re: Defending Ron Howard

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But what I like best about Ron Howard is this: the guy can tell a story. So many guys working today are so adept with deconstruction and symbolism and all that. But they can’t do something as simple as tell a friggin’ story. It’s such a basic, foundational skill that even some great directors lack (I love David Lynch, but that guy couldn’t tell a coherent story if his life depended on it). And at the end of the day, film is just another method of storytelling.

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So many people in the industry and even this board don't grasp this. They think guys like PTA or Malick are great directors, but they are painters more than anything. They create visually stunning pieces of cinema. And that's great and I can appreciate that, but a movie is, like you said, about telling a story. If what you are presenting to the audience is boring, disjointed, convoluted, or anything similar, you have probably failed as a director.

Ron Howard is the Stephen King of filmmaking. He has produced some really pretty great pieces, but he doesn't always blow your doors off. He's just solid. There is brilliance in his steadiness and consistency.

His movies have all the hallmarks of what makes good movies: rich characters, engaging plots, well thought out settings.

And then some of his movies have all the hallmarks of what makes great movies: deep meaning, an absorbing recreation of moments in time, symbolism and themes that resonate, cinematography that moves you.

Anyone that thinks Ron Howard isn't a good director, to me, doesn't understand what a good director is supposed to do.