Influenced less by the work of compatriots Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Volker Schlondorff than by the sci-fi blockbusters coming out of Hollywood, Roland Emmerich rejected the New German Cinema of the early 1980s in favor of "popcorn" movies, eliciting scorn and a derisive moniker, 'the Swabian Spielberg', from critics of his filmmaking style. Over the years, the resourceful sci-fi specialist has earned a reputation for meticulous preparation and remarkable cost-efficiency, developing both qualities during his low-budget German days. Collaborating with writing partner and producer Dean