FRANK CORACI / DIRECTOR

Remember the ‘80s? That’s when director Frank Coraci, 31, was part of an NYU film school circle that also included comic actor Adam Sandler, writer Tim Herlihy and producer Jack Giarraputo. Not coincidentally, that’s the era in which Coraci’s major feature debut, “The Wedding Singer,” is set--starring Sandler and Drew Barrymore and involving Herlihy and Giarraputo as well.

“TITANIC” ACHIEVEMENT: “It’s really this interesting, smart love story, and it’s making tons of money. I’m kind of proud of America that a movie like that can have substance and wide appeal. I hope it opens the doors and budgets to the idea that people are not as dumb as some people think.”

“TITANIC” INFLATION: “They’ll always keep topping the biggest budget. The next big goal is, ‘Who will make the first billion-dollar movie?’ I bet it’s within five years, and it will probably be James Cameron.”

SCREENING ROOM: “ ‘Godzilla’ looks like a fun ride. It’s got probably the greatest trailer ever made, that foot coming in through the roof in a natural history museum. The tour guide is saying this Tyrannosaurus rex is the biggest animal that ever walked the Earth, and this giant foot comes down and crushes it.”

FACE TO WATCH: “All the people that seem to get big come from the independent world, like Steve Buscemi. I’ve been a fan of his for years and years, and now the rest of the world is finally figuring out that he’s extremely talented and funny. A great guy too--we had him in ‘The Wedding Singer.’ ”

‘80s RESEARCH: “There were the great teenage things, ‘Weird Science,’ ‘Sixteen Candles.’ But ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ was probably the best to come out of the ‘80s of that kind--really funny and great characters. And great actors came out of it--Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS: “I bet there will be a lot of bad films dealing with the millennium. It’s got an automatic hook and doesn’t have to be inspired. But I bet there will be a few gems that will make us reflect on our existence in a way that could be powerful.”

TYPECASTING: “Obviously people will push me to do the same kind of comedy thing over and over, and I think me and Adam will have a long career together. But I’ll do all kinds of movies. If I want to do an edgier film, I’m willing to do it for less money. I’m not in this for money, but because I love making movies.”