Tallguy 4,417 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Naïve Old Fart said: My least favourites (in no particular order): THE COLOR PURPLE SCHINDLER'S LIST A.I. WAR HORSE Tintin Most favourites (in 1-5): CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND 1941 EMPIRE OF THE SUN MINORITY REPORT WAR OF THE WORLDS Vaguely insane. But I have to say War of the Worlds goes up in my estimation every year and every time I see it. I could see that on my top 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 10,426 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 3 hours ago, Tallguy said: Vaguely insane. That's me 3 hours ago, Tallguy said: War of the Worlds goes up in my estimation every year and every time I see it. I never liked WAR OF THE WORLDS until I started working with children, then I saw the film for what it is: the story of a man desperately trying to reconnect with his family. It's a very touching film, and all three principals are pitch-perfect. Tallguy and Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,571 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 6 hours ago, Naïve Old Fart said: My least favourites (in no particular order): THE COLOR PURPLE SCHINDLER'S LIST A.I. WAR HORSE Tintin I, AC1, agree with Tintin and War Horse. Don't understand your Schindler's List pick. Would you have liked it better if the whole movie was like the 'I could have done more' scene? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Mr. Big 4,739 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1941 Sugarland Crystal Skull Always Hook A24 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,571 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1 minute ago, Not Mr. Big said: 1941 Sugarland Crystal Skull Always Hook That's more like it! Not Mr. Big 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1Ø66 5,976 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 On 3/10/2022 at 1:17 PM, Chen G. said: I really don't think Spielberg was disinterested or dispassionate on the set of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Its inarguable that he was reticent to make it for a long time - and very, very rightly so - but its the sort of thing where once you're on the set, you don't necessarily carry that initial apprehension with you. I'm not so sure about that. Shia LeBoeuf described the experience on the Crystal Skull set as "dispiriting" and likened it to working on an "assembly line". Now, I'm far from a LeBoeuf fan, and at the time I thought he should keep his opinion to himself, but I think his sentiments are reflected in what ended up on the screen. I don't think a fully engaged Spielberg who's passionate about his art, and believes in what he's doing, makes the movie we ended up getting. In fact it would almost be more comforting to believe he was phoning it in (ala The Lost World). Because the alternative is, given how BFG, RPO and KOTCS turned out, that Spielberg simply isn't capable of making those kinds of films any more. Edmilson and Chen G. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmmusic 2,196 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I haven seen all John Williams scored films plus Duel and The Color Purple. I haven't seen the others (eg. Ready Player one, Bridge of Spies etc.). With that in mind, here's my personal worst: 1. 1941 2. Crystal Skull 3. The BFG 4. The Post 5. The Fabelmans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 10,426 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 41 minutes ago, AC1 said: Don't understand your Schindler's List pick. Would you have liked it better it the whole movie was like the 'I could have done more' scene? Since that is the biggest lie, in the film... "no". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallguy 4,417 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I love 1941. And I REALLY love Always. I'm not sure a "bottom 5" would contain all bad films. Hook and Crystal Skull are bad. After that? Even BFG isn't terrible. A24 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 8,358 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Steven Spielberg is my favourite director of all time. There are NO feature films of his that I dislike outright. But if I were to rank them, some would obviously find themselves last. At the bottom would be A TIMELESS CALL; talk about pompous patriotic pap! But that's a short documentary, so I suppose it doesn't count. Nor does AMAZING STORIES or THE TWILIGHT ZONE in this context. So I guess 1941, TINTIN, THE BFG, WEST SIDE STORY and READY PLAYER ONE would find themselves there, even if I find great values in all of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerateWohl 5,041 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I might come to different results if I think about how I liked the movies when I first saw them or how I rate the movies from todays point of view. The movies, that I didn't like at first watch were Hook, Always, Amistad, Ready Player One and West Side Story. A candidate is as well The Lost World, but the scene with Julianne Moore lying on the glass pane is so cool, that I forgive the movie a lot. Tallguy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallguy 4,417 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 8 minutes ago, GerateWohl said: A candidate is as well The Lost World, but the scene with Julianne Moore lying on the glass pane is so cool, that I forgive the movie a lot. Not just me then! That whole sequence is just about the greatest action scene that Spielberg has ever directed. I like the movie a lot more than I used to but that kept me from dismissing it entirely back in the day. GerateWohl and Thor 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 8,358 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 9 minutes ago, Tallguy said: Not just me then! That whole sequence is just about the greatest action scene that Spielberg has ever directed. I like the movie a lot more than I used to but that kept me from dismissing it entirely back in the day. Totally agreed. That movie has some of the most awesome kinetic/causal action sequences in his entire filmography. I love it, even the San Diego sequence, and probably seen it some 20 times over the years. But there are so many films mentioned here among people's "worst" where I feel the need to stand up and defend them left and right, that I better leave it be altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,254 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Of the ones I’ve seen: Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull The Adventures Of Tin Tin The Color Purple Hook War Of The Worlds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 8,926 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Is The Color Purple that bad? I've never seen it, but I always assumed it was a classic (not like ET or Raiders, but still a well-regarded movie). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,254 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 It’s not bad, it’s just not anything special, to me. I’d rather watch something dumb and entertaining like The Lost World. Edmilson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thor 8,358 Posted March 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 24, 2023 2 minutes ago, Edmilson said: Is The Color Purple that bad? I've never seen it, but I always assumed it was a classic (not like ET or Raiders, but still a well-regarded movie). People think it's too "schmalzy". I don't. I think it's a gorgeous time and character portrait with emotions firmly on its sleeve. That sweaty/sunny/rural look is to die for -- kudos to my favourite cinematographer, the late Allen Daviau. It's been many years since I saw it, though, so ripe for a rewatch. Edmilson, GerateWohl, Raiders of the SoundtrArk and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 10,426 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 5 minutes ago, Edmilson said: Is The Color Purple that bad? I've never seen it, but I always assumed it was a classic... It waters down the novel, no end, and is heavy on the schmaltz, especially at the end. Imo, like all his films, it has value, but it's not Premier League Spielberg. 3 minutes ago, Thor said: People think it's too "schmalzy". I don't. Oops! Sorry, Thor . Allen Daviau's cinematography is lovely. Edmilson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerateWohl 5,041 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Wasn't The Color Purple Spielberg's first "serious" movie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 8,358 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Just now, GerateWohl said: Wasn't The Color Purple Spielberg's first "serious" movie? Indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,489 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1 minute ago, GerateWohl said: Wasn't The Color Purple Spielberg's first "serious" movie? CE3K was the first IMO Tallguy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 10,426 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I think a film about a "fuck off" shark going around eating people, is pretty "serious". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,489 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I would agree but I think many here would think otherwise Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerateWohl 5,041 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I mean, a movie about real life people with real life problems. No science fiction, not monsters, no fantasy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1Ø66 5,976 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Thor said: There are NO feature films of his that I dislike outright. But if I were to rank them, some would obviously find themselves last. In general I agree with this. I think I said this earlier, but other than KOTCS, I don't think Spielberg has made a truly bad film. He doesn't really make bad films...his oeuvre ranges from a handful of true cinematic classics, several "great to good" films, and an (increasing) number of Ron Howard level technically proficient but uninspired mediocrities. Even KOTCS is only truly bad in comparison to what came before and what Spielberg is capable of when he's actually trying. But there are things to like in all his films, even the lesser ones. Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 10,426 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I also think that a woman breaking out of jail, and kidnapping her own son, is also pretty serious. Tallguy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glóin the Dark 1,307 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Worst: War Horse The Post Hook Ready Player One Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Best: Jaws Jaws Jaws Raiders of the Lost Ark Jaws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Edmilson 8,926 Posted March 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 24, 2023 12 minutes ago, Glóin the Dark said: Worst: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom filmmusic, Andy, Nick1Ø66 and 2 others 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,622 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 20 hours ago, Glóin the Dark said: Worst: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom No lies detected here. Sorry, Edmilson. But its just...not a movie I particularly enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,521 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 I am also not a huge fan. There are things about it that I love, of course, but it was never a film I greatly enjoyed, not even as a youngster. But I wouldn't put it in "worst 5". Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1Ø66 5,976 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Well, whatever you think of TOD, it’s better than KOTCS, much of which is unwatchable. Chen G. and Edmilson 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerateWohl 5,041 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 KOTCS isn't that bad before Marion shows up. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,622 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 14 minutes ago, crocodile said: But I wouldn't put it in "worst 5". Yeah, maybe as part of "worst 5" is a little harsh, but its definitely lower-tier Spielberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 10,426 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Chen G. said: Sorry, Edmilson. But its just...not a movie I particularly enjoy. That's alright; Spielberg doesn't enjoy it, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1Ø66 5,976 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 It’s weird, even though the bulk of TOD takes place underground, KOTCS has always felt much more claustrophobic to me. Perhaps it’s due to being filmed entirely in California, or maybe it’s down to Kamiński's typical gauzy photography, or it might be the awful CGI, but not once during KOTCS do I not feel like I’m watching anything other than actors on a set. None of it feels grounded (especially the quicksand scene, no irony intended). Edmilson and Holko 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glóin the Dark 1,307 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Nick1Ø66 said: Well, whatever you think of TOD, it’s better than KOTCS, much of which is unwatchable. I'd much rather watch the latter (though I'd quite happily not see either again). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1Ø66 5,976 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 While TOD has grown on me over the years, I do agree it’s the least of the three films. But even with all its flaws, TOD still feels authentic to me. Whereas KOTSC feels like less than the genuine article and second best. Here’s Jim Broadbent in place of Denholm Elliot. Here’s Ray Winstone instead of John Rhys-Davies. Here’s someone named Oxley because we said Abner Ravenwood was dead. Here’s Janusz Kamiński trying, and failing, to imitate Douglas Slocombe. Here’s Steven Spielberg trying, and failing, to imitate Steven Spielberg. I’ll give Harrison Ford & Karen Allen a pass because, well, everyone gets older, but after Indy so perfectly, and appropriately, rode off into the sunset looking spectacular and vigorous at the end of Last Crusade, the whole thing begs the question….why? Edmilson and Chen G. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,622 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 18 minutes ago, Nick1Ø66 said: after Indy so perfectly, and appropriately, rode off into the sunset looking spectacular and vigorous at the end of Last Crusade, the whole thing begs the question….why? That's the biggest stumbling block for me. I don't like the way the movie looks. I don't like the soap opera aspect of bringing Marion back and going all "Indy, he! is your son!" I don't like some of the beats and/or setpieces (that. bloody. jungle. chase!) But, really, above all I just don't like the concept. Nick1Ø66 and A24 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glóin the Dark 1,307 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Nick1Ø66 said: ...KOTSC feels like less than the genuine article and second best. Here’s Jim Broadbent in place of Denholm Elliot. Here’s Ray Winstone instead of John Rhys-Davies. Here’s someone named Oxley because we said Abner Ravenwood was dead. Here’s Janusz Kamiński trying, and failing, to imitate Douglas Slocombe. Here’s Steven Spielberg trying, and failing, to imitate Steven Spielberg. Aye, it's not great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Guernsey 2,682 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Nick1Ø66 said: While TOD has grown on me over the years, I do agree it’s the least of the three films. But even with all its flaws, TOD still feels authentic to me. Whereas KOTSC feels like less than the genuine article and second best. Here’s Jim Broadbent in place of Denholm Elliot. Here’s Ray Winstone instead of John Rhys-Davies. Here’s someone named Oxley because we said Abner Ravenwood was dead. Here’s Janusz Kamiński trying, and failing, to imitate Douglas Slocombe. Here’s Steven Spielberg trying, and failing, to imitate Steven Spielberg. I’ll give Harrison Ford & Karen Allen a pass because, well, everyone gets older, but after Indy so perfectly, and appropriately, rode off into the sunset looking spectacular and vigorous at the end of Last Crusade, the whole thing begs the question….why? I think that sums up my feelings. Last Crusade wrapped things up nicely. Trilogies feel like a nice number of films. Indy hadn't outstayed his welcome, nor did Harrison Ford seem too old so it all just worked. Each of the original three movies had a fairly distinctive style and tone, while clearly being from the same universe. I wonder if SS got too thoughtful for Indy so KOTCS became over-engineered. Sometimes it really is best to leave well alone. Although that seems to be even less the case with movies and TV these days... Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thor 8,358 Posted March 25, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2023 Anyone other than me who, despite its apparent flaws, think KOTSC still has many redeeming qualities, and as such is underrated? oierem, Andy, Naïve Old Fart and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,622 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 4 minutes ago, Thor said: despite its apparent flaws, think KOTSC still has many redeeming qualities It does. But my basic, fundemental issue with it still stands, and would stand even if it were much better a movie than it ended up being. I didn't need to see more of Indy after he rode into that sunset: its anticlimactic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glóin the Dark 1,307 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 6 minutes ago, Thor said: Anyone other than me who, despite its apparent flaws, think KOTSC still has many redeeming qualities, and as such is underrated? I certainly think it's underrated - though that's not saying an awful lot given how abysmally it's rated. It's just alright, as opposed to being a crime against humanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerateWohl 5,041 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 13 minutes ago, Thor said: Anyone other than me who, despite its apparent flaws, think KOTSC still has many redeeming qualities, and as such is underrated? The third act is a real mess, the worst of all Indy movies. But The rest is quite good. And I was impressed and happy how Spielberg managed to Bring back the spirit and the mood of the previous movies. I didn't take that for granted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 8,358 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Indeed. I should also point out I LOVE the refridgerator scene that everyone made such a big fuss about, including Spielberg himself. And especially the scene leading up to it, in that deserted 'test town'. Tense! GerateWohl and Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nick1Ø66 5,976 Posted March 25, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2023 I really can't think of much to like about it. I think the only scene that doesn't bother me, and the only one that feels genuine, is in Indy's house where they're talking about Henry Sr. & Marcus passing. I think part of the problem for me is that I've discovered, whether it's via prequels or sequels, I don't like the demystification of things better left to the imagination. I didn't need to see Han Solo as a washed up deadbeat dad; I didn't need to see a Luke Skywalker who's dejected and given up on life...I didn't need to see everything they fought for in the Rebellion made moot. I don't need to see my fictional fantasy heroes get old and bitter. I didn't need to see how badly Neo & Sarah Connor ended up. I didn't need to see the clone wars or the forging of the Rings of Power...those things played a lot better in my imagination. Hell, I don't even like the Harry Potter epilogue b/c I don't need to know that Harry, Ron & Hermione become boring, middle-class government bureaucrats. Some things are just better left alone. Naïve Old Fart, Chen G. and GerateWohl 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Edmilson 8,926 Posted March 25, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2023 Imagine thinking ToD is one of Spielberg's worst movies when The BFG exists. Andy, Bellosh and Naïve Old Fart 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glóin the Dark 1,307 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 I haven't seen The B.F.G., (or several other Spielberg films) so you can't get me on that one! 14 minutes ago, Nick1Ø66 said: I've discovered, whether it's via prequels or sequels, I don't like the demystification of things better left to the imagination...Some things are just better left alone. How about House of the Dragon? GerateWohl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 4,622 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 I share Nick's sentiment, but its not a sentiment that applies, at least in my case, to every sequel or prequel. The issue here is with sequels to what were for all intents and purposes FINAL entries. I don't need to know what happens after the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glóin the Dark 1,307 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 18 minutes ago, Chen G. said: I share Nick's sentiment, but its not a sentiment that applies to every sequel or prequel. I share the view that sequels, prequels and spin-offs are generally less good than originals (to say the least), that, in most cases, it would be better if they were not made at all, and that backstories and future stories tend to be reduced in power and resonance when made explicit onscreen. But I'm reluctant to use that, in itself, as a criticism of these prequels and sequels, because sometimes they can be successful and can enhance the overall work, and it's only when they're done that we find out which are the worthwhile efforts and which aren't. In the latter cases, we can always ignore or forget the unwelcome additions and not allow them to demystify the original material. Edit: just as I can appreciate Raiders of the Lost Ark in spite of the descecration that followed three years later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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