Aurora Encounter (1986)

Crazy-eyed character actor Jack Elam (from numerous Westerns but also Home Improvement's Stinky Mike) alone is worth the price of admission. Carol Bagdasarian is passable, as are the west Texas schoolgirls she mentors. George McFarland (in his only role in 42 years since playing Spanky in The Rascals) is the Texas governor. Unfortunately, this movie meanders -- as does the diminutive space alien -- real slowlike. It has a few bright spots but is far from riveting. The special effects suck. Aurora Encounter is no E.T. meets Open Trails. See it for the empathy between Jack Elam and Mickey Hays. Or between Jack and his moon dog. 2.5 stars.