Who is the most underappreciated mainstream movie director?
I don't really have strong feelings for that, at the moment. I have some feelings for Nicolas Winding Refn (DRIVE, ONLY GOD FORGIVES). I think Jeff Nichols (MUD, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL) could qualify, if he had more films under his belt.
I would have to go with Frank Darabont (SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, GREEN MILE) being underappreciated, the past few years. He got off to such a strong start with his features, develeped THE WALKING DEAD, and then got squeezed out of it, early on. The show continues, several seasons after his departure, a lot based on the strength of who he cast and how he set it up, getting KNB, etc. I don't know why that man isn't being offered tentpole movie projects, but he has drifted into obscurity.
Which movie has unforgettably creative and effective camera angles?
EVIL DEAD 2. Amazingly creative camera angles and moves, such as a camera on a two by four, thrust through the rear window of a car and continuing through the windshield. Sam Raimi repeated some of that magic in SPIDERMAN 2, during the hospital scene, where surgeons try to remove Doc Ock's tentacles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx3Xo2K910Q
If you could work with one film score composer, who would you choose?
Just to pick an interesting one, I'll say John Murphy. I loved his themes in the 28 DAYS/WEEKS LATER movies. His work on the sci-fi movie, SUNSHINE, is just brilliant and often used for commercials, movie trailers, the movie, KICK-ASS, and yes, even THE WALKING DEAD used this music from SUNSHINE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a52U8_e4Hw
What is your favorite script and why?
Okay, the actual written script, right? This is going to be hugely subjective. If I was politically correct, I would say something like CHINATOWN or THE SIXTH SENSE (awesome). For my favorite and I'm stuck between two time travellers, BACK TO THE FUTURE and TERMINATOR 2. The first one has very clever turns. As for the written page, the latter has exposition to die for, like "His features are handsome, bordering on severe." Love that! I've read some notes on this and the motivations are very well thought out.