Movie Review: "Super 8"

Seen on: June 7, 2011

The players: Director: J.J. Abrams, Writer: J.J. Abrams, Cast: Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich

Facts of interest: Regular Abrams composer Michael Giacchino did the music for “Super 8” and also appears as one of the Sheriff’s deputies.

The plot: A group of young teens in Middle America circa 1979 are making a monster movie when they are caught up in a mysterious adventure.

Our thoughts: Since its teaser trailer was released almost a year ago, “Super 8” has set the movie community abuzz with speculation about its story. This brilliant marketing tool generated massive hype without ever giving away any idea of what the film would eventually be about, leaving audiences with unfortunately lofty expectations, a ploy that rarely works in these days of reconstituted cinematic garbage.  That said, “Super 8” pulls off a phenomenal feat: it lives up to the promotional ballyhoo.

Click to read more ...

See 'Super 8' early at a free screening

Yes, the #Super8Secret has been unveiled. You have a shot at watching J.J. Abrams' upcoming "Super 8" sci-fi blockbuster early. Hurry up though, seating is limited at these screenings, and they take place only in certain cities across the nation.

If you're up for a free early screening, complete with free popcorn and soda, please go to www.Super8Secret.com and enter the password MINT. No purchase is necessary. Do it fast, because these screenings go fast! Like, really fast.

In 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town.

Click to read more ...

This week's new movie releases - June 10, 2011

Two major releases are hitting North American theaters this weekend. One is a sci-fi spectacle helmed by a superb director who likes to keep his projects secret. The other one is a family adventure looking to attract younger crowds. Let's take a closer look.

SUPER 8, directed by J.J. Abrams, with Elle Fanning and Amanda Michalka

Abrams is back in action with another one of his secret sci-fi projects, and I'm stoked! The man sure knows how to get his audiences curious, and besides looking like it's shot beautifully, "Super 8" promises some solid action. That said, considering the project has been surrounded by so much secrecy, this is all I have to say at this point.

Click to read more ...

J.J. Abrams discusses sequel to 'Star Trek'

As fans will finally be treated to the much anticipated "Super 8" this week, director J.J. Abrams recently gave his fans another special piece of news. In a press junket for "Super 8," Abrams stated “The next thing we’re working on, and hopefully we’ll be able to pass information out sooner or later, is the next 'Star Trek.'”

This means that fans of Abrams' highly successful 2009 reboot will finally get to see the next installment of the series in the near future. However, the question still remains as to when it will finally hit screens. 

Although Paramount has the film set to be released on June 29, 2012, Abrams did not confirm the date. When asked about it, he stated "I care much more that it be good than it be ready. I’m obviously doing everything I can to make sure that schedules don’t get screwed up. But I don’t think anyone wants a movie on time that’s not worth your time.”

Click to read more ...

Another great clip from J.J. Abrams' 'Super 8'

A few weeks ago, we got a good sneak peek at that train accident scene from J.J. Abrams' anticipated sci-fi adventure "Super 8," and now, we're in for a new clip that includes more of that specific moment. Check it out right after the jump.

Now, I have not seen a single Abrams flick with a badly executed scene, and I don't think "Super 8" will be an exception. This just looks stunning. The cast includes Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso, and Noah Emmerich.

The story follows a group of friends in the summer of 1979, as they begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate into the creepy phenomenon. "Super 8" starts June 10, 2011. Yay!

Click to read more ...

New 'Super 8' clip looking great

J. J. Abrams' highly-anticipated sci-fi action flick "Super 8" will open in theaters everywhere June 10, 2011, and the folks over at Yahoo! just debuted a brand-new clip from the film produced by Steven Spielberg. As expected, the footage here looks absolutelty fantastic. Check it out after the jump.

No, no big monster in this clip, but it does offer a good preview of the event that unleashes mayhem in the film. Abrams' stuff always looks great, but just looking it at this from a visual point of view, it's simply gorgeous. The cast includes Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler.

Click to read more ...

Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning join 'Super 8'

J. J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg's secret "Super 8" project is in production at the moment, and Elle Fanning and Kyle Chandler are the first to officially join the cast of the upcoming sci-fi suspense thriller.

Vulture first reported the casting news. Of course, not much is known about this project yet, but it seems like the plot follows three siblings discovering an alien in some Super 8 footage they shot.

Chandler is known for his role as Eric Taylor on TV's "Friday Night Lights." As for Elle Fanning, she's Dakota's sister. Her credits include "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Phoebe in Wonderland."

Jeremy Renner cast in 'Mission: Impossible IV'

"Mission:Impossible IV" is still on track to shoot very soon, and now we also know who will parnter up with Tom Cruise in the fourth installment of the action series: Jeremy Renner, star of "The Hurt Locker."

Paramount Pics has been looking for a younger dude to star as a new agent joing Ethan Hunt on his missions, and Renner seems to be the perfect guy to carry the franchise if Cruise fails to pull audiences.

For now though, both will appear in "Mission: Impossible IV," which Brad Bird is directing and J.J. Abrams is producing. Word is Simon Pegg will also return. Story details are still unknown at this point.

Click to read more ...

'Wicked' musical is coming to big screen

It looks like it's finally happening: "Wicked" is on its way to the big screen. Folks from the musical have already met with filmmakers, and it looks like Universal will try and get this one into production fast.

Deadline says several directors have already warmed up to the project, including J.J. Abrams, James Mangold, Ryan Murphy and Rob Marshall. Whoever ends up doing it, these are interesting choices!

"Wicked" the musical is based on Gregory Maguire's novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West." I had the chance to catch it on Broadway a few years ago, and yes, it's a cool story.

Click to read more ...

J.J. Abrams' 'Super 8' teaser is online in HD

I know I am late posting this, but who knows... maybe you have not seen it yet. It's the teaser trailer for J.J. Abrams' upcoming sci-fi thriller "Super 8," that secret project he will release some time next year. It's about some thing creating a big mess (probably a la "Cloverfield"), so check out the preview below.

Not much is known about the film, so all I can do is encourage you to watch the teaser, which looks pretty decent, by the way. Visuals look good, and even though this seems to be yet another monster or alien movie, I have to admit I am intrigued. I definitely want to see more, and that's a good sign.

Click to read more ...