Hes definiitely one of the better MV directors turned film. I dont say that as a bad thing either.
Weapon of Choice is epic!
Not sure if either of you guys have rented or seen the directors label DVD’s. They really blew me away with the sheer talent an creativity of both Jonze and Michel Gondry before they started directing feature films. Also, the second box set has Jonathan Glazer’s (SEXY BEAST, BIRTH) work which is equally inspiring and make’s you say hey I remember that video!
Whenever I need something to inspire me I usually turn to Jonze’s dvd I love the causal style he has to some of his videos, which just work. I’m also a big fan of “Sabotage” I will say that it’s my favourite music video of all time.
I adore those Director’s Label DVDs. And yeah, “Sabotage” is really a fantastic music video. I’m hard-pressed to think of a video more influential on rock clips in the 90s — but as much as people ape it, or its tone, or its “musicians in fake mustaches” special effects, or whatever, it’s still wild and exciting fifteen years later. Call it the “Breathless” of music videos.
I agree Jonze is amazing. My personale fave out of the Directors label is by far Chris Cunningham. Spike’s imagination and execution of ideas are mindblowing…
I’m already sold on Spike Jonze, for a bunch of reasons (including his performance as the half-naked elderly woman in Jackass 2!) – but I think that Where the Wild Things Are will change his life, career, & reputation profoundly. Jonze seems to be an artist of the Oscar Wilde school, without fear of seeming light or superficial. But I think he’s got an edge to him that – in my opinion, anyway – Michel Gondry doesn’t quite have (though I really like Gondry’s features, videos, YouTube clips, etc.)
Adaptation happens to be one of my all time favorite films, and his music videos with Bjork, who happens to be my favorite woman in music, are all pretty good
Adaptation was complete genius on both Spike and Kaufman’s parts. My other favorite Spike is his Fatlip documentary
Zeke Anders
I for one really admire Spike Jonze – from his commercial/music video days to “Being John Malkovich”, “Adaptation” and his forthcoming “Where The Wild Things Are”.
The music video to Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” is genius. His others like Fat Boy Slim’s “Praise You” to R.E.M. and Bjork are so well-done.
A definite auteur in my book.