some genuine masterpieces and a load of dreck. not a master or auteur, but definitely not an amateur. a man with skill in the craft, but a journeyman all the same, and one that is routinely attracted to dull material. a strong level of visual talent, and horrible taste in screenplays to go along with it.

if he hadn't started his career with two foundational works of cinema history then i think he'd be more comprehendible to people.