Comments on: Steven Soderbergh Not Done Directing Just Yet? Plus His Advice to Filmmakers

By: StenR

StenR — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:16:16 +0000

Actually, I found Solaris to be a quite enjoyable experience, adding another layer compared to the original movie and the novel.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:10:48 +0000

Totally agree. Soderbergh is technically a very accomplished filmmaker but his films have no heart. He leaps from one style to another, from mainstream films to independent ones, but I can´t find a film which can barely be considered as a masterpiece. And I´ve watched all of them except Gray´s Anathomy, Schizopolis and Full Frontal.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:15:36 +0000

Ocean’s Twelve is one of his most impressive films, stylistically, and has a strong following amongst more academic cinephiles. It wasn’t a mainstream critical success (and I believe he and cast members have since apologized for it), but make no mistake, it is his most adventurous (soderbergian?) big budget film. And this is a filmmaker who really shines in his smaller budget work.

By: Joe Sugo

Joe Sugo — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 02:41:49 +0000

No need for shame, Brock, just remember we’re not talking about the legacy of Brett Ratner here ;-)

By: Brock

Brock — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:34:29 +0000

Touche, Joe. Indeed he has made films on his own terms and that is very much something to admire. Also, good point on SLV and its impact on the indie scene. (I still think its overrated as a film, hehe)

I’ll admit, my pov is biased in that I’ve never cared for his films and the recent crop of ‘big name directors’ have been critical of our generations young filmmakers. I’m referring to the genre haters (of whom state ‘films aren’t like they used to be), technology haters (‘film isn’t a film unless its shot on film’) and every other ‘past their potency’ aging director that condemn recent filmmaking trends.

In my short sighted , hasty remark.. I realize soderbergh is none of these things.

*hangs head in shame*

Statement retracted, though my opinion on his films remain.

By: Marky Mark

Marky Mark — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:27:50 +0000

The movie THIS IS 40 is a prime example of dead screen time or as he put it noise vs signal. They had no clue how to end or when to end that movie! Steven should have been in the editing bay!

By: Joe Sugo

Joe Sugo — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:08:50 +0000

I think people care because he’s one of a few directors that’s managed to produce a lot of work on their own terms. Does he want us to feel sad for him? I think it’s more that he sees more creative opportunities in different mediums.

A big reason there’s opportunities for young guys and gals with something to prove is that sex, lies, and videotape opened the door for tons of small budget indie and Hollywood pictures in the early and mid-90s. It gave a huge amount of legitimacy to Miramax – that was one of their first major hits as a distributor.

By: Paper_bag

Paper_bag — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:50:20 +0000

No dissing of Sex, Lies plix. Ty.

By: Brock

Brock — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:37:48 +0000

Honestly, who cares if Soderbergh retires. In my own opinion, the man has been grossly overrated since his debut. His attitude towards cinema is redeeming – in that he retains his indie roots – but what has he made that really deserves the ‘heart breaking’ retirement announcement relevant? Sex, lies, videotape? Kafka? Schizopolis? Out of Sight? The Limey? Traffic? Erin Brockovich? The man’s a prolific director that is as professional as they come, granted…. But who cares?

I just can’t feel sad for these huge names of cinema anymore. Get in the young guys/gals with something to prove.

By: DIYFilmSchool.net

DIYFilmSchool.net — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:31:43 +0000

I like Soderbergh’s directorial style and cinematography sensibility. When I think of the couple of movies of his I like, it’s because of those two things.

By: Natt

Natt — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:55:03 +0000

I knew it, I fkkin knew it

By: Fresno Bob

Fresno Bob — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:06:03 +0000

I’m not a fan of his – his oeuvre feels self-serving – just trying out one genre or technique and then moving on.
Must be a fun experiment for him, but not much fun to watch.

He also spreads himself to thin. I have the feeling he just doesn’t take much time over projects. Films like Contagion just move from start to finish without much personality or soul.
The Oceans 11 sequels are unforgiveable.

Saying that, Out Of Sight was superb – the reason I keep giving him another chance when I see one of his films pop up.

By: Soosan Khanoom

Soosan Khanoom — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:53:43 +0000

Love him or hate him, he definitely is one of a kind.

By: Paper_bag

Paper_bag — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:15:47 +0000

I find it depressing if it’s true he’s over making cinema.

Can’t help but feel it’s a bit like another old man lays down his hand and quits the holy game of poker.

By: ThunderBolt

ThunderBolt — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:04:45 +0000

Whatever works, works. Getting what you need from talent takes gift of bringing our their potential. If it takes waxing their car, I say do it. People need to feel empowered, this approach does that. DP or director needs to guide talent to go the shot, make the scene and wrap it into something worthy of time and money spent. If this work for Steve, it’s a great formula. Simple is better. Context and brevity.

By: Steven Soderbergh Not Done Directing Just Yet? Plus His Advice to Filmmakers | Film School Home Study

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:13:44 +0000

[...] Steven Soderbergh has been getting a fair amount of attention lately as PR winds down on what could be his last theatrical feature film, Side Effects (he technically has one more movie left, a Liberace biopic starring Matt Damon which is heading to HBO). In a recent New York Magazine feature from See all stories on this topic » [...]

By: Curtis David Sackett

Curtis David Sackett — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:12:45 +0000

I was amazed by a scene in Magic Mike when after watching a major conversation go down I realized it was all completely one shot. Noticed this in a lot of his work. Lved the bizarre shot compositions and long takes in The Girlfriend Experience as well. Reading John Huston’s autobiography An Open Book, he says “…if you can make use of two or even three set-ups–going from one balanced, framed picture to another without cutting–a sense of richness, grace and fluency is evoked… Such linked shots are the mark of a good director.”