Starman is fun to watch 36 years later

The review:

Jeff Bridges is a revelation in John Carpenter’s Starman—full of ticks and a dawning sense of his human self.* Karen Allen is also key to this film because her varying facial expressions lead the audience to accept the alien. The film includes a great combo of early digital and practical effects and was a good choice for a Valentine’s Day viewing.**

The verdict: Good

Cost: $2.99 via Google Play
Where watched: at home with the boyfriend

Consider also watching:

• Guardians of the Galaxy
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• Superman

Further sentences

*I forget how amazing he is as an actor, because I feel like he’s been playing shades of the Dude for years.
**I was thinking what a lovely little love story this was until the boyfriend (who also counsels domestic violence offenders) started pointing out all the controlling behaviors: “How come when I kidnap someone at gunpoint and make them drive me to a different state it’s a felony? Etc. Etc. Etc. It cracked me up.

Questions:

• What’s your favorite human/alien movie?
• Kidnapping. When is it okay?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Actor Jeff Bridges studied ornithology and the behavior of birds to prepare for his role as an alien in human form for this movie. Bridges particularly used the sudden jerky head movements, among other nuances and mannerisms, of birds for his Starman character.

Other reviews:

• Roger Ebert
• Den of Geek
• Filmspotting’s 8 from 84 review.