Movies: Catherine Hardwick of "Twilight"

A 43-year-old with a knack for capturing adolescence, Hardwicke launched her career with "Thirteen," which she co-wrote with the film's star and genuine teenager Nikki Reed. Last year she directed the teen vampire tale "Twilight." Her picks:

My Five Most Important Movies

1. "Mean Streets." I am mesmerized by Martin Scorsese's low-budget, high-impact shooting style.

2. "A Woman Under the Influence." I had never seen such a raw, emotional film as this portrait by John Cassavetes.

3. "Heat and Sunlight." Rob Nilsson rehearsed scenes of a fictional relationship, which are not in the film, then filmed the breakup as it happened "live"—and completely unrehearsed.

4. "Slacker." Richard Linklater's first film. Intriguing, inspiring, completely original—and made for only $27,000!