Welcome back to my Spotlight on the films directed by Steven Spielberg.
Last post we had just entered the 80’s so lets see if we can finish up that awesome decade.
TWILIGHT ZONE the MOVIE
Released: 1983
Starring: Dan Ackroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, John Lithgow
Plot: Four directors team up to tell 4 different stories in the vein of the classic TV show Twilight Zone. Spielberg directs segment #2 which is a remake of the episode ‘Kick the Can’, which involves the residents of an old folks home who encounter a new resident who promises them something no one of this Earth could possibly give them.
For: The performances are very good. Some really sweet moments that aren’t too smaltzy.
Against: Pretty boring and overshadowed by the other segments, especially #4, the Gremlin.
Favourite Scene: Don’t really have one from his segment. Lithgow’s first visual of the gremlin in #4
Rating: Steven’s segment – 1 Luke, Film – 2.5 Lukes
INDIANA JONES and the TEMPLE of DOOM
Released: 1984
Starring: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Amrish Puri
Plot: The second installment in the Indiana Jones story (but occurring before the events of Raiders), Temple of Doom sees Dr Jones aiding a desperate Indian village retrieve their children and sacred stones from an evil Thuggee cult.
For: Darker than the other installments, Temple of Doom sees a drug controlled Indiana attempt to sacrifice his love interest and slap his young side kick around. It also has a great villain in the form of cult leader Mola Ram
Against: Wille Scot – ’nuff said.
Favourite Scene: The minecart chase
Rating: 4 Lukes
THE COLOR PURPLE
Released: 1985
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey
Plot: The life and trials of a young African American woman named Celie, growing up in the early 1900’s. Impregnated by her father at 14, beaten by her husband and generally treated like crap all of her life.
For: Every single actor in this film brings their A game, including an excellent Oprah Winfrey.
Against: Sometimes too depressing. With the amount of crap Celia goes through its amazing she doesn’t become a serial killer.
Favourite Scene: Celia stands up to her piece of shit husband
Rating: 3 Lukes
EMPIRE OF THE SUN
Released: 1987
Starring: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson
Plot: A young English boy is separated from his parents and struggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II.
For: Great cinematography by Allen Daviau. Moving story. Christian Bale’s brilliant debut.
Against: Can’t think of anything at the moment
Favourite Scene: Jim saluting the Japanese pilots as he watches them prepare for take off.
Rating: 4 Lukes
INDIANA JONES and the LAST CRUSADE
Released: 1989
Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery
Plot: When Dr. Henry Jones Sr. suddenly goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, eminent archaeologist Indiana Jones must follow in his father’s footsteps in order to rescue him and find the Grail before the Nazis do.
For: Connery as Jones Snr is genius. The origin of Indiana’s name, scar, aversion to snakes & outfit.’He chose, poorly.’
Against: Elsa is quite clearly a baddie from the moment she appears. Other than that, nothing.
Favourite Scene: The entire young Indiana sequence.
Rating: 4 Lukes
