It is trivial really but just making conversation and I would love to talk with someone on such matters, maybe at a different thread! By the way glad to have you with us Another Brother and for giving me the chance to talk to somebody who knows about films!
First of all before I forget it Another brother hints something you have all missed. Need I elaborate when he gives a 10 to an unreleased record?
About Spielberg, I have to say that he has started hopefully, made his good movies in the 80ies and early 90ies and the rest were just solid movies. Meaning that choosing to direct weak and flawed scenarios is a mistake in the first place, no matter how good are the rest components. I like European directors more, because they don't rely on the expensive FX, but on scenarios that dig a bit deeper in the human condition and nature. Wim Wenders, Kieslowski, Leconte, etc. And there are many Americans that film low budget movies and have to focus on a good script and nice acting: Jim Jarmusch, Steve Buscemi, Woody Allen and many more, that follow in a way the route Frank Capra paved before them. Of course, they are pretty good before they are discovered and ruined by Hollywood, in order to make a blockbuster. See Terry Gilliam, Darren Aranowski etc. And a small detour, how come there are no great comedies?(preferably in the Marx brothers vein) The last good comedies were based on the good acting of the Saturday night live generation from the late seventies.
Maybe I seem like the guy that prefers script over picture, but no. I enjoy an action movie as the next guy, but it is just passing time. Minority report was very good, but still not better than Blade runner. (As a matter of fact these 2 are the only P.K.Dick based movies that I can watch again. The rest were crap)
The last Spielberg movie I enjoyed, but as a late Saturday night movie at home (if you know what I mean), was "Catch me if you can". But it left no taste other than it was a story well told. There is no depth. My favourite Spielberg movie is Empire of the sun, with the young Christian Bale, so I guess there is truth that he gets the best out of his actors and especially kids.
So in my opinion maybe he is a fine maestro of the camera, directing with great ingenuity and finesse, inventing new ways to present things, on the other hand he is only creating nice sequences. I guess it is just a matter of opinion, but when James Cameron says good words for other directors, you've got to take a hint. Titanic...
The fact that Picasso said that thing about critics who can't paint and that you have to learn Chinese to understand Chinese, is true up to a point. But you don't have to eat something rotten to know it is rotten. Some things are just a matter of personal taste. And anyway, how many people on earth know how to play music or shoot a film but are capable of enjoying them? Or not? I am jealous because I can't play the guitar, but I love MK's music and guitar playing. And is it really different to have an opinion expressed in a small circle of friends or as an official critic in a magazine? (Apart maybe from the sales effect it might have). Regardless of my opinion for Spielberg's movies, one thing I feel awkward about when talking about likes and dislikes and subjective opinions for trivial matters, mentioning university titles, diplomas and PHDs. It is as unfair as kicking the critics opinion. It doesn't prove that you are correct and it certainly isn't a safe indication of good taste. But as I said it is really trivial and a personal thing.
