

To mark his 60th birthday, we celebrate the genius of Steven Spielberg by counting down (in no particular order) the greatest moments, amazing stories and monumental impact of the world's greatest film director...
WORDS: Ian Freer and Ross Bennett
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He Wears His Heart On His Sleeve

Directing Henry Thomas in E.T.
One of the most consistent criticisms levelled at Spielberg is his tendency to pack his movies with an overbearing level of sentimentality. But he very rarely presents suburbia as a cosy, homely idyll and the cold landscapes of most of his films - particularly E.T and A.I Artificial Intelligence - are not welcoming, sanitised places. His emphasis on family reconciliation is undeniable and his movies often end positively, but take Catch Me If You Can and The Sugarland Express; two movies in which the main characters leave the screen unsatisfied and emotionally lost. When Spielberg's sentimental streak is let loose, it results in a hugely endearing feeling of strength, warmth and hope. And remember - this is the movies.
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