Steven Spielbergs made five movies featuring aliens: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., A.I., The War of the Worlds, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. But the really important alien movies are Spielbergs first two: Close Encounters and E.T. Like Spielbergs other early films, Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark, these movies refined a B movie genre into critically acclaimed gourmet popcorn. Close Encounters and E.T. raised the bar for cinematic science fiction. They also did something unusual, which few alien movies that followed, including Spielbergs own, have attempted: the early alien movies function as moral metaphors. The encounters with aliens imaginatively exercise our hearts and minds, and may help to exorcise our worldly wisdom. These movies are good for the soul and more people should watch them or rewatch them. Two of the best reasons for art criticism is to get people to watch the good stuff and to help them see why its good. This may seem a bit obvious, but the most important things in life are usually obvious. People need to be reminded more than they need to be taught. Aristotle said that all philosophy begins in wonder. American philosopher Martha Nussbaum has said that compassion is the basic social emotion. Close Encounters and E.T. remind us of the value of wonder and compassion.

This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with Journal author Philip Talon about his online exclusive feature article ClearSkies, Hurt Hearts, Cannot Lose: Why Spielbergs Aliens Help Make us More Human. https://www.equip.org/article/clearskies-hurt-hearts-cant-lose-why-spielbergs-aliens-help-make-us-more-human/

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Other articles and podcasts featuring this author

Tolkien Review:

Episode 123 Tolkiens First Fellowship

Tolkiens First Fellowship A film review of Tolkien

Alfred Hitchcock films:

Episode 100: A. Hitchcock Films

The Coen Brothers Films:

Episode 050: O Father, Where Art Thou? The Coen Brothers and the Riddle of Existence

O Father, Where Are Thou? The Coen Brothers and the Riddle of Existence

The Films of Quentin Tarantino:

Episode 001: The Films of Quentin Tarantino

Reservoir Gods: Quentin Tarantinos Premodern Theology

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