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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jun 28, 2004 1:00:38 GMT -5
Known as a "whiz kid" with special effects, Spielberg has produced many of his films, and showing a knack for zany comedy, Zemeckis has carved a very popular niche for himself in filmmaking history. Most of his films are made purely for entertainment, and they are good fun. His later films, though, have become more serious and thoughtful, with the hugely successful Tom Hanks vehicles Forrest Gump (1994) and Cast Away (2000) and the Jodie Foster film Contact (1997), all critically acclaimed movies. Again, these films incorporate stunning effects. Robert has proved he can work a serious story around great effects, a feat many directors cannot achieve. I chose WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT as my favorite of his films. A movie that works on many different levels. Action/comedy, f/x movie, mystery, satire, etc. Everytime I watch this flick I catch yet another in-joke or sight gag. The melding of live-action and animation had never been attempted to the level in this movie, where cartoon characters and live actors appear on screen together in almost every scene. And the effects still hold up today. Another milestone was the appearance of most of the classic cartoon characters that were popular at the time the movie takes place, so you see the first and only pairings of characters from both Disney & Warner Brothers, (Daffy & Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse & Bugs Bunny, etc.) as well as a few other studios. The original animated characters are great too! Goofy "hero" Roger, Baby Herman and of course, Jessica Rabbit, whose gravity defying physique and sultry voice (courtesy of Kathleen Turner) would make almost any man consider "toon sex" at least for a minute, until you realize, it's not possible.  An extra tip of the hat to Bob Hoskins as detective Eddie Valiant. To this day, I think he should've been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. Think about it: Not only did he have to act convincingly alongside co-stars who weren't really there, but Hoskins, a British actor, had to do that while doing a very good American accent, circa the 1940's. I didn't even know he was British the first time I saw the movie. I thought I'd heard his real voice in "ROGER RABBIT". The whole movie is a real achievement. So, what would you guys, and gals, pick as your favorite? |
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Post by Termination on Jun 28, 2004 1:52:46 GMT -5
I picked Forrest Gump. This film had a killer soundtrack, sound effects, special effects, acting, story etc.. etc.. I couldn't stop typing about this film if I explained my take, opinion, view of it, so I won't get into it, just don't get me started.  My second choice would be Back to the Future. I like the concept of time-travel & the what if aspect of it. Michael J. Fox did an excellent job acting in this film. After learning he was juggling between shooting this & Family Ties at the same time, I couldn't believe it. It doesn't show on screen. |
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Post by Bartwald on Jun 28, 2004 3:54:08 GMT -5
Difficult again!
Cast Away is his most powerful film in my opinion and hence the vote; I felt like being with Hanks on this damn island for the whole running time and that's a serious achievement.
Back To The Future, on the other hand is the one I can watch most often and always be entertained. Plus it has the sentimental value as one of the first movies I saw at the theatre.
Another very good one is Forrest Gump - I can't understand why some people hate it or call it pretentious; it's a funny, enjoyable, moving and very UNpretentious film if you ask for my opinion.
Romancing The Stone is good but a disappointment: I badly wanted another Indiana Jones at the time and Romancing The Stone was NOT it. King Solomon's Mines came much closer. ;D
Same with Death Becomes Her: great premise that ends up being an OK-movie.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? - I liked this one, too. Just not as much as Cast Away or Forrest or Back To The Future.
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Post by LivingDeadGirl on Jun 28, 2004 17:17:22 GMT -5
I went w/ Forrest Gump, one of my favorite movies of all time. BTTF would probably be my second choice.
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Post by Bartwald on Jun 28, 2004 17:32:25 GMT -5
Didn't like Cast Away, livingdeadgirl?
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Jun 28, 2004 19:36:50 GMT -5
I had to go with the one on my top 10, Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
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Post by LivingDeadGirl on Jun 29, 2004 17:13:26 GMT -5
Didn't like Cast Away, livingdeadgirl? Well, it was OK, but not one of my favorites. I just didn't enjoy it as much as 'Forrest Gump', or 'BTTF' or some of the others in the poll. |
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Oct 15, 2004 22:19:43 GMT -5
So here's a bit of possible Robert Zemeckis news:
Zemeckis Directing Transformers?
October 14, 2004 - The IESB is reporting a "rumor" that Robert Zemeckis has been turning down new directing offers because he is attached to THE TRANSFORMERS live action movie. No official word if these speculations are accurate. Another industry insider is claiming that Warner Brothers has asked Robert Zemeckis and Dreamworks not to make any announcements regarding the Transformers until after the release of The Polar Express."
The IESB's source for this claim is an unnamed "writer/director/producer."
IGN FilmForce has checked with its trusty source close to The Transformers who advised us flat-out that there's "no truth" to the latest Zemeckis report.
In related news, Transformers producer Don Murphy revealed at his official site that "we're closing in on a writer and choosing to go with a younger guy who grew up with the mythology, like all of you fans. Should be announced in the coming weeks. DreamWorks and Spielberg very much still want the film for Summer '06 so it'll be hard – but GOOD."
So, that final bit makes it sound like it definitely won't be Zemeckis, but who knows?
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Post by Termination on Oct 16, 2004 1:19:17 GMT -5
Well as long as its based on the original series (no nex-gen crap) I'll definitely see it, regardless of who's behind the camera. Though.. Zemeckis  Should be a challenge for him if he gets it. |
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Nov 15, 2005 10:10:07 GMT -5
****BUMP**** No particular reason why. Just noticed we have a few newer people on The Board who maybe never saw this thread.  |
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Post by Quorthon on Nov 22, 2005 11:19:19 GMT -5
So here's a bit of possible Robert Zemeckis news: Zemeckis Directing Transformers?
October 14, 2004 - The IESB is reporting a "rumor" that Robert Zemeckis has been turning down new directing offers because he is attached to THE TRANSFORMERS live action movie. No official word if these speculations are accurate. Another industry insider is claiming that Warner Brothers has asked Robert Zemeckis and Dreamworks not to make any announcements regarding the Transformers until after the release of The Polar Express."
The IESB's source for this claim is an unnamed "writer/director/producer."
IGN FilmForce has checked with its trusty source close to The Transformers who advised us flat-out that there's "no truth" to the latest Zemeckis report.
In related news, Transformers producer Don Murphy revealed at his official site that "we're closing in on a writer and choosing to go with a younger guy who grew up with the mythology, like all of you fans. Should be announced in the coming weeks. DreamWorks and Spielberg very much still want the film for Summer '06 so it'll be hard – but GOOD."So, that final bit makes it sound like it definitely won't be Zemeckis, but who knows? I don't think Hollywood could do a good job on a live action Transformers movie. And I would know, Transformers nerd that I am. Hell, instead of DVD's last weekend, I bought a Transformer (oh Comemorative Series Smokescreen, you're so cool!!). What the movie should be: The first 3 episodes of the original series (G1 in Transformers Nerd Lingo) and done as seriously as possible, and geared toward the 20+ age of the larger fanbase. Of course, Hollywood will fuck it up, make it for little kids, and the Transformers will behave something akin to Jar Jar "Not even likable if covered in chocolate" Binks. Rant aside, I voted Back to the Future. I grew up on those movies. |
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Post by spacer on Feb 2, 2006 2:26:43 GMT -5
Again what a tough vote. Back to the Future is to me a guru film. It is my most favorite sci-fi, any time I watch it I'm always reliving it, re-enjoying, the experience is always fresh. From that time Michael J. Fox became my fave actor. Forrest Gump Great story, Unbelievably believable plot. Load of entertainment but also a deep flick with a very optimistic message. I finally choose The Cast Away. It being the ultimate finesse. Spectacular one-man show and story and how well told!!! What made me really exuberant apart from plenty of other virtues this movie possess was that it was told in so candid way, without usual Hollywood jackassing and lack of consequence. He was so believable, his story was so real so logic, I've utmost enjoyed his life on these island, I've told him what he should do what things he should use and he instantly did. Man this is a real rarity. So excellent, so deep, so crap-less.  |
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Post by danielk on Jul 6, 2006 17:26:42 GMT -5
I voted for Contact, even though my real choice would be BTTF2. In either case it shows Bob's genius for visual storytelling; cramming the maximum information into a scene without overwhelming. BTTF2 has the added bonus of being absurdly, needlessly complicated, which is quite a stunt to attempt. Plus it boasts a cameo by Joe Flaherty, who should get more work.
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Post by misternick on Oct 8, 2006 14:43:11 GMT -5
To me, Forrest Gump was Zemeckis' best film, hands-down. I count the Back to the Future Trilogy as a close second (I count the trilogy as one film). Who Framed Roger Rabbit was pretty damn stunning back in the day, and really not too shabby today.
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Should be a challenge for him if he gets it.
