Caught last night's free Twitter screening and walked away with a free T-shirt and poster. I was delighted to have it.
I love Steven Spielberg movies more than the next guy, unless that next guy is JJ Abrams. I found the movie itelf to be wonderful, up to the point it stopped being wonderful. Then during the credits, which YOU MUST STAY FOR, Super 8 was wonderful again.
STAY FOR THE CLOSING CREDITS. I can't stress that enough.
I'm a big Friday Night Lights (the TV series) fan & wondered how Kyle Chandler's performance is in Super 8? I think he's great on the series, but wonder if he's poised to sort of "break-out" onto the big screen.
Originally posted by MayhemI'm a big Friday Night Lights (the TV series) fan & wondered how Kyle Chandler's performance is in Super 8?
As am I. He's basically Coach Taylor with a badge and a gun (he plays the deputy sheriff). But then, I think he's probably always going to be playing a variation of Coach Taylor from here on in.
(edited by John Orquiola on 10.6.11 0845) @BackoftheHead
I don't want to say too much about it, because I think Abrams is right that it's good to go into it not knowing too much about it. But I really, really dug it. As someone who was about that age in 1979, I thought they really got the era right, and the movie really worked for me.
I agree with John about what the best parts of the movie were, even though I liked it overall more than he did. And I'm pretty sure that there are other black people in the movie (although not many, so it doesn't change the point much).
Best Picture of the year, so far. The train sequence blew away most of the stuff in Thor and maybe one of the best action pieces of the year. The kids were amazing in this film, JJ filmed it just like Spielberg would without too much shake cam. I loved the wink and nods to other films as well as making it feel like it was set in its own universe. I am not sure why race got into this topic, but as someone who lived in a town like that there weren't a lot of minorities during this time, sorry, but that was more realistic then anything else in the film. How that person survived is more unrealistic then the fact his race was not present in small midwest or east coast towns. The end credits thing was absolutely amazing. Highest recommendation even with a slow middle part, the kids keep it together.
You can read up on some of the behind the scenes happenings from the set of Super 8 because was made here. Sounds like it was a fun thing for a little town here.
Originally posted by lotjxBest Picture of the year so far
"The Case" is the Best Picture of the year so far. That's what I'd vote for if I had an Academy ballot. Best zombie movie ever.
Originally posted by lotjx I am not sure why race got into this topic, but as someone who lived in a town like that there weren't a lot of minorities during this time, sorry, but that was more realistic then anything else in the film.
I mentioned the black guy in my review for the same reason I mentioned in X-Men: First Class that the black guy gets killed first - mainly because I found that old cliche popping up two weeks in a row in big Hollywood summer blockbusters amusing. I'm not up in arms about it or anything.
But c'mon, there are two black characters in the movie - one is the Air Force hired killer and the other is a kindly scientist - but he still pulls a gun on a bunch of white kids. And then the evil black character executes the good black character. I mean, seriously, no one else noticed this? Again, not up in arms about it, just making the observation.
For the record, I really liked the movie overall. I loved the first act and the kids, but I hate the alien something fierce. The movie went off the rails for me in the third act, but I adore the zombie movie over the credits.
(edited by John Orquiola on 11.6.11 1936) @BackoftheHead
Originally posted by John Orquiolabut he still pulls a gun on a bunch of white kids.
And without context (here or in your review), you make it sound like Woodward was a thug. It's very clear that he's trying to scare the kids so that they get the hell out of dodge before the Air Force arrives...he's saving them. You're reaching here, man.
I enjoyed this a lot. It reminded me so much of The Goonies (Joe reminded me of Mikey the whole time). The chemistry between the kids was strong and real.
Saw it yesterday. What will divide viewers on this is what they are expecting out of it. If you go in expecting an intricate sci-fi film, you will be disappointed. In fact, the sci-fi stuff is almost secondary to the point of the movie.
Super 8 is about the kids. It is about sneaking out at midnight, driving your parents car, and making movies with your friends. That's why "The Case" is so rewarding to see. By the end of the film, you are invested in the kids' quest to make a movie. Moreso than even the main story.
In my theater, people started pouring out when the credits started and FROZE when The Case started. People watched the whole thing standing in the aisles.
It's all flash and no substance. Good, but the alien chewing on humans and there being no real drama or character to the parent/child reunions and relationships really brings it down. As John said, the third act really does a number on the film as a whole.
I don't recall the alien (apparently they nicknamed it "Cooper") chewing up anyone except the main military dude.
My take was that it was able to sense its victims true motives when it touched them. It bonded to Woodward in the lab. I think it grabbed anyone that got in its way and if it sensed they were out to hurt it, it killed them. If not, it stowed them away.
Side note: I really wondered for a second if this was gonna turn out to be a prequel for Cloverfield. Would have been kinda interesting, making a prequel but not advertising it as a prequel. Has that "twist" ever been done?
I wonder if Pam (Jenna Fischer) will play poker... I liked the ending to the episode, with Jim questioning the Dwight/Michael relationship after not talking all day. A bit heavy handed perhaps, but I liked it.