ferrisClose Encounters of the Third Kind (Director's Cut) (Steven Spielberg, 1977)
An unreal, unique cinematic experience. Everything was an assault of the senses (though pretty much the eyes and ears, I can't recall smelling or tasting anything). Leave it to John Williams to score a film so perfectly, and leave it to Spielberg to master an idea such as this on film. Really the lighting and set designs are what sold this so hard for me. Just gorgeous imagry, and even though I was raised in an era where special effects are so realistic, and yes, I could tell how fake some of the effects were, but I totally dug them. Putting it in a time period and coupling them with the style and feel of the film, I would say the effects were perfect. And even the conventional, earthling scenes were beautiful.
I always like a Richard Dreyfuss, and I was surprised to see someone like Truffaut in this, and hold his own really with the character that he played. I thought he was just a director. The little kid, Barry, was just the most adorable little thing too. The last about 40 minutes almost blew my mind it was so good. The rest of it was really good, but nothing compared to that third act.
If I wasn't so conservative with my 4 star ratings, and I am sure if I had seen this in theaters, on the big screen, as opposed to my 26" HDTV Blu-ray viewing, then it would be a 4 in a heartbeat. Needless to say a great film....you know what? Listening to the music and the short snippets on the menu have convinced me I need to be less snobbish with my 4 star ratings. I love Spielberg, I love Dreyfuss, I love this film. Oh, and did I watch the right cut? When the menu gave the choice between Original, Special Edition, and Director's Cut I didn't know what to do, so I just trusted Spielberg.
****