Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Grant (M) on March 20, 2010 at 17:23:43

In Reply to: RE: One can tell Fellini from the first few frames. So one can tell Spielberg posted by Victor Khomenko on March 18, 2010 at 08:30:42

You obviously have more discerning taste and an evolved palette for cinema and realism in war and drama than I. Maybe I consumed too much tabloid tv as a child, making me unable to judge a quality war drama from Gilligan's Island when I see them.

Please give me a table of comparison. What are the superior war dramas that make B.O.B look so cookie-cutter like? Best Years Of Our Lives? Tora Tora? At least, let's say compared to the "two episodes" of B.O.B you actually sat through.

I won't pursue the fools errand of defending Spielberg as a great director, but I am not so biased that I can ignore some of his craft and deft touches in Schindler's List and B.O.B. Sure, I prefer other filmaker's body of work and I can agree with most of your criticisms, but I thought most of B.O.B was well directed, well acted and had some very realistic moments.

The fact that my father and other WW 2 vets were impressed including those who contributed the detail for the series tells me they did some things well. I know it was not perfect and yes, there may have been a SPR moment or two that I was able to put up with for some of the more compelling moments and solid acting performances.

Spielberg may have many or all of the flaws you list, but there is more to him and his films than just his foibles. Some of what I liked about Schindler's List was in B.O.B and I hope it shows up in some of the Pacific. If not, I'll rank it accordingly.

BTW, I liked Jaws because of Dreyfuss, Schieder and Shaw yet acknowledge it was gratuitous and full of ham-handed schlock-- so maybe I am easily entertained after all. At 16, I was just glad to have a seat in the theater for that! :o)