Deep cuts from Spielberg movies

Use them when you're in a pinch for an Oscar nominated movie

I’m currently really enjoying the second Spielberg series on Blank Check. If you’re not familiar, Blank Check is a podcast that cover directors’ filmographies. Directors who have achieved a certain level of success that affords them a figurative blank check to make whatever they like.

They previously covered the back half of Spielberg’s career and are now on a second Spielberg series called “Podrassic Cast” that covers from the beginning to Schindler’s List.

This week’s movie is Always (1989), which like most people in the world, I didn’t know existed. It stars Moviegrid notables Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, John Goodman and features Audrey Hepburn. Writer Richard Lawson joined Griffin and David to discuss Always, and mentioned that he was in the process of rewatching every Spielberg movie to rank them for a Vanity Fair article. The article has since been published and as I read, was surprised to see that I had forgotten some Moviegrid regulars who are second or third leads in a few Spielberg movies that I don’t think about very often. It can be rare to learn something new about Spielberg, so it’s been a lot of fun to listen to this series and use it as a means to improve my Moviegrid game.

Hook (1991)

This movie is typically regarded as one of Spielberg’s worst, but was definitely burned into nearly every millennial’s brain. I’ve not seen it for over 20 years, so I am curious what I would think now. Because it’s been semi-disappeared from Spielberg’s filmography, it’s worth using it in Moviegrid.

Obvious Moviegrid players: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Smith, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins

Deep cut players: Carrie Fisher (Yes! Uncredited), Gwyneth Paltrow, Glenn Close

Oscar nominated? Yes

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Surely no one has seen this since 1997? It probably should be disappeared. But, I think it’s a good one to add to your grid rotation.

Moviegrid players: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Vince Vaughn

Oscar nominated? Surprisingly yes

It’s never a bad idea to have a random Julianne Moore in your back pocket that satisfies both “double letter word in title” and “Oscar nominated”. I had no recollection that Vince Vaughn is in this. He doesn’t come up too often on Moviegrid. Is he lightly cancelled right now?

Empire of the Sun (1987)

I would like to see this despite Richard Lawson ranking it low on his list. I don’t really know anything about Japan’s invasion of China during WWII and I’m very interested to learn. On the Blank Check episode they talk about how the production received special permission to shoot in Shanghai and all the planning and coordination that came with filming there for 3 weeks. It was quite a feat.

Moviegrid players: Christian Bale (his first starring role), John Malkovich, Joe Pantoliano, Ben Stiller

Oscar nominated? Yes

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

I was just in Belgium for the weekend (humble brag), so I understand the cultural importance of this character to Belgians. Interestingly, I just learned that Tintin is the person and the dog is named Snowy. I did assume Tintin was the dog. I will probably never see this. But I will use it in the grid.

Moviegrid players: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Cary Elwes

This feels huge for my Daniel Craig game.

Oscar nominated? Yes

The Post (2017)

I don’t have strong feelings about this movie but usually can name it when I free flow Meryl movies for fun. (Yes, I like to challenge myself to list actors’ filmographies to train for Moviegrid. Try it.) It’s a movie with a huge cast, so worth a review of the obvious and less obvious players.

Obvious Moviegrid players: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks

Everyone else: Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, Jesse Plemons, David Cross, Michael Stuhlbarg

For my Broadway girlies: Jessie Mueller, Stark Sands, Susan Blackwell, Clarke Thorell, Lilli Cooper

Oscar nominated? Yes

The Blank Check series is such a good time, I recommend that you check it out. Nothing elevates my Moviegrid game quite like movie podcasts.