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Tagged: Directed by Steven Spielberg

· by Rob Kirchgassner · Aug 19, 2021

A.I. Artificial Intelligence turns 20: a look back

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s first film of the 21st Century: A.I. Artificial Intelligence. His previous film, Saving Private Ryan, was originally planned to be followed up by Minority Report, but a number…

Movie Review / Movies / Text

· by Tyler Peterson · Sep 6, 2018

Ready Player One (2018)

When Ready Player One came out back in April, I went on a bit of a rant in that month’s box office predictions about how much I hated the novel. I admit this might make me a less than ideal…

Movies / Text

· by Dr. Winston O'Boogie · Mar 1, 2018

Hit or Bomb? March 2018 movie predictions

It may be March, but it’s looking more like summer at the cineplex, due to several big budget sci-fi/fantasy releases this month. Once again, it’s time for us here at the Agony Booth to play armchair box office prognosticators and…

Movie Recap / Movies / Text

· by Jordon Davis · Feb 12, 2018

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), a recap (part 8 of 8)

Previously: Who cares? The movie’s almost over! Indiana Jones has made it to the inner sanctum. His ex and his son have sort of helped. His old friend, Harold Oxley, found and deciphered the riddles of the crystal skull. A…

Movies / Text

· by Dr. Winston O'Boogie · Jan 3, 2018

Hit or Bomb? January 2018 movie predictions

Welcome to a particularly barren January in terms of sci-fi/fantasy/comic book blockbusters (i.e., the only movies of interest to anyone reading this). Regardless, we here at the Agony Booth are determined to soldier on and once again make knee-jerk assessments…

Movie Recap / Movies / Text

· by Jordon Davis · Dec 18, 2017

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), a recap (part 2 of 8)

Previously on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Nobody nuked a fridge. And that’s the best that can be said about that. Indiana is walking through the Nevada hills after his jet/monorail/made-up-thing ride. He spots a…

Movie Review / Movies / Text

· by Thomas Stockel · Oct 25, 2017

Pulp Masterpieces, Part 9: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

So here it is; the end of my Pulp Masterpieces series. It’s been a lot of fun looking at these wonderful films; even revisiting The Phantom again was enjoyable. But we’ve reached the end of the trip and are now…

Movies / Text

· by Rob Kirchgassner · Dec 16, 2016

The kinship between Jaws and Taxi Driver

So on the one hand, these two movies, which were released within less than a year of each other, couldn’t be more different. But given that both were released in the middle of the American Film Renaissance of the 1970s, it can be argued that there's a kinship of sorts between these two classics.

Movies / Text

· by Rob Kirchgassner · Jun 14, 2016

Summer blockbusters, and why they’re harmless

“This is probably a key reason why summer blockbusters continue to thrive: Plot and even coherency can be rendered secondary if the film itself has enough kinetic energy to keep the audience awake for a couple of hours.”

Movie Review / Movies / Text

· by Rob Kirchgassner · Apr 23, 2014

War of the Worlds (2005)

“While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it’s one of Steven Spielberg’s best, his version of War of the Worlds is high up there on the rather short list of remakes that are actually better than the originals.”

Agonizer / Videos

· by Joshua Bell · May 18, 2013

VIDEO: Jurassic Park, and when kids' movies had teeth

Joshua recently saw the re-release of Jurassic Park, and was left with one question: Remember back when kids' movies had some of the scariest moments in film history? Whatever happened to that?

Movie Review / Movies / Videos

· by Michael A. Novelli · Nov 20, 2012

VIDEO: Lincoln (2012)

Mendo doesn't care if this was the first movie ever filmed in his hometown, he's gonna say what he really thinks! Also, before you ask, yes, that is a real product.

Movie Review / Movies / Videos

· by Suzie McGinney · May 11, 2012

VIDEO: Minority Report (2002)

In Steven Spielberg's overlong, needlessly complicated adaption of a Philip K. Dick short story, the Couch Jumper (AKA Tom Cruise) plays a "precrime" detective who stops murders before they happen with the help of blind, androgynous "precogs" who can see the future.

Movies / Text

· by Ed Harris · Jul 18, 2010

Recap Supplement: The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

“The only parts of the film I can actually say I kind of like are the two Tyrannosaurus rampages in the middle of the movie, and the beast running wild in San Diego. Even then, my enjoyment is negated by the lousy characters, and when a guy like me (who can find enjoyment in pretty much anything) isn’t able to glean any satisfaction from a giant monster wreaking havoc, something has gone seriously wrong with your movie. This is one of those films that works just fine when the special effects are in control and nobody is talking. But when they do talk... Jesus.”