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James Mangold made his first film at 17 as a student at CalArts.
His newest, the Bob Dylan biopicA Complete Unknown,looks positioned to keep that streak going.
Hes a man who always knows what hes doing, and how to deliver the goods.
13.Kate & Leopold(2001)
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Especially early in his directing career, Mangold seemed game to tackle a new genre each time out.
And despite casting two immensely likable actors, theres never the effervescent spark youd expect from Jackman and Ryan.
Honestly, maybe rom-coms just arent Mangolds metier: Noticeably, hes not done one since.
12.Identity(2003)
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11.Heavy(1995)
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The young filmmaker hoped to create something different than the movies that were out at the time.
From a purely artistic point of view, its an exploration of an alternative rhythm, Mangoldsaid.
Then theres this actors cinema, which is a lazy camera covering great performances.
Drawing inspiration from Ozu, Mangold craftedHeavyas a formally rigorous, gently reflective piece of work.
10.The Wolverine(2013)
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Theyd have better luck with the next installment in the franchise.
9.Knight and Day(2010)
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Knight and Daywas a project that had bounced around from director to director and star to star.
(At one point it was going to be Chris Tucker and Eva Mendes.)
8.Cop Land(1997)
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7.Girl, Interrupted(1999)
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I really hate that movie, Kaysensaid of the adaptation, dismissing it as melodramatic drivel.
Thats too harsh, but her criticism isnt entirely off.
6.Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny(2023)
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One suspects history will rememberDial of Destinymore fondly than audiences in 2023 were willing to admit.
5.Logan(2017)
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Try something different.That,Mangold told Vulture in 2017, was the driving impetus behindLogan.
(In another R-rated comic-book movie, no less.)
4.Walk the Line(2005)
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Both actors got Oscar nominations, with Witherspoon winning Best Actress, and theyre gripping both onstage and off.
3.A Complete Unknown(2024)
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Did anyone needanotherBob Dylan movie?
We didnt need another Dylan movie, but were very glad one this sterling exists.
2.Ford v Ferrari(2019)
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1.3:10 to Yuma(2007)
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Mangolds version was just as spare and engrossing, casting Christian Bale as Dan and Russell Crowe as Ben.
In this pitiless, rousing picture, he achieved true greatness.
Grierson & Leitch write regularly about the movies andhost a weekly podcast on film.
