Richard Donner is loved but underrated as well.

[Kevin Roegele]

I love Donner. He is one of my favorite directors. He's very unique and doesn't repeat himself yet still manages to make very "Hollywood" movies. Some of his movies like The Omen, Superman, Goonies, Lethal Weapon series, and Maverick are classics! Yet sometimes he doesn't get the respect his deserves. Example: How come he has never been nominated for an Oscar? How come in those AFI lists his movies are barely listed?

Richard Donner can do anything. How many directors have done a classic superhero movie, a classic horror movie and a classic action movie? He can do any genre. He even makes good sequels-!

 

[chamber-music]

For the Goonies alone I would give Donner an Oscar. But really Oscars don't really mean that much. As soon as some actors win them it pretty much signals the end of their careers.

 

[Catman]

I didn't know he directed Timeline!

We try to forget that movie.

How many directors have done a classic superhero movie, a classic horror movie and a classic action movie?

And don't forget classic family film (The Goonies). And don't forget all the classic TV shows he has directed. Wanted: Dead or Alive (the Steve McQueen series), The Rifleman, The Twilight Zone, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Gilligan's Island, Perry Mason, Get Smart, The Fugitive, Wild Wild West, Danger Island segment on Hanna-Barbara's Banana Splits Hour, and Kojak!

As soon as some actors win them it pretty much signals the end of their careers.

"some" is the keyword. Robert De Niro won his first Oscar in 1974! And he went on to have amazing success for the next 20 yrs. Heck, he's still having success with those Meet the Parents movies. And look at Tom Hanks. Still making great movies and great performances. Dustin Hoffman is another good example. Gene Hackman. I think what you said is a bad myth. The list of actors whose career hasn't been affected by an Oscar is HUGE!

 

[Furious Styles]

Conspiracy Theory starring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts has always been one of those hidden gems that I absolutely love!

 

[chamber-music]

"some" is the keyword. Robert De Niro won his first Oscar in 1974! And he went on to have amazing success for the next 20 yrs. Heck, he's still having success with those Meet the Parents movies. And look at Tom Hanks. Still making great movies and great performances. Dustin Hoffman is another good example. Gene Hackman. I think what you said is a bad myth. The list of actors whose career hasn't been affected by an Oscar is HUGE!

Yeah thats why I said 'Some' actors. Some people think if people an actor wins an oscar they have got it made, I was just pointing out that some actors who have won haven't gone on to have more success. I know lots of actors who have won are gone on to be even more successful.

 

[Catman]

Conspiracy Theory starring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts has always been one of those hidden gems that I absolutely love!

I didn't like it. A non-Lethal Weapon collaboration I really love is Maverick. We all know Mel Gibson is a badass. We've seen Mad Max, Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, etc but he never gets enough credit as a comedic actor. Gibson was just fantastic in that movie. He was really, really funny. And, Donner did a great job directing the film. He combined his TV western experience with a cinematic feel. Its just a great movie.

 

[Cinemaman]

He is really a great filmmaker, I loved Superman'78 and The Omen

 

[Gonking]

For the Goonies alone I would give Donner an Oscar. But really Oscars don't really mean that much. As soon as some actors win them it pretty much signals the end of their careers.

you are joking, right?
Shindler's List deserved an Oscar, not The Goonies, Forrest Gump deserved a oscar, not The Omen, The Lord of the Rings deserved an Oscar, not Superman, The Godfather deserved an Oscar, not Lethal Weapon.

Donner is just an average director.

 

[Backdrifter]

Donner really is not that great of a filmmaker. I don't know why all you people are fussing about him.

Superman was only good because of Reeve and John Williams.

And, I am saddened by the person who comared Lethal Weapon to Indiana Jones. Please, never do that again.

Donner is mediocre at best. At best.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

he is the luckiest sob alive, the guy worked on the omen and superman, both movies that have been repeated linked with curses yet nothing happens to him lol

 

[Speedball]

We try to forget that movie.

Well... I liked it.

 

[L0ngsh0t]

I love Donner. He is one of my favorite directors. He's very unique and doesn't repeat himself yet still manages to make very "Hollywood" movies. Some of his movies like The Omen, Superman, Goonies, Lethal Weapon series, and Maverick are classics! Yet sometimes he doesn't get the respect his deserves. Example: How come he has never been nominated for an Oscar? How come in those AFI lists his movies are barely listed?

Outside of Lethal Weapon's (and even some of those) I think most of his movies are average at best...but that is just me, but wanna know why AFI doesn't have his movies listed? Cause AFI simpley does not know movies, most of their movies are so outdated and boring, and all AFI is, is a group of peoples opinions, and everyone wants their opinion to be better than the next person...I would probably also not put any of those movies in my top 100 (maybe Lethal Weapon) ether, but its all just opinion so I wouldn't get to bent out of shape if AFI doesn't have any of his movies, and he happens to be your favorite

 

[Steelsheen]

I thought Ladyhawke was the movie everyone hated cause of the crappy Alan Parson Project music

well, as to why they didnt opt to use classic-style soundtrack we may never know, but other than that its the first Fantasy movie that any fantasy geek can be proud of . for a good long while the genre was lead by sci-fi related efforts (Star Trek, Star Wars etc), finally something came out for fantasy lovers-- The Neverending Story (which was more targeted for kids) and LadyHawke. but none seem to reach the kind of level achieved by sci-fi endeavors until LOTR came around.

A non-Lethal Weapon collaboration I really love is Maverick. We all know Mel Gibson is a badass. We've seen Mad Max, Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, etc but he never gets enough credit as a comedic actor. Gibson was just fantastic in that movie. He was really, really funny. And, Donner did a great job directing the film. He combined his TV western experience with a cinematic feel. Its just a great movie.

yeah i loved that film too. and its a great homage to the original TV series lead by James Garner himself. i think that's the winning way to get the original actor who played the character involved in the new movie. friggin brilliant.

 

[The Kid]

Donner really is not that great of a filmmaker. I don't know why all you people are fussing about him.

Superman was only good because of Reeve and John Williams.

And, I am saddened by the person who comared Lethal Weapon to Indiana Jones. Please, never do that again.

Donner is mediocre at best. At best.

Well that's not the point of the thread. The point is to show how underrated he is. Which is true.

And that's a load of bull pudding and you know it. Donner's competence is what kept superman in order since he actually grew up reading the comics.

 

[Catman]

Forrest Gump deserved a oscar

Most people would say that Pulp Fiction was better than Forrest Gump.

Superman was only good because of Reeve and John Williams.

So, by your theory...Superman III and IV are amazing films?!

Donner's competence is what kept superman in order

Exactly. Also, the haters need to understand something! Movies serves two purposes. One is to reflect our world. You know...something that we can relate with and has some sort of a message. The other purpose is just pure entertainment. Donner is one of the top 5 greatest entertainment directors. This man has made movies that are extremely fun and allow you to escape your problems for two hours! A director like that should deserves as much respect as a director who does the other type of films.

 

[Jochimus]

Well that's not the point of the thread. The point is to show how underrated he is. Which is true.

And that's a load of bull pudding and you know it. Donner's competence is what kept superman in order since he actually grew up reading the comics.

You forgot to point out that between "The Omen", "Superman", "The Goonies" and the "Lethal Weapon" movies, Donner's level of 'mediocrity' has sold a sh**load of tickets.

 

[Backdrifter]

lol.

and ticket sales equate quality in cinema?

donner makes fluff. and his "good" movies are nothing but mediocre films standing next to movies that are actually of some quality.

and the rest of his stuff is crap. timeline? assassins? 16 blocks? the toy?

come on, the guy had two average movies. this is pathetic.

 

[chamber-music]

you are joking, right?
Shindler's List deserved an Oscar, not The Goonies, Forrest Gump deserved a oscar, not The Omen, The Lord of the Rings deserved an Oscar, not Superman, The Godfather deserved an Oscar, not Lethal Weapon.

Donner is just an average director.

I didn't mean literally. Goonies is one of my favourite childhood movies I was just showing my enthusiasm for the movie. Don't take things so searious. Also there is nothing wrong with popcorn flicks like lethal weapon, superman and others. You sound like a movie snob.

Movies like Lethal Weapon, The Omen, Superman influenced the film genre in many ways. Look out how many buddy cop movies came rolling out of hollywood after lethal weapon.

 

[Gonking]

lol.

and ticket sales equate quality in cinema?

donner makes fluff. and his "good" movies are nothing but mediocre films standing next to movies that are actually of some quality.

and the rest of his stuff is crap. timeline? assassins? 16 blocks? the toy?

come on, the guy had two average movies. this is pathetic.

ditto

 

[Gonking]

lol.

and ticket sales equate quality in cinema?

donner makes fluff. and his "good" movies are nothing but mediocre films standing next to movies that are actually of some quality.

and the rest of his stuff is crap. timeline? assassins? 16 blocks? the toy?

come on, the guy had two average movies. this is pathetic.

double post

 

[Caliber]

Hes a good director. Lethal Weapon is great as is the whole series. 16 Blocks is good as well.

 

[Catman]

the guy had two average movies. this is pathetic.

The Omen = Great horror film
Superman = One of the greatest superhero films and the template for all others.
Ladyhawke = Very entertaining fantasy film
The Goonies = Great family film
Lethal Weapon = In my opinion the best action film ever made!
Lethal Weapon 2 = Great action film. Great sequel.
Lethal Weapon 3 = Really fun action film
Maverick = Great comedy western
Lethal Weapon 4 = Another fun action film
16 Blocks = Entertaining 'Gauntlet' rip-off

But...too each his own.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

I've always found The Omen superior in every way to The Exorcist. In fact, I think it's my favourite ever horror movie.

Superman, simply the best superhero movie ever, and as Catman said, created the rules for a new genre. Watch Spider-Man and you're seeing the template of Donner's Superman.

The Lethal Weapon flicks are simply extremely entertaining films. Even though the quality declined, the fun didn't. Lethal Weapon is one of the great action movies.

Actually, even though it's 1am here, I'm going to watch Lethal Weapon 2 just because it's so damn good.

 

[The Chairman]

I've always found The Omen superior in every way to The Exorcist. In fact, I think it's my favourite ever horror movie.

I've never seen The Exorcist, but I agree with you that it's my favorite horror movie. Besides, everything I've seen in The Exorcist seems comical or there jusr for shock these days, but The Omen always sends chills down my spine whenever I watch it, partly because it Donner and those who made the film actually based a lot of the plot off of the actual Biblical accounts.

And yes, the Lethal Weapon films rule. I hate to admit, but I think 4 is my favorite, though. It's the weakest in terms of quality, but I have the most fun when I watch it. Personally, I think the first one is the weakest, although quality-wise, it's probably the best.

 

[Catman]

The Lethal Weapon flicks are simply extremely entertaining films. Even though the quality declined, the fun didn't.

Exactly! Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2 are the only great films in the franchise but Lethal 3 & 4 are still a lot of fun to watch.