With the success of Inception, a lot of people are riding the "Christopher Nolan is the best filmmaker alive," wave, but in reality, the most talented, interesting and progressive filmmaker of our time is named Darren Aronofsky and he happens to be a big ol’ Jew from Brooklyn. Beginning with Pi (perhaps the best indie film of our time) and moving onto Requiem for a Dream (the best film of the aughts) and then to The Fountain (Aronofsky’s Barry Lyndon) and finally, a movie that I can’t say anything about that hasn’t already been said, The Wrestler.
Today, the trailer for his new film "Black Swan," was released. "Black Swan," is about ballet, and when I first heard about it, I thought, "how could that be interesting?" which is the exact same reaction I had upon first hearing about The Wrestler, but watching the trailer, — which features among other things, a shot of Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman making out, I cannot wait to see this film. Not only does it star two of the most beautiful, talented young actresses in Hollywood–actresses who also happen to be Jewish–but the trailer hints at Dexter-esque darkness underneath the competing ballet dancers plotline. This will, without question be one of the most interesting films of the year.
Regarding the Nolan vs. Aronofsky battle that I just made up, Aronofsky wins on all fronts. The two directors faced off to direct the project that became Batman Begins, and as good as that film was, under Aronofsky’s direction, it would have been something much more. A film-by-film comparison of the two directors will show a win for Aronfosky every time, in my book. Any Jewcy readers with an opinion on this filmmaker face off, lets hear it.