Posted on 06/23/2005 4:06:51 PM PDT by Paul Atreides
Just a personal impression, but this one's got "stinker" written all over it.
No problem. But you are right, Shakespeare, this will not be.
The last Spielberg movie I truly enjoyed was "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Back then, he focused on entertainment, keeping his personal political views to himself.
But since he abandoned the Boy Scouts, took an anti-gun position with the digital "adjustment" of "E.T.", and endorsed both Gore AND Kerry, I've lost all interest in anything Mr. Spielberg creates.
IMHO, he's not worth my $$.
Come on, Schindler's List was very enjoyable.
Especially, when one considers Orson Welles' age at the time, and that he was directing such a big picture while he was an unknown.
Welles was 25 and possibly 24 when production began. Actually Spielberg was that age when he made 'Duel'.
All the buzz on this is VERY positive. Spielberg is beyond the need of the press--even his bad movies make money, with some exceptions (AI)--so he's just tossing his weight and getting MORE publicity for this.
I maitain A.I. was a terrific film that will only look better over the years. Same with 'Empire of the Sun'. Can't same the same for a 'moneymaker' like 'Hook'. :-)
To be honest, though, I thought the acting -- other than Welles -- was lackluster and the old-age makeup was pretty bad.
They just don't want you to know that Tim Robbins is in it. If they talk about the film, they have to mention him. He alone cost Mystic River 30 million.
I obviously can't divroce myself from my knowledge about film history but it seems like an ebullient and fun piece of 'can I top myself' cinema. I always thought Welles was a hammy actor but the others...Joeseph Cotten and especially Dorothy Comingore were wonderful. And Cotten thought at the time that his old age make up was terrible! Listen to Ebert's commentary on the DVD. It's illuminating from start to finish.
The buzz is:
Cruise isn't believable as an average Joe.
Not enough destruction.
Not enough aliens.
Not a traditional blockbuster.
Spielberg's Blame America for 9/11 undertone is annoying.
Ending sucks.
Spielberg tried too hard to make a Kubrick film.
Hook was GHASTLY, like a Broadway show directed by a pedophile.
(Perhaps if I can pick up the DVD in a month or so at the local grocery store for $6.99 I may end up viewing it)
FMCDH(BITS)
Hey, wait a minute.
I wipe off drool immediately so that it doesn't offend anyone.
"This is untrue. Spielberg did not direct the Kerry film."
Ah, I was under the impression that this was the work of Spielberg himself. I stand corrected.
I will never forgive the guy for A.I.--possibly the dreariest, most pointless movie ever made.
Until I think of the next one.
Lucas and Spielberg should have stopped at the top of their game -- maybe 10 years ago.
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