doubt most mainstream audiences could name a Kurosawa film, does he qualify as a "cult director" in your mind? The denotation of the word "cult" makes it applicable for use in these situations but you know very well that its connotation does not. Semantics arguments are worthless and adidasss has already stated that he could have used a better word.

Orson Welles is unknown? Virtually everyone has heard of 'Citizen Kane'. If not then 'The Third Man' not to mention 'Transformers:The Movie'.

A 'cult' director would be someone with a very small following and is only appreciated in small circles. Anyone with even just a vague passing in movies have heard of Cronenberg, yet name say Brakhage for example and then we are talking about a cult following.

Most movie goers would probably say 'Seven Samurai' for Kurosawa.

Anyhow to get back on track: what's the latest film you have seen:

http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/ima...8471-large.jpg

Obviously dated but some deliciously dark humour and sense of menace. As usual with Hitch**** some brilliant trademark shots.

I think you're overestimating the intelligence (filmwise) of your average movie goer. I'd be willing to place money on the fact that if you walked into any random showing of The Dark Knight or The Mummy 3 only a minority percentage would know who Welles is or be able to name a film. Same for Kurosawa, whom you mentioned.

I'd agree that Brakhage would be considered a cult director, along with other "pure cineasts", but just because Cronenberg has a wider cult following doesn't make him any less of a cult director. Rocky Horror Picture Show is certainly a cult film, but I'd bet more people in your average theater audience have heard of it than of The Third Man.

I'm sure that most theatergoers who've heard of Kurosawa would say that, but your average audience probably has very few people who've heard of him (as popular as he is).


Anyway, I watched Murmur of the Heart last night, a Louis Malle film (another cult director :rolleyes:)

http://img.tesco.com/pi/entertainmen...481_DV_L_F.jpg

Beautiful to look at and despite the languid place (and my general distaste for plummy English accents), it draws in the strands of each four sections for a touching conclusion. The beach tracking shot is a tour de force. Excellent.

Happiness of the Katakuris
http://godlove.files.wordpress.com/2..._katakuris.jpg

Uhm, it's a musical by Takashi Miike. Do I really need to say more?

Speaking of musicals, I watched Dancer in the Dark two nights ago and that was amazing as well (and stars Bjork).

Speaking of Bjork, I've decided that I'm going to start using her name as a colloquialism for throwing up. Pass it along.

"I drank too much and bjorked."

Could work.

http://media.movieweb.com/prod/y/t/v...qrXTXytv_l.jpg

Classic. Although I don't think I will dig out the DVD too many times. Nice Ragtime soundtrack.

http://www.filmkultura.hu/2005/artic...an_traffic.jpg

Must have seen this film about fifteen times and I never tire of it. I think that it is imaginative and uses lots of great filming devices and ideas. The director has'nt done anything since but he has a film in pre production so I will have to check that out.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ootsoldier.jpg

Much better than I was expecting and although the film shifted it's focus away from the main character in the last third it is still good solid British cinema. In your face, violent, foul mouthed and a great soundtrack. A very worthy 2 hours of my time.

A better film than the Essex Boys.
Speaking of which and all things related...Range Rover murders. WARNING! Don't browse the crime scene photos if you have a weak stomach.