https://entertainment.theonion.com/steven-spielberg-recalls-coming-to-blows-with-e-t-on-f-1820392944
i lolled
― Doctor Casino, Monday, 13 November 2017 16:25 (six years ago) link
I appreciate this alternate history.
Haha holy shit, my wife thought Steven Spielberg directed Maximum Overdrive. She thought, at the height of his career, Spielberg got so addicted to coke that he made Maximum Overdrive, and then was so ashamed that he sobered up from then on. I wish that was true. So hard.— Robert Brockway (@Brockway_LLC) January 7, 2018
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 7 January 2018 18:24 (six years ago) link
meanwhile Emilio Estevez goes on to write and direct The Post starring Ally Sheedy as Katherine Graham and Judd Nelson as Bradlee.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 7 January 2018 18:26 (six years ago) link
Replace 'Maximum Overdrive' with 'Hook' and that tweet is basically otm.
― Bobby Buttrock (Old Lunch), Sunday, 7 January 2018 18:50 (six years ago) link
I don't think I've seen Minority Report in 15 years. Held up better than I remembered, if only because it was so much more of a Hitchcock homage than I remembered, not just the wrong man motif, but overt references, like individual shots and set pieces. Was pretty cool, my daughter dug it.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 29 November 2018 03:47 (five years ago) link
Haven't seen since it was released, so its due for a rewatch. I suspect, however, that my main problem with the film--the ugly-as-hell cinematography--will only be amplified now.
― Timothée Charalambides (cryptosicko), Thursday, 29 November 2018 03:51 (five years ago) link
It's super ugly, almost to the point of confrontational. There's a shot that transcends lens flare, essentially just pointing the camera at the sun. But the effects are pretty good and the retina-scanning ads and whatnot of the future pretty close to fruition. Plus, it's often darkly comical, even slapstick at times, which also seems sort of Hitchcocky.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 29 November 2018 03:57 (five years ago) link
Spielberg shoots the incredible musical number that opens TEMPLE OF DOOM. pic.twitter.com/ivijLcuIEV— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) November 17, 2019
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 17 November 2019 18:22 (four years ago) link
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steven-spielberg-sons-debut-feature-honeydew-heading-berlin-1279391
Honeydew, the New England-set horror starring Steven Spielberg's son Sawyer Spielberg in his introductory role ...
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 15 February 2020 17:38 (four years ago) link
Exit The Warrior/Steven's Son, Sawyer
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 15 February 2020 18:31 (four years ago) link
First off, he's not sick, afaik! But I do assume he is staying at home like everyone else, and as I was reading that Making of Jaws book it occurred to me how cool it would be if someone like Spielberg started making little home movies again, just for the sake of mutual entertainment. (The same holds for any filmmakers, for that matter. Like, I'd expect Soderbergh could whip something fun up for a few minutes of distraction.) But man, Spielberg could make like a 5-minute lark, then send it off to ILM for state of the art FX and John Williams for a quickie score, if he wanted to.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 27 March 2020 17:45 (four years ago) link
Every few years I rewatch "Empire of the Sun." What an impeccable piece of filmmaking.
Scanning back a bit, a lot of bad mouthing the Williams score, but honestly it didn't stick out that much as particularly oppressive. What you *do* hear a lot is apparently a Welsh lullaby called "Suo Gân," which fits pretty thematically:
As for Suo Gân, the lullaby can be dated back to the start of the 19th Century, with the most commonly accepted lyrics being written by Welsh folklorist and poet Robert Bryan (1858-1920). The song, whose title translates simply as 'Lullaby’, describes the relationship between mother and child, as the elder tries to rock the youngster to sleep, assuring him that all is well in the world. A rough translation from the original Welsh can be seen below.Sleep child on my bosomCosy and warm is this;Mother’s arms are tight around you,Mother’s love is under my breast;Nothing may affect your napping,No man will cross you;Sleep quietly, dear child,Sleep sweetly on your mother’s breast.Sleep quietly, tonight, sleep;Sleep sweetly, the pretty of his picture;Why are you now smiling,Smiling softly in your sleep?Are angels above smiling,On you smiling joyfully,You smiling back in sleeping,Sleeping quietly on my breast?Do not fear, nothing but a leafKnocks, knocks on the door;Do not fear, a small lonely waveMurmurs, murmurs on the seashore;Sleep child, there’s nothing hereNothing to give you a fright;Smile quietly in my bosom,On the angels white yonder
Sleep child on my bosomCosy and warm is this;Mother’s arms are tight around you,Mother’s love is under my breast;Nothing may affect your napping,No man will cross you;Sleep quietly, dear child,Sleep sweetly on your mother’s breast.Sleep quietly, tonight, sleep;Sleep sweetly, the pretty of his picture;Why are you now smiling,Smiling softly in your sleep?Are angels above smiling,On you smiling joyfully,You smiling back in sleeping,Sleeping quietly on my breast?Do not fear, nothing but a leafKnocks, knocks on the door;Do not fear, a small lonely waveMurmurs, murmurs on the seashore;Sleep child, there’s nothing hereNothing to give you a fright;Smile quietly in my bosom,On the angels white yonder
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 17 May 2020 03:44 (four years ago) link
p sure I've said this before - Empire of the Sun is great except for the score, which is godawful
Only seen this recently and found myself trying to rationalize the often mystifyingly disjointed acting direction as being intended to convey the effect of traumatic situations but I'm not convinced this was all intentional. Kind of odd, although you can't knock the Bale kid's effort.
The score had some arresting moments I thought, maybe I was getting bored with the images
― Basil Ker-ching (Noel Emits), Saturday, 8 August 2020 18:00 (three years ago) link
Bale's performance is unimpeachable.
Spielberg and Hanks make cameos late in Jim Carrey's novel, at first benignly ... but then the worm turns in a matter that will satisfy the haters.
― brooklyn suicide cult (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 8 August 2020 18:12 (three years ago) link
I think the imagery of this movie is impeccable too. Some absolutely gorgeous shots, if anything those are the ones that take me out of the movie.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 8 August 2020 18:42 (three years ago) link
Just seen three seconds of Tintin jesus christ so ugly what the fuck were they thinking?
― big man on scampus (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:33 (three years ago) link
give it a few more seconds, it's good imo
― Doctor Casino, Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:36 (three years ago) link
I can't watch anything that ugly
― big man on scampus (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:39 (three years ago) link
Just a pointless tech-driven decision in terms of the style
― big man on scampus (Noodle Vague)
I thought you enjoyed Boris Johnson press conferences
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:45 (three years ago) link
Lol no I studiously avoid TV news as much as possible
― big man on scampus (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:47 (three years ago) link
I haven't seen Close Encounters, it just sounds so boring, am I missing
― flamboyant goon tie included, Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:48 (three years ago) link
yes
― Patriotic Goiter (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:55 (three years ago) link
He did better, though.
Close Encounters is great and def not boring
― Doctor Casino, Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:55 (three years ago) link
It's a solid balance of generally (but not really) boring and broadly wonderful, imo. Lots of good stuff, def. iconic, though iirc there are three (!) different cuts floating around, a la Blade Runner, just to make things confusing.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 14 November 2020 15:56 (three years ago) link
Close Encounters is the best, it will not disappoint
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 14 November 2020 17:31 (three years ago) link
It's held up very well on a couple of rewatches.
― scampo-phenique (WmC), Saturday, 14 November 2020 17:52 (three years ago) link
The decision to take one of the singular cartoon art styles of the 20th century and turn it into an ugly point-and-click PC adventure interface is heartbreaking, but apart from that it’s pretty enjoyable and funny
― Chuck_Tatum, Saturday, 14 November 2020 18:18 (three years ago) link
It's alright, but it bears very little resemblance to Tintin.
I've never seen CE3K either.
I think the most recent Spielberg I've fully enjoyed in Lincoln.
― chap, Saturday, 14 November 2020 18:21 (three years ago) link
Close Encounters is great but there is a lot of shouting
Coincidentally I just watched Spielberg’s Columbo episode for the first time and it is FABULOUS
― Chuck_Tatum, Saturday, 14 November 2020 18:22 (three years ago) link
OK! I'll watch Close Encounters, ty!
― flamboyant goon tie included, Saturday, 14 November 2020 18:27 (three years ago) link
Yes, it is great but also if for no other reason you need to see Close Encounters for the visual stylings of Douglas (2001, Blade Runner, Star Trek: TMP, Tree of Life) Trumbull.
― Some dads are not YOUR dad (Old Lunch), Saturday, 14 November 2020 18:50 (three years ago) link
Would happily watch Close Encounters again, don't think I'll ever put my eyes thru Tintin
― big man on scampus (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:00 (three years ago) link
i can't argue with anyone who thinks it's a huge disservice to Hergé. as a kids' adventure movie i found it lively, colorful and engaging, like Hugo without the thematic weight. in terms of tech experiments it's four thousand miles ahead of Zemeckis's experiments in this vein.
― Doctor Casino, Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:16 (three years ago) link
It's definitely a trend thing, the BBC showed a butt-ugly CGI Watership Down a couple of years back and I bailed on that after the first episode
― big man on scampus (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:18 (three years ago) link
The thing I love about Close Encounters is it burrows inside the “i want to believe” vibe in a way that is weirdly endearing? like theres a lot of shouting and driving and running and legit craziness in a practical sense but Spielberg is v good at passing on that inherent wonder at the heart of it all that you get drawn into it somehow anyway maybe just me? i stan v hard for spielberg anywayalso: it looks SO fucking greati want mr veg and i to dress up as Dreyfuss and Devil’s Mountain for a future halloween
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:19 (three years ago) link
The ATC scene in Close Encounters is one of my favourite scenes of any movie.
― Maresn3st, Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:20 (three years ago) link
you're not alone Veg! inherent wonder is the real engine of that movie. my first viewing as an adult was a couple years ago when it got a mini theatrical rerelease, and those early nighttime road scenes were what really drew me in. magic.
― Doctor Casino, Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:29 (three years ago) link
Also, as someone who is a little hot and cold on John Williams scores for Spielberg movies, Close Encounters is one of the undeniable greats.
― On average, this critic grades 8.3 points lower than other critics (Eric H.), Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:37 (three years ago) link
What’s the version to see - the original?
― Chuck_Tatum, Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:57 (three years ago) link
My favourite Williams score is Temple of Doom, so lush!
xp
― chap, Saturday, 14 November 2020 19:58 (three years ago) link
started to comment on boringness or not of Close Encounters, thought to "show all messages":
"probably essential to see on a theater screen for full impact anyway."saw CE3K on VHS as a kid and found it super boringsaw a 35mm print of the remaster done for Blu-ray at Cinefamily in 2013, and fell asleep halfway through― glandular lansbury (sic), Friday, February 5, 2016 12:00 PM (four years ago) it feels so endless― Οὖτις, Friday, February 5, 2016 12:02 PM (four years ago)
saw CE3K on VHS as a kid and found it super boring
saw a 35mm print of the remaster done for Blu-ray at Cinefamily in 2013, and fell asleep halfway through
― glandular lansbury (sic), Friday, February 5, 2016 12:00 PM (four years ago)
it feels so endless
― Οὖτις, Friday, February 5, 2016 12:02 PM (four years ago)
his Columbo is dope fr though
― @oneposter (⛰️) (sic), Saturday, 14 November 2020 20:02 (three years ago) link
fractions homework truly the quiet winner for best scenequick brad there are thousands of lives at stake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5aPvAndPpI
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 14 November 2020 20:03 (three years ago) link
I saw the Spielberg Columbo recently and...it was okay? Not that it was bad but it was m/l just another episode of Columbo. Which (again) is good not bad! But it wasn't particularly Spielbegian (or proto-Spielbergian, to the extent that he was still acquiring a style).Best TV Spielberg is probably his WWII Amazing Stories episode. It inches right up to his mid-'80s super saccharine tendencies (see: his installment of Twilight Zone: The Movie) but remains on the more favorable side of that line.
― Some dads are not YOUR dad (Old Lunch), Saturday, 14 November 2020 20:48 (three years ago) link
NV otm ant the visual hideousness of Tintin - frustratingly, the animated credits are actually quite nice. Also thought it was a mistake to mash together two different Tintin stories and then go for a generic action movie ending. Just feels like Spielberg doesn't trust the material, or understand it - American cultural imperialism at its most embarrassing.
― Ward Fowler, Saturday, 14 November 2020 20:50 (three years ago) link
Rewatch the opening shot again, OL - that's as technically / storytellingly impressive as anything in Raiders, and done by a 23yo nobody.
(The murder/cleanup shown as a split-screen in Robert Culp's glasses in the "next" episode is even more astounding.)
― @oneposter (⛰️) (sic), Saturday, 14 November 2020 20:54 (three years ago) link
I've seen a bit of Tintin across a bar with the sound off, and it's absolutely repulsive, though looks like the virtual "camera"work would be impressive if it were possible to actually keep your eyes on the screen.
― @oneposter (⛰️) (sic), Saturday, 14 November 2020 20:55 (three years ago) link
opening shot scene, but the first shot is ridonkulous
― @oneposter (⛰️) (sic), Saturday, 14 November 2020 21:02 (three years ago) link
I liked Tintin
― flamboyant goon tie included, Saturday, 14 November 2020 21:26 (three years ago) link