E.T the Extra-Terrestrial was a smash hit which took the world by storm.   A family movie about an alien encounter that painted the alien in the same light we try to paint ourselves as galactic explorers, both in real life missions and in our sci-fi fantasy genres.  Steven Spielberg set his 1982 classic on the contemporary suburban backdrop in a single parent family, giving a sense of realism to the audience and leaving an indelible mark on pop culture. The enduring legacy transcends the boundaries of age, nationality, and time.

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At its core, “E.T.” is a story about connection, belonging, and the universal human experience of longing for understanding and acceptance. The film follows Elliott, a middle child, grappling with the absence of his father and the complexities of childhood, as he discovers and befriends an extraterrestrial stranded on Earth. Their bond transcends language barriers and physical differences, illustrating the innate human capacity for empathy and compassion. The film’s portrayal of Elliott’s family, particularly his relationship with his siblings and mother, offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities of familial bonds and the challenges of navigating adolescence.

But the magic of the movie is its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and imagination, capturing the essence of childhood curiosity and the limitless possibilities of the unknown. Spielberg masterfully crafts a narrative that balances moments of exhilarating adventure with poignant reflections on identity, home, and the intricacies of human emotion. The iconic image of Elliott and E.T. flying across the moon encapsulates the film’s magical realism, blending the fantastical with the deeply human.  The film’s portrayal of alien life and extraterrestrial encounters has shaped contemporary perceptions of outer space, fostering a sense of curiosity and exploration that resonates in scientific endeavors and space exploration initiatives. Moreover, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” has inspired countless works of art, literature, and film, serving as a touchstone for narratives exploring themes of alienation, friendship, and the quest for belonging.

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Take this opportunity to re-experience some of that magic, share “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” with your extended family.  Relive some nostalgia, with bmx bikes and kids playing in the streets unattended. Talk about the familial bond that sees the children pulling together so that E.T. can phone home on Halloween.  Spielberg’s visionary direction, coupled with outstanding performances and a poignant narrative, offer timeless lessons on the human condition.  This universal appeal, cements “E.T.” as a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences across the globe.

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This foreign made film took the world by storm with it’s vivid portrayal of life upon a WWII German u-boat. The novel Das Boot on which the 2.5 hour film was based, was written by a war correspondent, who documented his personal experiences aboard one of these military submarines, the U-96, in the heart of the war. The film was originally considered for US production with either Robert Redford or Paul Newman to star. But the Germans eventually took on the 2 year undertaking. German and Austrian actors were used to represent the realistic accents and dialects of the Nazi military. And the actors dubbed their own voices for the English version of the film, which surprisingly was out-performed in the box-office by Das Boot in it’s original German format.

Das Boot was nominated for 6 Academy Awards. The captain of the actual U-96 on which Das Boot was written, was a consultant for the film, which wanted to give audiences a glimpse at the realities of war and naval duties on a submarine deployed in the middle of the last great war. Most of the filming was dragged out over the course of a year, and shot sequentially to realistically capture the effects of time and stress on the actors bodies, through their beard growth and decreasing pallor from their confinement. These actors were literally spent months in a cramped unhealthy atmosphere. The interior of the actual u-96 was recreated to shoot realistic scenes. And several mock ups were made for the exterior. One such mock-up was rented by Steven Spielberg for a Nazi scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The original novel was intended as an anti-war story.

The film just tries, critics say successfully, to capture the realities of war. Interestingly, the German naval forces aboard the submarines lacked much of the Nazi sympathies of their land-lubing ground pounders and ace pilots. So watching this naval crew under-fire we see less an evil enemy getting their just rewards and more a group of friends / comrades doing their military duty through the tedious monotony and life or death situations. To that effect the film not only shows the realities of naval service during a time of war, but keeps a humanistic face on all the characters.

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Produced by Steven Spielberg, working in collaboration with 3 other directors this homage to the 1960s TV show and it’s creator Rod Sterling is a series of 4 vignettes. The movie was marketed as a horror, scifi, but given the quality of horror films of it’s era, it is disappointing in this regard. Due to it’s science fiction and nostalgic appeal however, the movie was a box-office success, giving the green light for a subsequent relaunch of an updated Twilight zone TV series and should be watched if you are a fan of either series.

The movie begins with great music and an introductory prologue starring Dan Aykroyd which helps to tie the vignettes together. This and the first segment were directed by John Landis (Trading Places & Micheal Jackson’s Thriller). The first segment takes a Twilight Zone look at racism. Spielberg directed the second segment, a more whimsical look at life, aging, and missed opportunities. The third portion is directed by Joe Dante (Innerspace & The Burbs), this story is an actual remake of a 1960s episode about a child with the power to create his heart’s desire. Lastly George Miller (Mad Max) directs John Lithgow in a personal horror about gremlins and a fear of flying. Lithgow, as always, is superb; he depicts an aerophobic man whose anxieties descend into panic, followed by a psychological breakdown when he witnesses a gremlin tearing apart the plane that he is in.

Nostalgia, vintage and memorabilia lovers are going to really enjoy this movie. The Twilight Zone movie encapsulates the 1980s not only with both it’s look and feel but also its method of story telling. True to the original show’s plot twists, this movie incorporated the new wave and heavy metal bubble gum culture of the era. When the movie is over you almost want to buy some vinyl records and get a big hair style.

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The date is December 13, 1941, only six days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The United States is in morning and fear has gripped its citizen when a Japanese submarine surfaces just off the coast of southern California. Commanded by Akiro Mitamura with a Nazi observer, Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt, in tow they embark upon a mission to obtain honor. They decide that they must attack Hollywood and the result is pure hysterical hijynx that leaves you scratching your head wondering who won and who lost the fight.

Nudity, foul language and mature themes.

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