I'm a big fan of Poltergeist and I'm sure Spielberg had some influence, but I'm sure Hooper did as well. I don't think the sun shines out of either of their asses, and I think Spielberg is best when he's working with someone, as Raiders of the Lost Ark is my favorite of his, and of this era. As an adult, I will side with you on the Mad Max vs. Star Wars fight, though I found the Ewoks less annoying than the Pockyclipse kids on the plane in Thunderdome as a kid, and as an adult. I just watched Thunderdome again, and it's too bad Gibson didn't get in a car wreck that ruined his pretty face like Hamill did, it might have helped his ego. And despite being a computer nerd since 1979, I have never watched Tron. Too Disney... I stopped liking Disney stuff around the time I saw Alien and The Thing, though The Black Hole has its moments. The ending is darker than Event Horizon!
You're so right about the ending of THE BLACK HOLE, but then the entire movie is grim. It's insane that it was marketed to children. For what it's worth, I went to a revival screening of TRON hosted by SF author Greg Bear, who talked about how visionary the movie was. Nashawaty quotes John Lasseter saying that without TRON there's no TOY STORY, and I took that to mean thematically as well as technically.
Nothing against Tron, really. I probably would have loved it. (I certainly love Starman, and continue to watch it.) But watching it now seems forced. However, if it was being screened by Greg Bear, I would watch it! I had to re-read the Joe Lansdale story you mentioned, and I'm sorry. I love Joe, great writer and greater guy, but that story is one of the best "quiet, the adults are talking" creations from someone who knows horror.
I have long been Team Spielberg when it comes to Poltergeist (my joke is that to settle a score, he let Hooper direct Jurassic Park 2). I mean, come on, it’s even the answer to a Trivial Pursuit question! However, I rewatched Salem’s Lot again lately. The bones of Poltergeist are definitely there. Perhaps there was some onset backseat directing, but I see it now.
I haven't read the book, but I was surprised by how much I liked the movie. Mike Flanagan had a difficult job - adapting King's novel while also delivering a sequel to Kubrick's version of THE SHINING, which King famously dislikes - and he pulled it off.
A lot of holes can be poked into Nashawaty's section on POLTERGEIST. He omits entirely Hooper's presence in the writing and development of the film. It is quite dispiriting.
I'm a big fan of Poltergeist and I'm sure Spielberg had some influence, but I'm sure Hooper did as well. I don't think the sun shines out of either of their asses, and I think Spielberg is best when he's working with someone, as Raiders of the Lost Ark is my favorite of his, and of this era. As an adult, I will side with you on the Mad Max vs. Star Wars fight, though I found the Ewoks less annoying than the Pockyclipse kids on the plane in Thunderdome as a kid, and as an adult. I just watched Thunderdome again, and it's too bad Gibson didn't get in a car wreck that ruined his pretty face like Hamill did, it might have helped his ego. And despite being a computer nerd since 1979, I have never watched Tron. Too Disney... I stopped liking Disney stuff around the time I saw Alien and The Thing, though The Black Hole has its moments. The ending is darker than Event Horizon!
You're so right about the ending of THE BLACK HOLE, but then the entire movie is grim. It's insane that it was marketed to children. For what it's worth, I went to a revival screening of TRON hosted by SF author Greg Bear, who talked about how visionary the movie was. Nashawaty quotes John Lasseter saying that without TRON there's no TOY STORY, and I took that to mean thematically as well as technically.
Nothing against Tron, really. I probably would have loved it. (I certainly love Starman, and continue to watch it.) But watching it now seems forced. However, if it was being screened by Greg Bear, I would watch it! I had to re-read the Joe Lansdale story you mentioned, and I'm sorry. I love Joe, great writer and greater guy, but that story is one of the best "quiet, the adults are talking" creations from someone who knows horror.
I have long been Team Spielberg when it comes to Poltergeist (my joke is that to settle a score, he let Hooper direct Jurassic Park 2). I mean, come on, it’s even the answer to a Trivial Pursuit question! However, I rewatched Salem’s Lot again lately. The bones of Poltergeist are definitely there. Perhaps there was some onset backseat directing, but I see it now.
Yeah Vince! Care to share your takeaway on Doctor Sleep? I liked it (and loved the novel), would like to hear your more informed opinion. Thanks!
I haven't read the book, but I was surprised by how much I liked the movie. Mike Flanagan had a difficult job - adapting King's novel while also delivering a sequel to Kubrick's version of THE SHINING, which King famously dislikes - and he pulled it off.
Excellent, I’ll revisit the film…thanks Vince!
A lot of holes can be poked into Nashawaty's section on POLTERGEIST. He omits entirely Hooper's presence in the writing and development of the film. It is quite dispiriting.