Categories & segments

Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Sean Penn “I Brought My Own Pack” Award for Excellence in On-Screen Smoking

The segment proposes that Ronnie or Jillian should have smoked to fit 1977 Indiana.

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:46Read transcript
  • The flex proposal argues that Ronnie smoking constantly would make her more period-authentic and relatable.
  • Jillian is also proposed as a smoker because smoking would have been common in 1977 Indiana.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Larry Butler and Roy's failures as a husband and father

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:50Read transcript
  • Larry Butler is criticized as under-realized in an otherwise carefully cast film.
  • Roy is attacked as a husband and father for abandoning three children and his wife.
  • The panel also considers whether alien contact creates an obsession that makes Roy's decision unavoidable.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

What’s Aged the Worst?

Some alien effects, too little period-appropriate smoking, the lack of PTSD awareness, stealth observation, and endless recutting

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:39Read transcript
  • The child-performed alien suits are criticized while the marionette and final alien are defended.
  • The lack of cigarette smoking is selected as an element that does not match the film's 1977 setting.
  • The family's failure to recognize Roy's trauma and half-face burn as evidence of PTSD is judged to have aged badly.
  • The possibility of keeping UFO observation secret in a camera-phone era is rejected.
  • The forgotten television series Soap and its abduction plot are proposed as a dated reference.
  • The mothership interior in the 1980 cut and repeated recutting are criticized as revisions that aged poorly.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?

The segment imagines the consequences for Roy's family and Roy aboard the ship.

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:25Read transcript
  • Sean selects the Next Day category as his flex choice. — Sean Fennessey
  • Roy's time aboard the ship is imagined as decades of invasive experimentation.
  • Ronnie is imagined rapidly rebuilding her life with a new partner after leaving Roy.
  • Roy's oldest son is predicted to become delinquent after the family's collapse.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Roy's decision to leave may be defensible, and the movie may be the best ever with a six-word title.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:00Read transcript
  • The panel argues that first contact with extraterrestrial life could justify Roy leaving his family.
  • Close Encounters is proposed as the best movie with a title of six or more words.
  • The Fellowship of the Ring and Everything Everywhere All at Once are considered as long-title alternatives, with Close Encounters preferred to Fellowship.
  • Dr. Strangelove, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford are proposed as further long-title contenders.
  • Borat is conceded to be funnier, but the panel still does not rank it above Close Encounters overall.
  • A hypothetical 2025 remake is criticized as likely to turn Roy into an online obsessive, medicate the children, provoke protests, and scare away the aliens with phones.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Casting What-Ifs

Steve McQueen, James Caan, Pacino, Hoffman, Hackman, Nicholson, Streep, Irving, and others

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:53Read transcript
  • Steve McQueen is reported to have declined because he could not cry on cue despite admiring the script.
  • James Caan, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, and Gene Hackman are reported to have declined the lead, while Jack Nicholson had conflicts.
  • Richard Dreyfuss is reported to have lobbied Spielberg persistently before salary demands briefly stalled the deal.
  • Hackman's troubled marriage and reluctance to leave Los Angeles, along with Caan's price, are given as reasons the alternatives failed.
  • Teri Garr wanted Jillian but was cast as Ronnie; Meryl Streep and Amy Irving also auditioned for Ronnie.
  • Hal Ashby is reported to have recommended Melinda Dillon, who was cast only days before filming.
  • Carrie Guffey reportedly lost the chance to play Danny Torrance because he was committed to other films.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Recasting Couch

Keep the director; consider John Cazale, James Brolin, O.J. Simpson, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Nicolas Cage, Richard Gere, Bruce Willis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Chadwick Boseman

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:12Read transcript
  • The panel initially finds no director replacement and briefly proposes John Cazale, James Brolin, or O.J. Simpson for Larry Butler.
  • Tom Hanks is proposed as Roy in a 1987 version.
  • Will Smith is proposed for a 1997 version and questioned as too handsome or heroic.
  • Nicolas Cage is proposed as another 1997 Roy.
  • Richard Gere is considered and rejected as too attractive or too old for the 1997 role.
  • Bruce Willis is considered and rejected as too old for the 1997 role.
  • Philip Seymour Hoffman is proposed for a 2007 version.
  • Chadwick Boseman is proposed for a 2017 version.
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