Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
You didn’t choose the “Skux Life,” but trust me when I say the Skux Life is about to choose you.
Even if you have no idea what “Skux Life” is, I’ll bet that you were one of the millions of people who lost their minds watching the first teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnorak two weeks ago. I’d also guess that even if you haven’t seen Disney’s smash hit Moana, you know that it’s an animated film that breathes new, zany life into a classic Hawaiian myth. And maybe — just maybe — you’ve caught an episode of the cult classic Flight of the Conchords on HBO. If so, you’ve been entertained by Taika Waititi, the Kiwi auteur poised to conquer Hollywood in 2017.
For the past few years, Waititi has made a name for himself in comedy and film nerd circles. He’s a rising star whose managed to bring a wry, heartfelt, and outlandish tone back into films. Waititi’s been stealthily delivering cult hit after cult hit, but 2017 is the year he goes mainstream in a big, bold way. He’s directing Thor: Ragnorak. That means he’s the man responsible for bringing that uproarious, technicolor, psychedelic vibe you loved in the teaser to the previously austere Marvel franchise. But you don’t have to wait until Thor: Ragnorak comes out to become a major Waititi fan (or a Taikapath, if you will).
Taika Waititi’s directorial debut came with the short film Two Cars, One Night, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. After that came the quirky indie romance Eagle vs. Shark and his work on Flight of the Conchords. (He directed two episodes of the musical comedy and wrote one of those episodes, as well.) In 2010, he wrote, directed, and starred in Boy, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and got a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize. All of these became cult hits for Waititi and are available to rent — but here are four “must-stream” projects that will make you love Taika Waititi.
'What We Do In The Shadows'
What We Do In The Shadows was the film that really “announced” Taika Waititi to the world at large. He and Jemaine Clement co-starred, co-wrote, and co-directed the mockumentary which follows a bunch of present-day vampires living in Auckland, New Zealand. The film is like Spinal Tap meets Dracula and it’s brilliant. The standout of the film? Waititi himself. American audiences knew all about Clement from Flight of the Conchords, but Waititi stole the show as the sweet and lovelorn Viago. He’s the emotional anchor of the whole film.
'Hunt For The Wilderpeople'
Taika Waititi’s last film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, was a labor of love for the director. He spent almost 10 years trying to adapt Barry Crump’s best-selling novel Wild Pork and Watercress for the screen, and it was only when he decided to, yes, CHANGE THE ENDING that he succeeded. Hunt for the Wilderpeople follows a troubled Maori foster kid named Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison). He and his reluctant foster father Hec (Sam Neill) find themselves on the run from the authorities. It’s a madcap and manic ride through the New Zealand bush that evokes the best of rambunctious ’80s films like The Goonies. It also introduces the very important concept of “Skux Life.”
'Moana'
Yes, Taika Waititi even had a hand in your kid’s new favorite Disney movie. Waititi actually wrote the first draft of the screenplay. That’s stealth creativity and proof he really is everywhere – even places you can’t see him.
'Thor: Ragnorak'
Okay, okay, okay…it’s not in theaters yet, but you can totally feast your eyes on the visual Valhalla of the Thor: Ragnorak teaser trailer another dozen times. The film is Waititi’s first go at a big studio production and it looks like he’s bringing all of his trademark creativity to the table.
