Week 2

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
One of the big ones. Directed by Spielberg. Scored by Williams. Released the same year as Star Wars (and probably just as influential and iconic—at least in the film world, if not in pop-culture). Full of iconic elements—like the mashed potato Devil’s Tower and the haunting five-note melody the aliens use to communicate. At almost 40, the film has aged well. It’s so imaginative and creative. From the story, with it’s gradually unfolding mystery and building tension, to the magical special effects that still look fantastic.

This is a film that wouldn’t happen today. For a number of reasons. From a storytelling aspect, the alien encounters in the film would quickly go viral given the ubiquity of cell phone cameras, which would totally spoil the suspense and build-up and mystery about what’s going on. Few other characters would doubt Dreyfus’s character (or the other “believers”), as they would have seen alien evidence on YouTube. Also, the pacing (while perfect for the film) would likely test the patience of contemporary audiences; you take a journey with this film. And the climax, while awe-inspiring, is not action-packed. It amounts to something like a rousing, cyber-rendition of dueling banjos. Not to mention that the aliens turn out to be friendly—unlike most alien films before and since, in which aliens have come to invade and conquer and destroy instead of study and learn and befriend. Finally, the special effects would likely have been produced using computer effects (CGI, as we commonly call it). And I’m sure it would have looked just great. But it wouldn’t have been the same. Yeah, I’m old-school, but there’s something to be said about practical effects, and how well they hold up over time, how natural they look and feel, how creative the filmmakers had to get to make them happen. 

Check out how they did that crazy sky in the film. they used something called a Cloud Tank.

Tootsie (1982)
The music and clothing date it a bit, and I’m not crazy about the last 15 minutes, but overall, this Tootsie is a fun one. Excellent cast (and casting). Loved seeing a post-Caddyshack and Stripes (but pre-Ghostbusters) Bill Murray as the deadpan playwright roommate. And Hoffman is phenomenal in his dual role, especially as Dorothy. Jessica Lange, in her Oscar-winning performance, brings a believable sadness to an otherwise rather thinly-drawn character. And Teri Garr (I just realized this was apparently the unofficial Teri Garr week, as she appeared in both films) has little screen time but steals every scene she’s in.

Especially considering the era in which it was made, Tootsie does delve into some interesting explorations of gender roles. In many ways it challenges them (usually for comedic effect), but in many other ways, it affirms them (again, for comedic effect). I like Hoffman’s Michael’s Dorothy’s character a lot. And I read an interview once in which Hoffman said how important this film and role were to him. But at the end of the day, Tootsie is a broad comedy (seriously, absolutely no pun intended)--a Shakespearean-esque farce of mistaken identity that offers some interesting food for thought but ultimately maintains the status-quo.

Best line (of many): “I was a better man with you (as a woman) than I ever was with a woman (as a man)—know what I mean?”

Get a chance to watch either? Your thoughts?