Dr. Ellie Arroway works with SETI and is searching for alien life.  When she comes across a signal being beamed from 26 light years away, a blueprint is discovered which contains instructions to send a person to wherever the signal has been coming from.  The issues of religion and science are fought heavily when it comes time to decide who should go.

Availability:
    Currently 2 VHS versions: Widescreen and Regular
    DVD -- contains 3 commentaries, special effects, cast bios.

Cast/Crew:
Jodie Foster                        Ellie Arroway
        Maverick
        Sommersby
        Silence of the Lambs
        Little Man Tate
        Nell
        Taxi Driver
        The Accused

Matthew McConaghey        Palmer Joss
        Amistad

Robert Zemekis                  Director
        Back to the Future triolgy
        Forrest Gump
        Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Miscellaneous:
    The DVD has some of the most amazing stuff I have ever seen on it.  Many of the special effects are explained, and the running commentary by Zemekis taught me a lot about filmmaking
    Controversy was aroused when the film was released.  CNN commentators protrayed themselves, and shortly after an announcement was made by CNN that no longer would their newscasters/reporters be involved in such projects.
    Another point of controversy surrounded the use of President Bill Clinton's likeness.  Using the technology Zemekis used in Forrest Gump to create new moments with dead presidents, footage of Clinton was altered to heighten the sense of the incidents happening in our day.

MPAA Rating:
    PG  Some language, adult situations.

My Rating:
    This film will make you think.  It tackles the question between science and religion in a way that I've never seen before.  While actual contact does not come until near the end, it holds you as you watch it.  I only wonder why it was passed up at the Academy Awards.
****
Back to A-I                Back to Night at the Movies