Movie fans will know "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND" by this abbreviated version CEOT3K.

So I finally got around to watching this again, on the Blu-Ray version I have you get 3 choices (the normal original 1977 release version (went to see this aged 9 about three times at the cinema & it stayed with me) there is the 1980 SPECIAL EDITION with added scenes including those showing the inside of this large MOTHERSHIP & the final one is the SPIELBERG's DIRECTOR's CUT which I understand it? mixes all this as well as parts of a TV version?)
I am saving that DIRECTOR's CUT for next Christmas...so nearly watched this version, my finger hovered over it, but in the end I went for the SPECIAL EDITION again but here's the thing, I noticed a number of things I think I must have forgotten about & one's I found VERY INTERESTING (but I guess you would need to know a little about the subject to connect them?)

'LOCKHEED' was here, with mysterious boxes at 'DEVIL's TOWER' stamped with such (of course they now go by the name of LOCKHEED MARTIN & those that know of such things will realise that this is perhaps a knowing wink to them & the audience)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin

A mention when the MOTHERSHIP turns up & just before it begins to communicate with them (through musical notes) of 'THE DARK SIDE of THE MOON' well some might think this a casual throw-away line? or perhaps one referencing PINK FLOYD's ICONIC Album? but others might think this might be a fun nod as to what NASA discovered on the so called DARK SIDE of OUR MOON.

Listen up carefully at 'DEVIL's TOWER' (this is quiet simply a BEAUTIFUL part of the FILM that left me as a young child asking my DAD numerous questions at the time, so much so, we went back two more times to see it, no VHS tapes even at that time, 1977) because one of the scientist chief guys mentions to use 'INFRA RED'
Yup even back then it would seem they did some research whilst making this film.
People ask...WHY DON'T WE SEE MORE UFO's? well this is partly the reason, many cannot be seen, they are pretty much hidden but IR & UV can see them, so this line amused me as it's one I had forgotten.

And finally almost as if a little nod to the above INFRA RED reference above...KEEPING WATCHING (no NOT THE SKIES although I would recommend you DO SO) but the END CREDITS & this MOTHERSHIP as it takes off & heads upwards....
IT ACTUALLY DISAPPEARS almost as if to confirm it can do such a thing.

The film continues to interest me & always will, it's PERFECT Christmas Viewing as it fills you with HOPE & WONDER.

I have read much about this film & there are RUMOURS that Mr Spielberg was ACTUALLY shown real UFO Footage & not the kind we see now regularly on the likes of YOUTUBE but of the SECRETIVE kind, I don't know if this is TRUE? but it gives this film an added interesting dimension to it.

A truly wonderfully made film that still gets to me & probably always will (unless EVIL aliens turn up but frankly unless I am badly mistaken I doubt such advanced, clever, intelligent species would be so? although I would never rule out the possibility of those at a similar level to us that have always had aggressive tendencies (like us) but I would hope we & they would come through this phase well before the majority start investigating other stars, galaxies & dimensions? yeah really!)

Treat your kids to a WONDERFULLY uplifting film...you never know where it may lead them?