Categories & segments

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

The five-note musical exchange works, but the extended mothership improvisation becomes awkward.

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:36Read transcript
  • Craig says the initial five-note exchange works but the extended musical improvisation becomes awkward. — Craig Horlbeck
  • He argues that Spielberg and John Williams overextended the sequence once the brass and tuba-like sounds begin. — Craig Horlbeck
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Half-Assed Internet Research

Schrader's rejected script, military noncooperation, the alien performers, the $3.3 million effects budget, motion-control advances, and Truffaut's response to the sets

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:40Read transcript
  • Spielberg is quoted calling Paul Schrader's screenplay one of the most embarrassing scripts submitted to a studio or director.
  • Schrader's version reportedly followed an experiencer who threatened to expose the government after fifteen years of attempted contact.
  • The Air Force and NASA reportedly refused to cooperate, which Spielberg interpreted as encouraging evidence for the film.
  • Julia Phillips criticized Spielberg as a perfectionist before being removed from the production.
  • Fifty girls, each six years old and from Mobile, were cast as aliens after puppetry failed.
  • Douglas Trumbull supervised visual effects that advanced motion-control photography.
  • The visual-effects work is reported to have had a $3.3 million budget.
  • Ralph McQuarrie's contribution to the mothership is noted alongside his Star Wars work.
  • Truffaut reportedly ignored the giant landing-site set but praised the small hotel-room set as familiar to his filmmaking experience.
  • Truffaut's role is defended because communication beyond language is a central theme and his films influenced the filmmakers' generation.
  • The Searchers is cited as a visual influence, including its doorway and horizon compositions.
  • Topps reportedly issued sixty-six trading cards and eleven stickers, excluding Dreyfuss and Truffaut at their request.
  • Jaws, Rocky, Rocky II, and E.T. are cited as other films with card sets.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Apex Mountain

Dreyfuss, post-New-Hollywood UFO movies, and UFO-related sunburns: yes

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:15Read transcript
  • Steven Spielberg is considered and immediately rejected as being at his apex here.
  • Richard Dreyfuss is placed at his apex because he won an Oscar and starred in major films during this run.
  • The film is selected as the apex of UFO movies in the post-New-Hollywood era.
  • UFO-related sunburns are given an apex here.
  • François Truffaut is rejected as being at his apex here.
  • Melinda Dillon is considered near her apex because Close Encounters and Slap Shot arrived the same year.
  • Mashed potatoes and their use as construction material receive an apex nomination.
  • Movie fathers losing control is rejected in favor of The Shining and Goodfellas examples.
  • Muncie, Indiana is proposed as reaching its screen apex here.
  • Teri Garr's apex is deferred to her Tootsie and talk-show era.
  • Bad parenting in a major hit is debated against This Boy's Life and other examples.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Picking Nits

Barry's dog-door escape, Jillian's response, sleep-gassing the animals, the returned pilots' calm, and the friendly conspiracy

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:15Read transcript
  • Jillian allowing Barry to escape through the dog door during the abduction is criticized as implausible parental behavior.
  • Jillian is criticized for not immediately inspecting Barry when he returns from the spacecraft.
  • Putting the animals to sleep with gas is called an odd and weird choice.
  • The returned pilots are criticized for showing no shock or questions after learning that thirty-two years have passed.
  • The military and scientific conspiracy is criticized as implausibly kind and transparent.
  • After a separate Spielberg anecdote, the panel returns to government friendliness as the prevailing nitpick.
  • Lacombe's unusual authority on American soil is questioned.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A prestige sequel about returned abductees

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:54:21Read transcript
  • A prestige series is proposed about returned abductees adjusting to families that aged without them.
  • Roy's eventual return is proposed as a first-season ending.
  • The panel notes Spielberg considered but rejected sequel opportunities despite making other sequels.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Is This Movie Better With…?

Doris Burke, a skeptical Jay Williams character, and Wilford Brimley

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:55:26Read transcript
  • Doris Burke is proposed to address Roy's oldest son about becoming the man of the house.
  • Jay Williams is proposed as a skeptical commentator who minimizes Lacombe's achievement and questions the science.
  • Wilford Brimley is proposed to question Mitch about what Jillian finds at Devil's Tower.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Roy's return, the abductees' aging, the family's response, and Roy's firing remain unanswered.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:59:26Read transcript
  • The panel asks whether Roy ever returned or saw his family again.
  • The abductees' lack of aging while aboard the ship is questioned.
  • The panel asks how Ronnie and the family respond to the altered house and Roy's disappearance.
  • Barry's future after the encounter is imagined through an Omen comparison.
  • Roy's unexplained firing and whether a scene is missing are questioned.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Rewatchables
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The jumpsuit, clay mountain, cymbal monkey, and a 1977 McDonald's burger

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 02:01:43Read transcript
  • Roy's mission jumpsuit is selected as memorabilia.
  • Roy's clay Devil's Tower sculpture is selected as memorabilia.
  • Barry's cymbal-banging monkey toy is selected as memorabilia.
  • A 1977 McDonald's burger is proposed as a time-specific collectible and taste comparison.
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