Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by halfnote (A) on July 03, 2005 at 22:11:48

In Reply to: I would (if I had to...) take his childish stuff over his wholesale dreck like the SPR posted by Victor Khomenko on July 2, 2005 at 11:38:41:

However uneven SPR is, is it certainly not dreck. It has passages of stunning cinematography and the story line itself, though it certainly sags from time to time, is a splendid one. It might be worth noting that Spielberg did not actually write this screenplay, though it is hard to imagine a better cinematic execution of the material. The dialog is somewhat contrived, and the characterizations are somewhat rudimentary and stereotypical. But in what Spielberg film is this not the case? Notwithstanding these complaints, SPR packs a wollop, and many of its passages are truly sublime.

Jaws? A B-movie with a budget.
Duel? Is that the chase movie where the truck gives Dennis Weaver stiff acting competition? A well-done film student flick.
ET? Ersatz Disney.
Gremlins? A puppet show for 12 year old boys.
Raiders? Corny, obvious suspense almost totally beholden to the old matinee serials, and hardly done any better, except in the technical sense.
AI? I still can't forgive Spielberg for ruining what might have become Kubrick's crowning achievement had he lived to see the project through.
1941? Boring and pointless.
Emprire of the Sun? I fell asleep. What happens in the end?
Hook? Unwatchable.

So what's on the positive side of the ledger?

Color Purple? Excellent melodrama, but mere melodramas nonetheless.
Schindler? A superior outing in almost every way, and as good as Private Ryan in my estimation. Obvious in certain parts, and blatantly moralizing; but heartfelt, and priaseworthy for its seriousness of purpose.
Minority Report? An interesting, thought-provoking concoction. I think somewhat underrated. A bit too heavy on the computer animation, though. I felt like I was watching a cartoon, at times.

Just my opinions, folks.