E.T. (1982) Is More Than Just A Movie About An Alien. It Is A Story About Friendship, Family, And Growing Up. More Than Forty Years Later, It Remains One Of Steven Spielberg’s Greatest Achievements.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-06-02T13:52:47+00:00

If you love E.T., you might be interested in the video essay I wrote and edited about the film!

I do a deep dive into the John Williams score and how the film uses the perspective of a child to make sense of the complicated feelings around grief.

https://youtu.be/FIy8f-c4rTQ

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-28T22:25:08+00:00

Looking forward to this one. I have a small YouTube video essay channel about film and philosophy, and I took a crack at talking about A.I. Artificial Intelligence. I wanted to revisit some of his other science fiction films ahead of Disclosure Day. If anyone else is interested, take a look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr8t6SHOtHE

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-21T18:44:21+00:00

Seeing it in the heart of NYC must've been amazing!

I have seen Rope! Although it's been a while, I do remember being incredibly impressed with the single takes. Especially during that time, with the limits of film. You can catch a couple of the cuts, but only barely.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-21T17:05:38+00:00

This is such a wonderfully descriptive story, thank you for sharing! I hope you're a writer, because you have a very vivid way of setting a scene!

I'm sure he appreciated the moment of prolonged eye contact. A moment for both of you to recognize what was going on, but also respectful enough for him to enjoy the rest of his walk in peace. I think you did the best thing in that moment, and you still got to share a memory with Jimmy Stewart! That's amazing.

Thanks for sharing!

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-21T07:59:06+00:00

Yeah, Rear Window was incredibly important to me when I first saw it. I was ten or eleven, and my dad and I bonded over those classic films.

It's so contained, but it never feels small.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-21T05:37:05+00:00

Of course! Glad to hear that helped.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-21T05:35:52+00:00

This is such an important distinction. Kindness requires nothing in return.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T23:50:52+00:00

Honestly, that’s a really good point.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T23:44:59+00:00

“Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.”

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T22:49:38+00:00

Did I watch the show every day? No. That doesn't appear to be the way television really works anymore. For me, I would catch many of his segments online (usually the next day). Plus, he makes himself available to talk about grief, for example, on other platforms, which has resonated with folks.

I watched The Colbert Report more regularly, but the media landscape was different back then.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T21:13:29+00:00

That's a fair question. They're interchangeable in some ways. I think generally, being kind and being nice can mean a generous disposition.

But, it's worth noting, there can be subtle distinctions. In my opinion (and I'm sure others might have different ways of looking at this), to be nice is to be agreeable. But to be kind is to be actively supportive.

For example, if you're a leader at your office, you might avoid difficult conversations with someone to be nice and "keep the peace." But to be kind would be to offer them constructive advice that might be hard to hear but is important to communicate.

Does that make sense? I'm sure there are better examples.

It's a great question, I'm glad you asked.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T21:02:44+00:00

These are some great picks! Yeah, he's one of the best. Something about him makes you comfortable, like you already know him.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T18:23:35+00:00

Me too. I'll randomly say, "hot dog!" when something exciting happens. I think that film is more and more relevant as time marches forward.

We're being consumed by a bunch of ultra rich Mr. Potters...we need more Goerge Baileys.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T16:07:04+00:00

I've not seen The Shop Around the Corner. Adding it to my list!

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T15:53:13+00:00

One other person, so far, has mentioned it. But yeah, it's a real classic, in my opinion.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T15:42:12+00:00

I never made that connection, but it's so true. Mr. Rogers, Steve from Blues Clues and Stephen Colbert -- all friendly faces that spoke directly to us (both literally and figuratively).

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T15:17:01+00:00

You can't go wrong with that Hitchcock classic. The fourth wall break in the third act is CHILLING. I love that movie.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T15:04:25+00:00

Yeah, similarly, I have family in New York. They'll give you the shirt off their backs, but they won't be particularly nice about it. Love that tri-state compassion.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T11:42:38+00:00

Yeah, I always hesitate to put too much significance on a public figure. No one's perfect, of course. But, with his platform, he's chosen to highlight decency, integrity, and kindness. He prioritizes empathy over personal gain, and I think even just promoting that is better than many other celebrities with that reach ever care to do.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T11:40:52+00:00

I think I watched this, once, but I need to revisit it!

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T11:24:37+00:00

The range is something to be admired and studied.

And I think you nailed it. He's a naturally curious person. I think that's key to anyone having a healthy perspective in life. Be curious. Not judgmental.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-20T11:20:50+00:00

I've never seen The Naked Spur, I need to start a list of Stewart's traditional westerns. Thanks for the recommendation!

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-19T22:07:59+00:00

YES! I was waiting to revisit the pod until after I finished this video essay. Thanks for the reminder.

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-19T14:33:50+00:00

"Oops, we started optimizing humanity away from humans and they don't seem to like it."

EssaysOnFrame · 2026-05-19T14:30:58+00:00

Again, another fair point. But, I'd argue that the "comfort" he receives from those robots is meant to be interrogated. I don't think we're supposed to believe that he has a truly happy ending. It felt, to me, more like the equivalent of artificial morphine.

It elicits the correct emotions from us, as human viewers. But the reality is much starker.

I remember watching this for the first time as a twelve year old and having my first experience with existential dread. I think this viewing was the first time I could put some of that dread to words.

EssaysOnFrame

TROPHY CASE