The Top 10 Steven Spielberg Flicks
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Written by: Doug Kelker
Steven Spielberg is one of the most successful film directors in Hollywood history. Mr. Spielberg has won two Best Director and two Best Picture Academy Awards. His name is linked to numerous box-office successes as a producer or a director. Mr. Spielberg's films often unite style with substance; he uses pioneering technology to present a good story. The following is a chronologically arranged list of Steven Spielberg's 10 best films in which he sat in the director's chair. |
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| 1. |
Jaws (1975)
This is what a modern horror movie should want to be. A vicious human-eating shark produces more tension than the stale homicidal-maniac-with-narcolepsy plotlines. Mr. Spielberg's directing makes you hate the shark for obeying its instincts, and you feel sympathy for the victims. . |
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| 2. |
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977)
Richard Dreyfuss plays an electrician who sees a UFO, and it changes his life. The special effects were groundbreaking at the time of its release. Moviegoers should check this one out if they are tired of seeing aliens depicted as a threat to humanity. |
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| 3. |
Indiana Jones Trilogy (1981, 1984, 1989)
Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Indiana Jones, the only movie character who can make archeology look exciting. In all three films, the action doesn't stop once it starts. This is one of the best film trilogies ever made. |
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| 4. |
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Young Elliot Taylor meets a lost alien botanist with the power to heal. Here we have another Spielberg film about benevolent aliens, but this one was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. E.T. was the highest-grossing film of all time when it was first released. |
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| 5. |
The Color Purple (1985)
Whoopi Goldberg makes her film debut as Celie, a young black woman living in the early 20th century. Her race, her gender, and the time period interact to make Celie's life turbulent. This film also garnered a Best Picture nomination. |
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| 6. |
Empire Of The Sun (1987)
Christian Bale makes an impressive breakthrough performance as Jim Graham, the son of a British aristocrat. The Japanese capture Jim during their invasion of Shanghai during the start of WWII. The young lad's determination to survive and be united with his parents is inspirational. |
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| 7. |
Always (1989)
This forgotten gem stars Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter and John Goodman. Pete Sandich (Dreyfuss) is a daredevil firefighting pilot who dies saving his best friend. Unseen and unheard, Pete's spirit must find a way to console his grieving love. | |
| 8. |
Jurassic Park (1993)
Mr. Spielberg revolutionized filmmaking technology with computer-generated and animatronic dinosaurs. JP was also successful in the box office, grossing over $900 million worldwide. As far as a sci-fi suspense film goes, JP is intense but not graphically violent. |
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| 9. |
Schindler's List (1993)
Nazi, profiteer and womanizer, Oskar Schindler saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. List is one of the undisputed best movies of the '90s; it's nearly impossible to watch it without being emotionally moved by it. Due to its sensitive content and 3-hour runtime, this one is difficult to watch. |
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| 10. |
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
This is Mr. Spielberg's most violent film to date, but it's also one of my favorites of his. It explores serious war issues, such as risking a group of soldiers' lives for an unjustified cause. Saving is not only an outstanding Spielberg movie; it's also an example of film excellence in the war genre.Also, check out Amistad (mutiny on a slave ship), Hook (a twist on the Peter Pan story), and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (says something about the definition of humanity). Finally, keep an eye out for Mr. Spielberg's newest film, Catch Me if You Can, due out on Christmas Day, 2002. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a con artist, and Tom Hanks plays the FBI agent on his trail. Don't forget to check out Film Frat's Steven Spielberg Top 10 poster store. For buying info on any of the Top 10 Spielberg films, click on the images above. Did we overlook your favorite Spielberg flick? Drop us a line and tell us which selections you agreed with, and which classic Spielberg you think we missed. |
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