For episode 3 we ranked our favorite films directed by Steven Spielberg. That rule matters: Matt had to leave off Poltergeist, which Spielberg wrote and produced but didn't direct. See both lists side by side on the full ranking.
Where we agreed
Two films made both lists. Schindler's List is Matt's number one and Jeff's number two. Matt pointed to the scenes that never leave you: the liquidation of the ghetto, Ralph Fiennes' commandant on the balcony, and the girl in the red coat in an otherwise black-and-white film. For him that's exactly why we love movies, for the lasting impact they can have. Jeff hasn't rewatched it recently, but remembers it as a hard film that is also beautiful in how it honors what Oskar Schindler did.
Jurassic Park is Jeff's number one and Matt's number three. Jeff's case is tension: you know what's coming and it still gets you. Matt loves the John Williams score, Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcolm, and his favorite line about being so preoccupied with whether they could that they didn't stop to think if they should. Its effects still look amazing more than thirty years later.
The Indiana Jones argument
Jeff opened his list with Temple of Doom. Matt demanded a justification. Jeff's answer: it's a great action movie that leaves him with tension in his heart and a smile on his face, and really he's standing up for all three original films. Matt went with Raiders of the Lost Ark at number four. For him, Spielberg and George Lucas give you just enough history that the adventure feels possible. It was a struggle to leave off Last Crusade.
The rest
- Jeff's Lincoln is here for Daniel Day-Lewis, who could break a serious moment with one of Lincoln's humorous stories.
- Jeff's Hook is his admitted wildcard, a pick for Robin Williams and the big action scenes.
- Matt's Jaws earned its spot once he finally sat down with it properly, mostly for the three men on the boat.
- Matt's Saving Private Ryan is here for a D-Day opening that dispelled the myth of earlier war movies, where soldiers strolled up the beach. He still loves Band of Brothers more.
Hear the whole conversation, plus our takes on Toy Story 5 and Paths of Glory, on episode 3.