5-25-77 (2022) Movie Script

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What, are we ready?
OK.
All right, settle
everyone, please.
Quiet on the set.
OK, let's do this.
What I want you to do is
when the camera starts
moving forward, just
start to drift back
to that day, that moment,
when you knew, right?
And roll sound.
Speed.
Roll camera.
Rolling.
Marker.
Action.
I'm not in love,
so don't forget it,
it's just a silly phase
I'm going through.
And just because, I caught...
What happened?
Now, he was master of the world.
And though he was not
quite sure what to do next,
he would think of something.
Look, it's a soldier.
He's going to throw a grenade.
Cut.
Action.
Patrick Read Johnson!
Mom!
Patrick Read Johnson!
What did you even need it
to be a zebra for, anyway?
It's for one of my films.
You don't understand.
You're not a filmmaker.
I'm trying real hard
to understand you.
On the good news front,
he did promise the horse
would be brown again by dinner.
So I was thinking.
Maybe it's time we thought
about adopting another baby.
How many babies do you
want to have, exactly?
A dozen?
I'm not sure...
Jesus Christ.
Editing is when you see
something in your story
that you don't like and
you just take it out.
Take it out.
Cut.
I already got blown up
in the grenade scene.
Just jump.
He deserves a childhood.
Everybody deserves a childhood.
I'm not sure it's the childhood
they think they deserve.
I think the
childhood that people
deserve is the one where they
learn how the world works.
I haven't always been
wise, or done what's right?
Line.
We all made mistakes.
It's what we do after we make
the mistake that's important.
I don't think we learn how
the world works at the movies.
When is the time?
When is he going to learn?
Patrick Read Johnson?
Where's your brother?
Mom, do you mind?
I'll be back with a shotgun.
Mom, help me.
Patrick!
One of you is in big trouble.
Steven Spielberg?
Who the hell is
Steven Spielberg?
You're kidding, right?
Do I look like I'm kidding?
The guy who made Jaws, the most
successful movie of all time?
The movie we're making
a sequel to here?
By make, do you
mean he produced it?
No, directed it.
Careful, you're bleeding
on Moonbase Alpha.
OK, so tell me, Pat.
What the hell's the
difference between a director
and a producer?
Well...
Patrick!
Patrick!
I don't know where
you're hiding,
but I'm going to
Jungle's in 15 minutes.
And if you want me to
pick up any more film,
you better clean up this
shark attack mess before I go.
And don't forget, it's
your turn to do the runs.
Producer, director.
Anyway, in Steven Spielberg's
first movie, Duel,
this guy's being chased by
this old diesel fuel truck.
He cut off on the
highway, and this truck
is, like, the unstoppable
ghost truck from hell.
Truck that's been on the
highway since the beginning
of time and always will be.
And every time this
guy thinks he's
gotten away from
the thing, wham,
it's right there behind him.
Or in the case of this one
shot, in front of him, waiting.
And the way Steven
Spielberg shoots it,
he doesn't just have a
dorky close up of the guy
going, whoa, to his
POV of the truck
on the road to another
shot of the guy reacting.
Oh, of course not.
No, Spielberg has
this car racing up
the highway in a long shot.
And suddenly, the car
slams on its brakes, wham,
camera pulls back to
reveal the underside
of this dark, oily, smelly,
rumbling, smoldering,
mechanical monster
waiting for him.
Could you get Hooper's torso?
So the car hitting its
brakes is the reaction shot.
The squeal of the car's tires
is the main character's scream
of terror.
I still don't get how you
think you can get away
with making a Jaws 2.
I mean, at the end of Jaws
1, the shark's nothing
but red mist and bone meal.
No, no, no, not if it's
like the truck in Duel.
Not if it's a shark
that's been swimming
in the ocean since the beginning
of time, and always will be,
the primordial
carnivore instinct
made manifest by its
insatiable desire to feed.
What the hell are
you talking about?
The pool filter will
get the rest out?
And what happened the
other six films we started?
We're a movie studio, Bill.
If we're going to make it, we
need to work on as many movies
as we can.
Or maybe we could
just finish one.
Requiem to the Planet of
the Apes is almost finished.
Almost finished?
You've been working on it
since you were 12 years old.
Well, I want it to be perfect.
Well shit, Pat, it's
already got a bunch
of other 12-year-olds
running around a cornfield,
and bad rubber monkey
mask chasing you
in a loincloth pretending
to be Charlton Heston.
What could be more
perfect than that?
Are you ever going to start
taking this stuff seriously?
- Hell no.
- Why not?
Because I don't think
that making little super
eight movies in Pat
Johnson's backyard
is my ticket to Hollywood.
Then why do you keep
showing up to help?
Because I feel
sorry for you, Pat.
Why?
Oh, shit.
What's that?
That wasn't a shotgun.
It was my stupid brother Pat.
Patrick, when you
dragged your box spring
mattress out into the woods
so your German snipers
could fall out of the
trees without getting
killed, what did I say?
You said, Patrick...
Electrons, please.
When you spray painted
your sister's horse
to look like a zebra,
what did I say?
After that.
You said that you would
always support whatever road
I chose to follow, as long as
I was willing to pay the toll.
And I always have been.
I painted Jody's
horse brown again.
You were 10.
That was a noble gesture,
but you're not 10 anymore.
And I'm not paying for
another pool filter.
Mom, we don't need
a new pool filter.
Why is it that every time
I blow the circuit breakers
in this house, you panic?
That's what circuit
breakers are, for blowing,
to keep things from breaking
when you push them too far.
That's exactly my point.
You're pushing things too far.
Mom, the shark attack had to
look like it was taking place
out at sea, at night.
We couldn't take the
shark out to Lake Michigan
past the waves, or it'd
be too deep to operate.
Plus, we had to shoot
it day for night,
because I don't have
any decent lights,
and we couldn't use
them on the water
without electrocuting
Bill anyway.
So the perfect solution was
to shoot it in an insert tank.
It's a swimming pool.
Playing the best
music, WLS, Chicago
your car shouldn't blow
all your hard earned dough.
She's ready to go with Vesuvio.
Lot of requests for this
one to start your day.
Have little Queen along the way.
Good morning, Mr. And
Mrs. Warren High School.
And all freaks hiding behind
the ROTC jet smoking pot.
This is this year's president of
the student body, Bill Holmes,
along with this year's
resident of the student
body, Pat Johnson.
And these are the
morning announcements
for August 23, 1976.
The new school year got off to
a rousing start at the pep rally
yesterday with over 100 members
of the Warren Township marching
band all blowing and beating
their instruments in unison.
Wrap it up, boys.
OK, today's menu
is an old favorite.
That's right.
The cafeteria is
serving muttloaf,
served with green-ish beans and
your choice of mashed potatoes
or tater tits...
I mean tots.
Damn it, Holmes, you cannot
say tits in the morning
announcements.
Well, you just did.
Besides, my tits
was the a typo tits.
I'm pretty you meant to
write tots, not tits.
Damn it, Holmes.
And finally, in
the sports report,
the varsity football team, led
by quarterback Doug Austerlin,
trounced Stephenson yesterday.
At the victory party,
Doug had this to say...
Oh man, I think
I'm going to hurl.
What are you idiots doing?
Practicing our pick up
routine for parties.
If one of us spots a
girl we want to meet,
the other one picks a fight and
pretends to beat the crap out
of the guy that wants the girl.
Then, the girl
comes over and makes
sure the guy who got
beat up is all right,
gets him ice
and offers to drive him
to the hospital, and...
Finds out he's a
lying, cheating ass,
and hits him with a shovel?
Oh.
Only you would think
this could work?
Oh.
Oh, man.
I think you're going to hurl.
Today's lesson, never
mess with the alpha male.
Oh, are you OK, Patty?
Did he just say alpha male?
Somebody give him some ice.
See, it does work.
Take heart,
my friend, we love you.
Though it seems
like you're alone.
A million lights above you
smile down upon your home.
Hurry, put your
troubles in a suitcase
and come let the new child play.
Lonely as a whisper on a
star chase, I'm leaving here.
I'm long away.
For all the stars in
heaven I would not live...
I could not live this way.
I'm the Amazing Alfredo,
ladies and gentlemen.
I'll guess your age, your
weight, your month of birth.
Who's next?
You?
All right.
What's up with your head?
Some kid threw up on my face.
Again.
Oh, it seems you're a lot
heavier than I expected.
Grab yourself a
prize, young lady,
and try not to eat so
many hot dogs, huh?
Oh, you.
You there.
What can I guess for
you today, young lady?
Come on.
Huh?
I am the amazing Alfredo,
ladies and gentlemen.
Step right up.
I'll guess your
age, your weight.
Who's next?
Something up with you and Robin?
All right, what can I
guess for you today, lady?
- My age.
- Very well.
What? No. No.
I'm writing my answer on my
official Amazing Alfredo...
Jeez, Donny, she's my
best friend's girlfriend.
- They broke up weeks ago.
- What?
She wants to get married.
He doesn't.
- What?
- That's cheating.
Just making a little
conversation here.
Sheesh.
OK.
You got anything else, Patty?
This is like old man food.
That's all there was left.
What is vermouth anyway?
Did you bring us all out here
with the promise of alcohol,
and the most amazing
view in Lake County,
and this is what we get?
Patrick.
More booze, Pat.
Go buy some.
With what?
This is Pat.
Every dollar he
makes shoveling shit
goes towards building
spaceships for his latest epic.
Get a real job, Pat.
We'll all like it better if
you keep giving us more booze.
I'll like you better if
you get under this blanket
and keep me warm.
It's a free country,
though, you have to get married.
Go to hell, Bill.
What?
Nothing.
What?
Mm... Patrick.
Patrick.
Patrick.
What?
Why am I giving you a ride home?
Because my car's in the shop.
Why is your car in the shop?
Have you ever seen "Duel."
OK, well anyway, I can't get
it out until I earn some money.
And I can't earn
some money until I
get a job, which I wouldn't
be able to go to if I had one
because my car's in the shop.
Why don't you come
work at Games?
I don't think I should work
in Games, if... you know,
you and I are...
You and I aren't.
Because of Bill?
No, not because of Bill!
I don't give it one
damn, damn, about Bill!
This, right now,
is because of Bill,
and his journey to the center
of Debbie What's-her-pants.
Oh.
OK, I... well, if you guys
are broken up for good,
then why not?
Because you're a goofy boy.
But mostly because
you're leaving.
What are you talking about?
So go.
OK.
Wait.
Wait, come here.
Be quiet.
You are going to find the
perfect girl for you
really soon.
And then you'll finally
lose your virginity.
And then I'll be kicking
myself because I didn't
get to add it to my collection.
Well, add it, please.
Pat.
Yeah.
Get out.
Get out.
Upon the wall,
it hides the nasty stain
that's lying there.
I'd marry you.
Guys.
Guys.
Check it out.
Is this the coolest
thing ever or what?
It's obviously not a
natural rock formation.
It's got to be some kind of
exotic alien unobtainium.
But what does it all symbolize?
Does the monolith
represent a wall
that we're destined for
ourselves against forever,
a headstone for the
already doomed human race,
or is it a doorway to the
infinite potential afforded
by a boundless universe?
There's only one
way to find out.
We have to touch it.
Don't be afraid.
This is our big moment.
Just think, somewhere beyond the
far corners of the mind's eye,
powerful beings beyond
our ken are watching.
For all we know,
Douglas Trumbull himself
could be watching
us, waiting for us
to walk through this
quantum mechanical door.
So come on, fellow hominids.
Gather round.
Walk right up, walk upright,
and touch the monolith.
I can fix this.
I...
Patrick Read Johnson!
Oh, no.
What?
Where's your dresser?
Hmm?
At the first crack of
dawn we're turning things on.
Are there schools around that
teach you how to be a producer?
Director.
OK, are there
directors schools where
you could learn how to really
do this without painting
everything we own flat black?
The only good ones are in
New York and California,
and they cost way more
than we could ever afford.
Well, didn't anyone
ever become a director
who didn't go to film school?
Douglas Trumbull.
Well, how did he do it?
Well, he was the visual
effects supervisor
for "2001: A Space Odyssey."
And he was so good
at his job that, when
he went to Universal
Studios and said
that he could do his
first film "Silent
Running" for a million dollars,
they actually believed him.
And then he actually did it.
And now he's director.
So to become a director, you
have to become a visual effects
person first?
No, no, but it's one way.
And it's a way I might
have a chance at.
If I could go to LA and maybe
just talk to him, meet him
for a few minutes, maybe
show him one of my films
or some of my models,
maybe he'd understand
what I'm trying to do.
Maybe I could work for him.
You know, just
gluing model parts
onto a spaceship
for his next movie.
So why don't you call him?
What? On the phone?
No, just stand in the
backyard and shout West.
Yes, on the phone.
Well, first of all, I
don't have his number.
Well, did you look for it?
It's probably top secret.
Yeah, to keep dorks like him
from calling up all the time,
wanting to meet him.
Oh, I think he'd be
flattered to know that people
are trying to meet him.
Not if he wants to get
any real movie work done.
Hey, my movies are real.
Yeah, real bad.
I know.
Why don't you offer to
answer his phone for him?
That way you could meet him
and stop the competition
from meeting him.
Yeah, OK.
All right, fine.
Don't act like your father.
Don't say you're going to
try and then chicken out.
I won't.
But if I can't find it, which
I probably won't be able to...
Dare to dream, Douglas Trumbull.
Then what?
Then I'll stand in the
backyard and shout West.
Well, that might work.
We're sorry.
You have reached a number
that has been disconnected
or is no longer in service.
If you feel you have reached
this recording in error,
please check the
number and dial again.
Calling Debbie Froynt again?
No.
I wasn't calling Debbie.
Did she ever smile at you?
Of course she smiled.
Why?
Because that's how it
works with you, Pat.
You see a girl you like, you
stare at her like a puppy
hearing a strange
noise, and then
you smile this goofy smile.
And if she smiles back, God
help her, you fall in love.
I do not.
Happens every time.
I was trying to find
Douglas Trumbull, OK?
Holy shit.
Yeah, I know.
You're gay!
What?
Come on!
You ignored Debbie Froynt just
to call some guy
on a Saturday night?
You're gay, Pat.
I'm not gay, and Douglas
Trumbull isn't just some guy.
He's the guy who did
the special effects
for "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Oh, so you're gay for a guy
who makes unwatchable movies.
What?
"2001?"
Man, I hate that movie.
No, Bill, you don't
really hate it.
You just don't understand it.
No, I do really hate it,
and nobody understands it.
I do.
OK then, what the hell is
the ending supposed to mean?
Guy flies a spaceship
into a hotel room,
gets old, drops his
wine glass, and turns
into a giant baby floating over
the Earth,
what the hell is that?
The hotel room was designed
by the alien intelligences
observing Dave
Bowman to approximate
his natural habitat.
The aliens wanted
to know if Dave
could try to figure out
how to take the next step
in human evolution.
But he can't.
He doesn't know what
they want from him.
Neither does the audience.
Yeah, exactly, because Dave
represents the audience.
And like the audience,
he's not ready to see
beyond what he expects to see.
So with each moment of
missed opportunity to evolve,
he gets older, his
years passing before him
in the blink of an eye.
Or in this case, a changing of
a camera angle, till finally,
maybe just as the
answer to the riddle
is finally within
his grasp, he's
too old to reach out
and touch the monolith
and receive his final
gift of enlightenment.
So the aliens send him back
to the evolutionary cradle
to start all over again.
No, they don't.
They send him back as a giant
baby floating over the Earth.
It's called symbolism, Bill.
Pat.
What the hell does a
giant baby floating
over the Earth symbolize?
Well, if you're Arthur C.
Clark, who wrote the book
and is an eternal
optimist, then Dave
was sent back as the star
child, the first born
in a new breed of man who
might one day touch the stars.
If you're Kubrick, who's such
a realist, he won't even fly,
then Dave was simply sent
back as a cosmic mirror,
held up before the Earth,
as if to say to humanity,
this is who you are, and
this is all you'll ever be,
a race of selfish,
uncomprehending children.
What the hell are
you talking about?
You know, you could save
a lot of time destroying
my reputation if you just
wore a propeller beanie
or spray painted "geek mobile"
on the doors of my car.
Ew!
Oh, my god, you're so gross.
Ew!
Argent, "Hold Your Head Up."
WLS Music Radio 89.
What part of "Jaws 2" takes
place in a shopping mall?
We're not shooting "Jaws 2."
So what, more "Requiem for
the Planet of the Apes?"
And at the end, you're riding
up the beach on a horse,
and you see a JC Penney
sticking out of the sand?
My god.
They finally really did it.
They marked down the world.
Damn you!
Damn you all to hell!
We're shooting "The Visitor."
What the hell is "The Visitor."
He's this alien that's
stranded on Earth after
these Air Force
F-14's that were...
Pat.
Scrambled to find out just
what the hell went down
in the cornfields of
Northern Illinois.
Pat.
Spot the heat
signature of the car
that contains these high school
kids that saw the alien craft.
Pat, you don't have
enough money to buy lunch.
How the hell are you
going to pay for an F-14?
Hold your head up.
Hold your head up.
Can you let me
out of this thing?
It's hot as hell in here.
Yes.
Anyway, for a time
the visitor believed
he might just be able to
fit in on this planet.
But now something is
changing inside him.
And in this scene,
he's finally decided
it's not worth living if he
can't live as the alien being
he really is.
Hi, Pat.
So he decides to
reveal his true self
to the people he's lived
with all these years.
No matter what the cost.
Fine.
Oh!
Today's lesson, never pretend...
Oh!
To be part of
something you're not.
You OK, Patty?
Want me get you some ice?
Why doesn't he ever hit me?
Shut up and lift, Bill.
Ah!
Oh.
He's fine.
He's used to it.
Oh, no.
Patty.
No, Pat.
No.
Definitely no.
Hi.
Dreamer.
You're nothing but a dreamer.
Well, can you put your
hands in your head?
Oh, no.
I said dreamer.
You say you are a dreamer.
Well, can you put your
hands in your head?
Linda.
Oh, no.
You like dog?
I said, far out...
Um.
What a day...
Yeah.
A year, a life it is.
Yeah, I do.
You know...
I got about 43 at home.
Linda, would you
please do something
with that yapping mutt?
We just got one good one.
Dreamer, you
stupid little dreamer.
So now, you put
your head in your hands.
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
What are you doing?
Oh, I'm just trying to find
the exact acoustical center
of the theater.
I said, far out.
What a day...
Focus.
A year, a life it is.
You know.
Focus!
Cut!
Well, you know you
had it coming to you.
Now there's not a lot I can do.
Dreamer,
What's my plan?
You stupid little dreamer.
What's my plan?
Yeah. Of course I have a plan.
Good morning, Mr. And
Mrs. Warren High School.
And a love-sick, sci-fi geek
former best friend skipping
school to go make out
with their girlfriend.
The plan is, I go out there,
I meet Douglas Trumbull...
Oh, laundry's done.
Pat, want to help
me with the laundry?
Show him some of my
models and drawings,
and maybe some of my
films, and get a job.
This doesn't bother you?
Hey, does the
Pepsi-Cola company know
you're using their product
as a floor cleaner?
This is your student body
president, Bill Holmes,
and my imaginary
friend, Pat Johnson.
Hi.
I'm Pat.
Let's watch Star Trek.
Do you want to
see my model shop?
Did you know that the
mechanical shark in "Jaws"
is named Bruce after
Steven Spielberg's lawyer?
Can you believe
I'm still a virgin?
Really?
Damn it, Holmes.
What?
I can't say virgin?
Dream along.
Well, there's something
we have in common.
Really?
And in the meantime, I'll
be staying with my dad
while I save up to
get an apartment.
Yes, my dad.
Oh, yes, the...
Yes, that dad.
Hey, Pat said your center
speaker is distorting again.
He also asked how the
penicillin was working out,
you know, for your...
Yes, he does know about
the plan, kind of.
He thinks I'm coming out to
check out medical schools.
And what can I guess for
you today, little boy?
Guess who I'm in love with?
Oh, let's see, could
it be Douglas Trumbull?
Dream along.
Can you put your
hands in your head?
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
Get off my stage.
What about Linda?
Of course she knows the plan.
We planned the plan together.
Ah!
Cut.
You OK?
No, I'm not OK.
I'm tired and hungry
and full of burrs,
and I can't see anything
in this stupid mask.
Maybe he could come
up on all fours?
No, a superior being from
another planet beckoning
us to join him out
there, where we
might learn the secrets
of the universe,
would not go up his boarding
ramp on his hands and knees.
Yeah.
Probably wouldn't arrive
in a hubcap filled
with Christmas lights either.
Yeah, probably not.
Hey, can I take this
stupid thing off?
It smells like feet.
Yeah, go ahead.
We're done tonight.
But we didn't get the shot.
We're done.
Good night.
Girls ruin everything.
You give me hope for mankind.
Go to hell, Bill.
So have you ever
seen one, a UFO?
Well, when I was a kid, I
used to watch planes take off
from Waukegan Airport.
You could see them just
over those trees there.
But you couldn't hear them.
There were just these blazing
silent lights coming this way.
And every time a plane took
off I thought, or wished,
that it was a UFO
coming to take me back.
Back?
I thought that maybe
I was an alien.
What could possibly
have changed your mind?
Well, my dad said that
UFOs didn't exist.
And to prove it, he drove
me down to the airport
to watch a plane take off.
Wow.
Plus, the aliens
never did take me.
So where do your alien
relatives come from?
A distant star system.
Yeah? What's it called?
Hollywood.
Sounds like you need
to go there then.
Not without you.
I never thought I'd find
anyone who understood me, who'd
accept me for who I really am.
And then there you were,
reading "2001: A Space Odyssey."
And it was like, awoogah.
That's the first thing
you noticed about me,
that I was reading "2001?"
Yeah.
It was so weird.
It was like we were
meant to find each other.
What?
Now, he was master of the world.
And he was not quite
sure what to do next.
But he would think of something.
Tray?
God, I love this book.
Sorry.
So then I figured, hey,
if I skim through this,
maybe I'll finally
understand the movie.
Well, it's really not that hard
to understand when you really
think about it.
Or if you stay awake.
Oh, don't be mad.
I still love you, even if you're
the only sci-fi geek in town.
Patrick Read Johnson!
Oh, great.
Don't worry, I got it, ma.
WLS Music Radio, "Holdin'
on to Yesterday."
This is Ambrosia.
Calling your gay special
effects lover again?
Linda, happy?
Not a great conversation.
No conversation.
She's always working.
Oh, what a tramp.
Yesterday.
I keep holdin' on enough
to say that I'm wrong.
I keep thinking that I'm...
What?
I was just thinking.
What?
You should come with me.
Where?
Hollywood.
What?
You're a funny guy.
Yo, hey.
I got a tow.
Take care of the
shop till I get back.
I'm also a practical guy, Pat.
My name's on the sign
of Bud's and Sons.
Your name is apparently
up in the lights,
somewhere out
there, or maybe just
in the theater of your mind.
Either way, I'll leave the
Hollywood stuff up to you.
Holdin' on to yesterday.
Well, if it isn't Mustang
Sally and the Pinto Kid.
Hi, Pat.
Hey.
So I see the SS Bondo
is still afloat.
Why don't you let my
dad crush that thing
and put it out of its misery?
Your dad hasn't seen a car this
nice since he was conceived.
Bill.
When my dad rebuilt this he put
the weight where it counts...
Bill.
Under the hood.
Oh, he put your
mom under the hood?
Try a 454 Holley carbonated V8.
Any time you want to
embarrass yourself...
Any time I want to
embarrass myself,
I'll borrow your mustache.
- Jeez, Bill.
- Come on, guys.
- What did you say?
- Time to go home.
Oh, great.
Look what you did now.
Tony, stop.
Oh, hurry up.
Open up, you pussy.
Who the hell is this guy?
Tony Vasuvio.
Of Vasuvio's junkyard?
Dino and Lorenzo's brother?
Stupider brother,
if you can believe that.
Just go.
He can't kill us if
he can't catch us.
He can catch us.
I thought you said
there's a V8 under...
Open the door, nerds!
- There was.
- What do you mean was?
My dad replaced it with
something less thirsty
when the gas prices hit.
- How much less thirsty?
- Four cylinders less.
Oh, shit.
Maybe if we run
in different directions
it'll confuse him.
Get down.
You know, he knows
we're in here.
He may have a faster car,
but I'm a better driver.
Well, you'd have a better
chance to prove it if you drove.
On the count of three.
- One...
- One.
- Two.
- Two.
- Three!
- Ah!
Jeez, you guys, relax.
Why would we do that,
with this maniac out here?
Because Tony's cool now.
How did you get
him to calm down?
I told him who you were.
- And who am I?
- My boyfriend.
And who is he to you?
Tony, his mom and mine have
worked together for years.
We've known each other
since we were six years old.
He's like an
overprotective brother.
I thought you were
working the game tonight.
I was, but by the third quarter,
Antioch was beating our butts,
and there was nobody left in
the stands to buy anything.
Jenny Boziak said
she'd cover for me.
My car's still in
the shop, so Tony
said he'd give me a ride home.
Well, we can give
you a ride home.
I don't think that's
such a good idea.
Oh, and you'd rather
ride home with him?
Yes.
If I want to see you again
in this lifetime, which I do.
Mom trusts him.
Why not me?
Tony doesn't look at
me the way you do.
So I'll quit looking
at you like that.
You better not.
I should go.
I love you.
That'll help?
With what?
The rest of our
lives, silly boy.
Did you just get engaged?
The best thing
about an Airedale is
it can take down a
grizzly bear and still
be the best playmate
your child can ever have.
Did Linda call?
Dashing through the snow,
in a one-horse open sleigh.
I'm ready to die a
horrible, agonizing death
in the cold vacuum of space.
All right.
Ready?
Yep.
Here we go.
Now, you're in space so float.
Now you're asphyxiating.
What's asphyxiating?
You can't breathe.
You don't have any air.
Come on.
Like this, like this.
There you go.
Don't look at the camera.
Why would I be
looking at anything?
I'm dying.
What if I throw up in space?
You're not going to throw up.
- Wouldn't that be cool?
- Don't throw up.
- I'm going to do it.
- That's very funny.
- Here I go.
- Better not throw up.
Oh.
That's disgusting.
Don't do that again, OK?
You got it on the lens.
Patrick!
What?
I have to go to the bathroom.
Can you just hold it?
I guess.
What?
It's Linda.
Misty, knock it off.
Linda, will you
please do something
about this damn yapping mutt?
Hey, Misty, shut up!
Oh, stop.
What?
I thought we were going
to get married and have
a big house and 2.3 kids.
We don't have to
have them tonight.
No, like nine months from now.
What are you in
such a hurry for?
You're 17 years old.
Don't you want to see
the world a little,
sow you're wild
oats and all that?
No, no, I don't.
I want to be with you.
That's all I want.
Oh, shit!
Stop!
He kept asking if
you got the shot.
He wanted to make sure
that he'd done it right.
He didn't want to waste film.
I feel bad enough, OK?
It isn't just about you.
It's about him too.
He needs a man to
be around right now.
Oh, and that's my fault?
No, it's not.
But that doesn't change the fact
that, with your father gone,
you're the one they
all look up to.
They count on you to
be there for them.
Yeah, well maybe they shouldn't.
Maybe I'm not ready
to be counted on.
Well, maybe you shouldn't be
moving so fast with Linda then.
Maybe you should mind
your own business.
You are my own business.
I think you should graduate
high school first and find out
what it's like to live
in the real world.
This isn't the real world.
This is your parents' basement.
I just think that, before
we move in together,
you might want to
find a job that
pays more than minimum wage.
Yeah, but there aren't any
part time jobs in Lake County
that pay more than minimum wage.
That's why I got a second job.
You what?
Mom got me on the
late shift at Solo.
Doing what?
Injection molding cups in the
machine right next to hers.
OK, well maybe your mom could
get me a job at the machine
next to yours.
Actually, that's
where Tony works.
You know, there's an
opening at Weebolts
managing the men's department.
Well, I'm not real
comfortable in a tie.
Were you comfortable in
my parents' basement?
And that'll be it for
this Amazing Alfredo.
But luckily, due to the miracle
of our patented identical
costume technology,
you'll hardly
even notice the difference,
as I turn things over
to the Amazing Alfredo.
OK, Rick's watching.
Don't embarrass me.
Do I ever?
Oh, my God.
Hi.
Ladies and gentlemen, permit
me to introduce myself.
I am...
I am...
Now he was master of the world.
And he was not quite
sure what to do next,
but he would think of something.
I am the Amazingly Wet Alfredo.
So, I'll guess your
age, your weight.
Guess who I'm in love with?
What on earth?
Janet Johnson,
Stoneridge Heritage.
I got the job.
We're going to Gauge's Lake with
Bill and Robin to celebrate.
Have I got a dog for you.
He's had all his shots.
He's completely house
trained, very well behaved.
He needs a haircut, but we
do grooming here as well.
But seriously, he's been
making these little movies
since he was 9.
You know, with the home movie
camera his dad left behind.
But they're really something.
He did this one which is like
those "Planet of the Apes"
movies.
And he and his friends
stuck straws up their noses
so they could breathe, and put
plaster all over their faces,
and made molds, and sculpted
ape faces, and made masks
out of liquid latex.
And then they went out
and put together sets
and little models,
and shot the whole thing
themselves.
And it's really good.
And they showed it at all the
grade schools around the area.
And he was even in
the local paper.
But now all he thinks about
is getting out to California
and meeting those
movie heroes of his,
like what's his name, the
guy that did all the trick
photography on "2001."
Special effects.
Yes, that's right,
Douglas Trumbull.
But here we are, in Wadsworth,
Illinois, and I just...
I don't know how to help him.
And I certainly don't
know anybody in Hollywood.
So here's what I was wondering.
If I could save enough
money and get him out there,
do you think maybe
you could talk to him,
and give him some pointers,
and maybe introduce him
to this Douglas Trumbull person?
You're kidding.
Of course.
I know there are no guarantees.
There never are.
OK, wonderful.
I'll get him out on
a plane this weekend.
Thank you so much, Herb.
Thank you so much.
Bye.
Hooray for Hollywood.
I got you all set
up in Hollywood.
I called a guy I
never met there.
Now let's cut your hair and
find you something to wear.
Who will pay the airfare?
Hooray for credit cards.
La, la, la, la, la,
la, la credit cards.
Can I help you?
I'm Pat Johnson.
Hi.
I'm Herb Lightman.
Welcome to Hollywood.
Thank you. Thank you.
Oh, I'm also Malcolm
Higgins, and Steven Blum,
and Ari Roscoe,
and Colin Anderson,
and Felipe Castero Junior.
You write the whole magazine?
When I'm not entertaining
the folks from out of town.
And answering the telephone.
So... so, how does one get to
be the editor of "American
Cinematographer Magazine?"
One sets out to become a
big Hollywood director.
Again, I just want to thank you
so much for doing this for me.
Thanks a lot.
I take it that thanking people
a lot in advance of their
having done anything for you
is a Johnson family trait.
Herb Lightman.
Oh, hello.
Again.
Yeah, he's here, hair and all.
No, no, I'm kidding,
I'm kidding.
No, it's fine.
No, a haircut
won't be necessary.
The Incredible Hulk look
is all the rage these days.
Is he what?
Yes, he's still wearing his tie.
Oh, no, no, no, no,
really, that won't... no,
that won't be necessary.
My thanks is the look
in a young person's eyes
when I help make
their dream come true.
No really.
I'm happy to help.
What's that?
Of course.
I will.
I will.
Yeah.
OK, you got it.
I can do that.
As soon as I get off the phone.
OK, bye.
You will never guess
who just called.
Yeah.
Sorry, she's...
She asked me to remind you
to thank me for doing this.
Thank you.
Oh, sorry, right, right.
Your thanks is the look
in a young person's eyes
when you help make
their dreams come true.
That's right.
And you know how
many times I've had
the pleasure of seeing that
look in a young person's eye
when their dream comes true?
Precisely never.
Why?
Because I've never done
this for anyone before.
Why?
Because I never wanted to see
the look in a young person's
eyes when they realize that
their dream is probably not
going to come true.
Why?
Because Hollywood is the least
conducive place on the planet
Earth for anyone's
dream to ever come true.
So why are you
doing this for me?
Cause your mother has
huge, clanging steel balls.
Because you're here
anyway and because you say
thank you a lot.
Shall we go?
So tell me something.
Of all the people
in Hollywood you
could pick to meet,
why Douglas Trumbull?
Have you ever seen
"2001: A Space Odyssey?"
Well, it took a while to
finally get to Los Angeles,
but yes, I've seen it.
Did you understand the ending?
Of course.
Did you?
Let me guess, you're
a hand grenade,
and I just pulled the pin.
The riddle is nearly
within his grasp,
but he's too old to reach
out and touch the monolith
and receive his final
gift of enlightenment.
So they send him back to
the evolutionary cradle
to start all over again.
Kaboom.
Well, I'm Herb Lightman,
if you could call him.
No worries.
Good.
OK. I'll do that.
Sure.
Well, the good news is...
You can go in now.
Thank you.
What's the bad news?
The bad news is that
Douglas isn't here today.
Did you tell them I was coming?
I told him I was coming.
Well, I mean, there's still
probably a bunch of cool stuff
to see, right?
I could leave him a note.
I have some pictures
of my models.
I could leave him my
movie and my projector.
I mean, it's worth a try, right?
You're asking the wrong guy.
It's worth a try.
OK, we have cumulocity.
Roll camera.
Give us a little more
speed on the color changes.
Yeah, that's it, that's it.
Just... OK, just
pull back slowly.
Starting further back and
push through the cloud.
So what is this
movie called anyway?
It's called "Close Encounters
of the Third Kind."
What does that mean?
Contact.
Close encounter of the
first kind is a sighting.
Close encounter
of the second kind
is physical evidence
of an encounter.
Close encounter
of the third kind
is actual contact
with the aliens.
It's "True UFO Stories
Magazine," April 1974.
Don't swing.
You want a Pepsi?
Sorry, wait, stop.
Are you serious?
Yeah, thank you.
Oh, you messed up the cloud.
It messed up the cloud.
Cut.
How long to reset?
25 minutes.
Are you the...
I really think it's four hours.
You're Steven Spielberg.
Steven.
Hey, Herb.
Come on.
Let me show you guys around.
How old is he?
OK, let's recycle the tank
and order some dinner.
When I was a kid, I used
to watch planes take off
from the local airport.
To me, they weren't airplanes,
they were spaceships...
Doug.
Growing up on all
those '50s films
with flying saucers
and aliens coming
to Earth to destroy mankind.
Where is Doug?
Did you tell him I was coming?
Which explains why my first film
was a little epic
called "Firelight... "
Doug.
Which was essentially
about aliens
coming to my backyard
and destroying my sisters.
Where's Doug?
So obviously, you've
come a long way
from making little Super
8 movies in the backyard.
Yeah, now I make big Super
8 movies in the back lot.
Still, knowing what you know
now about how difficult it
is to really do
this, I wonder what
you would say to the 17-year-old
kid in the backyard who thinks
he's got it all figured out.
I say, if you're so
smart, what are you
still doing in your backyard?
But if the kid were
to get up the courage
to leave the backyard and show
up on your doorstep
looking for help?
I'd say, get your
own Douglas Trumbull,
if you could find him.
Speaking of which, could
we talk for just a bit
about exactly what
Douglas and his team
are doing for you here?
I knew I wanted to show
flying saucers in a way
that they'd never been shown
before, and I had to go...
Well, "Close Encounters"
is a very effects heavy film.
A real alien.
His name is Douglas Trumbull.
He worked on a little film
called "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Rejecting the sketches, we
created force perspective
planning so much Greg,
Gene, and his model crew
made miniature landscapes
with an amazing sense
of distance and very
little space.
Before it was paintings based
on sketches, and then
Doug, Vilmos and I
work out the color scheme.
Who is Vilmos?
The DP.
The director of photography.
I know.
OK.
My worry was that
the stars would
become diffused blobs instead
of crisp little points of light.
So Richard Yuricich
came with the idea
of burning the
starfields directly
in the interpositive, which
meant doing a latent image
pass through the
optical printer,
and bypacking the starfield
element with the original...
projection that will allow
us to put these large format
images on the Scotchlite screen,
reflected back exactly on axis
so that any foreground object
will block its own shadow,
preventing a perfect comp
with no need for blue screen
or motion control.
What?
Sorry, what's motion control?
So I told the guys at the studio
that I needed five airplanes,
and they tried to give me three.
I told them, you can't make a
circle with three airplanes.
You can make a
triangle with three.
You can make a square with four.
But if you're going
to make a circle,
you're going to need at
least five airplanes.
You're Greg Jein.
You built the Dark Star, and the
penis ship in "Flesh Gordon."
"Star Log Magazine."
Security.
Relax.
We don't really have
security, obviously.
That's... you got me.
Looking for Doug?
Yeah, how did you know?
Everybody's looking for...
Because you had an audience
with Steven Spielberg,
and you ended up
in his model shop.
I got lost.
I know you did.
So here you are at
the intersection
of fantasy and reality, just
as far from Douglas Trumbull
as you were back in Wadsworth,
Illinois, population 750.
Hey, Doug!
Doug!
Hey, hey, hey, Doug.
Hey, Herb.
Sorry, about 12
million things came up.
We can do the
interview another time.
It's not important.
Anyway, I just want to tell you
I brought somebody along today
who has been anxious to meet you
since he saw "2001" when
he was eight years old.
And he understood it, no less.
But anyway, he's a
film director himself,
and that's because he was
so turned on and so inspired
by your first film.
So if you could have half
a second, just say hi.
Hi.
Nice meeting you.
What... what, you, you
had nothing to say?
Well, that's so sweet.
So...
Stupid!
I can't believe you said that!
Said what?
Nothing!
It was a good start.
"Hi, my name is" might
have been a good follow up.
Oh, boy.
Saying goodbye to Steven might
have been a good idea too.
And that's it?
After all this crazy hoping,
and trying, and dreaming?
You're nearly killing me making
dumb movies in your backyard.
That's all you got from your
one chance at Hollywood?
Well, there is one other
little, little thing.
Hi, guys, John Dagster.
Welcome to Industrial
Light and Magic.
As you can see from
the poster, we're
a little behind schedule,
which means we're all
a little over-caffeinated here.
So please keep
your hands and feet
inside the ride at all times.
No flash photography.
Most importantly,
remember to forget
every single thing you see
here, except for the cool stuff.
The surface of the Death
Star, a small artificial moon
that goes around blowing
up other planets.
So we had to make a lot of it.
So we made wood patterns
and took molds off them
with this Dow Corning
Silastic liquid rubber,
which is normally used to seal
basements against flooding,
inject the molds with
expandable urethane foam,
like the stuff they squirt
in the walls
for insulation.
Wham-o.
Repeatable lightweight
modular sections.
They're really easy
to throw around.
Those are x-wings, part of
a small fleet of battleships
used by the Rebel Alliance
to fight the Empire.
There's the escape
capsules, right over here.
And over here, we've got the...
We've got the Millennium Falcon.
It belongs to a space
pirate named Han Solo
and his Wookie, Chewbacca.
That's the rebel blockade
runner, right here.
And where are we?
Over here, we've got
the Star Destroyer.
And here is Luke's Land Speeder.
Now, that's Luke,
destroyed C-3PO,
and that's Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Wait, that's the Bionic
Man action figure.
Yeah, don't...
Don't tell anybody.
We're making this whole
movie out of things
you could find
lying around your garage.
That's so cool.
Over here, we have
our breakaway models.
They're made from
a brittle resin
which explodes really nicely.
Go ahead, break it.
No, no, no, no, no.
Here, check it out.
No, no, no, no,
what are you doing?
Cool, huh?
I can fix this.
Now, understand a lot
of the blue screens
still aren't composited.
There's no music or
sound effects yet.
It's still got a British from
"World War II," and stuff
from "Dam Busters"
and "633 Squadron"
standing in for the
dogfight scenes.
And this is our screening room.
Everyone's fixed up.
And then, and suddenly,
they all turn around,
and this huge crowd of
hundreds of Rebel pilots
give him a standing ovation.
And that's it.
That's the end.
OK.
So I just have one...
One question for you.
Go ahead.
What the hell were
those hundreds
of other Rebel pilots
doing while their pals were
getting their asses kicked
attacking the Death Star?
I don't know.
Who cares?
I'm telling you, when
this movie comes out,
it's going to be like Woodstock.
I'm thinking Nerdstock.
When and where does
this thing come out?
May 25th at theaters everywhere!
You really met Steven Spielberg?
Yeah, I really did.
Did you show him your
"Planet of the Apes" movie?
No.
Good.
Oh, man we have to
go opening night.
We have to.
Why?
Go see this movie again
when it comes out.
See it opening day, first show.
If it doesn't make
you jump in your car
and drive like hell to get
back out here, then maybe
I'm wrong about you.
But I don't think I am.
Um, hi.
Pat Johnson says your center
speaker's distorting again.
OK, bye.
Come on, do it.
No, I'm eating popcorn.
The butter ought
to make it easier.
What are you guys talking about?
Robin can stick her
entire fist in her mouth.
Don't ask her to
prove it, though,
even with something smaller.
I could put my entire
fist in your mouth.
Well, now we're
starting something.
OK, OK. Shh.
Please refrain from talking...
Pat, there's no one
else in the theater.
This might be it, Bill.
What?
You say that every time.
And every time, we end up
staring in awe struck wonder
at the coming attractions to
"Logan's Run," or "Breaker
Breaker" starring Chuck Norris.
I like Chuck Norris.
And really, Pat, if this "Space
Wars" thing is so great, then
why hasn't there been
any hoopla about it?
- It's "Star Wars."
- Hoopla?
Know what I think?
You're making this
"Space Wars" thing up.
It's "Star Wars," and
why would I?
So you had something to
tell people about your trip
to Hollywood other
than, I blew it.
I didn't blow it, Bill.
You met Steven Spielberg
and Douglas Trumbull,
and you came back.
Why come back
if you didn't blow it?
Are you serious?
You're having one
of your fake fights.
You're wasting your time.
Why did I come back?
I came back
to finish high school.
The guy who directed "Jaws."
You're acting
like you knew that?
I told you that.
I'm too busy watching
the coming attractions
to "Space Wars."
It's "Star... " what?
He's moving too fast!
It's an epic of heroes...
villains, aliens
from 1,000 worlds.
"Star Wars," a billion years
in the making, and it's
coming to your
galaxy this summer.
Oh, my god.
What do you mean, "Oh, my god?"
That was the goofiest
thing I've ever seen.
May 25th?
That's like a month from now.
I know.
No, Pat, you don't.
I have you now.
Oh, right, like I'd waste
my time on
some dorky sci-fi movie.
Oh, so you don't have
your little "Star Trek"
parties anymore?
Shut up.
You probably shouldn't
see "Star Wars" anyway.
Oh, why is that?
Well, there's this
thing in it called
the Death Star,
which could take out
the Enterprise with one shot.
The Enterprise has
deflector shields.
Bud's Garage.
Again?
Bill, I'll find a
way to pay for it.
What?
No, no I don't get
paid by the pile.
Patrick!
I'll call you back.
What?
Your friends are here.
Hey.
Hey.
I heard about your car.
Yeah.
Look, we got off to
a bad start, and I
was thinking, if
you and Linda are
going to be getting
married, or whatever,
you're going to need money.
OK.
So?
So Tony thinks his dad
would be willing to fix
your car for free.
Linda, being family and all.
Cut.
Ah.
Do you mind?
No, I don't mind
bringing in the groceries
even though it's your turn.
Bill, you don't need
to check the mirror
with your whole head.
Just glance with your eyes.
I was trying to show concern.
Hey, you should be concerned.
The corn's moving about
3,000 miles an hour.
Excuse me?
Corn's going by too fast.
The corn can never
go by too fast.
You know what? This is stupid.
What's stupid?
This whole movie thing.
What do you think,
one of these movies
is going to be seen by anyone
other than you, me,
and your mom?
Bill.
You think having a premiere
at the Public Library
is going to get you
noticed in Hollywood?
OK, Bill, I'm sorry I
said you're corny.
You're a good actor.
No, I'm not. I'm terrible.
But at least I know it.
Well, if you know
you're so terrible,
why do you keep doing it?
Because it used to be fun.
Why do you keep doing it?
Because you certainly
aren't having any fun.
And when you're not having fun,
you are definitely not fun.
I do it because
I'm not terrible.
I'm just here.
Oh, so it's here
that's the problem?
Here meaning all your
well-meaning but talentless
friends holding you back, right?
No.
Fine, go to Hollywood so you
can be not terrible there.
See how far that gets you.
Music radio WLS Chicago.
Don't be alarmed.
It's only the death
breath of the Dark Lord.
"Star War" starts today
at select theaters.
Rated PG.
Parental guidance suggested.
Good morning Mr. And
Miss Warren High School.
And all geeks sitting
on top of the buses,
looking into the
girls' locker rooms.
This is your student body
president, Bill Holmes.
And these are your morning
announcements for...
May 25, 1977.
The menu today...
A day that will live in infamy.
All right, kids.
I'd like to send a special
message to the entire Warren
family.
Jocks, brains, nerds, freaks,
cheerleaders, Devilettes,
chess club members,
valedictorians, thespians,
lesbians.
Can he say lesbians on
the morning announcements?
No, he cannot.
Today is the last day of life
as we know it on this planet.
Today, a new and golden
age lies upon us.
Today is the day that every
last character name, scene
description, and
vocal sound effect
you've heard from
these past few months
will entirely make sense.
Open the door, Holmes.
Don't be alarmed.
It's only the death
breath of the Dark Lord.
Very bad, very bad.
Don't be scared.
It's only an Imperial Cruiser
making the jump to lightspeed.
Relax.
It's only a movie,
and it's all for fun.
Director George Lucas and
20th Century Fox present...
When I find it, and I will...
"Star Wars."
Enjoy, lap it up, monkeys.
Parental guidance suggested.
It starts today at
theaters everywhere.
Everyone meet at the
Genesee at 3:00 PM.
The first 40 people to
show up get in free!
Ah.
Ah.
What are you doing here?
Linda had a conniption fit
because she had work for me
today.
So Dr. Kallen let
her off the hook,
even though I called in sick.
So where's Linda?
She went to the mall.
She said she had
to buy something
nice to wear for big event.
Is that your brother?
Genesee Theater, 3:00 PM.
- Come on.
- No.
We've got to go, guys.
"Star Wars."
Never mind.
Ah, hey.
Come on, guys.
We got to go.
"Star Wars," 3:00 PM.
Where's Bill?
He's hiding in his car.
Hey, guys, don't forget
there's a party at my house
tonight, 6:00.
Thanks, Ann.
That's great.
Drive, Bill.
Just drive.
I'll need your park ID.
Can he do that?
Uh huh.
Do you realize
what you just did?
Yeah, I got my severance
pay, which is more
than I would have
gotten if I I'd
worked for another
month, which means
I can now pay for the
first 40 people to show up.
Oh, shit.
Oh, now you realize
what you just did.
No, it's 2:14.
Time flies when you're
throwing your life away.
No, I mean I got to cash this.
So we'll cash it.
The theater's 15
minutes that way.
My bank is 15 minutes
the other way.
Pat, relax.
My dad will cash your
check at the station.
It's five minutes away.
Sign it over to him.
I'll go get the cash and
meet you at the mall at 2:45.
But, no, it takes 15 minutes
to get to the theater.
We can get there in 10.
That gives 5 to
buy your popcorn,
talk to manager into selling you
the poster with all the money
you won't have, and still find
the exact acoustical center
of the theater, OK?
OK.
Slow down, you're going
to get all sweaty.
Girls hate that.
It's not like there's going
to be a line around the block
to get in.
Hey.
Oh, hey.
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Picking you up.
Bill's meeting us at 2:45.
What?
I can't go.
Why not?
Mom needs me to take
Misty to the vet.
Oh, we'll take her afterwards.
Tony is giving me a ride.
Why?
My car's in the shop.
Again?
Yeah, again.
Wow, that's... that's convenient.
What's that supposed to mean?
Well, let's see.
First, Tony's dad can't
seem to find the left front
Fender for a Ford
Pinto for over a month.
And then after managing
to finally scrape together
enough money to pay him.
He tells me he's been
charging me a storage fee
on top of the original amount.
And now your car's
back in the shop,
and suddenly Tony is the only
one left with a car that works,
which you have to go
back to your house in,
with your new underwear.
And no, can you tell
me what's wrong?
Yeah, I can.
You don't know when
to stop thinking.
What?
Wait.
Wait, what?
I'm the proud owner of a brain
refined by 6 million years
of evolution.
How am I supposed
to stop thinking?
Try feeling.
Oh, come on.
Wait, wait, wait.
Don't touch me.
I'm sorry.
Don't even talk to me,
and don't call me either.
Wait, don't leave.
Don't leave.
Come on.
Don't leave.
Gaze at the sky and picture
a memory of days
in your life you
knew what it meant to be
happy and free with time
on your side.
Remember your daddy
when no one was wiser.
Your ma used to say that you
would go farther than he ever
could with time on your side.
Think of a boy
with the stars in his eyes.
I said I'd meet you here.
I didn't say I'd
go to bed with you.
Why would you agree to meet
me in a hotel room room
if you weren't going
to go to bed with me?
I can't believe you're
being such a bitch.
Hey, open this door.
Sadly you'd
say someday, someday.
What the hell do you want?
I want you to leave my
sister alone, you punk.
OK.
But...
day after
day, the show must go on.
"Star Wars," a billion years
in the making, and it's
coming to your
galaxy this summer.
Any castles in Spain.
The chance had gone by.
Hey!
She's ready to go!
With nothing to say...
When you got the dough.
And no one to say it to.
Nothing has changed.
You still got it all to do.
Surely, you know the
chance has gone by.
So did you see it?
No.
I thought you were going
to be first in line.
Things got messed up.
What happened?
Dodgeball accident,
then I missed the bus.
And next thing I know,
it starts raining,
and Jody saw me walking home.
You should have run him over.
What's wrong with her?
She's 16.
She's a girl.
Plus, she hates me.
She doesn't hate you.
I do so.
If she hated you, why
would she drive you home?
So she could enjoy not
driving me to the theater.
Can I borrow the van?
Eric took it down to O'Hare.
What for?
To ship a dog I sold
some people in Atlanta.
They wired the money, thank God.
Great.
Could I borrow $200?
I don't know.
When you walked by
the runs did you
notice 2 million piles of poop?
What the heck do
you need $200 for?
To pay for 40 of my friends
to get in to see "Star Wars."
You know, they say if you
have three good friends
in your entire life
you're a very lucky...
Mom, this is really serious.
I need to get as many people
as I can to the Genesee
Theater, especially me.
Well, it stopped raining.
Why don't you ride your
bike down to the theater?
No, I sold my bike to
buy film for "Requiem
for the Planet of
the Apes," remember?
What about Eric's bike?
Reshoots.
OK, what about Jody's bike?
It's pink.
It's here.
It's got tassels.
It's got wheels.
It's got a lock.
You can use my bike.
Hey, can you hold on
to this for a sec?
Hey.
Hey, Pat.
I was just heading
out to find you.
Where the hell have you been?
Jeez, will you relax?
Relax?
I missed the 3:00 PM showing
of Star Wars because of you,
and the 5:15, and the 7:30.
And the 9:45 starts
at 25 minutes,
and it takes 20 minutes to
get to the Genesee Theater.
Will you calm down?
It's the damn movie.
No, it's not just a damn movie.
I've waited my whole
life to see this movie.
You've been waiting your
whole life to get laid too,
but I don't see a yelling
at Linda Altastiniac.
OK, you know what?
Forget it.
I'll go by myself.
Just give me my check, OK?
It's in my glove compartment.
I parked like a mile away.
Besides, what good
is it going to do
without a place to cash it, and
without me to take you there?
Why didn't you cash it before?
Why didn't you come back?
Remember that night last fall,
when Robin gave you a ride home?
Yeah.
She came over later.
She was really drunk.
She told me, if I didn't
want to marry her,
there was a guy she
knew that would.
Bill.
I didn't come back because
I found out who that guy is.
Look, just hang here
for a little while.
Let me try to figure
this out with Robin,
and I'll take you to
the midnight show.
Hey, Pat.
Hey, Donny.
How was "Star Wars?"
It was great.
Yeah, it was great,
in fact, that I went
to the 5:15 and the 7:30 show.
I mean, later I'm
going to the 9:45.
Hey, what is this movie about?
What's with Johnson?
And R2-D2's bouncing
around going..
A smudge mark on
her boob is gone,
and her hair's all different,
and she hands Luke and Han
medals.
And everybody turns
around, and literally
this crowd, hundreds
of rebel soldiers,
all give him a standing ovation.
And that's the end.
All right.
So I just have one question.
What?
What the hell are you on?
Fine, fine, laugh
it up, laugh it up.
But in a few days,
you'll all be going up
to the door of the art, and just
pounding on it and screaming,
"let me in, let me in!"
How many miles
will it take to see the sun?
And how many years
till it's done?
Kiss my confusion
away in the night.
Lay by my side till
the morning comes.
Hey.
What the hell was that look for?
What the hell were you doing
making out with Doreen Blandis?
I thought you said
you were going
to work things out with Robin.
Yeah, well I also said
I'd get you to your movie,
and I'm going to get you there.
So come on. Let's go.
Strangers in a strange land.
Hey, Moon Watcher, you can't get
there from here,
this ain't Cape Kennedy.
And it sure as hell
ain't Hollywood.
It's just Gurney.
I'm not even from Gurney.
I'm from Wadsworth,
population 750, the edge
of the edge of nowhere.
Hey, a lot of famous
people came from the edge
of the edge of nowhere.
Ray Bradberry grew up in
Waukegan, and Jack Benny.
And Marlon Brando
went to high school
right over in Libertyville.
Yeah, and where are they now?
Ray Bradbury, California.
Jack Benny, California.
Marlon Brando.
Tahiti!
Woo-hoo!
Woo-hoo!
Yeah!
What?
Is this how you want to live?
What, in a big house with a
bunch of people having fun?
Sure.
Yeah, but what are
you going to do?
What are you going to be?
What do you want from the one
shot that you get at living?
I don't know, money, a big
house, a wife and 2.3 kids.
I have no fucking idea.
Bullshit.
You want to make people laugh.
That's what you want.
That's who you are.
OK, Pat.
Let's do our fight thing.
Ready, ready?
No.
Now.
You want to be an
actor or comedian.
No, I don't.
That's what you
want me to be so you
can feel like you're
not the only one chasing
after an impossible dream.
React.
Oh.
But you're lying.
That's all you've ever wanted.
And yet... but you're too
afraid of failing to try.
Oh.
You hit me in the forehead, man.
I didn't hit you.
Yeah, you did.
No, I didn't.
Oh, so you... you act
like you don't care.
Shut up and fight.
Come on.
You go along with the
rest of the herd that
needs to believe that being
intelligent and having hopes
and dreams is for nerds,
or geeks, or dorks.
But inside, you know it isn't.
Come on.
Cut it out, man.
What do you care what I do, huh?
What are you still
hanging around for?
Just go.
They do this all the time.
What are you waiting for?
I'm waiting for you.
Why?
You don't need me to
drive you to California.
You don't even need me to drive
you to the Genesee Theater.
Shit, Pat, you could have
walked there and back five times
today.
I'm not the one
who's afraid here.
It's you, man.
You're afraid you're going to
go see this movie and everything
will be the same.
You'll still be Pat Johnson
making his little movies
in his backyard.
They're not little.
Oh.
We've just got a big backyard.
Pretty good right hook too.
Orson Welles.
What?
Orson Welles grew up in Kenosha.
That's like 10 miles from here.
Oh, it doesn't matter
where he grew up.
OK?
What matters is that
he's not sitting around
some house full of people
who don't care about anything
but getting stoned so they
can forget about the fact
that they're going to spend
the rest of their lives
wondering why the hell
they're still here.
I mean, really, somebody,
anybody, do something new,
do something interesting.
[MUSIC - ALAN PARSONS PROJECT,
"I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE LIKE
[YOU"]
I wouldn't want to be like you.
Whoa, I don't care...
OK.
What you do.
I wouldn't want to...
I wouldn't want to be like you.
I wouldn't want to be like you.
Oh.
Oh, man.
Marry me.
Did you just get engaged?
What time is it?
9:55.
Why do you want everyone
to see this movie so bad?
I don't know.
I guess it's just...
If everyone sees it,
and everyone likes it,
then I won't be the only sci-fi
movie geek in town anymore.
Pat, if every person in
town loved this movie,
you would still be alone
because to everybody else,
movies are something to do
when you're tired of real life.
To you, real life is
something to do when you're
tired of watching movies.
But I'm never tired
of watching movies.
My point exactly.
Some people live to work,
other people work to live.
Yeah, well I'm going to do
both because, unlike everybody
else around here, I'm going to
love what I do for a living.
How do you know?
Well, because I've always known.
I started making movies
when I was nine years old.
Why?
Why what?
Why did you start making
them when you were nine?
Why that age in particular?
Because... I don't know.
What the hell kind
of question is that?
You started making movies to
keep your family together.
What?
Like it or not,
that's the truth.
You are so full of shit.
Where do you come
up with that crap?
Advanced placement psychology.
You were my term paper.
Come on, Pat.
Your parents start
talking divorce,
you start making movies.
Why?
Because I like to.
You did it to get
their attention.
So they'd have something
else to think about,
like you had something other
than them that made you happy.
You figured, if they saw
they were losing you,
maybe they'd stop fighting.
Sorry, Sigmund, but you're
wrong on this one, OK?
So what happens?
Your mom fawns over every frame,
thinks every shot is wonderful.
And you know it's not true.
So you start to distrust her.
She's not leveling with you.
She's just treating you
like her little baby
that needs protecting.
And your dad, who's drunk
half the time,
can only see you
as his younger self
who wanted to be an artist
till his dad threatened
to disown him
if he didn't go to
med school, right?
So here you come with
your first little Super
8 "Planet of the Apes"
movie, and what does he do?
OK, Donny.
He shits all over it.
OK, Donny, enough.
It looks like a model.
You ever hear of focus?
And they invented tripods
for a reason, you know?
And how about this little gem,
is that like a Charlton Heston?
It looked like a 12-year-old
with delusions of grandeur.
You were a 12-year-old
with delusions of grandeur.
Donnie, shut up, OK?
Just shut up.
Fine, as soon as you admit
the real reason
you want to make movies.
Because it cuts through all the
stupid high school social caste
system bullshit, OK?
OK.
It gets past all those stupid
goddamn armor everyone wears.
Go on.
When you're watching
a movie, you're
sitting with 500 people who
wouldn't even sit next to you
in lunch.
And you're laughing
at the same jokes,
and crying at the
same painful moments,
and you're jumping
at the same scares.
There aren't any cliques
in the movie theater.
There aren't any jocks, or
geeks, or nerds, or brains, OK?
And as long as it's
dark, and there's
something you've never
seen before on the screen,
it's like you're
family, where nobody
yells or fights or leaves.
Oh, shit.
You know, years
from now, are you
going to pay someone
hundreds of dollars
to do what I just did for free?
Congratulations. It's a fist.
You've got her hand out?
Oh, no problem with that.
Doctor gave her a
little muscle relaxant.
Here.
You may need just for the drool.
What?
Come on, I'll take you home.
Wait, what about "Star Wars?"
Gah!
It's dark in the theater.
Music Radio WLS Chicago.
It's me.
I told you not to call.
I know.
I'm sorry.
It's just... I realized
something tonight.
I thought that it was going
to be the most important day
of my life because it would
finally give me the strength
to go out to LA and start up a
life I thought we both wanted.
But when today finally
came, it wasn't enough
for me to just see
"Star Wars" by myself.
I felt I had to take everyone
I knew with me because I think
what I really wanted
was for everyone
to finally understand
me and approve of me.
So that it would change this
place enough, in my mind
and in my heart, that I wouldn't
have to leave it because I
don't really want to go.
There were
dreams we kept inside.
I just want to belong.
OK, Linda-chan.
I go to work now.
OK.
Drive carefully, mom.
I can't get there from here.
And you can't...
Pat, you've been waiting
a really long time
for this night.
And maybe I didn't seem as
interested as you sometimes,
but I really did want to
be with you the first time.
And I really want
to be with you.
Nowhere.
OK, then.
Come and get me.
Touch the sky.
If you don't, when you grow
old, you'll wonder why.
You did just what you were told.
No one will cry for you.
And all you do is long to fly.
I can see...
Beam me up, Jody.
The final
curtain calling, let it be.
Listen to the voices
calling out to all who hear.
You ready?
Don't let your
fear push life beside.
I can't get there from here.
And you can't get...
Oh.
Here from there.
And we can't go anywhere.
Why the long face?
Ah!
Sorry, sorry. I'm sorry.
I can't help it.
Making jokes, it's what I do.
Duh.
Are you sure about this?
Uh huh.
Far beyond
all the things we know.
Mm-mm.
Wait.
The world of our dreams.
Calling to us...
You want to watch baseball?
But we don't go.
I want the neighbors to think
we're watching baseball.
Plus, it'll cover any, you
know, noise we might make.
Now, close your eyes.
You can't get here from there.
And we can't go anywhere.
As long as we're still standing
on the road that leads nowhere.
When I was a kid, they used
to show these short films
before the feature
called serials,
and they weren't very good.
In fact, they were actually kind
of terrible in a wonderful sort
of way because you could almost
imagine the actors suddenly
turning to look out
at you and saying,
look, we know you can tell
we made these sets out
of cardboard, and we know you
can see the wires holding up
our spaceships, but look
how much fun we're having.
And those stupid little
films meant more to me
than any big budget
Hollywood extravaganza
because they gave me hope
that, with a little allowance,
a little ingenuity, and a
little stolen time with my dad's
old wind-up movie camera,
I could make movies too.
And I did.
Boy, did I.
How much do you want to
be a director, Patrick?
I want it more than anything
I've ever wanted in my life.
Are you... are you
really sure about this?
Do you need to be one?
Then you might just make it.
You really think so?
If it can happen to me,
it can happen to you.
So how was it?
It was amazing.
How about for you?
I meant "Star Wars."
Oh.
I don't know.
Too many things came up.
You could go tomorrow.
I could maybe get off work.
No, I have to work.
I got to start saving up
for everything we want.
I'll try to see it on my next
day off, if it's still playing.
The crowd's loving it.
Now the big guy, hitting
.342 with 92 RBls.
More baseball after
these messages.
Hey, Pete Rose,
what do men really
want from his after shave?
Are you sorry we did this?
No.
No fancy perfumes
or fancy bottles.
Did you want to
wait till you get
married before your first time?
Uh-uh.
A man wants to smell like a man.
That's why I like...
And so Refreshing and masculine.
What? What?
What did I say?
Shut up. Just shut up, OK?
What?
What?
What did I do?
You didn't do anything.
OK, well then tell
me what's wrong.
This wasn't my first time.
Oh.
Well, that's OK.
No, it's not.
I don't care.
I care.
Why?
Why?
What does it matter what we
did before we met, right?
I don't have to be your first.
I just have to be your
best and your last.
It matters!
What?
It matters because
my first time was
while you were in Hollywood.
I didn't know if
you'd be coming back.
You were so excited about
going and maybe getting a job.
I didn't know you'd
come back just for me.
You were the only
reason I came back, OK?
You said you loved me.
I do love you.
Well, you have a funny
way of showing it.
You know, this wasn't
your first time either.
Yeah, it was.
No, it wasn't.
Your first time was the
day you saw the coming
attractions for "Star Wars."
What?
When it was over, I
looked over at you,
and you had tears in your eyes.
So?
So how could I ever hope
to compete with that?
Why Tony?
Huh?
What the hell is
so great about him?
Is it his car, or
his gold chains,
or his feeble little mustache?
His zip code.
What?
He's here.
I am here.
But he's not going anywhere,
and I'm OK with that.
In fact, it's what I want.
Though it's getting
harder to take what they say,
just let it go.
Just let it go.
And if it hurts when
they mention my name,
say you don't know me.
And if it helps when
they say I'm to blame,
say you don't own me.
Just remember
something, life doesn't
move at 24 frames per second.
It moves a lot faster.
Even if it's
taking the easy way out.
And on this picture...
Keep it inside of you.
You only get one roll film.
Don't give in.
Don't tell them anything.
Don't let it...
Don't let it show.
Even though you know it's
the wrong thing to say,
say you don't care,
say you don't care.
Even if you want to
believe there's a way,
I won't be there.
I won't be there.
But if you smile when
they mention my name,
they'll never know you.
And if you laugh when
they say I'm to blame,
they'll never own you.
Ooh.
Hey.
Even if you feel
you've got nothing to hide.
Mom wants us to go
grocery shopping.
Keep it inside of you.
Don't give in.
Come on.
Don't tell them anything.
Why are you helping me?
Don't let it...
Because numbskull, how could
you leave without a car?
Don't let it show.
Bye.
Patrick Read Johnson!
What are you still
doing in your backyard?
Where do you think you're going?
To get my car.
Is that so?
Yeah, I paid all I'm
going to pay for it.
Besides, you don't need to
hold it hostage anymore.
I'm not going to stop you.
Scrawny piece of shit.
You couldn't stop rain
from hitting the ground.
Yeah, well, I'll tell you
what, I'll try to gain weight,
you try to gain intelligence.
We'll see who wins.
Huh, I already know who
wins, and it ain't you.
And you're going down.
Oh.
Get up.
Oh, jeez, Tony.
Down, up, make up your mind.
I said get up.
It's time someone
kicked your ass.
What's wrong?
Don't you think you've
done enough to me?
What are you talking about?
You knew that Linda was
scared to go with me,
and you played on it until
you finally brought her down
to your level.
My level?
Oh!
What's my level, huh?
I work for a living.
I don't expect the world owes
me fame and fortune like you.
You know, you think because
you can direct little Super 8
movies you can direct
how people's lives are
going to turn out?
I mean, come on.
How are you going to
direct your way out
of me dislocating your
shoulder if I want to, huh?
How are you going to
direct your way out
of me shoving your
face into the dirt
until you choked to
death, if I want?
Huh?
Your brain may think of
better fantasies than mine,
but it ain't going to think
of nothing if I beat it out
of your head with a fucking
tire iron now, is it?
Is it?
Oh!
Never fuck with a Kubrick fan.
A what?
We may be geeks on the
outside, but on the inside,
we're all killer apes.
You're fucking nuts
is what you are.
Oh, no, I'm not nuts.
I'm evolved.
My ancestors touched
the monolith.
Your ancestors watched.
Jesus, back off, man.
Jesus.
You mated with my mate.
What?
You rained on my
evolutionary parade.
No, wait, wait.
You want to compete with
me for scarce resources
on this dusty African plane?
Well, step to the plate.
I am Moon Watcher.
Hear me roar.
No, stop!
We didn't really do it, OK?
I tried, but she
wouldn't go for it.
She said she was
in love with you.
She wanted to be
with you, I swear.
She waited for you.
We never did it.
Than why would she
tell me you did?
Popcorns, two Cokes,
and one Sugar Baby.
Is this film ever going
to stop showing here?
OK, bye.
What are you doing here?
Why is that up there?
Why is what up where?
That, that... that's not...
That's not what's playing here.
Yes, it is.
Todd, OK.
I know you're most likely
messing with me right now.
And it's funny.
It really is.
And any other day,
I would laugh at it.
I would find it
thoroughly amusing.
This is the thing, I
just want you to tell me
that "Star Wars"
is playing here,
and then we can just, you
know, be friends after that.
And I just want you to
be honest with me now.
Please, buddy.
Todd, I love you.
Come on, just tell me
what's playing here.
"Star Wars," right?
"Star Wars."
"Star Wars?"
Yes, yes!
"Star Wars."
OK, you know what?
Look.
"Star Wars!"
"Star Wars" starts today,
today, at theaters everywhere.
Theaters everywhere.
This isn't everywhere.
This is Lake County.
Everywhere.
Todd.
Oh.
Todd.
Oh, really killing me.
Todd.
Todd.
Your muttloaf, sir.
What are you doing
here, Johnson?
Eating muttloaf.
Huh.
Well, it's Senior Skip Day.
Why aren't you skipping?
More muttloaf for me.
You're a weird kid, Johnson.
Not weird enough, apparently.
Don't underestimate
yourself, Patty.
Let's go.
Where?
Someplace dark and quiet, where
I can take away your virginity.
Well, you're too late.
I don't think so.
The lobby cards are gone, and I
still want all of the posters.
They just picked the
locks and ripped them
right out of the cases.
I was afraid they were
going to take the film,
so I put Eddie on guard
outside the projection booth.
Hey, hey, balcony's closed!
Just don't forget I did this.
Never.
Patrick Reed Johnson!
What happened?
Just remember, if you end up
seeing farther than others,
it's only because you've stood
upon the shoulders of Giants.
Who are you?
See ya.
I only know...
Hey, buddy.
What I can see.
Make good movies and
watch out for girls.
Oh, I'll try.
Have a nice trip.
So I imagine what could be.
He'll be back in a week.
Shut up, Jody.
Where the horizon cuts the air...
You don't have to say anything.
Yeah, I did.
Look for me out there.
Thank you.
Someday I'll
touch the blue, blue sky.
Go on.
Go West, young man.
I'll shout if I need you.
Someday I'll
touch the blue, blue sky.
If I could kiss
this Earth goodbye,
and cruise the neverending sky,
where the horizon cuts the air.
Wait for me down there.
Someday I'll touch
the blue, blue sky.
Whoa.
Someday I'll touch
the blue, blue sky.
Hey.
Forgot something.
Why didn't you just
give me this last week?
Because you didn't
really need it last week.
Now you do.
Practicality, Pat, that's
what I'm all about.
I'll leave the fantasy stuff
up to you, Mr. Hollywood.
Hollywood's just my monolith.
It might be a door.
It might be a wall.
I won't know till I touch it.
What the hell are
you talking about?
Forget it.
Just don't come back as a giant
baby floating over the Earth.
Every time I see your face,
it reminds me of
places we used to go.
All I've got is a
photograph, and I realize
you're not coming back anymore.
I thought I'd make it
the day you went away,
but I can't make it till
you come home again to stay.
I can't get used to living
here while my heart is broke.
My tears I cried for you.
I want you here to have and
hold as the years and go by
and we grow old and gray.
Every time I see your
face, it reminds me
of the places we used to go.
All I've got is a photograph.
And I realize you're
not coming back anymore.
Every time I see your
face, it reminds me
of the places we used to go.
But all I've got
is a photograph,
and I realize you're
not coming back anymore.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Seize the day.
That was what you
always told me.
Find a way you would say
as you would hold me.
Get away from here.
It's oh so clear,
you can't stay.
Long ago we were
old enough to love
but not to know
there were dreams
we kept inside but didn't show.
And now, we don't
know how to let go.
I can't get there from here, and
you can't get here from there.
And we can't go anywhere
as long as we're still
standing on this road
that leads nowhere.
Touch the sky.
If you don't when
you grow old, you'll
wonder why you did just
what you were told.
No one will cry for you.
If all you do is long to fly.
I can see our final
curtain falling.
Let it be.
Listen to the voices
calling out to all who hear.
Don't let your fear
push life aside.
I can't get there from here.
And you can't get
here from there.
And we can't go anywhere
as long as we're still
standing on this road
that leads nowhere.
But out there it gleans far
beyond all the things we know.
The world of our dreams
calling to us, but we don't go.
I can't get there from here.
And you can't get
here from there.
And we can't go anywhere
as long as we're still
standing on the road
that leads nowhere,
the road that leads nowhere.