Steven Spielberg is the greatest
director of all time. That may be
controversial for some, but for me it is a no-brainer. In case you did not know it, his latest
movie, Bridge of Spies, was released today.
Like last week with Zemeckis, I wanted to look at Spielberg's best
movies. The problem is, he is so diverse
and so good it's almost impossible to look at all of them fairly. Can you really compare Jurassic Park to
Raiders of the Lost Ark to Schindler's List?
So instead of a full list, here's the best based on various genres. There are only two of his movies I have not
seen: The Color Purple and Duel, so they are obviously not on here. Feel free to agree or disagree.
Historical Drama
1. Schindler's List
You
might say that's the "safe" pick.
I say it's the right pick. Sure
there are some issues with it, but how hauntingly beautiful is it? Liam Neeson gives a performance for the
ages. The girl in the red dress stays
with you, as does so many of the other images.
No, it is not easy to watch, and it is not supposed to be.
2. Saving Private Ryan
The
movie that started the intense, realistic WWII movie craze. A movie so real that many veterans could not
watch it. Beyond that, it is a gripping
character study of a fascinating range of men.
And it introduced us to Vin Diesel.
3.
Lincoln
Who
knew a movie about enacting an amendment could be so enthralling? Spielberg hit all the right notes with this
one.
4.
Munich
This
movie is vastly underrated in my opinion.
How is Eric Bana not more of a star?
It was extremely timely, as well.
5.
War Horse
Overly
sentimental? Perhaps. Beautifully shot? Undoubtedly.
Yes, it's a bit long too, but I found myself engrossed enough that the
length did not bother me.
6.
Amistad
Another
movie that is difficult to watch. I know
it is somewhat controversial in historical circles, but I think it's still an
important look at a point in our nation's history.
7.
Empire of the Sun
It's
kind of hard to rank this with the others in the genre because it's different,
but it's a very good movie. I had it on
a list of movies for students to watch about WWII, and it got more surprisingly
good reviews than any of the others.
8. Bridge of Spies
Not
a bad movie, for sure, it is a little long.
It's just that these the best of the best.
Adventure
1.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
This
genre is my favorite "Spielberg," where he's just having fun. Indiana Jones is the greatest character in
cinema history, and this is his best showcase.
It's always fun.
2.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Harrison
Ford and Sean Connery? Gold! The tank scene is perhaps the best action
scene in movie history.
3.
The Adventures of Tintin
Really,
this could be considered an Indiana Jones movie for a slightly younger
crowd. It's fun and the action never
lets up. I hope Tintin will be revisited
sooner rather than later.
4.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Certainly
a lesser Indiana Jones, but it still has some great moments.
5.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
It's
not as bad as some people would make you think.
Like the earlier movies it hits everything going on in its decade, just
instead of Nazis it's Commies and aliens.
The only truly unforgivable moment for me is Tarzan Shia.
Creature Features
1.
Jaws
A
truly spectacular film that put Spielberg on the map and single-handedly
created the Summer Blockbuster (for better or worse). It's also an honestly scary movie, and is
masterful and building up suspense by not showing the shark until the very end. Excellent.
2.
Jurassic Park
Unless
you really know me, you don't know how difficult it is for me to put this
second to anything. It was the movie
that made me want to be a paleontologist.
I'm not one, you say? Well in my
heart I am. Seeing it in 3d a couple of
years ago was maybe the second best movie-going experience in my life. Second only to seeing it the first time.
3.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
I
don't really get the hate for this movie.
I think it's fun. Sure, it's not
as good as the original, but what is?
Plus, two Rexes. And the raptor
scene in the tall grass is classic.
Science Fiction
1.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Another
Spielberg classic. One of the great kids
movies of the 80s.
2.
Minority Report
I
had boycotted Spielberg thanks to another movie on this list. I missed this and Catch Me If You Can in the
theater. After finally watching this at
home, I realized I needed to give him another shot.
3.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
A
great example of giving a movie time to tell its story.
4.
War of the Worlds
This
genre is the most extreme, from three greats to two of his worst. The first hour or so is great. Then Tim Robbins shows up.
5.
Artificial Intelligence: AI
The
worst movie-going experience of my life.
The reason for the Spielberg boycott.
I seem to remember the screen going blank at least 3 times with false
endings. One led to a totally white
screen which blinded everyone. After
another when the movie started again there was an audible groan from the
audience.
Comedy/Other
1.
Catch Me If You Can
A
fantastic movie with perhaps DiCaprio's best performance. There's a charm to this movie that few others
can duplicate.
2.
Always
Probably
the most forgotten Spielberg movie, highlighted by the last movie appearance by
the great Audrey Hepburn.
3.
Hook
A
favorite as a kid, it has not aged the greatest.
4.
The Terminal
This
is probably the most "meh" movie of all by Spielberg. Not good, not bad, just kind of there.
5.
1941
I
usually say AI is his worst movie, but this is not much better. Spielberg's only real attempt at a comedy
falls excruciatingly flat. The only
saving grace (besides the score) is John Belushi.
The Best of the Best
1.
Schindler's List
2.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
3.
Jaws
4.
E.T.
5.
Catch Me If You Can
Finally, I have to mention the
contribution of the greatest film composer of all time: John Williams. He has scored all of Spielberg's movies, save
Duel, The Color Purple, Twilight Zone: The Movie, and Bridge of Spies. The latest, in fact, was a surprise to me in
the theater. I assumed Williams had
scored it, but throughout the movie I kept thinking it sounded a lot like
Thomas Newman. It ended up I was
right. Regardless, the
Spielberg/Williams combo has brought us some of the most iconic themes in movie
history, and surely will go down as the best of all time.
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