What is Steven Spielberg's best movie? (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

I just named Steven Spielberg as #53 on my list of 100 greatest Americans, so I thought this poll would be interesting.

I voted Schindler, though Jaws is pretty close for me.

 

[Hilts]

No option for AI?

 

[timschochet]

No option for AI?

Other. I didn't think that movie was very good.

 

[MaxThreshold]

It was a tough choice between Raiders and Saving Private Ryan, but SPR won out by a hair.

 

[Hilts]

No option for AI?

Other. I didn't think that movie was very good.

I agree it was lousy.

I'd say Jaws, ET, Raiders, Schindler's List, and Jurassic Park are all in his super elite tier.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Jaws...always have to watch whenever I see it on TV. Love the scene in the boat where they are trading stories about their scars.

 

[sbonomo]

That is a tough one because my favorite move (Saving Private Rryan) is different from what i think is his best movie (Schindlers List)

 

[audiophile]

This was an easy one since Raiders is the best movie of all time....

 

[Apple Jack]

Raiders.

 

[The Commish]

That is a tough one because my favorite move (Saving Private Rryan) is different from what i think is his best movie (Schindlers List)

this is me

 

[fantasycurse42]

I just named Steven Spielberg as #53 on my list of 100 greatest Americans, so I thought this poll would be interesting.

I voted Schindler, though Jaws is pretty close for me.

Tell me more about this list of Americans.

 

[Caesar]

I may be the only one who votes for it, and I am fine with that.

Amidst all the damn supehero movies, reboots, remakes, ROMCOMs, and other crap put out there over the last 5 years, Lincoln was like a shining beacon of light that there is still hope for quality film in America.

I loved Raiders, Jaws, E.T., and Shindler's List.... but there are a thousand other movies I enjoyed during the times those came out.

Lincoln, well, there are about 3. Going against the norm to make something compelling gets the nod for me. Even if it isn't his best movie, I wanted to make sure it got at least one vote.

 

[timschochet]

I just named Steven Spielberg as #53 on my list of 100 greatest Americans, so I thought this poll would be interesting.

I voted Schindler, though Jaws is pretty close for me.

Tell me more about this list of Americans.

See my thread.

 

[17seconds]

I voted Schindler, though Jaws is pretty close for me.

This for me too.

Saving Private Ryan is a very good movie, but overrated. The beginning is probably the greatest battle scene ever filmed, the rest of it is kind of a cheese-fest. Almost a Cameron Crowe movie.

 

[Han Solo]

Raiders for me...Indiana Jones reminds me of myself sometimes

 

[dparker713]

I went Jaws as its extremely engaging, eminently rewatchable and historically significant. Raiders is probably more pure fun, but its not as important. Schindler's is haunting filmmaking and his most important work.

 

[Dickies]

I voted Schindler, though Jaws is pretty close for me.

This for me too.

Saving Private Ryan is a very good movie, but overrated. The beginning is probably the greatest battle scene ever filmed, the rest of it is kind of a cheese-fest. Almost a Cameron Crowe movie.

Yea, but the opening battle scene was one of the few movie moments that had me

 

[Willie Neslon]

Jaws. Close Encounters close second. Raiders probably my favorite movie ever but it comes in third.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Raiders for me...Indiana Jones reminds me of myself sometimes

You realize he was completely superfluous to the story?

 

[Borden]

Voted Shinlders List but it think I prefer Saving Private Ryan.

 

[KarmaPolice]

That is a tough one because my favorite move (Saving Private Rryan) is different from what i think is his best movie (Schindlers List)

it shouldn't be tough- he asked what we think his best movie is.

 

[larch]

Duel

 

[Bonfire]

War Horse ...really?

 

[B-Deep]

man

tough

SPR ET Raiders....

 

[Buckychudd]

Obviously not a favorite, but I really loved Munich.

 

[eoMMan]

Other

 

[dparker713]

Raiders for me...Indiana Jones reminds me of myself sometimes

You realize he was completely superfluous to the story?

He's not there and the Nazi's would reclaim the Ark as eventually someone goes to check in on the expedition. Who knows what they figure out after that.

 

[gump]

While the Jaws theater experience was unique, my Raiders theater experience was my best ever. Went Raiders.

 

[RBM]

1 Saving Private Ryan

2 Schindler

3 Jaws

 

[Foosball God]

Close Encounters is being criminally underrated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4PYI6TzqYk

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

Went Raiders but damn there are some good films in there. Close Encounters probably grossly underrated among those.

 

[jonessed]

Went Raiders but damn there are some good films in there. Close Encounters probably grossly underrated among those.

Too old for a lot of people I suspect.

 

[Brony]

Close Encounters heinously underrated.

Did I do that right?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Raiders for me...Indiana Jones reminds me of myself sometimes

You realize he was completely superfluous to the story?

He's not there and the Nazi's would reclaim the Ark as eventually someone goes to check in on the expedition. Who knows what they figure out after that.

And it's a shallow criticism to begin with. It's not every story that a protagonist has to have direct bearing on the outcome.

The events in Jurassic Park would have unfolded the same with or without Dr Grant. He's not superfluous to the story.

The evens in SPR would have unfolded the same with or without Upham. He's not superfluous to the story.

Sometimes the hero drives the plot resolution, other times he drives the resolution. If it's the former, it doesn't mean he's irrelevant to the story.

In the case of Raiders, Indy might not have affected the outcome, but he certainly affected the path TO the outcome. And in the case of storytelling, the path is at least as important as the resolution.

Amy Farrah Fowler can get bent.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

For purposes of answering the poll, I can't pick between ET and Raiders. It's like asking me which of my children I love more.

Close Encounters is an utter bore.

 

[Foosball God]

For purposes of answering the poll, I can't pick between ET and Raiders. It's like asking me which of my children I love more.

Close Encounters is an utter bore.

 

[Hang 10]

Choosing between Raiders and Jaws is like asking me to choose between my children. I can't do it.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

For purposes of answering the poll, I can't pick between ET and Raiders. It's like asking me which of my children I love more.

Close Encounters is an utter bore.

I've tried. Really tried.But Neary is just a really unlikable guy, even if his wife is terrible. He still left his family to satisfy his obsession.

I get that it's Spielberg trying to reach catharsis in his own father leaving but it doesn't make for compelling viewing.

I found it a similar experience to Star Trek: The Motion(less) Picture.

The soundtrack is great though. I found it on vinyl the other day and was most pleased at that.

 

[dparker713]

Raiders for me...Indiana Jones reminds me of myself sometimes

You realize he was completely superfluous to the story?

He's not there and the Nazi's would reclaim the Ark as eventually someone goes to check in on the expedition. Who knows what they figure out after that.

And it's a shallow criticism to begin with. It's not every story that a protagonist has to have direct bearing on the outcome.

The events in Jurassic Park would have unfolded the same with or without Dr Grant. He's not superfluous to the story.

The evens in SPR would have unfolded the same with or without Upham. He's not superfluous to the story.

Sometimes the hero drives the plot resolution, other times he drives the resolution. If it's the former, it doesn't mean he's irrelevant to the story.

In the case of Raiders, Indy might not have affected the outcome, but he certainly affected the path TO the outcome. And in the case of storytelling, the path is at least as important as the resolution.

Amy Farrah Fowler can get bent.

They probably don't let go of the German that kills Miller without Upham being there.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Raiders for me...Indiana Jones reminds me of myself sometimes

You realize he was completely superfluous to the story?

He's not there and the Nazi's would reclaim the Ark as eventually someone goes to check in on the expedition. Who knows what they figure out after that.

And it's a shallow criticism to begin with. It's not every story that a protagonist has to have direct bearing on the outcome.The events in Jurassic Park would have unfolded the same with or without Dr Grant. He's not superfluous to the story.

The evens in SPR would have unfolded the same with or without Upham. He's not superfluous to the story.

Sometimes the hero drives the plot resolution, other times he drives the resolution. If it's the former, it doesn't mean he's irrelevant to the story.

In the case of Raiders, Indy might not have affected the outcome, but he certainly affected the path TO the outcome. And in the case of storytelling, the path is at least as important as the resolution.

Amy Farrah Fowler can get bent.

Without Indy they probably never even find the ark.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Without Indy, they find Marion (even if they don't follow Indy to her), kill her, take the headpiece and march right to the Ark's location.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I think his best movies are Schindlers List, Jaws, and Munich.

IMO the best not listed is Minority Report.

War Horse is horrible.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Without Indy, they find Marion (even if they don't follow Indy to her), kill her, take the headpiece and march right to the Ark's location.

They weren't looking for Marion. They were looking for Abner. Nazis are stupid, they may never have found her.

 

[timschochet]

Andy I can't believe you're comparing Close Encounters to Star Trek I.

Close Encounters is the quintessential Spielberg movie. If most moviegoers of a certain age watched that film for the first time without any credits, they would immediately say, "This is a Spielberg movie." Everything about it has that epic feel that he is so well known for, and which very few other filmmakers are able to achieve.

KP, I never saw Minority Report; I didn't hear good things. Now I guess I'll have to see it. But I really liked War Horse, especially the early scenes in Britain. I thought it was a really good movie.

 

[Todem]

My top 5. And it's tough as he has made numerous great films.

1) Jaws

2) Raiders Of The Lost Ark

3) Schindlers List

4) Saving Private Ryan

5) Munich

I adore Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and Jurassic Park as well. But those 5 really have stuck for me. Especially the top 3. ET is also another fantastic movie.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Without Indy, they find Marion (even if they don't follow Indy to her), kill her, take the headpiece and march right to the Ark's location.

They weren't looking for Marion. They were looking for Abner. Nazis are stupid, they may never have found her.

After they find out Abner's dead, they'd pursue and find Marion.Nazi's are crazy. Not stupid.

Indy couldn't have immediately known where she was - they hadn't spoken in years. If he could find her so could Toht.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Without Indy, they find Marion (even if they don't follow Indy to her), kill her, take the headpiece and march right to the Ark's location.

They weren't looking for Marion. They were looking for Abner. Nazis are stupid, they may never have found her.

After they find out Abner's dead, they'd pursue and find Marion.Nazi's are crazy. Not stupid.

Indy couldn't have immediately known where she was - they hadn't spoken in years. If he could find her so could Toht.

I suppose. But that would be a boring movie.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Without Indy, they find Marion (even if they don't follow Indy to her), kill her, take the headpiece and march right to the Ark's location.

They weren't looking for Marion. They were looking for Abner. Nazis are stupid, they may never have found her.

After they find out Abner's dead, they'd pursue and find Marion.Nazi's are crazy. Not stupid.

Indy couldn't have immediately known where she was - they hadn't spoken in years. If he could find her so could Toht.

I suppose. But that would be a boring movie.

That's my point. Without Indy there's not much of a story at all.Amy Fowler clearly doesn't like fun.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Andy I can't believe you're comparing Close Encounters to Star Trek I.

Close Encounters is the quintessential Spielberg movie. If most moviegoers of a certain age watched that film for the first time without any credits, they would immediately say, "This is a Spielberg movie." Everything about it has that epic feel that he is so well known for, and which very few other filmmakers are able to achieve.

KP, I never saw Minority Report; I didn't hear good things. Now I guess I'll have to see it. But I really liked War Horse, especially the early scenes in Britain. I thought it was a really good movie.

I estimate the number of wrong things in this post at about five.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Andy I can't believe you're comparing Close Encounters to Star Trek I.

Close Encounters is the quintessential Spielberg movie. If most moviegoers of a certain age watched that film for the first time without any credits, they would immediately say, "This is a Spielberg movie." Everything about it has that epic feel that he is so well known for, and which very few other filmmakers are able to achieve.

KP, I never saw Minority Report; I didn't hear good things. Now I guess I'll have to see it. But I really liked War Horse, especially the early scenes in Britain. I thought it was a really good movie.

Minority Report does break down a bit in the 3rd act, and people do tend to reject Cruise movies because of his personality a bit too. I just really appreciated the amount of detail and attempt to be realistic with the tech and science. Overall I thought it was one of the best sci-fi movies of the past 15 years or so.

Imo War Horse is Spielberg at his sentimental, gooey worst. Usually don't like that side of him in his movies as he tends to lay it on too thick.