The hometown hero best known for his sprawling, dialogue-driven, philosophical films about disaffected youth, is surely a favorite because he appeals to everyone. He tackles every film genre, from the lighthearted heroics of School of Rock, to the serious and somewhat disturbingly revelatory Fast Food Nation. Linklater is nothing if not inventive, and his rotoscopic techniques overlay film and animation into dreamy visual scapes. Also, it's always fun to watch films and cheer a little when you see faces you know and places you go.
