Auteurism

Guy Pearce in Memento

Christopher Nolan
Films:

• Memento (2000)
• Insomnia (2002)
• Batman Begins (2005)
• The Prestige (2006)
• The Dark Knight (2008)
• Inception (2010)
• The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
• Man of Steel (2013)

Characteristics:

• spectacular action scenes
• psychological depth to characters
• open endings
• noir elements, focus on shadows
• music often includes strong bass

Emily Browning in Sucker Punch

Zack Snyder
Films:

• 300 (2006)
• Watchmen (2009)
• The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)
• Sucker Punch (2011) 
• Man of Steel (2013)

Characteristics:

• emphasis on visual and special effects
• digitalized images, unrealistic lighting
• coordinated battle and fight scenes
• distancing from reality, escapist
• musical choices are often remixes or upbeat songs

Darren Arnofsky:

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Films:

• Pi (1998)
• Requiem for a Dream (2000)
• Fountain (2006)
• Black Swan (2010)
• Noah (2014)

Characteristics:

• hallucinations as part of story
• didactic, includes strong moral message
• suspense building
• focuses on a small number of characters
• emotive music, often orchestra
• refers to classical artists