The classic, inoffensive family adventure movies Schindlers List and Jaws.
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What Is Spielberg's Place Among Directors?
- Thread starter Andrew Korenchkin
- Start date
The classic, inoffensive family adventure movies Schindlers List and Jaws.
Easily one of the greats, no question on it. He is the one who turned cinema into what it is today.
The only issue people have with him is, his films became the staple of modern cinema. So saying you know what you're getting is just proving how influential he was, because very few directors working don't borrow from him.
The only issue people have with him is, his films became the staple of modern cinema. So saying you know what you're getting is just proving how influential he was, because very few directors working don't borrow from him.
A good oner draws me in and makes me feel things. An Innarito oner makes me stroke my beard politely and think about how I'm watching a oner. Cauron's oners with Lubezki feel more motivated to me.
In Birdman especially it feels like you can see actor's trying to hit their marks, and you have shots that say nothing to the audience other than "we're hiding an edit here"
I can fuck with peak Spielberg any day. I love his overlapping dialogue and sentimentality. He also uses sound well. I think he is great. The only people I have met who hate him that also work "in the biz" are really young. It's a common phase I think.
In Birdman especially it feels like you can see actor's trying to hit their marks, and you have shots that say nothing to the audience other than "we're hiding an edit here"
I can fuck with peak Spielberg any day. I love his overlapping dialogue and sentimentality. He also uses sound well. I think he is great. The only people I have met who hate him that also work "in the biz" are really young. It's a common phase I think.
WhiteRabbitEXE
Member
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
"Top 5 dead or alive off one movie"
Jo Shishido's Cheeks
Member
Shouldve retired long ago in order to cement his legacy.
DarkMaigle
Member
He could make shit the rest of his life and would still go down as top 10 all time.
Adam Sadler
Member
Dude is definitely a top 10 director. I'd have a hard time understanding how someone could see him as a hack
Alexander DeLarge
Member
He's not a hack, he can put out incredible films, he just doesn't put out the kind of films I like (besides Schindler's List, Temple of Doom and Saving Private Ryan)
Edit: Forgot he did AI, that one too.
Edit: Forgot he did AI, that one too.
Some people.
I don't see what's not family friendly. Look like a normal day at the beach here in Australia.Wholesome fun for the whole family!
Jeffolation
Banned
Like the tier behind Ford/Hawks/Wilder. Make sure to check out Duel. Try to avoid 1941. Continue to wonder if you'll ever watch Always (you won't). Should have other directors end his movies for him sometimes.
reelbigtink
Member
People calling Spielberg Pizza Hut. Jesus.
He's likely the greatest living director based on what he's done for the industry and is directly responsible for every cool nerd thing we love in film.
He's likely the greatest living director based on what he's done for the industry and is directly responsible for every cool nerd thing we love in film.
Gnome Scat
Member
I think he's sort of the Stephen King of the movie industry. He has made a variety of loved works, but some are rough around the edges and other works of his are not of any significance.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
You guys are the worst. Dude is the most versatile and influential director ever.
The Pizza Hut of directors?
Christ.
The Pizza Hut of directors?
Christ.
Discotheque
Banned
All of this. Plus his work on jaws and raiders alone puts his stuff among the greatest blockbusters ever
He's not Pizza Hut, he's like a 1-star Michelin restaurant - and it's an affordable one, too. But there are definitely better restaurants.
Vault Dweller 111
Member
Top 5
Freewheelin'
Member
People that say Spielberg's recent films are shit are just mental. Its only by his very high standards they fall a little short.
Its the same with Scorsese. Imagine a first time or relatively young filmmaker made something with the craft of Shutter Island or the precision and restraint of Bridge of Spies or Lincoln. Everyone would be hailing them as the next best filmmaker, the one that's going to sweep the Oscars in the next few years etc.
Because they aren't Goodfellas or Jaws, Marty and Berg get called shit for it.
Its the same with Scorsese. Imagine a first time or relatively young filmmaker made something with the craft of Shutter Island or the precision and restraint of Bridge of Spies or Lincoln. Everyone would be hailing them as the next best filmmaker, the one that's going to sweep the Oscars in the next few years etc.
Because they aren't Goodfellas or Jaws, Marty and Berg get called shit for it.
| Praxis |
Banned
He directed some of my favourite films. Jaws, Duel, Empire of The Sun, Munich and Indy.
One of the greats.
One of the greats.
Interesting, hadn't heard that perspective. So you're saying he's kind of sold out for international cred?
Freewheelin'
Member
Also, fuck Inarritu.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Munich is in the top 5 films made this century. And a Berg Top 3.
Interficium
Banned
This is a Bad Take and you should feel bad.
Belongs in the top tier for sure and can easily be argued for a top spot.
His more recent work has been less mega blockbuster but he's at a point where he can basically do whatever he wants. I liked Lincoln, Bridge of Spies etc. Certainly not Mega Blockbusters but they weren't terrible either.
His more recent work has been less mega blockbuster but he's at a point where he can basically do whatever he wants. I liked Lincoln, Bridge of Spies etc. Certainly not Mega Blockbusters but they weren't terrible either.
RiccochetJ
Gold Member
I do hold him solely responsible for the shaky cam action scenes that still inundate us to this day due to Saving Private Ryan.
That's about it though.
Not sure what the hell the rest of the posts are about. Spielberg, Lucas, and Zemeckis were pretty much the only movies I knew of when I was a kid. And they are iconic to this day.
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
I don't understand.
Is "commercially successful" must always be separated from "accomplished directors"? Because that's the feeling I get from people who disparaged Spielberg, in that he's not "artsy" enough to be called a top director simply because he has created movies for mass audience to enjoy.
It's like, in order to be called top director you're required to be niche or something.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Except he used shaky cam expertly in SPR. Not Spielberg's fault all the Paul Greengrasses that came afterward decided to use it as a crutch without putting any effort into actually trying to frame their subjects. Spielberg's use was effective and thoughtful.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
People treat Spielberg like Demille - a legitimate case of a director being a showman first and storyteller and artist second.
I hope one day they replace the Demille award with Spielberg's name.
I hope one day they replace the Demille award with Spielberg's name.
Vulcano's assistant
Banned
Maybe that's part of it, but I wouldn't call him a sellout (it is not for me to judge). I think it would be selfish of me to believe we are entitled to an artist's works. It is just the representation part, that I think it is a bit exploitative, not exactly romanticizing poverty or extreme life conditions, but I feel there is some voyeuristic gaze in his films towards foreignness and the marginalized.
Master Of Illusion
Member
His classics probably have the best pacing / firmest placement of story beats in film.
Maybe I'm just saying that because some of his movies were among the first films I ever watched thus giving me rose colored glasses towards his style; but I only saw Close Encounters for the first time two weeks ago, and for that movie to leave the same kind of impression on me now like Jurassic Park did when I was a kid is goddamn impressive.
Maybe I'm just saying that because some of his movies were among the first films I ever watched thus giving me rose colored glasses towards his style; but I only saw Close Encounters for the first time two weeks ago, and for that movie to leave the same kind of impression on me now like Jurassic Park did when I was a kid is goddamn impressive.
whitemex88
Member
Enough said
Thornton Reed
Member
I can imagine the types who consider him hack. Pretentious wanna be critics who only watch foreign films and sip latte's from avocados.
He made 3 of my all time favourite films, jaws, raiders and saving private Ryan. All beautifully made, totally different and undeniably Spielberg. The guy is a god damn treasure
Pupperbabysassy
Member
Mount Rushmore of movie directors.
I would say top 3, and probably my favorite overall.
Not a big fan of his last decade after the amazing Munich. But even those films are good, just mostly below par compared to the rest of his filmography.
The amount of great films he has made though, only Scorsese is a competitor.
As far as average quality, I would put a few directors above him, but they typically have made less than a dozen films.
Not a big fan of his last decade after the amazing Munich. But even those films are good, just mostly below par compared to the rest of his filmography.
The amount of great films he has made though, only Scorsese is a competitor.
As far as average quality, I would put a few directors above him, but they typically have made less than a dozen films.
sephiroth7x
Member
Great reputation I always believed?
He isn't what he used to be, whether that's him being part of a different time in cinema or not, who knows. But he hasn't done anything worthwhile for quite some time...
He isn't my favourite director by any means but one has to respect and almost envy the kind of career he has.
He isn't what he used to be, whether that's him being part of a different time in cinema or not, who knows. But he hasn't done anything worthwhile for quite some time...
He isn't my favourite director by any means but one has to respect and almost envy the kind of career he has.
Glass Rebel
Member
No more analogies for some of you.
What about Señor Spielbergo?
What about Señor Spielbergo?
ClivePwned
Member
One of the greats. Even his lesser films are interesting. He doesn't need to be doing big blockbusters anymore so he just does the films that interest him.
His greats:
Close Encounters of the Third kind
Jaws
Schindler's List
Saving Private Ryan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jurassic Park
His good but not quite great films
Munich
Catch Me If you Can
Lincoln
Temple of Doom
Last Crusade
ET (doesn't hold up for me like so many others)
Nothing Special but watchable
Bridge of Spies
TinTin
that one everyone thinks is the worst ever
Jurassic Park II
Terrible
1941
Haven't seen:
Sugarland Express, Duel, Always, Amistad, Hook, Empire of the Sun or The BFG
that's just the most impressive body of work. The ones that are less entertaining aren't due to his direction, more they didn't have the spark in the writing.
note: i coincidentally rewatched Jaws and Lincoln over the last week
His greats:
Close Encounters of the Third kind
Jaws
Schindler's List
Saving Private Ryan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jurassic Park
His good but not quite great films
Munich
Catch Me If you Can
Lincoln
Temple of Doom
Last Crusade
ET (doesn't hold up for me like so many others)
Nothing Special but watchable
Bridge of Spies
TinTin
that one everyone thinks is the worst ever
Jurassic Park II
Terrible
1941
Haven't seen:
Sugarland Express, Duel, Always, Amistad, Hook, Empire of the Sun or The BFG
that's just the most impressive body of work. The ones that are less entertaining aren't due to his direction, more they didn't have the spark in the writing.
note: i coincidentally rewatched Jaws and Lincoln over the last week
Dreams-Visions
Member
I love his work. His mastery of being able to tell an intimate story against a much bigger background for the audience to empathize with or relate to has always been amazing to me.
ftfy