War of the Worlds (2005) – Steven Spielberg 

  I dive back into more HG Wells cinematic adaptations with the Sci-Fi Chronicles book, settling in to rewatch the Spielberg take on the classic invasion tale, done so well in the previously reviewed 1953 film. Spielberg’s updated take on the story is a modern, post 9/11 version which tries to walk the line, mostly successfully between modern sensibilities…

Hot Docs 2015: Raiders! – Jeremy Coon & Tim Skousen

  Screening today at the Hart House theatre at 9:30 is a documentary that completely encapsulated my youth and filled me with awe, and a fire to create. Back in 1981, a film came along that changed many a young viewer, myself included, Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. It affected a number of…

Trailer Tracks: Hook (1991) – Steven Spielberg

  Continuing my nod to Robin Williams… I’m still trying to process the fact that he’s gone… here’s a film that I so related to him in. I’ve always been young at heart, and definitely like to keep my inner child alive, so there’s a Peter Pan quality there… and his rediscovery of that in…

Trailer Tracks: Jurassic Park (1993) – Steven Spielberg

  I remember ‘borrowing permanently’ the hardcover version of Michael Crichton’s book from my mom as soon as I heard Spielberg had bought the rights to it, and was totally pumped to see dinosaurs brought to life on the big screen, and even now, this movie fails to disappoint. I also love that this teaser trailer doesn’t…

Trailer Tracks: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – Steven Spielberg

  In my eyes, this is one of the world’s perfect movies.  As a child, it filled me with wonder and ignited my imagination for apparently the rest of my life (so far, at least).  As an adult, that wonder is still there, but is now accompanied by an appreciation for some of the more…

Trailer Tracks: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Steven Spielberg

One of the biggest influences on my childhood, if not my entire life, alongside Star Wars, is this homage to the adventures of yesteryear, Raiders of the Lost Ark… that music (John Williams), that cast (Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies), those stunts (Vic Armstrong)!!! Often imitated, and sequel-ized, but never matched…

Trailer Tracks: The Goonies (1985) – Richard Donner

Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner working with a script from Christopher Columbus created this great film that starred Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green and Martha Plimpton. I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen this one, I know I played the soundtrack on cassette so many times the lettering faded from it,…