hard to pick a winner here, their styles are so different

I agree, madmanic.  It kinda the same argument I use when asked which is better "Alien" or "Aliens?"  The two are so different and in different genres even that it's difficult to decide.  Granted Raimi and Nolan are presently working in the same genre (comic books). but still their styles are quite different.

I did like Nolan's "The Following."  Wasn't a big fan of "Insomina" though.  Did anyone else notice in "The Following" that there's a Burton style Batman-logo on the main character's apartment door?  At least, I think it was his door.  It's been a while since I've seen it, so it could've been on someone else's door.  Still, I thought it interesting to see the old bat-symbol in a film he made well before anyone could have guessed he'd be the guy to lead the iconic hero into the 21st century.

Nolan will be taken more seriously as a director but Rami has no pretense about what he does. While Nolan might win my brain Rami wins my heart. Hail to the king baby!

We spend a lot of time talking about Hollywood homogenization, "dumbing down", etc, so it is nice that we have some talents out there who still bring a distinctive feeling, flavor, style to their movies. I definitely put Raimi in that category - and that is not meant as a swipe at Nolan. Just saying that Raimi's works definitely have a "feel" that make them unique - although I grant that the Spider-Man movies, his biggest financial/box office successes, tone that style down quite a bit.  For younger "super hero" fans, check out DARKMAN if you haven't already. Think you will enjoy.

I think Nolan's DARK KNIGHT was nothing less than spectacular. In a way, I think SPIDER-MAN 2 and DARK KNIGHT make great bookends... SPIDER-MAN 2 was fantastic, a demonstration of how the not-so-dark, not-so-gritty, more "old school" superhero story can still work (and wow, does it!) while DARK KNIGHT took the dark and gritty superhero story to a whole new level.

Interesting column!

Shadow

Kind of a lame question since they are both two differently styled directors (as mentioned above).

WIth that said I think Nolan is the better director because of his style is more accessible and technically he is more sound (just look at how he handles CGI in the Batman movies and ”Inception”). Raimi, while I like him too, he is getting too stale with his style. It is almost like this formula people expect from him so he goes through the motions of it, as evident in “Drag Me To Hell”. The first two Spider-Man films not-withstanding (it is apparent that Sony keeps him on a leash), Raimi's most refreshing films were ‘A Simple Plan” and “The Gift” due to their total 180 of his style.  

There is something fresh with Nolan's traditional style (which is influenced by directors like Hitchcock) that I think will always give him the edge. I think it is also this chosen way of directing that stands out in an industry where everyone is trying to WOW people with heavy CGI and weird camera blocking, lighting and/or angles. 

What stupid ass list are we going to have tommorow, Can Batman's Dead father beat up spiderman's dead uncle. come on. are there no stories going on in the world of the genre or are you all lazy here?

C2F, how could you not list "The Gift?"  By not listing it you leave out a very important example of how Raimi can make Nolan type films and succeed, thus making it less of an apples and oranges comparison.  At least you gave it to Raimi.  I still haven't seen a Simple Plan.

Hmm. Now I am intrigued...

Do we assume that Batman's Dead father is a zombie? How about Uncle Ben - zombie too? Or to give it more of a 1970s Marvel vibe, a zuvembie? If they are BOTH zombie's, and we assume the Wayne death preceeds the Parker death by what - a decade or more (wait... comic book time or real time? Hmm), then Wayne would have to be more decomposed...giving edge to Parker? Or are they vampires - now THAT is trendy. I see lots of marketing tie-in possibilites... vampires for the senior citizen set. Has that been done yet?

;-)

Shadow

Spidey's dead dad can beat up Bat's dead dad, one a govt. agent while the other is a doctor, no contest. Hell even Uncle Ben, a blue collar man, I bet can beat Bat's dad

But as the topic goes I agree with the consensus so far, two very different directors to compare. Raimi doesn't shy away from his fan boy over the top horror roots while Nolan is the more pretentious "I'm so smart with the super convoluted story that  even I forgot where I was going and stopped making good sense" type. OK, I guess I showed who I'm leaning towards

I actually think Nolan is ok, I loved Memento while I thought The Prestige was barely ok and I hate his Batman. He's middle of the road to me I guess. But Iam looking forward to Inception

I have no problem with this list article.I guess I rarely do. They are meant only for fun. Though I suppose to placate those who want substance you guys will have to come up with a subject for one with deep, political/social relevance.

Saying all that I have to agree that this is sort of comparing apples and oranges in style. People tend to think a director with more hard edged subject matters is the "real" filmmaker while those who do more fun stuff are not as good. This is certainly not the case. It just depends on what you are the mood for. Raimi has certainly had more impact on modern entertainment because he produces so much and has done alot more "popular" entertainment. I think Nolan only came into the pop film arena because he saw the possibility of bringing a dark edge to Batman that wasn't on screen before, and that seemed to be the perfect style and the right time. Batman Begins and TDK's super success has helped spread the "Real and Gritty" feel throught all action movies and TV. I wonder if Raimi will have to throw that kind of feel in SM4?

As I said comparing them can't really be done. But I briefly met Raimi once and he was very friendly and nice. Then a couple of years later I saw him and his producing partner Rob Tapert in line at the movies in Southfield, Michigan. I didn't  go say hello because I didn't think he'd remember me. To the best of my knowledge Chris Nolan and I have never been in the same city at the the same time.

Edge: Raimi.