It was great listening to this chat between you guys and Ames! One thing I wish that could have been discussed was the legendary director François Truffaut ("the French guy") playing such a prominent role in the film. He was in the vanguard of the French New Wave and was the first to introduce the concept of the auteur theory. Although his works like "The 400 Blows" (1959), "Shoot the Piano Player" (1960), and "Jules et Jim" (1962) are often on the greatest films lists, my personal favorite is "Day for Night [La Nuit américaine]" (1973), which is a lovely, warm love letter to filmmaking. It's very meta in that Truffaut, the director, also plays the director of the film within the film. I think you will deeply connect with the film's passion for cinema, which also reflects Truffaut's lifelong contributions to film education and criticism. His book, "Hitchcock/Truffaut" (1966) is a must-read for any cinephile and the 2015 documentary with the same title is likewise essential viewing. The documentary is both about the book and a who's who of famous contemporary filmmakers talking about the impact the book has had on them.
Ames is one of my fave reactors-very authentic and invested in what she watches. Y’all are stellar reactors too. Thanks for this convo. I appreciate all of you.
I so love how Ames sees films. She often picks up on things I miss even after seeing a film multiple times. Close Encounters was so interesting because it almost starts out as a scary movie as the mystery unfolds. Awesome film. I love older films as well, the ones in Black and White that have interesting textures in visuals and usually really good stories.
Good conversation. I've been having this discussion for 40+ years since I saw it in the theater. The in theater experience was amazing. I recently bought VR goggles and watched the movie again in a retro virtual theater. And let me tell you, I felt like a kid again sitting next to my father watching on the big screen. I actually shed a tear sitting there watching it.
To see a "small" Spielberg film, you need to watch his early 70s TV movie, Duel. It's basically filmed w one actor, a car and a truck. But it is a great, Spielbergian suspense film.
Im 57 yrs old and grew up on ET and Close Encounters. For me, ET is a retelling of the gospel with an alien. Never liked it. Close Encounters is fantastic. Watched it 50 times. Much closer to my life experiences. But my favorite movie of all time is Alien.
My Dad was a huge fan of sci-fi AND and a huge fan of Steven Spielberg AND George Lucas...so he made sure I got to see both Close Encounters and Star Wars when they came out. In fact...he literally came to my school and took me with to go see Star Wars on opening day when I was 9. Of course, he "infected" me with his loves of sci fi and George and Steven, so I saw ET and the other two movies of the original trilogy many many times in theaters...and I definitely think that Close Encounters is a much better sci-fi movie than ET. The reason why ET got more hype and has also stood the test of time better is that it is very much a kids movie...where Close Encounters is not...at least that is the most important distinction between the two. I mean...let's be honest...there are serious themes about mental health involved in Close Encounters, and there is nothing that serious in ET...not really. And our opinions as a society about mental health issues have changed a lot since 1977, so watching Close Encounters today, Terri Garr's character seems unbelievably impatient and quick to abandon her husband...at least that is one big aspect of how Close Encounters is a reflection of its time in ways that ET just is not.
You guys are the best!! So much fun hanging out 👽👾🛸
It was great listening to this chat between you guys and Ames! One thing I wish that could have been discussed was the legendary director François Truffaut ("the French guy") playing such a prominent role in the film. He was in the vanguard of the French New Wave and was the first to introduce the concept of the auteur theory. Although his works like "The 400 Blows" (1959), "Shoot the Piano Player" (1960), and "Jules et Jim" (1962) are often on the greatest films lists, my personal favorite is "Day for Night [La Nuit américaine]" (1973), which is a lovely, warm love letter to filmmaking. It's very meta in that Truffaut, the director, also plays the director of the film within the film. I think you will deeply connect with the film's passion for cinema, which also reflects Truffaut's lifelong contributions to film education and criticism. His book, "Hitchcock/Truffaut" (1966) is a must-read for any cinephile and the 2015 documentary with the same title is likewise essential viewing. The documentary is both about the book and a who's who of famous contemporary filmmakers talking about the impact the book has had on them.
Thanks for having Ames on! She's THE BEST. Can't wait to watch ya'll talk about a great movie.
Ames is one of my fave reactors-very authentic and invested in what she watches. Y’all are stellar reactors too. Thanks for this convo. I appreciate all of you.
I so love how Ames sees films. She often picks up on things I miss even after seeing a film multiple times. Close Encounters was so interesting because it almost starts out as a scary movie as the mystery unfolds. Awesome film. I love older films as well, the ones in Black and White that have interesting textures in visuals and usually really good stories.
Good to see you guys!! And with Ames no less! Talking about one of my fave films!
Good conversation. I've been having this discussion for 40+ years since I saw it in the theater. The in theater experience was amazing. I recently bought VR goggles and watched the movie again in a retro virtual theater. And let me tell you, I felt like a kid again sitting next to my father watching on the big screen. I actually shed a tear sitting there watching it.
To see a "small" Spielberg film, you need to watch his early 70s TV movie, Duel. It's basically filmed w one actor, a car and a truck. But it is a great, Spielbergian suspense film.
Rad AF fam!❤ Ames is cool as heck and y’all are some of my favorites ❤
Fantastic episode and discussion!
Im 57 yrs old and grew up on ET and Close Encounters. For me, ET is a retelling of the gospel with an alien. Never liked it. Close Encounters is fantastic. Watched it 50 times. Much closer to my life experiences. But my favorite movie of all time is Alien.
Comparing E.T. and Close Encounters is like comparing Beetlejuice with The Exorcist.
This is your prize. A stuffed dinosaur that is scientifically accurate!
My Dad was a huge fan of sci-fi AND and a huge fan of Steven Spielberg AND George Lucas...so he made sure I got to see both Close Encounters and Star Wars when they came out. In fact...he literally came to my school and took me with to go see Star Wars on opening day when I was 9. Of course, he "infected" me with his loves of sci fi and George and Steven, so I saw ET and the other two movies of the original trilogy many many times in theaters...and I definitely think that Close Encounters is a much better sci-fi movie than ET. The reason why ET got more hype and has also stood the test of time better is that it is very much a kids movie...where Close Encounters is not...at least that is the most important distinction between the two.
I mean...let's be honest...there are serious themes about mental health involved in Close Encounters, and there is nothing that serious in ET...not really. And our opinions as a society about mental health issues have changed a lot since 1977, so watching Close Encounters today, Terri Garr's character seems unbelievably impatient and quick to abandon her husband...at least that is one big aspect of how Close Encounters is a reflection of its time in ways that ET just is not.
What do you guys think of Blade Runners and War Games.