I didn't know for sure when you posted that but I asked him as soon as I saw your post.

I had a very odd reaction to Close Encounters... when I first saw it in the theater I wasn't very impressed. It held my interest, to be sure, but I remember mostly being disappointed.

That did not last, however... and when I could I got it on VHS and re-watched it - this time really liking it.

Since then I've seen it several times and today I really think it's a great movie. It grew on me.