Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies (2015) (Tom Hanks)

[DisneyBlu]

Originally Posted by spectre08

where have I made any such assertion that artistry and commercial success can't go hand in hand?

I never said Spielberg wasn't an artist BECAUSE he was commercially successful. I think it's easier to be commercially successful when your films are safe and appeal to a mass market.

Okay, then - so something like Ex Machina is inherently more "artistic" because it will have more of a niche audience? Is that right? Why would something like Jaws lack artistic value or merit just because it's "safe" and "appeals to a mass market"? Forget the money angle, then. A movie can't be safe and appeal to mass markets while also being artistic? Those Tarantino movies you praise are pretty safe and appeal to mass markets too, you know. Just because he has a lot of blood and swearing doesn't make it any less "safe."

Your arguments are more fitting of those guys who make those crappy parody movies, not Spielberg. There wouldn't be books and entire film courses dedicated to his filmography if there were no artistic merit to his films. It's just an absurd argument that the most successful director of all time isn't an artist. His movies would never have become so beloved if they weren't well made.