PurposeDriven
Well-known member
I think he is a great director, who can tell a story better than anyone else right now. He is a master of his craft and should have a special award named for him in the Oscars when he passes. My Hero! 
Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
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PurposeDriven
Well-known member
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
I have to stick up for my Stevie!
I have to stick up for my Stevie!
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
Genious. Quite possibly the the most important thing to ever happen to filmmaking. In fact, he is the reason I want to make films.
Was Amistad not overlooked or what?
Genious. Quite possibly the the most important thing to ever happen to filmmaking. In fact, he is the reason I want to make films.
Was Amistad not overlooked or what?
PurposeDriven
Well-known member
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
It was totally John. I agree with his importance and am with you on why I want to make films as well.
TheAmPro, EdWood rocked my world, as if you couldn't tell! ;D
It was totally John. I agree with his importance and am with you on why I want to make films as well.
TheAmPro, EdWood rocked my world, as if you couldn't tell! ;D
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
Genius or overrated? He can't be anything in between?
Genius or overrated? He can't be anything in between?
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
I think he's an overrated genious.
No single person can live up to his fame, let's think about it, who DOESN'T know spielberg? He's more famous than most actors, and is thought of as a film God.
Well, he IS that good. But he does bring about him an air that seems to be "out of this world" when people refer to him...
That said, Over-rated isnt the right word. Genious is...but I wouldn't go so far as to say he's perfect (though nobody here has, many people I know do). I normally end up speaking against him by the intense praise most people give him, most people who don't know the names (or films) of ANY other directors. The speaking against him, however, comes from the thought that he is "perfect". He isn't. But no filmmaker is.
Whether or not I would say he is my FAVOURITE director, or whether he is even the BEST director however, I would say that yes, he is
I think he's an overrated genious.
No single person can live up to his fame, let's think about it, who DOESN'T know spielberg? He's more famous than most actors, and is thought of as a film God.
Well, he IS that good. But he does bring about him an air that seems to be "out of this world" when people refer to him...
That said, Over-rated isnt the right word. Genious is...but I wouldn't go so far as to say he's perfect (though nobody here has, many people I know do). I normally end up speaking against him by the intense praise most people give him, most people who don't know the names (or films) of ANY other directors. The speaking against him, however, comes from the thought that he is "perfect". He isn't. But no filmmaker is.
Whether or not I would say he is my FAVOURITE director, or whether he is even the BEST director however, I would say that yes, he is
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
He's a childhood idol of mine. As I have matured and learned about the craft of filmmaking I have moved on to respect and love other directors bodies of work.
Im not a fanatic over Spielberg and do not necasarily think everything he touches is gold (in fact there are some films he does where I think: Dude, what were you thinking? Youre Spielberg). But he is most definatley my first FILMMAKING hero.
Jaws, Raiders, Close Encounters...
Not my favorite Director as used to be when I was this little naive child but still respectfully a God.
He's a childhood idol of mine. As I have matured and learned about the craft of filmmaking I have moved on to respect and love other directors bodies of work.
Im not a fanatic over Spielberg and do not necasarily think everything he touches is gold (in fact there are some films he does where I think: Dude, what were you thinking? Youre Spielberg). But he is most definatley my first FILMMAKING hero.
Jaws, Raiders, Close Encounters...
Not my favorite Director as used to be when I was this little naive child but still respectfully a God.
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
I gotcha. I agree, too. Hes DAMN GOOD. And I wasn't referring to you guys, I was just referring to his "image" of being a completely untouchable source of all things good. He is just a man, albeit one that KICKS ASS at filmmaking.
And, if you asked me, I *would* say that he was my favourite director.
I gotcha. I agree, too. Hes DAMN GOOD. And I wasn't referring to you guys, I was just referring to his "image" of being a completely untouchable source of all things good. He is just a man, albeit one that KICKS ASS at filmmaking.
And, if you asked me, I *would* say that he was my favourite director.
kai
After FX Guru
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
He is one of my definite favs... but I also don't fall into the "spielberg be thy name" camp, because I always realize he's just one piece of the pie in making those incredible films (granted a big piece). It's sure not him operating the cams, doing the post and audio, etc.... He can't do it alone.
He is one of my definite favs... but I also don't fall into the "spielberg be thy name" camp, because I always realize he's just one piece of the pie in making those incredible films (granted a big piece). It's sure not him operating the cams, doing the post and audio, etc.... He can't do it alone.
PurposeDriven
Well-known member
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
Don't worry. He is making The War of the Worlds, the remake of the H.G. Wells novel. So you can have your "Old Spielberg back" However. If you ever see the way he works, the way he can visualize exactly what he wants. The man, if he had to, I think could do any job involved in production. Post, that's different. I think he could tell the editor what goes where, just the operation would be done by the editor. Regardless, he has done almost every type of film, and there is nothing he can't do. People tend to compain about him being overrated because every kid knows spielberg, but does anyone know Christoper Nolan? Darren Aronofsky? David Fincher? (of course some of you will) But the point is, people tend to like the "underground" people, just like in music. You want to believe that you are one of the only people who know about them. With that said, Steven could still whip any director from start to finish on almost any film. Whatever he touches turns to gold, true, he has a tight nit crew, but he also has the mind to know exactly what he wants, and what he wants is the most creative thing in film. IMHO
Don't worry. He is making The War of the Worlds, the remake of the H.G. Wells novel. So you can have your "Old Spielberg back" However. If you ever see the way he works, the way he can visualize exactly what he wants. The man, if he had to, I think could do any job involved in production. Post, that's different. I think he could tell the editor what goes where, just the operation would be done by the editor. Regardless, he has done almost every type of film, and there is nothing he can't do. People tend to compain about him being overrated because every kid knows spielberg, but does anyone know Christoper Nolan? Darren Aronofsky? David Fincher? (of course some of you will) But the point is, people tend to like the "underground" people, just like in music. You want to believe that you are one of the only people who know about them. With that said, Steven could still whip any director from start to finish on almost any film. Whatever he touches turns to gold, true, he has a tight nit crew, but he also has the mind to know exactly what he wants, and what he wants is the most creative thing in film. IMHO
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
Spielberg is a visual master, no question. But on his most visually appealing movies, the stories and characters are generally pretty flat.
Case in point -- Private Ryan. The story was ludicrous, even if based on something vaguely true. Risking 8 highly-trained Rangers to save one infantryman? And the characters were ALL walking stereotypes -- the Italian kid, the Jewish kid, the Brooklyn smartass (who I heard went on to open a string of online electronics stores?), etc.. Not to mention the fairly corny dialogue and overly gushy bookends. Now, don't get me wrong -- I think pride in America is a good, and wrongfully eschewed, theme in cinema -- but I also think bookends are a weak narrative device.
That's just one movie. You can find recurring instances of it up and down his repertoire.
That's not to say I don't love a good number of his flicks, and he has penned some pretty rockin' scripts (Poltergeist, anyone?). And I wouldn't call him "overrated," because he delivers the goods. But I'm not ready to deify him just yet.
Spielberg is a visual master, no question. But on his most visually appealing movies, the stories and characters are generally pretty flat.
Case in point -- Private Ryan. The story was ludicrous, even if based on something vaguely true. Risking 8 highly-trained Rangers to save one infantryman? And the characters were ALL walking stereotypes -- the Italian kid, the Jewish kid, the Brooklyn smartass (who I heard went on to open a string of online electronics stores?), etc.. Not to mention the fairly corny dialogue and overly gushy bookends. Now, don't get me wrong -- I think pride in America is a good, and wrongfully eschewed, theme in cinema -- but I also think bookends are a weak narrative device.
That's just one movie. You can find recurring instances of it up and down his repertoire.
That's not to say I don't love a good number of his flicks, and he has penned some pretty rockin' scripts (Poltergeist, anyone?). And I wouldn't call him "overrated," because he delivers the goods. But I'm not ready to deify him just yet.
PurposeDriven
Well-known member
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
Nobody said the word deify, however, just becasue a movie didn't reach to you on a personal level that doesn't make it bad. I thought the movie was well done, should have won best picture now that you mention that film. Then he went on to Exec Produce Band of Brothers, which rocked the house and was better than Saving Private Ryan. They had the sterotypes as well, but the thing is, that's life. That's how it was, shouldn't expect all the kids from the old neigborhood to enlist and stay together. You got every kind of person, asian-americans, african americans, jews.... they all fought together, interwoven in their companies, platoons, and squads. Anywho, your opinion is a good one, because everybody gets one and is entitled to it, but I think most people who argue with his "greatness" may just be listing excuses just because we all like to argue, but we feel that he is a great director, the best there was/is and we respect him. Just want to give the man credit where credit is due.
**Fun Info**
Produced: 91 films
Directed: 44films
Writer: 13 films + misc. books and tv content
Editor: 9 films (including - Goonies and Poltergeist)
So take that with ya. All info was found on www.imdb.com
Nobody said the word deify, however, just becasue a movie didn't reach to you on a personal level that doesn't make it bad. I thought the movie was well done, should have won best picture now that you mention that film. Then he went on to Exec Produce Band of Brothers, which rocked the house and was better than Saving Private Ryan. They had the sterotypes as well, but the thing is, that's life. That's how it was, shouldn't expect all the kids from the old neigborhood to enlist and stay together. You got every kind of person, asian-americans, african americans, jews.... they all fought together, interwoven in their companies, platoons, and squads. Anywho, your opinion is a good one, because everybody gets one and is entitled to it, but I think most people who argue with his "greatness" may just be listing excuses just because we all like to argue, but we feel that he is a great director, the best there was/is and we respect him. Just want to give the man credit where credit is due.
**Fun Info**
Produced: 91 films
Directed: 44films
Writer: 13 films + misc. books and tv content
Editor: 9 films (including - Goonies and Poltergeist)
So take that with ya. All info was found on www.imdb.com
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
I like to watch films by Steven Spielberg , they fun, entertained, but call it genius work, is to strong. This is subjective, but none of his film pulling back, it's like a read good book, that you don't mind to read again, but had no impact on your life, or decitions you making. I still don't care about sharks ( living in Utah, may effect this also ), I don't belive in ET, and was disapoint with Delorian gone out of bussines.Today he is overrated and fans will make golden idol from almost any work he produce.
He is talanted,very good director, but not a genius.
I like to watch films by Steven Spielberg , they fun, entertained, but call it genius work, is to strong. This is subjective, but none of his film pulling back, it's like a read good book, that you don't mind to read again, but had no impact on your life, or decitions you making. I still don't care about sharks ( living in Utah, may effect this also ), I don't belive in ET, and was disapoint with Delorian gone out of bussines.Today he is overrated and fans will make golden idol from almost any work he produce.
He is talanted,very good director, but not a genius.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
WAR OF THE WORLDS will be epic but I (DARE I SAY...) I'd like to see another director tackle this one. As much as I love Steven (see above post) I want my War of the Worlds to be a serious scifi/horror/adventure and not RATED PG-13.
I pretty much agree with every take above. The older I get the less interested in Spielberg I seem to be; his films dont make me want to rush to the theatre anymore like in the old days when it was a "STEVEN SPIELBERG presents" situation.
We've talked about this before as well; INDY 4 is coming and I have a feelig ti will suck like LAST CRUSADE (think campy, silly and all fun and games) unlike the original RAIDERS which just plain ole kicked major ass.
I loved Privatre Ryan but would liked to have seen another story within this EPIC of WW2. Hell, just give me a WW2 film; I dont need the private being saved.
WAR OF THE WORLDS will be epic but I (DARE I SAY...) I'd like to see another director tackle this one. As much as I love Steven (see above post) I want my War of the Worlds to be a serious scifi/horror/adventure and not RATED PG-13.
I pretty much agree with every take above. The older I get the less interested in Spielberg I seem to be; his films dont make me want to rush to the theatre anymore like in the old days when it was a "STEVEN SPIELBERG presents" situation.
We've talked about this before as well; INDY 4 is coming and I have a feelig ti will suck like LAST CRUSADE (think campy, silly and all fun and games) unlike the original RAIDERS which just plain ole kicked major ass.
I loved Privatre Ryan but would liked to have seen another story within this EPIC of WW2. Hell, just give me a WW2 film; I dont need the private being saved.
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
I *liked* Private Ryan on a personal level; I was deconstructing it on an objective one (characterization, writing, etc.).
Spielberg had a lot to do with some of my most beloved movies (Raiders, Jurassic, Young Sherlock Holmes, Poltergeist, Jaws), and I give him all the props due. But he's first and foremost a popcorn flick maker, and his forays into the very serious don't quite have the visual magic in them that his others do (here, I'm thinking Color Purple, Amistad, and even List).
I *liked* Private Ryan on a personal level; I was deconstructing it on an objective one (characterization, writing, etc.).
Spielberg had a lot to do with some of my most beloved movies (Raiders, Jurassic, Young Sherlock Holmes, Poltergeist, Jaws), and I give him all the props due. But he's first and foremost a popcorn flick maker, and his forays into the very serious don't quite have the visual magic in them that his others do (here, I'm thinking Color Purple, Amistad, and even List).
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Re: Steven Spielberg - Genius or Overrated?
Well put Jubal.
Well put Jubal.