"Countdown" of Spielberg films on XM Radio

[Trumpeteer 302]

As we entertained guests for our Fourth of July dinner party, we had the Cinemagic channel on XM Radio playing on DirecTV. As the guests started to make their exits, I noticed a lot of early John Williams music was being played in succession, and all from Spielberg films. I didn't know what was going on, since the volume was just low enough to be subtle background music.

When the guests left, I turned up the volume, and the DJ was saying something about a countdown of Steven Spielberg films. I came in at number 20 or so, when they were playing a suite from "Always."

I don't think this is a countdown of the best Spielberg films. How could "Munich" rank lower than "The Terminal?" (Oh wait, they are counting down from least-grossing films to best-grossing films. "Schindler's List" is at No. 15 with $96 million in grosses.)

Anyway, it's been a fun accompaniment as we clean the dishes. It's probably going to go on for a while tonight. They play scores from four films every hour and they started at 9 p.m. Pacific time with number 25, I think.

From what I remember, "The Sugarland Express," "Twilight Zone," "Always," "Amistad," "The Color Purple," "Munich," "The Terminal" and "AI" have played. I imagine "Jaws" and "ET" will be in the top two spots.

[Dole 17]

If it's indeed a countdown of the top grossers, then I think the top five should be:

1. E.T.

2. Jurassic Park

3. IJ and the KOTCS

4. Jaws

5. Raiders