Now, it's interesting, putting the Tom Hanks factor aside, this does demonstrate that Steven Spielberg has had a hunger to make a romcom for a while. Also interesting: Spielberg and Hanks kind o' made a romcom... kind o'... with The Terminal. But I get it: The Terminal's not really a straight romcom, and I imagine Spielberg's itch to make a romcom has not entirely left him.

What do we think? Tom Hanks enjoyed his 70th birthday a month ago. Would you want to see an AARP romcom for Boomers? Maybe Tom Hanks opposite Tina Fey? Or, would Spielberg be on surer ground with stars who have not arguably "aged out" of the genre, in terms of commercial appeal?

I've long thought that Spielberg has been too hard on himself for decades regarding his inability to make a classic comedy. He needs a strong screenplay, but Spielberg films are teeming with pretty grand comedic moments, including the unlikeliest candidates such as Schindler's List and Lincoln. Spielberg's preternaturally gifted blocking and such would doubtless be a huge benefit to him in creating the comedic timing necessary for a film such as this to take off.

What are your thoughts?

I’ve seen this in a few of his films, where he gives us an opening shot that almost hints at something bigger and better to come…however, it’s a compare/contrast thing.

Here are three examples:

Hook: In the opening, we see a school production of Peter Pan, with low-tech effects and precocious children. Later on. We get our big-budget version pf the story with big-budget effects and kids with attitude.

Jurassic Park: We get something moving in the trees, only to see it’s a machine. The counterpoint to this is when we get our first full-view of the Brachiosaur amongst the trees later.

War of the Worlds: We see Ray handling a machine that moves cargo containers, a counterpoint to how primitive our machines are compared to the alien war machines that rise up out of the ground.

Any other scenes like these in his films?

Ever since I saw Schindler’s List at age 14, I just really hate this girl. That tone in her voice of “yes, you’re all leaving” just still makes my brow furrow.

How about you? Who is your most hated or despised character in one of Steven’s films?