Spielberg to Direct Autobiographical Childhood Film

[Kane52630]

Saw it over the weekend, I thought it started off way too sentimental and too busy declaring "CINEMA IS IMPORTANT" but it got so much better as it went along. The entire 3rd act was Spielberg doing his version of a John Hughes movie and it worked. The final shot of this was incredibly cheeky and great.

 

[samsnee]

Unfortunately this is a financial flop. There was hardly any marketing for it, and the only trailer wasn’t great. Too many shots of people staring in awe at a screen and Michelle Williams creepy haircut.

 

[Kane52630]

Not really, it's got the typical Oscar slow release. It's only showing at 600 theaters and I'm sure it'll go even wider by Christmas time.

 

[Prison Mike]

I read it will be on PVOD very soon…like next week.

 

[GothamCity]

Thats indeed really fast.

 

[Drizzle]

I watched this last night. IMO this was Spielberg's best since Saving Private Ryan and I feel guilty about watching it at home since it hasn't done well at the box office at all. I guess they still got my $20 regardless but it's a shame that this and West Side Story stumbled so hard at the box office since they're some of Spielberg's best work in years.

 

[-Arya-]

I’d say this was Spielberg’s best since A.I. (though you can make an argument since Saving Private Ryan) and my favorite movie of the year. An easy 10/10 for me.

 

[Drizzle]

I’d say this was Spielberg’s best since A.I. (though you can make an argument since Saving Private Ryan) and my favorite movie of the year. An easy 10/10 for me.

Spoiler

Your avatar's cameo was legendary.

 

[J.Drangal]

I was a little surprised to read that some people were coming back from the theater to see this movie, even more so that it was available on VOD. I saw strictly no marketing for it.
I now realize that the film will, in fact, only be released here in Europe next January and February. I find it weird that there is such a gap with the American release. It's something you could see a decade ago but not really anymore.
It's a foregone conclusion that the film will flop. Borders between countries don't really exist when it comes to VOD, so the fact that it's available somewhere, 2 months before a national release elsewhere...

 

[-Arya-]

Spoiler

Your avatar's cameo was legendary.

I knew it would happen but I still was smiling uncontrollably.

 

[Prison Mike]

This movie was pretty boring IMO. Dano and Williams gave great performances but I just didn’t care for the story.

 

[GothamCity]

This movie was pretty boring IMO. Dano and Williams gave great performances but I just didn’t care for the story.

I thought the same, it was boring. Glossy drama, its really one of his weaker films.

 

[-Arya-]

I thought the same, it was boring. Glossy drama, its really one of his weaker films.

It’s weird, I felt this way about West Side Story. I guess that’s the thing with prolific directors like Spielberg and Scorsese. They cover such a wide array of genres, so some things will work for people and others won’t.

 

[GothamCity]

It’s weird, I felt this way about West Side Story. I guess that’s the thing with prolific directors like Spielberg and Scorsese. They cover such a wide array of genres, so some things work and others don’t.

I didnt even watch WSS because i'am not interested in musical films, but could imagine it works perfect with Spielbergs sometimes glossy drama.

 

[scarlet-witch]

Paul Dano was excellent in this, but I hated Michelle Williams and that's a sentence that never comes out of my mouth. I fully acknowledge that I am being a little petty because the wig they have on her in this film is OFFENSIVE, but she's so over the top compared to everyone else. She's in a 40's screwball comedy while everyone else is mostly playing it straight. I do not understand how she's getting nominated for awards for this performance.

 

[-Arya-]

I didnt even watch WSS because i'am not interested in musical films, but could imagine it works perfect with Spielbergs sometimes glossy drama.

What’s the last Spielberg movie you liked?

 

[GothamCity]

What’s the last Spielberg movie you liked?

I like

Minority Report

The Terminal

Munich

War of the Worlds

Think those are my favorite Spielberg films.

 

[-Arya-]

I like

Minority Report

The Terminal

Munich

War of the Worlds

Think those are my favorite Spielberg films.

See for me War of the Worlds, The Terminal and Munich are some of his weakest. It all comes down to preference.

 

[GothamCity]

See for me War of the Worlds, The Terminal and Munich are some of his weakest. It all comes down to preference.

Yeah thats true. Most of his really well known films arent my favorites somehow.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Is this worth spending $20 on? my local theater wasn't playing it, and i do want to watch, but that's still a chunk of money.

 

[Drizzle]

Is this worth spending $20 on? my local theater wasn't playing it, and i do want to watch, but that's still a chunk of money.

I'd say yes. Movie tickets by me average around $10-15 depending on if it's a matinee or not. Factoring in the additional $15 or so for popcorn and soda and I ended up saving money by renting it on VOD.

 

[Ninjablade]

Paul Dano was excellent in this, but I hated Michelle Williams and that's a sentence that never comes out of my mouth. I fully acknowledge that I am being a little petty because the wig they have on her in this film is OFFENSIVE, but she's so over the top compared to everyone else. She's in a 40's screwball comedy while everyone else is mostly playing it straight. I do not understand how she's getting nominated for awards for this performance.

While I think some of the OTT is meant to be intentional given some of what the film was dealing with, I totally agree. She was my least favorite performance in the film, and felt completely out of place.

I’d say this was Spielberg’s best since A.I. (though you can make an argument since Saving Private Ryan) and my favorite movie of the year. An easy 10/10 for me.

Same here, by far and away my favorite of the year. Have seen in a few times now, and I find it incredibly emotionally rich. Was very surprised by how moved I was.

 

[Drizzle]

I got kind of annoyed by Williams's character at various points during the film but I figured that was done purposely. Dano was brilliant and I know he's 38 but he just has such a babyface that it took a little while for me to buy him as the father of a teenager.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Paul Dano was excellent in this, but I hated Michelle Williams and that's a sentence that never comes out of my mouth. I fully acknowledge that I am being a little petty because the wig they have on her in this film is OFFENSIVE, but she's so over the top compared to everyone else. She's in a 40's screwball comedy while everyone else is mostly playing it straight. I do not understand how she's getting nominated for awards for this performance.

I think you may just hate Spielberg’s actual mom lol

 

[Gothamsknight]

This was okay, but I don't think it's among Spielbergs best and Michelle Williams was very miscast here to the point where she cringey, especially in the first half. Overall, it's okay, it but I wouldn't put it near Minority Report, Catch me If You Can, Lincoln or even War of The Worlds.