Favorite Joe Dante Film?

[Kaseykockroach]

In case the name doesn't ring a bell to you...
-Piranha
-The Howling
-Gremlins
-Explorers
-Innerspace
-The Burbs
-Gremlins 2: The New Batch
-Matinee
-Small Soldiers
-Looney Tunes: Back in Action
-The Hole
As for why the man deserves his own thread, read anything written about him by Jonathan Rosenbaum, or this article:http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/dante/
Now then, what would you pick as your top favorites? For me, Gremlins 2 and Matinee are his two masterpieces. Though really, Back in Action is the only film of his I don't like on the whole (which, to put it bluntly, wasn't his fault anyway, and even then has its highlights).

[zombie no.one]

big fan of The Howling myself...

[Rev. Powell]

Another vote for THE HOWLING, though I like MATINEE as well.

[AndyC]

Probably Gremlins, although I also like The Burbs, and Gremlins 2 is fun.

Been meaning to watch Innerspace again. I haven't seen it since it was new to video. Watching the Cat in the Hat cartoon with Ro, I got to thinking about what Martin Short has done outside of SCTV and SNL that was any good, and Innerspace came to mind.

Actually, looking at Kasey's list, I never did get around to seeing Matinee, which I probably should do.

[Nightowl]

Gremlins is a childhood favorite, but I love the burbs. It's an all-around amazing movie, you got mystery,comedy & horror all rolled into one plus Tom Hanks as the goofy neighbor...winner!

[Pilgermann]

I've only seen Gremlins, Gremlins 2, Explorers, and The 'Burbs.  I love them all, but Gremlins 2 is my favorite.  I really need to see the rest of 'em.  If anyone isn't already familiar with it, Trailers from Hell is great site with Dante and others commenting on old movie trailers.

 I don't know if you want to include them in the poll but he directed portions of Twilight Zone: The Movie, Hollywood Boulevard, and Amazon Women on the Moon.

[Mofo Rising]

I'd also go with Gremlins 2.

I was 11 when I saw Gremlins 2 in the theaters, and I thought it was one of the greatest things I'd ever seen. Basically, take the original movie and then demolish it and recreate it in increasingly crazy fashions until the final result is pure lunatic chaos.

Of course, that's not the way I thought about it then, I just really liked it. Viewing the film many times since, I view it as the greatest live action recreation of a Warner Bros. cartoon.

"Now was that civilized? No, clearly not. Fun, but in no sense civilized."

[crackers]

The Burbs.


I like a lot of his films and thanks to him the legend that is Dick Miller still gets work. I thought The Hole was really good too.

I just bought Matinee yesterday for the bargain price of 50p. I never seen it though, but have always wanted to.

[RCMerchant]

I would say PIRAHNA-lotsa fun!

Trivia time: Dante started in the horror/fantasy field writing for Famous Monsters and Castle of Frankenstein magazine in the 60's.
Others who got their start in fanmags-Don Glut,John Landis,Rick Baker,Rich Corben,Bernie Wrightston,-Hugh Hefner's first mag was a homemade fan mag in the 40's called SHUDDER!

[Allhallowsday]

GREMLINS is brilliant.  There's a few other good ones on the list, but none come close. 

[diamondwaspvenom]

Joe's greatest achievements were Pirahna, Gremlins, Gremlins 2: The New Batch and The Howling.

[Hammock Rider]

-Piranha
-The Howling
-Gremlins
-Explorers
-Innerspace
-The Burbs
-Gremlins 2: The New Batch
-Matinee

  I like all of these. My favorites vary depending on what I'm in the mood for, although there's always room for Howling and the Gremlins movies.

[Psycho Circus]

Innerspace for me. Action, sci-fi, comedy & romance all wrapped up in a big celluloid ball of fun. It was one of the first films I ever saw.

[zombie no.one]

a few months ago someone off here was raving so much about Gremlins 2 that I decided to buy it. thought it was really good, but I don't think I've ever seen a film that was so blatantly 'aimed at children' before lol. It makes Pee Wee's Big Adventure look like Dances With Wolves

[JaseSF]

I like a lot of those films but I'd say my fave is actually MATINEE (kind of a tribute to fifties films that one). Most of the others are really enjoyable too although I thought EXPLORERS went downhill in the end although it started off great.