I find Spielberg's late filmography pretty hit or miss, starting with the nauseating kitsch that is War Horse, which I loathed with every fiber of my being. Hence I skipped The BFG back then, and given what you write here I think that was a good choice.
Generally, most filmmakers start a downward slope and never stop. I do believe, against all odds, that Spielberg has reversed that a few times. War Horse was maybe the most boring movie I've EVER seen, and as I mentioned, I loathed Ready Player One. But I do believe that 40% or so of The BFG movie feels like the Amblin Spielberg of old. And I was also a massive fan of his West Side Story. I'll also go to bat for Bridge Of Spies, which feels like it rises well above the assignment.
This is just part of that post Minority Report run of films that I just can never believe is Spielberg actually directing this stuff. You are spot on about Ready Player One. The Levy comparison is apt. All it needed was a Ryan Reynolds cameo. I never read the book but I was as thinking is this is Spielberg working out how great he was in the 80’s because it’s not helping this movie at all. I just wanted to go back and watch Raiders or ET.
In the book, instead of The Shining, they have to recreate Monty Python And The Holy Grail. The Shining is a more cinematic choice, but it shows just how wrong Spielberg is for the material. He's no jock, but you needed a nerdier director. A guy who hadn't played Dungeons And Dragons but was actually at one point a dungeon master.
Also, the book has the love interest revealed to be heavily disfigured, but of course in the movie she's Olivia Cooke with a fashionable birthmark.
Gotcha. I did like the Shining scene for the shout out to Kubrick but I’d like to see the Monty Python thread from the book play out cinematically. You mentioning a nerdier director to tackle it….now I’m thinking about who would have been a better fit for the material?
God, does that guy exist? I don't know. It would have to be someone with the pop sensibility of McG but with a Tarantino-level affinity for nerd culture, including video games, anime and Star Wars. Maybe Edgar Wright?
And Hook is the shit and is reviled critically in a way I do not get. Even he doesn’t like it and acts like it’s the worst movie he’s ever made. Maybe hot take: As 90’s Robin Williams movies go Hook > Mrs. Doubtfire….all day.
That makes sense. Not to mention his epic run of producing so many Amblin classics with other directors as well through the 80’s. I need to give Lincoln a rewatch. I remember thinking Tommy Lee Jones’ performance was just hanging with DDL beat for beat.
I am a bit too young to have experienced Jaws firsthand, which probably has something to do with it. But while my allegiance isn't blind, I hath mass respeckt for Señor Spielbergo.
I loved "The BFG" growing up. I wonder if it's worth a watch.
If you like farting corgis, run, don't walk.
The most unrealistic thing about BFG was that Buckingham Palace was not covered in dog hair. Corgi’s..they will shed into your dreams.
I find Spielberg's late filmography pretty hit or miss, starting with the nauseating kitsch that is War Horse, which I loathed with every fiber of my being. Hence I skipped The BFG back then, and given what you write here I think that was a good choice.
Generally, most filmmakers start a downward slope and never stop. I do believe, against all odds, that Spielberg has reversed that a few times. War Horse was maybe the most boring movie I've EVER seen, and as I mentioned, I loathed Ready Player One. But I do believe that 40% or so of The BFG movie feels like the Amblin Spielberg of old. And I was also a massive fan of his West Side Story. I'll also go to bat for Bridge Of Spies, which feels like it rises well above the assignment.
Jaws
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jurassic Park
ET
Duel
This is just part of that post Minority Report run of films that I just can never believe is Spielberg actually directing this stuff. You are spot on about Ready Player One. The Levy comparison is apt. All it needed was a Ryan Reynolds cameo. I never read the book but I was as thinking is this is Spielberg working out how great he was in the 80’s because it’s not helping this movie at all. I just wanted to go back and watch Raiders or ET.
In the book, instead of The Shining, they have to recreate Monty Python And The Holy Grail. The Shining is a more cinematic choice, but it shows just how wrong Spielberg is for the material. He's no jock, but you needed a nerdier director. A guy who hadn't played Dungeons And Dragons but was actually at one point a dungeon master.
Also, the book has the love interest revealed to be heavily disfigured, but of course in the movie she's Olivia Cooke with a fashionable birthmark.
Yep you’re right. Nailed it.
I was thinking Del Toro or Gunn but they aren’t right either.
Gotcha. I did like the Shining scene for the shout out to Kubrick but I’d like to see the Monty Python thread from the book play out cinematically. You mentioning a nerdier director to tackle it….now I’m thinking about who would have been a better fit for the material?
God, does that guy exist? I don't know. It would have to be someone with the pop sensibility of McG but with a Tarantino-level affinity for nerd culture, including video games, anime and Star Wars. Maybe Edgar Wright?
I have a 3 pawed corgi in real life. I don’t need all that in my fiction too!
Well, these ones are British.
And Hook is the shit and is reviled critically in a way I do not get. Even he doesn’t like it and acts like it’s the worst movie he’s ever made. Maybe hot take: As 90’s Robin Williams movies go Hook > Mrs. Doubtfire….all day.
I do agree with this Hook take, even though it's far from my favorite Spielberg.
That makes sense. Not to mention his epic run of producing so many Amblin classics with other directors as well through the 80’s. I need to give Lincoln a rewatch. I remember thinking Tommy Lee Jones’ performance was just hanging with DDL beat for beat.
Was that DDL? Are you sure Steveo didn't just resurrect Lincoln himself?
Ahhh..you make a strong point.
Or hear me out..time travel. The man did produce B2TF. I heard they did that for Vampire Hunter.
Ranking is required sir. :)
Seriously though can’t argue with any of those. And I wasn’t expecting Lincoln. You swerved with that when I was expecting Jaws. Nice
I am a bit too young to have experienced Jaws firsthand, which probably has something to do with it. But while my allegiance isn't blind, I hath mass respeckt for Señor Spielbergo.
Thank you! Yeah it’s not his top tier. I was just the right age when it came out I guess. And it’s a good very low key Christmas watch.
Now I gotta ask the tough questions…Top 5 Spielberg?
My five FAVORITE Spielberg (do not make me rank) are probably
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
JURASSIC PARK
SCHINDLER'S LIST
LINCOLN
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK