Do you think Steven Spielberg is too old to do anything groundbreaking?

Submitted by ABCBA_4321 t3_117g6v0 in movies

I posted over a r/flicks yesterday asking if anyone thinks that Spielberg will ever win another Oscar someday in their opinion. One commentor said that he's too old to do anything groundbreaking and fresh like the Daniels did with Everything, Everywhere All At Once. I disagreed and told that user that his age won’t prevent him from making anything groundbreaking. I've mentioned that he has a few Western's in development and hopes to direct one soon and that it sounds groundbreaking and fresh. Some others have said that he seems to be getting back into form as shown in West Side Story and The Fabelmans and that he's entering another golden age in his career right now. I think he'll be able make something groundbreaking that'll be enough for him to receive a 3rd Oscar for Best Director along with both a BAFTA directing nomination and a 4th DGA win. I also think he could win a 2nd Oscar for Best Picture again someday soon (maybe not for The Fabelmans, but maybe for some other film). Just my thought but I also figured that this could be a interesting topic to talk about.

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Acehardware123 t1_j9bh5qp wrote

George Miller made Fury Road at 70. I think Spielberg can still pull something out.

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o-o-o-o-o-o t1_j9bn5i9 wrote

Ridley Scott is continuing to crush it into his mid 80s as well

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LoveEffective1349 t1_j9bi9fk wrote

This fact is soo overlooked.

At 70.

After happy feet Struggling with weather and actors and studio meddling and finances…

Dude just waltzed in, slapped Hollywood in the face, said “no you idiots, like THIS!” dropped the mic and laughed all the way to fame fortune and glory.

That doesn’t happen

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rgregan t1_j9bgl1n wrote

Aging isn't the most relevant thing that is stopping him from doing something actually groundbreaking. Its being arguably the most successful and prolific living director. Breaking new ground often comes from necessity.

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AlanMorlock t1_j9blju2 wrote

Not to mention, that's rarely ehst thr Best Director award is focused on anyways, or hasn't always been. The shift to Best Dirrctor is an almost exclusively technical award really discounts the wider range of skills of working with actors, maintaining tone etc, which leads to people questioning why various dramas are nominated.

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rgregan t1_j9gztbg wrote

Yea, that's probably true. Honestly, if he nabs one for Fabelmans I won't be surprised.

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trongzoon t1_j9bhn79 wrote

This is gonna age like milk when he announces E.T. 2: More E.T.er

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Select_Action_6065 t1_j9bs4b7 wrote

2 E 2 T

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Technical_Drawing838 t1_j9c8xeb wrote

3.T.

At which point they'll release the E.T. trilogy Box S E.T.

Then all that's left is the crossover: WALL-E.T.

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Aquagoat t1_j9fm07m wrote

WALL-E v. E.T. : Dawn of Justice

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Technical_Drawing838 t1_j9ft0p6 wrote

WALL-E and E.T. sort of look similar.

And when I said WALL-E.T. I didn't even realize it spells "wallet" which is fitting because such a movie would be a cash grab.

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Houli_B_Back t1_j9bkpit wrote

I mean, if we’re using EEAAO as a comparison, I think the revolutionary use of VR tech Spielberg utilized to film something like Ready Player One a few years ago, to me, would be just as “groundbreaking.”

I guess it’s the use of the word “groundbreaking” I’m finding confusing.

You’re use of the word seems predicated on him winning an award. I mean, looking at just the Academy Awards, in the last ten years he has four Best Picture nominations, and two Best Director nominations, and he just got another one in both categories for Fabelman’s.

He’s currently sitting at number four for the most nominations of all time in the Director’s category.

Does he actually have to win another award to be considered “groundbreaking?”

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PeterGivenbless t1_j9cud7y wrote

I think some of the best stuff he has done in his recent films has been the CGI in 'Tintin', 'The BFG', and 'Ready Player One'; his visual style, freed from the constraints of practical physics, is a joy to behold when it takes full-flight, so I hope he explores virtual filmmaking more in future.

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RMLUCK t1_j9biihx wrote

West Side Story was my favorite movie of 2021 so no he’s not too old

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ABCBA_4321 OP t1_j9bj5m7 wrote

It was my 2nd favorite of that year right behind Dune. Really better than the original imo.

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spookyghostface t1_j9bksu5 wrote

I love the original despite it's casting issues. The new one pretty much fixes all of those problems (except Ansel Elgort's alleged off camera issues and lack of charisma). It also improves several numbers from the original (Cool in particular). It's really well done.

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ABCBA_4321 OP t1_j9fybax wrote

I felt like that it had the opportunity to win Best Picture but I think Elgort's allegations might've thrown the Academy voters off. They probably didn't wanna give the award to a film that stars an actor with problems.

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NormanBates2023 t1_j9bjv86 wrote

He proved himself over and over ,he has nothing to prove ,the man is a genius of a director and producer ,he has done it all from horror to animation and musicals etc

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embarrased2Bhere t1_j9bvryp wrote

Really using EEAAO as a reference point for this?

He already made a movie in the same year that while not “ground breaking” was better than EEAAO.

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chadisdangerous t1_j9bh7o3 wrote

There aren't many filmmakers who make groundbreaking films in the first place, let alone someone who's in their 70s and is already one of the most transformative figures in the history of the industry. It's not so much a question of whether he can, it's a question of whether it's reasonable to expect him to do it again. It's probably asking too much.

That being said, though, I do think West Side Story and The Fabelmans are groundbreaking in the context of his own career. He had never made a musical before WSS and remaking an American classic is a tall order for anyone, and not only had he had never done a domestic drama as intimate as The Fabelmans but he had never made anything so nakedly personal.

So even if he isn't changing the industry he's finding new ways to make more personal films and that's exciting enough for me! And the fact that he's still making movies as good as WSS or Fabelmans is a blessing in and of itself.

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lostwanderer02 t1_j9ddv1x wrote

I don't think it's his physical age. It's the fact he's old in Spirit and doesn't have the drive and ambition he once had. There are some artists that flourish and continue to grow right into the twilight years of their lives while others lose it.

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tgunns88 t1_j9e1wa9 wrote

I really liked Bridge of spies. Great performances. I loved The fabelmans. Who knows if the next movie will be groundbreaking but, I'll be there to see it.

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IamMrEE t1_j9bgo56 wrote

I didn't watch but his last two are said to be great, it's the audience that is different where they do not see the appeal, today we have another mindset... Back then at the peak of movie making era a movie like Everything Everywhere, all at once might've just been an obscure independent movie or a flop.

The old school story format doesn't appeal so much... But Top Gun proved some things are still doable.

He just needs to find something that will appeal to today's public and generation, which is more demanding because they have everything tenfold in several mediums, movies, podcast, TV shows, skits, docu, reality TV, social network, streaming, etc...

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ABCBA_4321 OP t1_j9bjrlz wrote

Interesting take. Do you think him making a western with absurdist themes like EEAAO has will be appealing to today’s audience and generation? I could see him making a film like that.

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IamMrEE t1_j9bp9xr wrote

I do not know, people are wary of copycats, and for such a caliber i feel doing that would backfire and feel desperate, I don't think he is the type of guy that would just go and copy what's 'trendy', he'd be more inclined to the Top Gun type of success I would think.

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ChrisMartins001 t1_j9bgrrk wrote

I don't think his age has anything to ddo with it. If he still has a passion for it, and has a great crew, then I don't see why not. He's been making films since he was a kid. You don't go from a good to a bad film maker just because you are older.

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Nouseriously t1_j9bi57v wrote

George Miller released Mad Max: Fury Road when he was 70. Old guys can make exciting movies, but many get in a comfort zone & never come out.

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FoxOntheRun99 t1_j9bj6cw wrote

From what I read in interviews, a lot of filmmakers (current ones and younger ones) are just in awe with his grasp of filmmaking. His ability to block out and edit a scene in his head and be able to articulate it, technically and emotionally, on the spot. A lot of us would struggle to just keep up. He has a lot to offer, still.

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Select_Action_6065 t1_j9bjwiv wrote

I hate to say it but he would need to work with a new crew. He has had the same editor his whole career. The same cinematographer for over two decades. And with few exceptions the same composer for all his movies.

They are all among the best in their fields which is why he works with them.

But to be truly innovative you have to push past your own comfort zone and beyond your limits.

Having said that I don’t think innovation is all that important. Authenticity is and he excels at that.

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Lastaria t1_j9bmkq6 wrote

Probably someone very young and dumb who suggests an old person can no longer be creative.

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orangeucool t1_j9bntzk wrote

He’s not too old. No one is ever too old. While I am a fan of his — unlike most people on this sub, I did not like his West Side Story and thought he did a disservice to the source material. If you study the film closely, it exposes his flaws as a filmmaker.

I loved Bridge of Spies. He has a lot left to give.

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WorthRecognition5663 t1_j9bq743 wrote

his age has nothing to do with it. He is more than capable of giving us more in the future. I think he's trying to figure out where he fits best in this new age of franchise domination and least common denominator scripts. It's hard for him to find something compelling I imagine.

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positive_charging t1_j9bgsd4 wrote

No sure look scoreless did that movie where he filmed bits over 4 decades and he is older than Spielberg (/s)

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[deleted] t1_j9bh3g2 wrote

Honestly, Spielberg came up career wise getting his start in the early 70s in an era that was coming up on the verge of innovation in film making. He finished the 70s with two big movies (Jaws and Close encounters) and a big flop (1941). Then of course, the 80s really were the decade of Spielberg as both director and producer. He also had some great things in the 90s, but it feels like he was more low-key during that period and also went a more historical and serious route.

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NKevros t1_j9bh8is wrote

I have yet to see Fabelmans yet, but for me I think there's a significant difference from early Spielberg to today's Spielberg. Can't tell if it is just nostalgia glasses or what, but prior to 2000 you could pretty much swear by going to his movies and having a good time.

Within the past 20 years he's been very much hit or miss for me. Perhaps that's just because there have been so many other, better directors to come out that it has exposed that he's a "good" filmmaker and generally not an excellent one.

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chadisdangerous t1_j9bi5ut wrote

I have to disagree, Spielberg was always as inconsistent as he is now. It's just that the highs were higher and those movies stood the test of time.

He made 1941 between Close Encounters and Raiders, he made Always the same year as Last Crusade, The Lost World the year before Saving Private Ryan, etc. And he's still making great movies now, it's just easier to dwell on crap like The BFG or Ready Player One because we're in the middle of it and not looking back 30-40 years.

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Diska_Muse t1_j9bjy9m wrote

Ready Player One and BFG are both good movies.

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MuNansen t1_j9bhwth wrote

He may be past the point of high innovation, but he can still put on an absolute clinic of cinematic craftsmanship. West Side Story showed that. Movie fans still have a lot to learn from the guy. I'd even compare it to Jordan's epoch with the Wizards. Yeah his physical gifts were lessened, and he didn't have a strong team, but you could almost learn more from him because it was ALL skill at that point.

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CannotExceed20Charac t1_j9bjht7 wrote

I don't think someone with his talent can ever be counted out, but he isn't young with a hunger anymore so the spark might be a little harder to ignite.

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LoanedWolf666 t1_j9bk6zd wrote

Hard to say. He’s pretty much done it all already.

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Dolphin_Hornet t1_j9bk9f6 wrote

He is one of the greatest directors of all time. Of course he has it in him. The real question is does he want to? At this point he can do whatever he wants. He has nothing to prove.

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LittleTomatoe t1_j9ble4k wrote

Was this post made by Steven Spielberg?

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girafa t1_j9bm27a wrote

IMO The Fabelmans will go down as one of the greatest autobiographical filmmaker films, next to 8 1/2 and Fanny & Alexander.

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Jimmirehman t1_j9bnzy5 wrote

Does he even need to at this point?

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Neoliberalism2024 t1_j9bx7i1 wrote

Statistically, yes. Most creatives peak somewhat young.

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nayapapaya t1_j9c7rlq wrote

Spielberg is in his 70's. He's only got so many more films in him and he has been wildly successful. He's had the kind of success and acclaim that 99.9% of directors could only dream of. At this point in his life, he has nothing to prove and is just focused on making films he's passionate about. Maybe most people don't care about The Fabelmans (which was really good!) but he made it for himself, really, to process his feelings about his mother, his parents, his relationship with art and he's lucky to be in a position to be able to do that. I don't think he's ever going to go back to being the director he was when he was younger because he's just at a different stage in his life and career at this point and we would probably all be better off accepting that.

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OnwardTowardTheNorth t1_j9cewaw wrote

Heck no. Spielberg has a few “big things” left in him I think. The guy is to industrious to not give a few more bangers.

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Darthvader12_G54 t1_j9cjdj3 wrote

I’d hope not. If he’s supposedly directing the live action HTTYD then he better not get worse

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lil_grey_alien t1_j9cu24b wrote

I just want a Spielberg Superman movie… or a sequel to Tintin

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mechaiineramen t1_j9cw9v7 wrote

The dude invented the modern blockbuster. What more do you want from him? He has to revolutionize cinema AGAIN? He said in the making of Indiana Jones that he thought after Last Crusade that it was time to go grow yo and make more mature movies, which is sorta what he's been doing now. Why would he feel like he has anything to prove to go searching for some script and method of innovating the industry yet again so he can be hailed for doing so once more when all he wants to do is make the kind of films he wants to make? Remember, he didn't even want to make Indy 4 and clearly passed on Indy 5. He definitely gets offered every big movie in Hollywood before everyone else and passes, so what he wants to do is up to him.

Dude is still insanely sharp. He doesn't even storyboard most of his shots. Just shows up and shoots. You can't fuck with Spielberg. This entire premise is stupid.

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Yahko t1_j9d8edu wrote

Clint Eastwood made 4 movies at the age 73 and onward. Those movies won 8 Oscars. Are they fresh - I dont know. They are just damn good.

I read an opinion somewhere that Spielberg is a poster boy for the classical era of romantic Hollywood. He is a great director and maybe he has to push his limits outside of the Hollywood cliche to do something really groundbreaking.

With that in mind - I have a strong feeling that he will win best picture for the Fabelmans this year. Would he win best director as well - I dont know. It is a good movie. I didn't like much since Munich. So he might be back this year.

The past 3 best pictures - Coda, Parasite, Nomadland. All indie or foreign. Hollywood would have to do bring back a good feel win and give it to him.

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Money-Swordfish537 t1_j9e29kb wrote

Well his next few movies are based on frank bullit ( a character who was played by Steve McQueen) and the composer George Gershwin. It seems to be more of an an Ode to cinema more than anything ground breaking or revolutionary. He’s done that already

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ABCBA_4321 OP t1_j9fzs6a wrote

An original story Bullit does sound ground breaking enough to me. I think it'll make a great summer blockbuster along with Blackhawk if he makes that one too. As for the George Gershwin, I don't know if he'll be able to make that one. That film has been in development since 2010 and we still haven't heard much about it since.

I agree that he can be a bit sentimental at times, but that doesn't mean he can't do anything ground breaking or revolutionary. He did say that he has a few Westerns in development and he hopes to direct one soon. And he said before that if a story speaks to him in a way, he'll make a movie about it. He still has the guts to do it.

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NostraSkolMus t1_j9gz6ld wrote

He can tell the upcoming saga of how banks and hedge funds destroyed america and profited from its downfall and invention Al hyperinflation in to the dollar end game. But he probably won’t.

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80schld t1_j9bkgj3 wrote

Just hope he makes Ready Player two

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ABCBA_4321 OP t1_j9bspv4 wrote

I’m not sure if he would do that. He said that Ready Player One was the hardest film he ever made since Saving Private Ryan.

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magvadis t1_j9bl01e wrote

Too old?

No. Too rich? Yes.

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MrKatalyst t1_j9bn3u7 wrote

Dude hasn't done anything groundbreaking in a while. Just big budget crowd pleasers for years now. He looked up to Kubrick who pretty much depised his work.

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MusingsOnLife t1_j9bsuu3 wrote

I think directors have a certain style. Consider the movies that are nominated and ask yourself if Spielberg could or would want to direct such a movie.

Here are examples of ones he'd probably not be able to make

  • The Banshees of Inisherin
  • EEAAO
  • Babylon
  • EO (the one about the donkey)
  • Tar
  • Decision to Leave

In a way, he's a bit like John Williams who has a signature style, and perhaps while it worked for a while, people wanted something different.

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[deleted] t1_j9bgq05 wrote

[deleted]

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LoveEffective1349 t1_j9bhp9y wrote

I think Schindlers had groundbreaking elements

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[deleted] t1_j9bhx9o wrote

[deleted]

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LoveEffective1349 t1_j9bk9t1 wrote

The use of colour in a black and white drama. Seems cliche but it isn’t and wasn’t in film.

The typical Spielberg blocking and framing. Is it “groundbreaking” maybe not but it’s smart efficient and impactful. Without realizing it it sucks you in, makes the world less flat, it adds so much, and so few directors can really use it. So while a whip pan or a dollying focus pull or a subtle blocking might not seem ground braking, using them at those times in those ways can jar you as an audience member, drag you further in to the film.

He’s genius.

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roshowclassic t1_j9bf1rm wrote

Yea, probably. Aging makes us all less sharp at some point.

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Tondamandino t1_j9bh2c2 wrote

When I watched 'Catch me if you can' and 'Bridge of lies' I imagined Spielberg saying... " I'm done with the gimmicks, now let me tell you a story.. was impressed Then I saw ' West side story'. I said to.myself, " nothing new, not even a story" . Down vote if I'm wrong.

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spookyghostface t1_j9bk7sh wrote

West Side Story is literally Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous stories in history.

Spielberg's West Side Story is also beautifully shot.

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AlanMorlock t1_j9blq8a wrote

The technical craft on display on West Side Story is pretty damn incredible.

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