Close Encounters vs. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Blu-ray Forum

Sussudio · 02-13-2009, 01:55 AM

I promise I'm not doing a slew of these "vs." threads (this is likely my last one), but I really am curious as to what people think about these 2 movies. I love 2001 and never get tired of watching it (while understandably some people can't stand it), but I honestly was not as impressed as I had hoped to be with Close Encounters. Definitely want to hear everyone's opinions, especially with the latter.

Blu-Ron · 02-13-2009, 01:59 AM

Never saw 2001. Close Encounters is in my top 5 all time fave's. So much so that we took a family road trip to Devils Tower last summer.

ckent22 · 02-13-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sussudio

I promise I'm not doing a slew of these "vs." threads (this is likely my last one), but I really am curious as to what people think about these 2 movies. I love 2001 and never get tired of watching it (while understandably some people can't stand it), but I honestly was not as impressed as I had hoped to be with Close Encounters. Definitely want to hear everyone's opinions, especially with the latter.

I am a lifelong and die hard Spielberg fan so with that said I am gonna have to go with Close Encounters.

I also haven't seen 2001, but Kubrick films are just so far out there that sometimes they are hard to enjoy.

Sussudio · 02-13-2009, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Ron

Never saw 2001. Close Encounters is in my top 5 all time fave's. So much so that we took a family road trip to Devils Tower last summer.

wow that's awesome, where is it? (don't remember)

Blu Titan · 02-13-2009, 02:06 AM

I vote for 2001...Ground breaking and visionary. CE of The Third Kind is a wonderfull film, but not in the same class.

Blu-Ron · 02-13-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sussudio

wow that's awesome, where is it? (don't remember)

Wyoming

ObiTrentKenobi · 02-13-2009, 02:23 AM

Both are very different movies... but, of the two, the only one i can re-watch is Close Encounters.

2001 is a good movie in it's own right, but i also find it quite boring, IMO.

FIDDYPOP · 02-13-2009, 02:27 AM

I love 2001, it is one of the best movies of all time. Just a great flick, visuals, story, music. awesome.

The Big Blue · 02-13-2009, 02:33 AM

Ron, did you used to hang out at spielbergfilms.com?

I would have gone with AI vs 2001

El Negro · 02-13-2009, 02:42 AM

Both were good movies but Close Encounters was more entertaining.

Blu-Ron · 02-13-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Big Blue

Ron, did you used to hang out at spielbergfilms.com?
I would have gone with AI vs 2001

No idea what that is. (shame on me)

Edit: Just saw that it was closed down.

stockstar1138 · 02-13-2009, 02:46 AM

2001. hands down.

2001 is the best sci-fi ever created. ceot3k may be in the top ten, but empire, star wars, tdtess, metropolis, blade runner are def, all better than ceot3k

Ernest Rister · 02-13-2009, 02:51 AM

Not to throw the thread off track, but its my belief Roy is transformed into an alien at the end of the film -- I think this is almost explicit in the Special Edition. Spielberg can be so cagey about his movies, he wants people to find their own interpretations -- that's why he doesn't do commentary tracks.

It's too bad - commentary tracks for CE3K: SE, Empire of the Sun, Munich and A.I. would end a lot of internet arguments -- but maybe that's the point.

caliminius · 02-13-2009, 02:55 AM

I've never made it through more than 15 minutes of 2001 without falling asleep. I usually don't make it past the ape sequence. I know it's supposed to be deep and meaningful but to me has all the interest of watching paint dry in slow motion.

I absolutely love CE3K (except for the butchered Special Edition version with the trip inside the alien ship at the end). It just has so many great scenes in it: Roy's breakdown at the kitchen table sculpting mashed potatoes, Roy trying to explain fractions to his son, the military press conference where Roy says he just wants to know the truth, Roy building the model of Devil's Tower in his living room, Truffaut's character saying "They belong here more than we do" as the military is preparing to fly the people contacted by the aliens away, the arrival of the alien fleet over Devil's Tower (even more impressive since none of it was CGI), Roy being picked to go with the aliens. Really, it's just filled with great moments.

andyman1970 · 02-13-2009, 02:59 AM

Kubrick will always get my vote.

kefrank · 02-13-2009, 03:02 AM

2001 is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time and is just an utterly brilliant film. It gets my vote in this contest, hands down.

That being said, I understand why it isn't everyone's cup of tea and can see why many would prefer Close Encounters.

caliminius · 02-13-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Not to throw the thread off track, but its my belief Roy is transformed into an alien at the end of the film -- I think this is almost explicit in the Special Edition. Spielberg can be so cagey about his movies, he wants people to find their own interpretations -- that's why he doesn't do commentary tracks.

It's too bad - commentary tracks for CE3K: SE, Empire of the Sun, Munich and A.I. would end a lot of internet arguments -- but maybe that's the point.

I feel 110% certain that Roy was not turned into an alien at the end. If Roy is replaced by an alien in the scenes at the end of the Special Edition, it's because Spielberg didn't give a crap about ensuring continuity since he was being forced to do the interior ship sequence to get the Special Edition released. It was probably impractical to get Richard Dreyfuss to come back for those shots so they just threw some kids into the alien suits and went about filming the scene. Besides, I think to most CE3K fans, the Special Edition never happened. It's either the original theatrical release or the recut Director's version that is the true version of the film.

Geezer00003 · 02-13-2009, 03:05 AM

Spielberg would vote 2001, so should you all!

Sussudio · 02-13-2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliminius

I feel 110% certain that Roy was not turned into an alien at the end. If Roy is replaced by an alien in the scenes at the end of the Special Edition, it's because Spielberg didn't give a crap about ensuring continuity since he was being forced to do the interior ship sequence to get the Special Edition released. It was probably impractical to get Richard Dreyfuss to come back for those shots so they just threw some kids into the alien suits and went about filming the scene. Besides, I think to most CE3K fans, the Special Edition never happened. It's either the original theatrical release or the recut Director's version that is the true version of the film.

what was the reasoning/intent behind the special edition version again?

pjasonOH · 02-13-2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sussudio

what was the reasoning/intent behind the special edition again?

Spielberg wanted to the director's cut thing after the film became a hit.
Columbia gave him the money to do it,under the condition that he show the interior of the mothership.
Even with the additional footage he added,with all the cuts made the special edition came in at about 3 minutes shorter than the original.

View Poll Results: Close Encounters vs. 2001
Close Encounters of the Third Kind	82	45.81%
2001: A Space Odyssey	97	54.19%
Voters: 179. You may not vote on this poll

02-13-2009, 01:55 AM	#1
Sussudio Blu-ray Champion Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:11	Close Encounters vs. 2001: A Space Odyssey I promise I'm not doing a slew of these "vs." threads (this is likely my last one), but I really am curious as to what people think about these 2 movies. I love 2001 and never get tired of watching it (while understandably some people can't stand it), but I honestly was not as impressed as I had hoped to be with Close Encounters. Definitely want to hear everyone's opinions, especially with the latter.

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02-13-2009, 01:59 AM	#2
Blu-Ron Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:2	Never saw 2001. Close Encounters is in my top 5 all time fave's. So much so that we took a family road trip to Devils Tower last summer.

02-13-2009, 02:06 AM	#5
Blu Titan Super Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Edo, Land of the Samurai Home Theater Gallery:42 4K collection:41 Blu-ray collection:2864 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:92	I vote for 2001...Ground breaking and visionary. CE of The Third Kind is a wonderfull film, but not in the same class.

02-13-2009, 02:23 AM	#7
ObiTrentKenobi Special Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2008 Location:United States of Love 4K collection:14 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:155 Digital collection:155 Blu-ray reviews: 1	Both are very different movies... but, of the two, the only one i can re-watch is Close Encounters. 2001 is a good movie in it's own right, but i also find it quite boring, IMO.

02-13-2009, 02:27 AM	#8
FIDDYPOP Expert Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Chi-Town Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:444 Blu-ray reviews:1	I love 2001, it is one of the best movies of all time. Just a great flick, visuals, story, music. awesome.

02-13-2009, 02:33 AM	#9
The Big Blue Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Blu-ray collection:98 Blu-ray reviews:1	Ron, did you used to hang out at spielbergfilms.com? I would have gone with AI vs 2001

02-13-2009, 02:42 AM	#10
El Negro Expert Member Member since:Jun 2008 Home Theater Gallery:7 4K collection:6 Blu-ray collection:324 DVD collection:130 Blu-ray reviews:1	Both were good movies but Close Encounters was more entertaining.

02-13-2009, 02:46 AM	#12
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	2001. hands down. 2001 is the best sci-fi ever created. ceot3k may be in the top ten, but empire, star wars, tdtess, metropolis, blade runner are def, all better than ceot3k

02-13-2009, 02:51 AM	#13
Ernest Rister Blu-ray Prince Member since:Jan 2008 4K collection:100 Blu-ray collection:590 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Not to throw the thread off track, but its my belief Roy is transformed into an alien at the end of the film -- I think this is almost explicit in the Special Edition. Spielberg can be so cagey about his movies, he wants people to find their own interpretations -- that's why he doesn't do commentary tracks. It's too bad - commentary tracks for CE3K: SE, Empire of the Sun, Munich and A.I. would end a lot of internet arguments -- but maybe that's the point.

02-13-2009, 02:55 AM	#14
caliminius Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The Negative Zone Blu-ray collection:84	I've never made it through more than 15 minutes of 2001 without falling asleep. I usually don't make it past the ape sequence. I know it's supposed to be deep and meaningful but to me has all the interest of watching paint dry in slow motion. I absolutely love CE3K (except for the butchered Special Edition version with the trip inside the alien ship at the end). It just has so many great scenes in it: Roy's breakdown at the kitchen table sculpting mashed potatoes, Roy trying to explain fractions to his son, the military press conference where Roy says he just wants to know the truth, Roy building the model of Devil's Tower in his living room, Truffaut's character saying "They belong here more than we do" as the military is preparing to fly the people contacted by the aliens away, the arrival of the alien fleet over Devil's Tower (even more impressive since none of it was CGI), Roy being picked to go with the aliens. Really, it's just filled with great moments.

02-13-2009, 02:59 AM	#15
andyman1970 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Birmingham, Alabama, USA DVD collection:9 Blu-ray reviews: 45 Trading Score:7	Kubrick will always get my vote.

02-13-2009, 03:02 AM	#16
kefrank Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:60	2001 is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time and is just an utterly brilliant film. It gets my vote in this contest, hands down. That being said, I understand why it isn't everyone's cup of tea and can see why many would prefer Close Encounters.

02-13-2009, 03:05 AM	#18
Geezer00003 Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2008 Location:GTA Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:207 Blu-ray collection:669	Spielberg would vote 2001, so should you all!

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