Catch Me If You Can

2002

Director: Steven Spielberg

Distributor: DreamWorks

My Review:

Based loosely on the autobiography of Frank Abagnale Jr., this movie follows the risks, rewards and consequences of one of America’s youngest conmen.I read the book, but honestly, liked the movie better.

That’s probably because what I liked about the movie was it’s depiction of 60’s mod culture. Whether it’s the retro style and music of the opening, the highlighting of the Airline Industry’s golden years, or the background music and fashion, I just enjoy watching this movie.

One of the more interesting things about the story is the ending. Frank gets caught, but in exchange for relative freedom, he agrees to work for the FBI – Nobody can spot a fake better than a faker. The twist made me think of how God works everything for the good.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.
• You know why the Yankees always win, Frank?
  - 'Cause they have Mickey Mantle?
  No, it's 'cause the other teams can't stop staring at those damn pinstripes.
• Mr. and Mrs. Abagnale, this is not a question of your son's attendance. I regret to inform you that, for the past week, Frank has been teaching Mrs. Glasser's French class.
  - He what?
  Your son has been pretending to be a substitute teacher, lecturing the students, uh, giving out homework, uh. Mrs. Glasser has been ill, there was some confusion with the real sub. Your son held a teacher-parent conference yesterday and was planning a class field trip to a French bread factory in Trenton.
• Dear Dad, you told me an honest man has no fear, so I'm trying hard not to be afraid.
• Just tell me how much he owes and I'll pay you back.
  - So far, it's about 1.3 million dollars.
• Ah, people only know what you tell them, Carl
• Sometimes it's easier livin' the lie.
• How'd you do it Frank? How did you cheat on the bar exam in Louisiana?

Still:

Jurassic Park

1993

Director: Steven Spielberg

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Key Elements: Visuals – Concept

My Review:

When this movie came out, I was lucky enough to still be at that stage of boyhood where dinosaurs are the coolest things imaginable. Naturally, I was spellbound by this movie.
The music is good too.

Beyond the surface awesomeness, there’s a great argument made for respecting nature. Very compelling dining room conversation.

And Ian Malcolm, the choatisian, is an awesome character.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Dr. Grant, my dear Dr. Sattler. Welcome to Jurassic Park.
• Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could; they didn't stop to think if they should.
• Don't you see the danger, John, inherent in what you're doing here? Genetic power is the most awesome force the planet's ever witnessed, yet you wield it like a kid that's found his dad's gun.
• The world is changing so fast, and we're all running to catch up. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but look. Dinosaurs and man... two species separated by 65 million years of evolution, have suddenly been thrown into the mix together. How can we possibly have the slightest idea of what to expect?
• No, I'm simply saying that life, uh... finds a way.
• Oh my God. Do you know what this is? This is a dinosaur egg. The dinosaurs are breeding.
• But if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.
• I was overwhelmed by the power of this place; but I made a mistake, too. I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love: Alan and Lex and Tim. John, they're out there where people are dying.
• Remind me to thank John for a lovely weekend.
• Mr. Hammond, after careful consideration, I've decided *not* to endorse your park.

Stills:

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

1989

Director: Steven Spielberg / George Lucas

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Visuals – Message

My Review:

This is my favorite Indiana Jones movie. The character wavered in Temple of Doom and was butchered in Crystal Skull, but hit its prime in this movie.

Not only do we see River Phoenix as young Indiana, but we see Sean Connery as his father and learn the source of Indy’s name.

Dr. Jone’s grail diary is also part of what inspired me to start keeping journals.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• That belongs in a museum.
• You've got heart, kid.
• "X" marks the spot.
• No ticket.
• I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne. “Let my armies be the rocks and the trees and the birds in the sky...”
• You call *this* archaeology?
• Germany has declared war on the Jones boys.
• Goose-stepping morons like yourself should try reading books instead of burning them.
• You have chosen... wisely.
• The dog? You are named after the dog?

Stills:

Raiders of the Lost Ark

1981

Director: Steven Spielberg / George Lucas

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Visuals – Concept – Music

My Review:

I heard once that Indiana Jones was Lucas’ take on the pulp adventure stories of the past. I can see that.

But the character is so much more to a kid who grew up watching these movies and imagining himself as the great adventurer. He’s a symbol of every kids dream to go off into the unknown and face the excitement that awaits.

I actually named my dog Indy because I love these movies so much.

The thing that I really love about these movies is that they deal with Biblical history. Not only do they confirm the history, but they confirm the power behind it.

Trailer:



Quote:

• Professor of Archeology, Expert on the Occult, and how does one say it? Obtainer of Rare Antiquities.
• Didn't any of you guys ever go to Sunday school?
• Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?
• All I want is the girl.
• Oh, my friends. I'm so pleased you're not dead.
  

Stills:

Hook

1991

Director: Steven Spielberg

Composer: John Williams

Distributor: TriStar Pictures

Key Elements: Visuals – Concept - Symbolism - Music

My Review:

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Peter Pan. So when Hook came out, I was mesmerized. The concept is simple but brilliant: What if the boy who never grows up… did?

Even though the story is a sequel to the original tale, it’s accurate to the detail. The right London address. The emphasis on “good form.” Framing death as a great adventure. The tale of Peter being found by Tink in Kensington Gardens. Lines that reflect the original writing. Even the housekeeper Liza. It’s truer to J.M. Barrie’s book than even movies actually based on the book.

More than anything, the story is a reminder to guard against selling out or becoming jaded as we grow older.

But I also can’t help but think of Easter when I watch it. Peter has grown up (essentially dying to Neverland) and left the Lostboys alone. It feels a lot like the three days Jesus was in the grave. But when Tink reminds Peter of who he is, he bursts back into life as the Pan. It’s the resurrection. Peter then goes on to overthrow Hook and his pirates. Similarly, Jesus’ resurrection overthrows satan, sin and death.

And throughout the movie the music and imagery just cast beauty everywhere. Wonderful movie.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Ahh. Well, do you see where Jack is, hmm? Well, that is the same window and this is the same room where we made up our bedtime stories about Peter and Neverland and scary old Captain Hook. And did you know? Mr. Barrie - well, Sir James, our neighbor - he loved our stories so much, he wrote them all down in a book, oh dear me, eighty years ago.
• I hated the deal, but I'm sorry you feel so badly about it. Your children love you, they want to play with you. How long do you think that lasts? Soon Jack may not even want you to come to his games. We have a few special years with our children, when they're the ones that want us around. After that you're going to be running after them for a bit of attention. It's so fast Peter. It's a few years, and it's over. And you are not being careful. And you are missing it.
• The stories are true! I swear to you! I swear on everything I adore, and now he's come back to seek his revenge. The fight isn't over for Captain James Hook. He wants you back. He knows that you'll follow Jack and Maggie to the ends of the earth and beyond. And by heaven, you must find a way. Only you can save your children. Somehow, you must go back. You must make yourself remember.
• That's right, Peter, second star to the right and straight on till morning.
• Peter. I swear to you wherever you go, wherever you are, I vow there will always be daggers buried in notes signed James Hook. They will be flung into doors of your children's children's children, do you hear me?
• You know you're not really Peter Pan, don't you? This is only a dream. When you wake up, you'll just be Peter Banning - a cold, selfish man who drinks too much, is obsessed with success, and runs and hides from his wife and children!
• Bad form!
• Prepare to die, Peter Pan! - To die would be a grand adventure! Death is the only adventure you have left!
• To live… To live would be a great adventure

Stills:

Band of Brothers

2001

Director: Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg & various others

Distributor: HBO

Key Elements: Message, Visuals, Concept, Lines, Characters

My Review:

This dramatization of Stephen Ambrose’s book follows the 101st airborne Easy Company from it’s training at Curahee to the Normandy invasion to Bastogne to Hitler’s Mansion.
Each episode opens and closes with footage of interviews with surviving troops from Easy Company giving the story eerie realism.

With amazing visuals and a heartbreaking narrative, this is a tour du force of war drama. Excellent in every aspect.

Intro:



Quotes:

• “From this day to the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered. We lucky few, we band of brothers. For he who today sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.”
• We're paratroopers, Lieutenant, we're supposed to be surrounded
• "They got me." You believe that? You believe I said that?
• Once we get into combat, the only people you can trust is yourself and the fella next to you.
• That night, I thanked God for seeing me through that day of days and prayed I would make it through D plus 1. I also promised that if some way I could get home again, I would find a nice peaceful town and spend the rest of my life in peace.
• You know why they volunteered? Because they knew that the man in the foxhole next to them would be the best. Not some draftee who's going to get them killed.
• …What if you'd won? Don't ever put yourself in the position where you can take from these men.
• Remember boys, flies cause disease, so keep yours closed!
• It's called wounded, Peanut. Injured is when you fall out of a tree or something.
• Maybe that's because Tertius knew there was some value to the men thinking he was the meanest, toughest sonofabitch in the whole Roman Legion.
• We're all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. But Blithe, the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function. Without mercy. Without compassion. Without remorse. All war depends upon it.
• How do I feel about being rescued by Patton? Well I'd feel pretty peachy, except for one thing, we didn't fuckin' need to be rescued by Patton. Got that?
• Hey Janovek, what ya reading?
  -An article.
  No shit. What's it about?
  -It's about why we're fightin' the war.
  Why are we fighting the war, Janovek?
  - It appears the Germans are bad, very bad.
  You don't say. The Germans are bad, huh? …Hey Frank, this guy is reading and article, that says the Germans *are bad*.
• Hey this guy says he's not a Nazi. All of Germany and I haven't met one Nazi yet.
• Hey, you! That's right, you stupid Kraut bastards. That's right. Say hello to Ford, and General fuckin' Motors. You stupid fascist pigs. Look at you. You have horses. What were you thinking? Dragging our asses half way around the world, interrupting our lives. For what, you ignorant, servile scum. What the fuck are we doing here?
• I treasure my remark to a grandson who asked, "Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?" "No", I answered, "But I served in a company of heroes".

Stills:

Artificial Intelligence

2001

Director: Steven Spielberg

Disctributor: Warner Brothers / Dreamworks

Key Elements: Symbolism, Visuals, Concept

My Review:

Pinocchio revisited.

David is woken to life by his mother’s code-words much like Pinocchio is woken by the Blue Fairy. Teddy is his Jiminy Cricket. The Flesh Fair is Mangiafuoco’s puppet show. Rouge City is Pleasure Island. Being trapped under the sea is being trapped in Stromboli. Being the last remaining piece of humanity (or being loved by his Mommy) makes David a real boy.

This movie invites its viewers to ponder some existential questions: Would you rather know a terrible truth or believe a beautiful lie? What makes us human?

Trailer:

Quotes:

• “If a robot could genuinely love a person what responsibility does that person hold toward that Mecha in return? …It's a moral question, isn't it?”
• The story tells what happens.
• They made us too smart, too quick, and too many. We are suffering for the mistakes they made because when the end comes, all that will be left is us. That's why they hate us, and that is why you must stay here, with me.
• Come away O human child
  To the waters and the wild
  With a fairy hand in hand
  For the world's more full of weeping
  Than you can understand.
• The greatest single human gift - the ability to chase down our dreams.
• I am... I was.

Stills: