Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Dir: Steven Spielberg, 1977 (9.8*)

Jaw-dropping special effects make this story of aliens visiting earth an awe-inspiring science fiction classic, perhaps Spielberg's finest directing achievement. The story begins with some typical UFO sightings, but after some abductions and increasing worldwide events it's apparent that someone is contacting us from elsewhere. Richard Dreyfuss is one main character who's drawn to a mysterious Wyoming rock monument, Melinda Dillon's toddler left to play with the pretty lights, and a conclave of scientists, who have picked up some intelligent radio signals, led by French director Francois Truffaut are all pulled to this particular area. There are thousands online, including Air Force personnel, who testify that the incident is true, and the information was released to Spielberg to make this movie of the event to cushion the shock to the public! One of a handful of truly great sf films.