The Ghostbusters Icon Approves Spielberg’s UFO Masterpiece
While Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day is navigating a modest box office run, currently sitting at $200 million worldwide, it has managed to secure an unexpected victory among Hollywood’s most dedicated paranormal experts. The film isn’t just a cinematic experience; it seems to tap into a deep vein of public fascination with UFO folklore and the mysterious history behind government secrets.
The endorsement came from one of the industry’s most famous minds: Dan Aykroyd, the iconic figure from Ghostbusters. Aykroyd, long a celebrated enthusiast of ufology and the paranormal, took to social media to praise Spielberg’s work, signaling that the film successfully delivered on its promise of exploring the fringes of reality.
In a glowing post, Aykroyd shared his enthusiasm while gearing up for a third screening of the movie. He noted that Spielberg’s research into UFO folklore in Disclosure Day is “impeccable.” Among his observations, he pointed out that the film touches upon specific historical claims, referencing the alleged night when President Nixon and comedy legend Jackie Gleason reportedly viewed E.B.E. bodies.
Aykroyd’s deep connection to these themes is well-established. Beyond his legendary status with Ghostbusters, he has spent his life immersed in the world of paranormal investigation, serving as a lifetime member of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and hosting popular programs like Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal. For someone who lives on the edge of the known, Aykroyd’s approval lends significant weight to the film’s narrative.
The story embedded in the movie directly mirrors real-life historical whispers. The film features a touching easter egg where Josh O’Connor’s character reveals that Richard Nixon showed his companion grainy security footage of a mysterious figure alongside a well-known public figure—a nod to the legendary tale of Nixon and Gleason.
This echoes a famous, if sensationalized, anecdote from history. Legend holds that in 1973, President Nixon allegedly personally drove Jackie Gleason, who was obsessed with UFOs, to Homestead Air Force Base. There, Nixon reportedly showed Gleason six or eight glass-topped containers, which he later claimed were the frozen remains of Extraterrestrial Biological Entities (E.B.E.s). This explosive story eventually surfaced in 1983 when Gleason’s ex-wife published details in the National Enquirer.
Spielberg masterfully weaves this tabloid lore into the narrative, transforming historical speculation into cinematic wonder. By honoring these enduring myths, Disclosure Day succeeds not only as a thriller but also as a compelling exploration of how we interpret—and perhaps misunderstand—the strange events that surround us.
Those looking for deeper context and critical analysis of the film can find reviews from critics like Chris Bumbray and Michael Conway to weigh in on Spielberg’s vision.
Credit: JoBlo
