Close encounters of the meeeellionth time

[dorinda]

I have seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind so many times. SO many times. The first time was when it was originally in theaters! One of my favorite T-shirts as a little child was my Close Encounters shirt.

It was on Turner Classic Movies today, and befitting today's mission to snuggle indoors out of the cold drizzle and reward myself for the few chores I did manage to get done, I watched it yet again.

Man, I get verklempt at the ending every time. In fact, the entire lengthy sequence at the hidden landing pad, all the different people there with their unspecified tasks and backstories, all doing their part, all coming together to be humanity's open and welcoming hand to the visitors, I could watch that whole thing on a constant loop. ♥_____♥

I really thrive on--and lately don't feel like I can find much of--that trope, where humans make peaceful first contact with another species, and work hard to understand and communicate with them, everyone reaching out with gentle good will through the differences.

{{{CE3K}}}

Comments

[sakana17]

I sheepishly admit, I've never seen the movie. I'm not sure why. But I hear ya on the lack of that particular trope. Not something you see much of, if at all, anymore.

[dorinda]

It feels practically mandatory these days for aliens to:

1. look like bugs
2. blow up notable national landmarks
3. not try to communicate at all whatsoever (and vice versa)

They're just an excuse for Our Heroes to go pew-pew-pew. Sigh.

[klia]

I've been in love with Close Encounters since I first saw it in the theater (special screening for school field trip!), and have also watched it a gazillion times. I love that scene you mentioned SO MUCH, especially using music as a universal language. I always thought that was so cool!

I think Close Encounters stands apart because of its benevolent aliens, though -- that particular trope is still kind of a rarity. But, come to think of it, that's probably why I fell for Star Trek as a kid (and Stargate SG-1/Atlantis later), and adore movies like Star Wars and Galaxy Quest, and can watch them over and over -- the aliens were (mostly) believably real, with their own customs and languages.

I never really thought about that particular button before, at least not consciously. I've always loved SFF movies with aliens of all different varieties -- from Alien to The Thing to Predator to The Day The Earth Stood Still. I seem to remember Independence Day being ground zero for the blowing up of all the familiar things, and we know how Hollywood loves to recycle ideas. That said, I adored Pacific Rim, so I guess whether or not I find it tedious all depends on the story being told.

ETA: Forgot to mention The Iron Giant! <3 <3 <3

[dorinda]

I remember Rob had this little synthesizer-for-kids around that time, and we figured out how to program it with the five tones, so we could loop it, play it faster or slower, etc., and play like we were in the movie. ♥

[klia]

That's adorable! :D

[beck_liz]

I rewatched Close Encounters in full earlier this year for the first time in a long while (long enough that much of it was like seeing a new movie), and I'd forgotten how good it is.

I really thrive on--and lately don't feel like I can find much of--that trope, where humans make peaceful first contact with another species, and work hard to understand and communicate with them, everyone reaching out with gentle good will through the differences.

Yes! I don't feel like there's nearly enough of this. I have fun with the alien invasion stuff to a point, but it makes me tired after awhile. Similarly, when you have astronauts exploring space/the solar system/whatever and instead of finding anything cool they find only terror and death. Ugh.

[lynndyre]

*quietly adds to list of movies to watch*

(this is my friendly alien icon!)