AndyDursin wrote:well made but overly "clinical" and has the world's most awkward, pointless sex scene
Uncle Steve has never been especially assured when it comes to depictions of adult sexuality in his films...to this day, his films take a sheepish, adolescent approach to sex. As brilliant as I think Munich is, the awkward crosscutting between Eric Bana and his wife with the killing of the Olympic athletes stands as the one disastrous misstep Spielberg makes. I kind of understand what he was getting at, but it's just unintentionally amusing at exactly the wrong moment.
Offhand, I can't think of a major filmmaker less interested in sex than Spielberg...he barely even ogled his future wife Kate Capshaw with his camera in Temple Of Doom!
Night Gallery "Eyes" B
Early 70s TV work (Columbo, Name of the Game, etc) A
Duel A
Sugarland Express A-
Jaws A+
Close Encounters A+
1941 D+ (An example of Spielberg completely belly-flopping)
Raiders of the Lost Ark A
E.T. A+
Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom C+ (this one really does not hold up for repeat viewings - it has some great visuals and some real groaners too)
Amazing Stories "Ghost Train" F
Amazing Stories "The Mission" B (this is actually the first example of Spielberg totally ruining a great piece with a hackneyed, sentimental ending)
Color Purple D+ (An early Oscar Bait attempt that horrifically backfired)
Empire of the Sun C+ (Beautifully shot, but Spielberg badly misunderstood his source material, including getting the key image of the story way wrong)
Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade B- (this one has gotten better with repeat viewings - when I first saw it, it looked like a rush job)
Always C- (I would call this Oscar Bait, but it doesn't really work even as that)
Hook D- (its only saving grace is the early material with Robin Williams before we get into gooey hell)
Jurassic Park B (I agree with Andy on this one - it's good, but not at his earlier level. A few great trick shots doesn't undo missing the best stuff from the book)
Schindler's List B+ (again, ruined by a misjudged final 10 minutes. It coulda been a classic, too...)
The Lost World D (a few good moments here and there can't save this one, but I did enjoy the compys for two scenes)
Amistad C-
Saving Private Ryan A- (another one undone by that final few minutes. Had they ended it with the bridge sequence, it might have been a classic.)
A.I. A-
Minority Report B
Catch Me If You Can C+
The Terminal C+
War of the Worlds B
Munich A-
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull F
Tintin C
War Horse C
Lincoln B
Bridge of Spies B
I'm a tougher grader than you guys, methinks.
I oughta have counted more off overall as punishment for what Amazing Stories did to the other directors that came in. I mean, could anyone recognize the work of Scorcese or Eastwood in that mess?
I think you were robbed of the opportunity to see this entry into the "Spielberg-Rylance" collaboration. Perhaps it was for the best, as it was finally directed by acclaimed Italian director Marco Bellochio:
Who may be one step away from legendary Porn director, Max Bellochio, or FSM poster at large.
As brilliant as I think Munich is, the awkward crosscutting between Eric Bana and his wife with the killing of the Olympic athletes stands as the one disastrous misstep Spielberg makes. I kind of understand what he was getting at, but it's just unintentionally amusing at exactly the wrong moment. 
