I still stick by my opinion that A.I., whether Spielberg's excesses or Kubrick's excesses (and neither filmmaker makes my top ten list. I think 2001 one of the most stultifying, drearily boring films I've ever seen. I also don't think much of Kubrick as a person ever since I heard the Kirk Douglas' story about when they were debating the screen credit for Spartacus...because the film had been written by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo...Kubrick without any hesitation or embarrassment volunteered himself for the credit...a moment of overweening hubris that decided Douglas to break the blacklist and give Trumbo credit...But I prefer both Kubrick and Spielberg's earlier work before they became icons and their poop suddenly stopped smelling), ...where was I?...Ah, yes, I stand my ground that A.I. is an indulgent, over-ripe, pretentious, ponderous steaming pile of maudlin manure (I seem to be full of scatological references today). I found it an empty, emotional void and a lie from start to finish. And that frigging Teddy Bear...the worst movie creation since the bloody Ewoks. I think possibly one of the all-time worst movies made by a major filmmaker in the last five years. I wanted to throw things at the screen and hiss and boo.
As for Miles Kreuger, who I know and respect, and Mr. Ken Hanke, who I've emailed corresponded with and respect, I can't quite see Love Me Tonight as the best musical ever made...I give it to Singing in the Rain or The Pirate or a lot of others before that one. But I believe Miles is a great admirer and was a personal friend of Mr. Reuben Mamoulian, a terrific director, who, I believe, directed the film.
