SPIELBERG: XTRA EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

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A BIGGER BOAT: E.T. 

E.T. was made for children so why would you want to hear adults discussing it? You don't and we agree!

Jack is joined by this week's special guest, his 8-year-old cousin Cadence, all the way from Mississippi, to discuss the little film that toppled Star Wars as the highest grossing film of all time, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Released in 1982, ET may be the one 1980s film Spielberg actually directed that solidified the Spielberg-associated style of children protagonists, wonder, humor, etc. All of his other 1980s movies, other than Empire of the Sun, have adult protagonists so it is telling how closely Spielberg is tied to this particular brand.

120 million people bought tickets to it in its original U.S. release, on its way to making $792 million worldwide - in 2022 adjusted $ that would be TWO BILLION DOLLARS! That's a lot of Reese's Pieces. If made today it would cost a measly 30 million dollars to make, adjusted for inflation, and they would 100% use a candy made without peanuts to avoid a kid somewhere with peanut allergies feeling left out.   

Unabashedly for children (in contrast to modern blockbusters which are also for children but marketed, and weirdly enjoyed, by adults), how does ET hold up for modern children? Cadence will answer all.

Note: Cadence turned 9 this week so she may be embarrassed by her younger self talking at length about Spielberg's mise-en-scène .  Be nice.

Note 2: This is our shortest episode ever.


THEME SONG: WEIRD A.I. (Thank you, Ryan! Missed a thanks on this episode!)

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Ken: Ken Koral
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