A Brief Update on All Things Spielberg

Steven Spielberg is a national treasure. I once argued that he is one the biggest cultural forces on the planet. The movies he made: "Jurassic Park", "Indiana Jones", "Saving Private Ryan" "Jaws, Schindler's List" are cultural landmarks for the entire world. Simply put he is one the world's most valuable creative minds. Of course, as I stated before, I'm a little terrified that he has single handily created the entire WWII narrative for the United States, but whatever, he introduced us to the velociraptor so who cares. Anyway, "the beard" as people call him has been absent from the screen as a director for about two years now. His last movie was "Indiana Jones & The Crystal Skull" which wasn't as evil as people make it out to be. But anyway, back to the point, Spielberg is coming back to movie theaters in a big way, so in order to prepare for what is coming, I've prepared this little guide for you.

War Horse

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, this is a period piece set during World War I. The film is coming out December 28th 2011, which means this bad boy is a straight Oscar contender. I'm excited about this one because Spielberg's period pieces usually deliver and it stars David Thewlis who is one of the world's most underrated actors. Audiences know him from his part playing Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter movies, but all this guy does it tear it up on screen.

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Spielberg has been working on this project with the other bearded film director: Peter Jackson for over two years now, and courtesy of EMPIRE magazine we have our first look at the film. Based off the beloved graphic novels, the film is the Spielberg's first "animated effort." It is being shot using Motion Capture (like Avatar) and will be in 3D. It could suck or it could be amazing, I'm more inclined for it to be good cause I read all the books as a kid.

Roboapocalypse

This is a movie about robots taking over the world and the humans trying to stop them. Let me rephrase that, giant big budget human vs robots combat directing by the guy who did "Jurassic Park" and "Saving Private Ryan." Let me rephrase that. This movie is going to be the shit. Coming in 2012, hopefully the world won't end before we see this.

Terra Nova Could Be The New Lost (Or Not?)

People are searching for something. Their TV enjoyment expired when 24 clicked down to zero. They closed their eyes to TV when "Lost" blinked and went off the air. Well, I'm here to let you know that "Terra Nova" could be that show that "Lost" fans need in their lives.

However, it could also be incredibly cheesy and lame, how bad, go rent the 2005 film "A Sound of Thunder" and you'll have a good idea. Either way it will be interesting television, I mean, I should know, I've read the script.

You'd think that something from the creative minds of Steven Spielberg, David Fury (Lost, 24), Brannon Braga (24, Flashforward), Jon Cassar (24), and Peter Chernin (Former head of Newscorp) would be a little more original. The simple plot focuses on a family who wins a lottery to go back in time, of course is time in this context means, wayyyyyyyyy back to Dinosaur area. The reason there is a lottery to go back in time is because in the future the Earth is resource depleted hellhole. Of course when the family arrives they learn that everything is not what it seems. If you're thinking Terra Nova is a lot like Pandora, you can join the ranks of everyone who is thinking the same thing.

The series will shoot in Australia and Jason O'Mara is already attached to play the lead. Other casting news is being kept under wraps but there are plenty of great roles including his wife, daughters, teenage son, and some interesting folks including a carbon copy clone of the general from Avatar. In fact the entire show is very in line with the classic Spielberg themes of family, science fiction, and cool as hell special effects.

O'Mara's character "Frank Taylor" is one that will connect with audiences. He's 1/3 loving dad, 1/3 noble hero, and 1/3 total badass who beats up velociraptors with his fists. And that's the thing, if there is going to be dinosaurs all over this thing and if they don't look realistic this show is just going to be another stupid CGI dino-fest, however if they look like raptors in the kitchen, t-rex toilet chomping dinosaurs than this might be new beginning for everyone who was looking for a replacement.

History Is Written By The Victors and Filmed By Steven Spielberg

Everything I know about World War II I learned from Steven Spielberg. This hard fact came to me last night when I was watching the new HBO mini-series "The Pacific" which was produced by Steven Spielberg. And while I can't say I can pick a better director to shape how we view history (Sorry Michael Bay, Pearl Harbor doesn't cut it), the fact that one person is shaping how we view such a huge part of history is a little unsettling.

One look at Spielberg's filmography reveals that he has had a hand in almost every great WWII film or mini-series. Here is the line up: 

Schindler's List (Director)

Saving Private Ryan (Director)

Band of Brothers (Producer)

Letters from Iwa Jima (Producer)

Flags of Our Fathers (Producer)

The Pacific (Producer)

That is one highly decorated list, encompassing over 10 Oscars,  Emmys, and Golden Globes combined. For someone like me who's first experience with WWII comes from stories from my grandfathers, the fact that the only "realistic" visual portrayals of WWII has come from one man is startling. When dealing with history it's crucial, at least for me, to learn all the sides of the story, something which is difficult to convey in a contained story, whether it's a film or a mini-series.

Considering that Steven Spielberg has only made democratic donations, it would be safe to assume that he is not completely neutral in the stories he tells, then again, no one is. Now, before all my readers think I've becoming Glen Beckinized, I'm just saying that the best history shows all perspectives. I realize that "Letters from Iwa Jima" focused on the Japanese, but that was only produced by him and it doesn't have the same visual and narrative style as "Brothers", "Pacific" or "Private Ryan."

As more WWII veterans pass on, our concepts of the war will now be defined by these films and mini-series. Kids these days are spending more time in front of screens and less time with books. As time goes on, these Spielberg stories will cease to be portrayal of the war, but rather THE portrayal of the war. As Churchill said "History is written by the victors," but in this day and age, all stories deserve to be told.

Paranormal Activity: Hype Worthy?

 

I might not make it to the screening tonight, I'm a little under the weather, and the line might be massive. What screening? The "Paranormal Activity" screening being held in Los Angeles (and other cities across the country) this evening. Directed by newcomer Oren Peli, the film which has been on the festival circuit for a while now, gets a limited release on Friday. Billed as haunted house thriller in the vein of "The Blair Witch Project," the film has been generating serious buzz from around the film spectrum including nerdy ass bloggers (who me?) and even Steven Spielberg.

There is a chance the film could suck harder the Phillies closer Brad Lidge's performance this season, yet I'm thinking, or you could say, I'm pondering that this movie is going to bring the scary thunder and the lightning for that matter. 

Michael Crichton And The Return Of Reading

The first thing I remember reading correctly was a road sign. I was cruising along in the backside of forrest green mini van when I spotted the sign, and everything just clicked into place. I thought to myself two things: 

1) That sign definitely says "SLOW."

2) Now that you can read, what do you do now?

Well the obvious answer was start reading books, not some children books, but some real deal books, the ones that are about as  thick as a diesel hamburger. At my brother's recommendation I dove into one author in particular: the legendary Michael Chrichton.

You name the book I read it. Congo, Sphere, Jurassic Park, Timeline, State of Fear, Prey, Next, Great Train Robbery, The Box Car Children, uh just kidding, don't know how that got in there.

So when awoke this morning to learn that he has one more book coming out after his death, I was excited. When I learned it's historical fiction about pirates (real deal pirates, not these wanna be young jacks in the Carribbean, old school parrot talking, plank walking, and eypatch rocking pirates) I was jazzed. The book comes out on November 24th, Spielberg is already talking about directing the feature adaptation. Time to enlist back in the high seas of literary adventure.

Happy Birthday Steven Spielberg

Today is Steven Spielberg's birthday and to honor him, I figured I would break down some of my favorite scenes in his repertoire.

1. Hungry Raptors Hit The Kitchen- This classic scene from "Jurassic Park" nearly made me urinate in my sweatpants when I saw this in the theater. When that raptor opens the door you know he's not there for Spaghettios, he's there to eat kids.

2. Kari-mah, Kar-MAH, KARI-MAH- Another scene that seriously damaged my mind as a child. From "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," this sequence had some wicked evillllllll (notice the extra letters to exclaim the point) Indian priest ripping out some poor guy's heart. What makes the whole thing bonkers is the guy is alive when it happens and that the Priest dude (a.k.a. the guy with the headdress) is chanting some crazy shit that still lives on in my nightmares.

3. Boooby Traps- As a child I was fascinated by the booby traps in the Indiana Jones movie, but "The Beard" outdoes them all in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" where Indy has to go through not one but three elaborate traps to get to the grail. You know the stakes are high when the young terrified nazi tries to go through and his head comes rolling out like a soccer ball. Of course, it's not problem for Indiana Jones.

4. Hiding in Public View- This often forgot film has a great chase scene when Tom Cruise evades capture by hiding behind the things he knows are going to happen. It has been more done more recently in some effect in the "Bourne" films, but first done here it's effective and exhilarating.

5. Dude Eaten Off Toilet- So fitting that the guy who's a huge ass in "Jurassic Park" get's eating while sitting on the toilet. A great way Steven takes a movie that had me melting in fear (and awe) at the dinosaurs and makes it just a little bit funny. (readers note, from now on I'm going to use this clip on the blog to show when things are awesome, stay tuned)