Schindler's List (1993)

Very touching story
I teach 11th grade history and most of my students have no idea about the "Holocaust" because it is not talked about much anymore. My students were mesmerized by this film and disgusted at the same time. Fascinated by what was happening but also disgusted to think that something like this could actually happen. I recommend this movie to everyone.

A strange circumstance
You would think that a subject such as the massacre of millions of "his" people would be something that he could really make a personal film about, but it's just more cold, money grubbing trash from Captain Shallow, pseudo-humanist.

Godard was right, Spielberg never once looked within himself for inspiration in regards to Schindler's List. In technicality terms it is not a bad film, the use of black and white was a decent decision, but the overall feeling of the film is one of total detachment, he doesn't care about the subject, he doesn't care about the people.

This would be fine from a director known for being distant or cold, like Antonioni, but from a guy who, apparently, gives to charities and creates entire groups to benefit the memory of WW2 veterans, etc, etc, it's just a massive failure.

And, REALLY, exactly how many Germans spoke fluent, PERFECT, english in the 40's? Oh, that's right, Spielberg knew there isn't any money to be made in Subtitled films.

What a joke.

"The list is life."
I first saw the movie when in grad school in Kingston. It seems a lifetime away now. I went with my friend JMM to see it. We drove up to the theatre in Kingston Township in the evening. After seeing the film, I remarked to him as we walked back to the car, "We're never going to be able to talk about this, are we?" "No," was his answer. And, we never did. The film is too moving to really talk about.

So, my wife and I sat down and watched the film, a couple of nights ago. My wife is much more the fan of comedy movies, so she sat through this silently, gripping my hand tightly at times. Early on, she asked, "Why are they doing this?" I explained as best I could. Later, she fell mostly silent, only commenting again when she realized that Schindler was trying to save his factory workers.

It's a sad, moving testament to humanity, this film. Now that we've finished watching it, I find myself again with little to say. What can one say, after all? Anything I could say would pale in comparison.