Robert Zemeckis, part IX: The aging process

DEATH BECOMES HER

An hour plus of the finest possible Zemeckian slapstick sadly becomes a strident harangue in its final act; yet there's too much here that's good and even great to let this one go without a fight.

1992

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Written by Martin Donovan and David Koepp

With Meryl Streep (Madeline Ashton), Goldie Hawn (Helen Sharp), Bruce Willis (Dr. Ernest Menville), and Isabella Rossellini (Lisle Von Ruhman)

Spoiler alert: moderate

Steven Spielberg, part IV: They were all in love with dying; they were doing it in Texas

THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS

Spielberg dances cautiously around the style and content of the New Hollywood in his first theatrical feature, and the results are very much a mixed bag.

1974

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Written by Hal Barwood, Matthew Robbins, and Steven Spielberg

With Goldie Hawn (Lou Jean Sparrow Poplin), William Atherton (Clovis Poplin), Michael Sacks (Officer Maxwell Slide), and Ben Johnson (Capt. Harlan Tanner)

Spoiler alert: N/A, sort of, but let's say high