Top 10 Steven Spielberg Movies

Posted on Dec 14, 2011 in Top-10's | 1 comment

Steven Spielberg is one of the most influential and revolutionary film producers in the world, and on December 18th he will be celebrating his 65th birthday.  The Game Plan for Life team thought it would be fun to come up with a list of what we thought make up Spielberg’s top 10 movies. It is hard to even make up a list that ranks the top Spielberg movies because he has produced so many timeless classics.  He changed the face of mainstream American cinema in 1975 with the ultimate Hollywood blockbuster Jaws, and hasn’t stopped since.

Spielberg has been so successful because he has adapted to current trends, embraced new technology with box office potential, revolutionized film marketing and merchandising, and of course it helps to work with some of the finest writers, cinematographers and actors Hollywood has to offer.  His films have always captured an audience’s imagination and enthralled viewer’s with thrilling adventure or through stories of ordinary people who have done inspiring things.

1. Jaws (1975) – There are many reasons why “Jaws” is Spielberg’s best film, not least, it’s influence on the movie business.  “Jaws” was the first film to break the once thought impossible $100 million at the box office.  “Jaws” is a top-notch thriller that scared audiences out of their seats like few films had before it.

One thing that makes “Jaws” so great is that it’s as good today as it was in 1975.  The shark didn’t look realistic, didn’t move well in the water and Spielberg wasn’t able to show the shark because the film would have lost credibility.  In this case, less is more.  By inferring the shark’s existence through various filming techniques, this menace became all the more terrifying because it allows our own imaginations to heighten the tension.  Keep in mind that this movie was filmed on a slim budget in challenging circumstances and then marvel at the way your spine tingles as you wait for that dreaded shark attack.   In this nail-biter, Spielberg showcases his mastery of suspense.

2. E.T.: The Extraterrestrial (1982) – “E.T.” is one of the greatest family films of all time.  Elliott has a secret and as far as they go, it’s pretty big.  He’s decided to keep the little alien (“E.T.”) who has landed here on earth and doesn’t want to tell anyone because he fears what will happen to his new friend.

This story of youthful hope, imagination and learning to let go of the ones you love, set the bar for this heartwarming classic that appeals just as much to adults as it does to kids. Spielberg shows off his amazing ability to create empathetic characters in this science fiction drama that deals with real-life issues that explore divorce and family relationships as well as the strong distinction between youthful imagination and dispassionate adults.

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – There are few adventure films in movie history that are as exciting and timeless as the Indiana Jones series.  “Raiders of the Lost Ark” makes me think of Harrison Ford, huge boulders, a fear of snakes and last second jumps and dives.  The Indiana Jones films are all about adventure, villains and heroes, beautiful locations, damsels in distress, high-speed action, guns and explosions, funny moments and memorable characters.

4. Jurassic Park (1993)- Spielberg makes the unbelievable seem real and dangerously close in this fantastic science fiction thriller about dinosaurs cloned from fossil DNA who run freely on an island.  This film pioneered computer-generated special effect techniques and brought back the concept of a big monster.  Still today you feel like those dinosaurs are living, breathing creatures that you either want to go up and touch or run away from in fear.  This film embodies the essence of an entertaining adventure story.

5. Schlinder’s List (1993) – This heart-breaking movie brings us to face the horrors that so many experienced during the Holocaust.  “Schlinder’s List” immediately established itself as a chilling true-life tale that left audiences speechless and earned Spielberg two Oscar’s for Best Director and Best Picture.

“Schlinder’s List” focuses on Oskar Schlindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.  When Oskar realizes how many more people he could have saved if he sacrificed more, it causes you to question the way you use your own money and possessions.

6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)- The opening scenes of this film don’t waste any time getting into the brutal and bloody realities of war that set the tone for a gory, suspenseful, yet emotionally rich movie.

“Saving Private Ryan” is a story about a team of United States soldiers who head behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers were killed in combat, in order to spare their mother from losing all her boys.  Actual veterans of World War II praised “Saving Private Ryan” for its authenticity. The film won several Oscars and Spielberg won another Best Director award.  War is hell, and Spielberg never shies away from showing why.

7. Minority Report (2002) – Based on a Philip K. Dick short story, “Minority Report” is a slick and futuristic film that focuses on the idea of what the world would look like without crime.  “PreCrime,” a specialized police department that apprehends criminals based on the work of three psychics or “precogs” who can see people commit crimes before they happen.  The system seems perfect until one day John Anderton, PreCrime’s chief played by Tom Cruise, is accused of a future crime and tries to seize the minority report to find out why he plans to murder someone he doesn’t know.

This film is original, fast-paced and entertaining.  Like many Spielberg movies, “Minority Report” features well executed action scenes that continue to be mimicked in films today.

8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – “Jaws” inspired fear in audiences the same way “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” inspired imagination, wonder and curiosity.  It is a story about a disillusioned suburbanite whose struggle to maintain the American dream is thrown wayside when he is drawn into the mysterious possibility of aliens on earth.  Things are happening that people can’t explain- strange radar communications, planes and boats that disappeared years before are found, strange lights appear in the sky and the government is paranoid beyond belief.

It taps into viewers’ imagination and recreates a sense of wonder in the unknown.  In essence, it is a kid’s movie made entirely for adults.   It makes the things adults worry about seem trivial, much like the thought-process of a child, where the only thing that seems worrisome are the monsters that hide under the bed.

9. Catch Me If You Can (2002) – Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who before his 19^th birthday conned millions of dollars using different aliases.  Leonardo DiCaprio plays Abagnale and Tom Hanks plays driven FBI agent Carl Hanratty, who follows the con man as the two engage in an increasingly tense game of cat and mouse.  The plot is brilliantly entertaining and the characters engaging.  It is particularly entertaining to watch DiCaprio charm and lie his way into millionaire status.

10. Hook (1991)- This is not a movie that would make a traditional list of Spielberg classics, but it is a great family movie that kids will enjoy.  “Hook” acts as a sequel to the original Peter Pan adventures, but now Peter is all grown up and has seemingly lost all semblance of the charming, innocent boy from Neverland.  Peter, now Peter Banning, is married with two children, but spends little time with his family because he is a always focused on work.

Peter Banning, played by Robin Williams, finds himself returning to Neverland after Captain Hook kidnaps his children.  In this charming story of love, family and identity- where the message is to never lose sight of your inner child imagination.