I have no idea why, but everytime I watch this movie, in the end I always sobbing outta control. Maybe because of the vast knowledge of "We are not alone" kinda make me feels like a tiny speck of dirt in this universe.

Roy (Richard Dreyfuss) is one of the several people who experiences a close encounter of the first kind; he witnesses flying UFOs. Afterwards, he has been subsequently haunted by a mountainlike image in his head, and becomes obssesed with it, and put a strain towards his family and his wife, Ronnie (Teri Garr). Same thing also happens with Gillian (Melinda Dillon) who experiences a close encounter of the two kind whose her son, Barry (Cary Guffey) is being abducted by the UFO. They and the rest of the people, with the government, lead by Claude Lacombe (François Truffaut) feels undeniably drawn to a mysterious mountain named "The Devil's Tower", a place to have a close enocounter of the third kind; a contact with the aliens. Directed by Steven Spielberg.

I missed how Steven Spielberg made movie like this. How come he never make movies like this anymore? I like "Jaws", "E.T: The Extra-Terrestial", and "Jurassic Park". But he had to make those stupid crap "War of The Worlds" and "A.I: Artificial Intelligence". The whole point of this sci-fi movies is not about the technology, but it's about the emotion, the characters, the storylines, that's most important about his movies. Although not as good as the others, but this movie holds a special place in my mind about the story of humanity as a whole. I think this movie is an allegory of a spiritual quest disguised as science fiction; an average man suddenly finds himself as a "chosen" one of something he doesn't understand, and sacrifices everything he has in order to find out what it all means. It's the ultimate story about mankind -- what are you willing to go through in order to find meaning in your life? I found out not long ago that this movie is a bit religious.

This film is a very gentle, lyrical movie about a peaceful encounter with aliens. This movie is genuinely suspenseful and it filled me with a sense of wonder. Acting is all top notch. Richard Dreyfuss plays the obssesed role excellently, and is totally believable as his character. It's brilliantly written and directed. I have to admit that Spielberg really has talent. One of the things a really good movie does is get my emotions going and this movie does that quite effectively. The film is intense and very noisy, yet ironically it complements John Williams' simple melodies. The film is beautifully shot and lit, and frankly the arrival of the Mothership in the film is one of cinema's most magical moments. The film is like a thriller, building up to a wondrous moment after much anticipation and expectation. The film also possesses the generally ignored anti-authority streak, yet in the end all come together for the religious experience.

Ratings: 8.5/10