STEVEN SPIELBERG JAWS, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, SCHINDLER’S LIST, E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL, MUNICH
Without a doubt, one of the pre-eminent masters of the art of cinema. He is, on his own, what Pixar aspires to as a collective. In films like E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, and Jurassic Park he epitomizes American storytelling. He speaks the language of Movies. For someone as prolific as he is to direct at his level of quality so consistently is the mark of someone who has this artform in their blood. His blockbusters revolve around character and stakes; his movies are events. That someone of his clout and influence also challenges himself with difficult films is a testament to his desire to tell stories that matter, not simply an “entertainment.” Films like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Munich, that challenge and provoke and require the kind of effort we usually reserve for independent auteurs. Which, if you think about it, he kind of is.
