In case you missed it, we’re participating in Wandering Through the Shelves’ Thursday Movie Picks. This week’s theme is Favorite Films by Steven Spielberg, which I have seen embarrassingly few of. But I do have some favorites.
The Terminal
Strange first choice I know, but this is 100% my type of movie. I’m not actually that into action films (unless it’s about superheroes; don’t ask why that changes everything), and The Terminal is decidedly not an action film. It’s about a man who gets stuck in an airport terminal and, yes, that’s basically the entire plot. But weirdly, it’s actually good. And so damn emotional. Bravo, Tom Hanks.
Saving Private Ryan
I was late to the game watching this one, and I loved it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I actually almost got “Earn this” as my first tattoo. Now that I’m reminiscing, I think it’s time for a rewatch. After seeing 1917 and starting Band of Brothers this week, there seems to be a theme.
Catch Me If You Can
I mentioned this movie in last week’s post so I won’t go into it again, but I truly loved this one.
Raiders of the Lost Ark.
And now for a movie not starring Tom Hanks, Raiders of the Lost Ark. I’m a sucker for anything Indiana Jones (or Harrison Ford for that matter), and this one holds a special place in my heart. Raiders of the Lost Ark was the only movie my brother and I were allowed to stay up past our bedtime to watch, so any time it played on TV was the best day ever. Temple of Doom was a little too scary (and, I now realize, racially insensitive), and I think I was too young for The Last Crusade when I saw it, but Raiders of the Lost Ark will remain my #1.
4 Comments
He *really* loves Tom Hanks doesn’t he!? I didn’t notice that until now LOL
Almost a mini theme within the theme, love those!
You’ve picked two of my favorites-Raiders and Catch Me and one I admire greatly more than love-Pvt. Ryan plus one that I thought was okay, better than I expect from its crummy preview, but that I saw the once and that was enough.
Raiders is a great thrill ride and Catch Me If You Can a smart complex labyrinth with a comic edge both of which play to Spielberg’s strengths. Pvt. Ryan is too intense for me to say I enjoyed but it grabs you by the throat from the first frame.
I’ve seen lots of Spielberg’s films and have many favorites among them but I’ve also used all of my favorites (Raiders, Saving Pvt. Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies and The Post) of his theatrical releases before so I turned to a handful of his early TV films that I admire and would recommend. Most are on YouTube I think.
Duel (1971)-Suspense film of salesman Dennis Weaver driving through the desert and unconsciously offending a psychotic truck driver who then doggedly pursues him with the object of killing him. While it sounds simple Spielberg makes it incredibly taut. His first solo film directing effort was an enormous hit making his reputation.
Something Evil (1972)-Married couple Paul and Marjorie Worden (Darren McGavin and Sandy Dennis) move into what seems to be a bucolic Pennsylvania farm house with their kids and at first all is good. But suddenly disturbing events begin to transpire and Marjorie suspects what had only been hinted at by the locals before-the house is possessed by the Devil! Good acting and Spielberg’s firm hand make it a cut above. A precursor of his later Poltergeist.
Savage (1973)-Martin Landau plays Paul Savage, a renowned TV investigative reporter with his own weekly show (think a 70’s Anderson Cooper) covering the proposed nomination of a candidate to the Supreme Court. When the news is announced Savage is contacted by Lee Raynolds, a young woman in possession of damaging evidence she’s willing to sell. Savage goes to the network boss (a very young Dabney Coleman) for the cash but then word arrives that Lee is dead, a supposed suicide. But is that really so? Looking for answers leads Savage into a labyrinth of lies and deceit. A decent story enhanced by Spielberg’s directorial touches and aided by a strong cast including Barbara Bain (Landau’s wife at the time), Will Geer (Grandpa Walton) and Pat Harrington. This was Spielberg’s final TV gig before moving into features.
Bonus:
Eyes (1969)-Claudia Menlo (Joan Crawford) a fabulously rich but mercenary woman (she tells her doctor “My single abiding interest is MYSELF”!) who has been blind since birth blackmails a surgeon (Barry Sullivan-who also appears in Savage) to transplant the eyes of a desperate man she has bought so she can see for twelve hours. The surgery is a success but an unexpected hitch pitches her back into darkness. The second segment of the pilot for the TV show Night Gallery was Spielberg’s first professional directorial job and he aces it with an assured hand helped by Crawford’s accomplished performance.
I have seen all of these and I like all of them just fine. But I think if I had to pick one over the others, it’s Saving Private Ryan. Even though I didn’t pick it this week myself, it’s among my favoruite movies.
I really like The Terminal and it was, apparently, loosely based on a true story. Saving Pvt Ryan is a good film and the first 20 minutes is scary but I still prefer The Longest Day which s also great and the landing is also scary. The Longest Day is more a factual drama where Pvt Ryan is all emotional. I am just not a fan of Indiana Jones which are good but I can’t say I love them. The send one is just so stupid. I do prefer The Last Crusade.