Spielberg’s 1987 War Against Movies

Spielberg’s 1987 War Against Movies

SPIELBERG vs MOVIES… IN 1987

“I think we’ve partially lost something that we now have to reclaim.  I think it’s time to renew our romance with the word.” –Steven Spielberg, speaking to Hollywood in 1987.

Opening & closing shots from Spielberg’s 1987 film Empire Of The Sun..

• Opening shot of caskets…floating in the water.
• Closing shot of a case containing things important to a 12 year-old …floating in the water.

Spielberg’s Other Wars

SPIELBERG vs TELEVISION

• Quickly becoming Hollywood’s new king with three blockbusters in 1975, 1977, and 1981.
• June 1982.  Will churches ever phone home? 
• Numerous movie similarities between 1982 and 1993.

SPIELBERG vs A FAITHLESS TEENAGER

• After his 1987 war against movies and what’s important to a 12 year-old, he directs a blockbuster sequel released in theaters during the summer before a 14 year-old’s freshman year in high school.
• A blockbuster sequel, whose last 40 minutes would be viewed multiple times via VCR by a faithless teenager.

John Williams (1989) & the faith of a 14 year-old…or the lack thereof.

• • • • • • • • A clueless teenager and the last 40 minutes of 1989’s Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade.
              • A faithless teenager and the tragedy of 1989’s Born On The Fourth Of July.  (Or to put it another way, Murphy’s Law and a faithless teenager. Or even Murphy’s Law and a faithless anybody, for that matter.)

SPIELBERG vs APATHY ABOUT HISTORY…IN 1998.

• I guess one could argue Spielberg’s 1998 movie was about luck.
• But I would argue instead that it was more of a war movie.  But maybe that’s just me.