Spielberg's Lincoln: In Three Paragraphs

[bleeding heart]

At any rate, my feelings about Spielberg films is that they are not to be taken as high art (his occasional pretences to it notwithstanding). He's a more of a brilliant, commercial craftsman. Martin Scorsese said that Spielberg was the only director he'd ever met whose final productions perfectly matched his original vision.

In other words, there' s usually a sort of paint-by-numbers quality to Speilberg movies. I don't even mean this as a criticism...i like lots of his movies. But they're--in every case, without exception to my knowledge--highly conventional, mildly conservative, artistically unambitious, and not terribly insightful or profound. (Though they sometimes have their sublime moments, sure.)

Again, this isn't a critique--this is all by design, i believe. His style is of big, professional, well-paced storytelling, and he does it well. (This is as true of Schindler's List as it is for Raiders of the Lost Ark.)

Edited November 19, 2012 by bleeding heart

[Michael Hardner]

But this analysis only continues the fundamental error....making such comparisons in the context of Americans, American culture, and their film industry.

The aside that we're on is a discussion of what is interesting to others. So the fundamental error isn't important here.

[The_Squid]

I'm not going to see it - based on one single review:

http://exclaim.ca/Re...teven_spielberg

Funny how one would base avoiding a movie based on one of the few poor reviews of it. Perhaps see it, and judge it, for yourself... or don't see it because it may not be your cup of tea.

90% of the reviews are positive. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lincoln_2011/

Ebert:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121107/REVIEWS/121109989

[bush_cheney2004]

The aside that we're on is a discussion of what is interesting to others. So the fundamental error isn't important here.

OK, then Speilberg's new film should be judged on it's own merit, not on the actual history of the time compared to what didn't happen in Canada. President Lincoln has always been popular in American culture...there is even an animatronic version of him giving speeches to a paying audience at Disneyland.

[Michael Hardner]

Funny how one would base avoiding a movie based on one of the few poor reviews of it.

I know. I'm surprised myself. But Cloud Atlas was basically ruined by this one thing so...

[Michael Hardner]

OK, then Speilberg's new film should be judged on it's own merit,

Yessir. A film of an animatronic Lincoln may be popular in America too, but I wouldn't expect it to get good reviews.

[bush_cheney2004]

Yessir. A film of an animatronic Lincoln may be popular in America too, but I wouldn't expect it to get good reviews.

It would if the animatron mentioned Canada.

[Michael Hardner]

It would if the animatron mentioned Canada.

Maybe on this board it would.

[wyly]

I know. I'm surprised myself. But Cloud Atlas was basically ruined by this one thing so...

movie critics are like food critics, pretentious people who don't have real jobs ...

cloud atlas...I'm still confused...a well made film but I think it probably lost a lot when it was adapted from the book...I haven't read the book but from the scope of the movie I assume they tried to cram a lot in a very short time span, and it was a very long movie...I made need to read the book to make sense of it all...

Edited November 20, 2012 by wyly

[Guest American Woman]

....we Canadians have a richer history and our history is more complex and successful than America's. We Canadians had a conquest but unlike America, England, France, China or Russia, we never had a revolution or a civil war. The pieties of Lincoln aside, unlike America and most European countries, Canada still today manages to be a civilised, multicultural, bilingual, united society where minorities are distinct, and respected. It is unlikely that any modern Canadian movie would be so condescending if only because it would never be made, or never understood in the other language. If we ever face secession, we Canadians will likely do as Norway and Sweden.

Are you serious? You think Canada is more civilized, multicultural, united - and minorities are more distinct and respected in Canada than in the U.S. and most European countries? As you say you would do as Norway and Sweden - because they are so multicultural? Furthermore, how is your history more successful than ours?

[bleeding heart]

Furthermore, how is your history more successful than ours?

It's not. It's an absurd statement derived from a meaningless comparison.

Whenever August talks about movies, he drives off a cliff in way or another. This one was particularly a non sequiter, I agree.

[bush_cheney2004]

True...he is remarkably consistent that way.

[bleeding heart]

I just don't understand what is meant by "successful history." We cannot be speaking of economics...obviously. So that's out. Cultural influence? Let's be serious. Alterations of the historical, international geopolitical landscape?

I'm not being self-effacing. Canada is an historical success. But I don't get how the US is less so...what? Nor do I understand the purpose of the comparison in and of itself; nor do I get how it relates to the very post within which it appears.

The whole thing is a mystery to me.

August? Can you expand on the theme?

[cybercoma]

Our people are better educated, healthier, and now make more money on average. We also rank higher on international metrics about the happiest countries and best places to live. Also, our constitution and charter of rights is the model for new democracies around the world. I don't know if that's what August means or not.

Edited November 20, 2012 by cybercoma

[bush_cheney2004]

Gee, one would think that after all this fantabulously successful history in Canada, somebody would make a film about it. One would also expect that far fewer Canadians would have emigrated to the United States. Instead, they complain about the lack of NetFlix content compared to the USA!

[cybercoma]

Netflix content. Nice. Let me know when you guys get Captain America on Netflix in the states. You can't even watch your own superhero there.

[bush_cheney2004]

See what I mean? Next you'll want cheaper cars, gas, and cigarettes just like in the less "successful" United States.

[Black Dog]

Gee, one would think that after all this fantabulously successful history in Canada, somebody would make a film about it. One would also expect that far fewer Canadians would have emigrated to the United States. Instead, they complain about the lack of NetFlix content compared to the USA!

We must be doing something right, given your obsession with us.

[Guest American Woman]

Our people are better educated, healthier, and now make more money on average. We also rank higher on international metrics about the happiest countries and best places to live. Also, our constitution and charter of rights is the model for new democracies around the world. ...

Don't forget that South Africa modeled their system of apartheid after the Canadian Indian reserve system.

[cybercoma]

Funny, I thought they modelled it after the US Jim Crow Laws.

[Guest American Woman]

Funny, I thought they modelled it after the US Jim Crow Laws.

Well then, you learned something today.

[cybercoma]

Nah. I already know that you're a troll.

[Guest American Woman]

Nah. I already know that you're a troll.

I realize that anyone who posts anything that offends your delicate sensibilities is a troll in your eyes. Or is this why you constantly call me a troll?

By the way, it's not America that Canadians don't like: it's Americans.

At any rate, like it or not, South Africa did model their system of apartheid after the Canadian Indian reserve system - and to this day, First Nations people are hardly among the world's happiest people. Just sayin'.......

Edited November 21, 2012 by American Woman

[cybercoma]

I rest my case.

[Guest American Woman]

I rest my case.

So what did I say that's incorrect? Instead of calling me a troll, why not refute what I said? Can't be because it's true and you can't handle the truth, eh?