2. "a few things you said are off base..." In response to In response to 0
>not highly regarded in the artistic sense like someone such as >Stanley Kubrick.
he has made MANY films that are extremely revered for their artistic value:
Schindler's List The Color Purple Saving Private Ryan Munich Minority Report
and although his blockbusters may have inspired lazy knockoffs, the his classics are mostly considered well made, very good movies:
E.T. Raiders of the Lost Arc Close Encounters Jurassic Park Jaws
Not to say that he hasn't made missteps (War of the Worlds, Artificial Intelligence), but he's probably got the best balance of art and box office that you're going to find...