R-RATED DIRECTORS WHO MAKE KIDS MOVIES

DANNY BOYLE
MILLIONS

That English guy best known for making R-rated film that detail excessive drug use, psychosis and ultra-violence once plucked up the guts to shirk expectations and delivered what he personally considers to be his best film; MILLIONS.

Starring James Nesbit, the  modest and relatively unknown film tells the story of a 9-year old boy who finds a bag full of loot and struggles with the ethical dilemma of whether to hand in the cash, keep it, or put it to good use. The result is a charming and endearing family drama that proves to be as life-affirming as it is entertaining. A well crafted and carefully plotted film from an important voice in contemporary adult cinema. 

ROBERT RODRIGUEZ
SKY KIDS 1-4 | SHARK BOY & LAVA GIRL | SHORTS

Rodriguez burst onto the scene in the early 90s with his micro-budget ultra-violent film EL MARIACHI and has been a renegade of DIY moviemaking with R-rated titles that give the censor board a genuine run for their money. 

And yet despite his flair for bone-crunching bloodshed (and his ongoing collaboration with Quentin Tarantino) Rodriguez makes time for family fare, with movies like the SKY KIDS quadrilogy, SHARK BOY & LAVA GIRL and the clever anthology flick SHORTS. He even had the balls to incorporate one of his most brutal characters, Machete, into his SPY KIDS universe. A character thaT otherwise slaughters folks in DESPERADO, MACHETE and MACHETE KILLS. 

And it doesn't look like Rodriguez is done yet with his upcoming live-action adaptation of JOHNNY QUEST due for release in 2018.

Cinema needs more people like Rodriguez, who aren't afraid to explore stories from wherever inspiration strikes, regardless of genre or demographic. 

MARTIN SCORSESE
HUGO

Scorsese is arguably one of the most important voices in American cinema, and his contribution film is undeniable. With a long list of very R-rated films to his name it seemed that his focus was aimed squarely on serious and confronting stories. 

While he did venture into G-rated territory with THE AGE OF INNOCENCE it would be drawing a long bow to consider that title as a 'family' film. And so when he was able to apply his passion for cinema history into a fully-fledged Kids Flick the result was HUGO, an astounding fantasy adventure for young & old, which captured a magic onscreen that few films do these days. 

This is an area of film that Scorcese is most welcome to venture into again, and I sincerely hope he does. ​

DAVID LYNCH
A STRAIGHT STORY

David Lynch is possibly Hollywood's greatest auteur and, quite frankly, the least likely to make a family-friendly film... for Disney of all companies! 

That's exactly what happened when he delivered this stunning and poignant film from out of nowhere and reaffirmed himself as one of the film industry's most unique voices. To this day it's a relatively unknown film (even to many of his fans) and deserves to be sought after. 

Based on a true story of an old man who drives across America on a lawn-mower, the film features brilliant performances from Richard Farnsworth, Harry Dean Stanton and Sissy Spacek. See it if you haven't. 

LUC BESSON
THE ARTHUR TRILOGY

Luc Besson is another one of those prolific filmmakers whose creative output is divisive and immense. As a director his films maintain a relatively consistent quality, whereas his long list of producer credits prove to be much more questionable and contentious. But what is steadfast about his work is the attention to heightened action and highly stylised violence. 

His work has seen him brush against the PG-rating with previous titles such as THE BIG BLUE and THE FIFTH ELEMENT proving to be suitable amongst teen audiences. But it was his random hit ARTHUR AND THE MINIMOYS and it's two direct-to-video sequels that showcased his versatility and natural ability to reach a wide demographic. ​

SAM RAIMI
OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Sam Raimi's EVIL DEAD trilogy has earned himself place at the 'Masters of Horror' table, and yet despite his deliciously gnarly ventures into horror, his CV paints a much bigger picture, with a catalogue boasting dramas, westerns, thrillers and superhero movies... 

​But it was his bold and visceral journey to OZ that earns him a position in this article. Met with critical division, the film marks his first attempt to reach a young audience and explores the backstory to one of Hollywood's most beloved films. Personally speaking, as a devoted L Frank Baum fan, I place a lot of merit in his OZ THE GREAT ANT POWERFUL and would have loved to see him follow it up with another. But of course  more horror too!!

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
JACK

Few people would defend Francis Ford Coppola's JACK and having made quintessential films like APOCALYPSE NOW and THE GODFATHER it was understandable that fans held him to account.  And yet why shouldn't he make a no-brainer? 

Starring Robin Williams the movie told the silly story of a boy who suffers from an exaggerated form of Werner Syndrome.

Of course this is an illness not to be taken lightly, yet Coppola and Co. set about making a light hearted family film that sought to bring joy to an otherwise horrible condition. Nevertheless the movie has its moments and shouldn't be taken seriously. Coppola earned himself a reprieve and his efforts in making a family film don't reflect poorly on his artistry.  ​

D.J. CARUSO
STANDING UP

Featuring DJ Caruso in this list might be a little indulgent given that he has made several teen-oriented films, but it is his remarkable 2013 family film STANDING UP that inspired me to include him amongst the others. 

The film arrived from nowhere, directly to home entertainment in most places, and made no attempt to capitalise on his name or his previous credits. This, in my view, gives it more value and proves it to be one of those passion projects that few directors are afforded the opportunity to make.  

Dealing with the ongoing issue of bullying the film tackles the subject with honesty and chronicles a sincere and endearing coming-of-age story that will connect with many of its susceptible young viewers. It provides a valuable point of discussion for parents to have and also presents a genuinely fun adventure in the meantime. A very underrated film to say the least. 

JOHN SAYLES
THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH

Before directing his first film John Sayles was a prolific writer of creature features in the late 70s and early 80s. He's the guy who gave us PIRANHA, ALLIGATOR and THE HOWLING. And with titles like those in mind it is perplexing that the films he chose to direct are much more serious and provocative. 

Having established himself as a serious director, helming some very dark and disturbing films, he went off script in 1994 and made one of the decade's most understated and heartwarming family films; THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH. 

The film explores the Celtic folklore of the selkie (a creature that is half seal and half human), and while the subject lends itself to ridicule and facetiousness, Sayles handled the material with the same dramatic urgency that he applies to everything else be makes. The result is a beautiful film suitable for all ages. 

Of course there are plenty more filmmakers who could be added to this list. Here's just some of the many directors who broke away from their adult audiences to make movies targeted exclusively to kids. 

TAKASHI MIIKE Ninja Kids

M NIGHT SHYAMALAN Wide Awake | Last Airbender

WOLFGANG PETERSEN: The Never Ending Story

SPIKE JONZE: Where the Wild Things Are

BRIAN TRENCHARD-SMITH: Frog Dreaming | BMX Bandits

JEFF BURR: Phantom Town | Johnny Mysto | Boy With X Ray Eyes

GEORGE MILLER: Happy Feet | Babe: Pig In The City

RONNY YU: Warriors of Virtue

RICHARD FRANKLIN: Cloak & Dagger

And here  lies the conversation... who are some more names you would add to this list?? And more importantly, who are some R-rated directors you would LOVE to see making kids flicks?? Quentin Tarantino perhaps? Or maybe David Cronenberg?? What about James Wan, Kimberly Peirce, David Fincher or Kathryn Bigelow?


Author: Glenn Cochrane.