Director: Spielberg

Gemini Cricket · 03-13-2008, 04:47 PM

Director: Steven Spielberg

List your top five Spielberg films.

I didn't include his television works. If you'd like to, go for it.

I was watching several of his films lately and noticed how much the varied in quality imho. I'm working on my list now.

Here is a list of his theatrical films:

Munich (2005)
War of the Worlds (2005)
The Terminal (2004)
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Minority Report (2002)
Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Amistad (1997)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Schindler's List (1993)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Hook (1991)
Always (1989)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Empire of the Sun (1987)
The Color Purple (1985)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
1941 (1979)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Jaws (1975)
The Sugarland Express (1974)
Amblin' (1968)
Slipstream (1967) (unfinished)
Firelight (1964)
Escape to Nowhere (1961)
Fighter Squad (1961)
The Last Gun (1959)

I figured we could do other directors, writers, etc later.

If I missed any, please add it to the list.

Alex · 03-13-2008, 04:51 PM

Some excluded are because I haven't seen them (most prominent being Schindler's List), in no order:

Minority Report (2002)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Jaws (1975)

His mawkish stuff is bad. I'm actually not that big a fan of Spielberg but he did start out hot.

innerSpaceman · 03-13-2008, 04:54 PM

Easy.

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Not the version you can find. The 1977 version (I'm still waiting for my phone call, G.C.)

2. Raiders of the Lost Ark. Brilliant fun, not so easy to achieve (Exhibit "A" - the sequels)

3. Jaws. OMG, one of the best movies ever made. Likely better a film than my first two faves, this one's a close, bitting at your heels (or worse) third.

4. Schindler's List. I can't bear to even watch it, but it's easily among my faves. Genius.

5. A tie: War of the Worlds. Sacrelige or no, it's tons better than the campy George Pal version from the 50's. The oft-told story has never been better told.

-and-

Minority Report. A wonderful noir thriller. Less good as a whodunnit than as a stylish styler.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-13-2008, 04:57 PM

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Hook (1991)

Yeah Hook, damnit!

Jaws would likely be on my list (probably knock Hook off), but I've never seen it all the way through, so I can't claim it. And, like Alex, I never saw Schindler's.

I will continue to be baffled as to how anyone could possibly like Minority Report. It's in strong contention in my mind as the worst piece of garbage ever recorded on film.

blueerica · 03-13-2008, 05:02 PM

Goddamn it, even after accounting for the few I haven't seen, this choice wasn't made easy. Why did I punish myself into thinking I could pick just five. I'd rather rank them in order. Or not. It would still be hard, but... gah.. I even had to knock off a childhood favorite: E.T.

Anyhow, in no particular order...

Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Amistad (1997)
Schindler's List (1993)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - in all fairness, I know a lot of people didn't like the two subsequent sequels, but they're actually pretty good, IMO, and worth a re-watch before the next Indy comes out.
Jaws (1975)

innerSpaceman · 03-13-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I will continue to be baffled as to how anyone could possibly like Minority Report. It's in strong contention in my mind as the worst piece of garbage ever recorded on film.

Just as it will forever baffle me how anyone could not have seen Jaws all the thru, or especially how a jewboy like you could not have seen Schindler's List.

Please remedy!

Strangler Lewis · 03-13-2008, 05:09 PM

Schindler
Close Encounters
Jaws
Saving Private Ryan
Empire of the Sun (based on an old memory that it was pretty cool)

Never saw Minority Report or Amistad Just saw Hook for the first and second times recently. Dustin Hoffman had a deadpan one-liner that had me doing a spit take, but other than that I thought it was slack.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812 · 03-13-2008, 05:13 PM

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Empire of the Sun
The Color Purple
Catch Me If You Can

Gemini Cricket · 03-13-2008, 05:14 PM

Top 5:

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - by far. Great story, cool characters, fun action, melting faces...

2. Schindler's List (1993) - This is a well made film. Editing, story, direction, acting, pace, cinematography... It's an important story to be told. And, heck, it even has a couple of jokes in it...

3. Jaws (1975) - One of the best horror films out there. Suspense, action, laughs and some of the best 70's hair ever caught on film.

4. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - I've always liked this one. For the sci-fi stuff as well as showing a really cool but messed up family in action. One of his best because one of his characters was named Brad. Barry needed a leash, though...

5. Minority Report (2002) - I thought I was going to hate this one after seeing AI and because Tom Cruise was in it. But it ended up being a well thought out film with cool effects. The eye scene should be watched at dinnertime.

And, for fun, the bottom 5:

Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) - Snoreville. An android and his talking bear friend. WTF?

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) - Damn. This movie is a jurassic turd. Hmmm. I made the first one and it had one TRex... I know, the sequel should have two Trexes.... and a baby TRex.... Ugh. Nice visual effects but it lacked everything else. Hated the first one, too. It stays off of the worst list because of its ground-breaking effects.

Hook (1991) - Not even Maggie Smith could save this one. I found it a lame vehicle for Robin Williams and terrible casting for Tink. And what poor PA had to shave Williams for this one? Oy.

Always (1989) - Not even Audrey Hepburn could keep this one in the air. Boring! It was too long, too. It should have been called Forever.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) - Overly gross, overly glossy and overgrown with lameness. It gets one star for the cool spike room scene. The future Mrs. Spielberg was stinky in this one.

1941 (1979) - One of his unfunny comedies. Boring and stupid.

Gemini Cricket · 03-13-2008, 05:19 PM

My idea for this thread came up when I watched JP this morning. It was such a bad film. I can't believe JP and Schindler's was made in the same year. There was rumors that Lucas finished JP after Spielberg went off to Europe to shoot Schindler's and, heck, it could be true. Yuck.

I also can not believe that the man who has done fantastic films also directed JP: The Lost World. Oy vey!

I respect the fact that Spielberg took over Kubrick's film AI. But, man, that movie made me want to shoot myself in the face.

03-13-2008, 04:47 PM	#1
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Director: Spielberg Director: Steven Spielberg List your top five Spielberg films. I didn't include his television works. If you'd like to, go for it. I was watching several of his films lately and noticed how much the varied in quality imho. I'm working on my list now. Here is a list of his theatrical films: Munich (2005) War of the Worlds (2005) The Terminal (2004) Catch Me If You Can (2002) Minority Report (2002) Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) Saving Private Ryan (1998) Amistad (1997) The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Schindler's List (1993) Jurassic Park (1993) Hook (1991) Always (1989) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Empire of the Sun (1987) The Color Purple (1985) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 1941 (1979) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Jaws (1975) The Sugarland Express (1974) Amblin' (1968) Slipstream (1967) (unfinished) Firelight (1964) Escape to Nowhere (1961) Fighter Squad (1961) The Last Gun (1959) I figured we could do other directors, writers, etc later. If I missed any, please add it to the list.
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03-13-2008, 04:51 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Some excluded are because I haven't seen them (most prominent being Schindler's List), in no order: Minority Report (2002) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Jaws (1975) His mawkish stuff is bad. I'm actually not that big a fan of Spielberg but he did start out hot.
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03-13-2008, 04:54 PM	#3
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Easy. 1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Not the version you can find. The 1977 version (I'm still waiting for my phone call, G.C.) 2. Raiders of the Lost Ark. Brilliant fun, not so easy to achieve (Exhibit "A" - the sequels) 3. Jaws. OMG, one of the best movies ever made. Likely better a film than my first two faves, this one's a close, bitting at your heels (or worse) third. 4. Schindler's List. I can't bear to even watch it, but it's easily among my faves. Genius. 5. A tie: War of the Worlds. Sacrelige or no, it's tons better than the campy George Pal version from the 50's. The oft-told story has never been better told. -and- Minority Report. A wonderful noir thriller. Less good as a whodunnit than as a stylish styler.
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03-13-2008, 04:57 PM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) Hook (1991) Yeah Hook, damnit! Jaws would likely be on my list (probably knock Hook off), but I've never seen it all the way through, so I can't claim it. And, like Alex, I never saw Schindler's. I will continue to be baffled as to how anyone could possibly like Minority Report. It's in strong contention in my mind as the worst piece of garbage ever recorded on film. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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03-13-2008, 05:02 PM	#5
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	Goddamn it, even after accounting for the few I haven't seen, this choice wasn't made easy. Why did I punish myself into thinking I could pick just five. I'd rather rank them in order. Or not. It would still be hard, but... gah.. I even had to knock off a childhood favorite: E.T. Anyhow, in no particular order... Saving Private Ryan (1998) Amistad (1997) Schindler's List (1993) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - in all fairness, I know a lot of people didn't like the two subsequent sequels, but they're actually pretty good, IMO, and worth a re-watch before the next Indy comes out. Jaws (1975) __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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03-13-2008, 05:09 PM	#7
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Schindler Close Encounters Jaws Saving Private Ryan Empire of the Sun (based on an old memory that it was pretty cool) Never saw Minority Report or Amistad Just saw Hook for the first and second times recently. Dustin Hoffman had a deadpan one-liner that had me doing a spit take, but other than that I thought it was slack. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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03-13-2008, 05:13 PM	#8
Eliza Hodgkins 1812 Sputnik Sweetheart Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 2,685	Raiders of the Lost Ark Close Encounters of the Third Kind Empire of the Sun The Color Purple Catch Me If You Can
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03-13-2008, 05:14 PM	#9
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Top 5: 1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - by far. Great story, cool characters, fun action, melting faces... 2. Schindler's List (1993) - This is a well made film. Editing, story, direction, acting, pace, cinematography... It's an important story to be told. And, heck, it even has a couple of jokes in it... 3. Jaws (1975) - One of the best horror films out there. Suspense, action, laughs and some of the best 70's hair ever caught on film. 4. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - I've always liked this one. For the sci-fi stuff as well as showing a really cool but messed up family in action. One of his best because one of his characters was named Brad. Barry needed a leash, though... 5. Minority Report (2002) - I thought I was going to hate this one after seeing AI and because Tom Cruise was in it. But it ended up being a well thought out film with cool effects. The eye scene should be watched at dinnertime. And, for fun, the bottom 5: Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) - Snoreville. An android and his talking bear friend. WTF? The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) - Damn. This movie is a jurassic turd. Hmmm. I made the first one and it had one TRex... I know, the sequel should have two Trexes.... and a baby TRex.... Ugh. Nice visual effects but it lacked everything else. Hated the first one, too. It stays off of the worst list because of its ground-breaking effects. Hook (1991) - Not even Maggie Smith could save this one. I found it a lame vehicle for Robin Williams and terrible casting for Tink. And what poor PA had to shave Williams for this one? Oy. Always (1989) - Not even Audrey Hepburn could keep this one in the air. Boring! It was too long, too. It should have been called Forever. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) - Overly gross, overly glossy and overgrown with lameness. It gets one star for the cool spike room scene. The future Mrs. Spielberg was stinky in this one. 1941 (1979) - One of his unfunny comedies. Boring and stupid.
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03-13-2008, 05:19 PM	#10
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	My idea for this thread came up when I watched JP this morning. It was such a bad film. I can't believe JP and Schindler's was made in the same year. There was rumors that Lucas finished JP after Spielberg went off to Europe to shoot Schindler's and, heck, it could be true. Yuck. I also can not believe that the man who has done fantastic films also directed JP: The Lost World. Oy vey! I respect the fact that Spielberg took over Kubrick's film AI. But, man, that movie made me want to shoot myself in the face.
	Submit to Quotes