I saw Super 8 and it's the best movie of the summer that I've seen thus far. It almost seems like somehow J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg heard me lamenting the death of the good old fashioned story and said, "Here you go, Mike...we cooked this up just for you." We live in a time where so many novels and movies just seem to be a section of life...plotless things that revolve around pretty people with superpowers whether they be mutants or sparkling vampires. People seem to be content to watch these movies which are simply "about a character" and take up 2-hours of time essentially telling you "all about them" and what is going on in their lives as opposed to an actual story.
I'll be honest...I hate those types of movies. I hate those kinds of books. I want a plot. I want a story. And I want an ending that is satisfying and leaves me blinking in the dark thinking about it long after it is over.
Super 8 did exactly this. It is a tour-de-force of masterful storytelling with an introduction to characters, plot, powerful storytelling, good old-fashioned climax, and an ending that left me feeling...wonder.
This movie made me wish that I had written it.
Thank you J.J. Abrams. You are a genius. If you have the time this weekend, please go see this movie.
Come on, I wrote a whole blog post about why I don't go watch movies in theaters anymore! I don't remember hearing in the commercials it's in 3D. From what I've heard that fad is wearing out now. It's too bad in a way because 3D done right is probably a good idea. The problem was so many studios jumped on the bandwagon after "Avatar" that they're crashing the whole thing now.
Wow, sounds great. I'll need to keep an eye out for it. Like you, I like a good plot. And as going to see a movie isn't exactly cheap, I want to get my money's worth.
And yeah, if a book or movie makes you feel like you wished you had read it or starred in it, then the creator of it has done their work as far as I'm concerned.
Mutt: According to your post on May 6th, you like simple. This movie is simple plus you can go see it for cheap at the matinee on the weekend. This is from Roger Ebert (my favorite film reviewer):
"During the first hour of "Super 8," I was elated by how good it was. It was like seeing a lost early Spielberg classic..."Super 8" is a wonderful film, nostalgia not for a time but for a style of filmmaking, when shell-shocked young audiences were told a story and not pounded over the head with aggressive action. Abrams treats early adolescence with tenderness and affection. He uses his camera to accumulate emotion. He has the rural town locations right."
Oh, man, you are SO mean! I was hoping this was one I could wait to hit on dvd. There are just too many movies, this summer, and not enough money for them all. >sigh<
3d is from over. Transformers, Cars 2, and Harry Potter (I believe) are still heading this way in 3d. There may be others. And Phantom Menace will be returning in 3d early next year. 3d movies are the way of the future. Especially once they start converting theaters so you don't have to wear the glasses.
I'm not sold. It seems like too often things are an "homage" when people like them and "stealing" when they don't. So Abrams' movie is an "homage" to Spielberg because it crosses ET with Cloverfield and throws in the sheriff from "Signs" to preside over it all.
Plus, while Lost was great, I'm not sure I've liked any of Abrams' movies.
Saw it last night. I don't know if I would go with genius but it was a good movie. One of the summers best- that's for sure. But there are not many good movies coming out either!!!
JJ Abrams said almost exactly what you did (speaking on NPR) - that he created the movie because he missed the sort of old-fashioned storytelling film that had been part of his childhood.
Interesting. I have to agree with you 100% on the sad state of a lot of movies today. Generally, I try to avoid all of the superhero or action flicks, because they all seem to say the same thing. But, thanks to your recommendation, I might just have to check this one out.
<3 Gina Blechman
P.S. Thanks for the advice about changing my web browser. I literally JUST changed to google chrome right before I saw your comment.
Na-ah. I'm with you on this one. I am NOT content and never will be. I too appreciate good stories and have been looking forward to this film (still am). Thanks for sharing! And I really like your blog, by the way. Tell it like it is. ;)
I was tempted to see this movie this weekend, but then I...saw a woeful flick on the recommendation of a friend. I guess I learned my lesson. We'll probably go next weekend.
Tomeka: Not sure. But at least in X-Men you got the special treat of seeing the black man mutant be the only one of the team that dies. I pointed that out on twitter #justsayin
Just saw Super 8 and loved it. Reminded me of Goonies, ET, and with a bit of Predator thrown in. The first hour was probably the best storytelling I've seen in a long time. As the story was developing I thought many times... "I just love this story and want it to go on forever." It was developed with such care that it's almost sad how the last half seemed rushed with resolutions that just seemed too easy. The worst part was the parting between the two best friends and the resolution of the parents. He spent so much time developing the 2 stories that I wish he would have taken another 5 minutes to given both stories less hokey resolutions. All in all I loved the movie but the first half was so close to perfect that it makes the second half seem worse than it actually was.
I wonder how many people that loved the movie were kids in the late 70s. I was pretty much the exact age of the kids in the movie at the time and that may be part of the reason I loved the first half so much. The houses, the music, the styles, the cars were so spot on part of me wanted to jump into the screen so I could relive my childhood with them. Instead I'll have to settle for buying the amazing soundtrack.
I was that age and loved the show. There definitely is a feeling of nostalgia that comes from watching it (at least for me). I may have to go and see it again this weekend if Green Lantern ends up sucking.
I'll probably see it on DVD. Or since Netflix is so fucking slow about new movies, I might have to watch it On Demand.
ReplyDeleteAnything against the old-fashioned movie experience? IMAX, Dbox, or 3-D (not sure if it is available in 3-D).
ReplyDeleteI love movie recommendations but lo and behold, this rinky dink movie theater is not playing it. Maybe when I go to Seattle I'll go see it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing it. Hopefully my wife and I can out to see it Saturday.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw an ad, I knew this was a movie I wanted to see. It just had that early Spielberg feel to it, and I've missed that kind of movie.
Come on, I wrote a whole blog post about why I don't go watch movies in theaters anymore! I don't remember hearing in the commercials it's in 3D. From what I've heard that fad is wearing out now. It's too bad in a way because 3D done right is probably a good idea. The problem was so many studios jumped on the bandwagon after "Avatar" that they're crashing the whole thing now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear this is good-I've been wanting to see it!
ReplyDeleteI saw the trailer a while back. Would love to see it!
ReplyDeleteSigh. I need to see some movies soon. But life's keeping me away.
:-(
Wow, sounds great. I'll need to keep an eye out for it. Like you, I like a good plot. And as going to see a movie isn't exactly cheap, I want to get my money's worth.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, if a book or movie makes you feel like you wished you had read it or starred in it, then the creator of it has done their work as far as I'm concerned.
Mutt: According to your post on May 6th, you like simple. This movie is simple plus you can go see it for cheap at the matinee on the weekend. This is from Roger Ebert (my favorite film reviewer):
ReplyDelete"During the first hour of "Super 8," I was elated by how good it was. It was like seeing a lost early Spielberg classic..."Super 8" is a wonderful film, nostalgia not for a time but for a style of filmmaking, when shell-shocked young audiences were told a story and not pounded over the head with aggressive action. Abrams treats early adolescence with tenderness and affection. He uses his camera to accumulate emotion. He has the rural town locations right."
Salina and I are planning on seeing it together. Thanks for your review, it means we'll make sure to see it sooner rather than later. :D
ReplyDeleteOh, man, you are SO mean! I was hoping this was one I could wait to hit on dvd. There are just too many movies, this summer, and not enough money for them all. >sigh<
ReplyDelete3d is from over. Transformers, Cars 2, and Harry Potter (I believe) are still heading this way in 3d. There may be others. And Phantom Menace will be returning in 3d early next year. 3d movies are the way of the future. Especially once they start converting theaters so you don't have to wear the glasses.
I'm not sold. It seems like too often things are an "homage" when people like them and "stealing" when they don't. So Abrams' movie is an "homage" to Spielberg because it crosses ET with Cloverfield and throws in the sheriff from "Signs" to preside over it all.
ReplyDeletePlus, while Lost was great, I'm not sure I've liked any of Abrams' movies.
I am sold. "Super 8" looks right up my alley. I am thrilled to hear you liked it.
ReplyDelete"I'm not sold. It seems like too often things are an "homage" when people like them and "stealing" when they don't. "
ReplyDeleteWell Spielberg did executive produce it, so I guess it would be hard to steal from him when he's involved in it.
Saw it last night. I don't know if I would go with genius but it was a good movie. One of the summers best- that's for sure. But there are not many good movies coming out either!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome! I love plot driven stories too. I was on the fence, not sure I wanted to see Super 8. But now, I'm definitely going to see it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOhh, that looks great. Someone on Twitter commented that it was the new Goonies too - am definitely going to have to go and see it now!
ReplyDeleteGirl Friday
JJ Abrams said almost exactly what you did (speaking on NPR) - that he created the movie because he missed the sort of old-fashioned storytelling film that had been part of his childhood.
ReplyDeleteI do love me some actual plot.
Interesting. I have to agree with you 100% on the sad state of a lot of movies today. Generally, I try to avoid all of the superhero or action flicks, because they all seem to say the same thing. But, thanks to your recommendation, I might just have to check this one out.
ReplyDelete<3 Gina Blechman
P.S. Thanks for the advice about changing my web browser. I literally JUST changed to google chrome right before I saw your comment.
Na-ah. I'm with you on this one. I am NOT content and never will be. I too appreciate good stories and have been looking forward to this film (still am). Thanks for sharing! And I really like your blog, by the way. Tell it like it is. ;)
ReplyDeleteSaw it yesterday. It was FUN! It wasn't mindless fun or dumb fun or grossout fun. It was MOVIE FUN!
ReplyDeleteI think FUN is underrated with the critics. Oscars don't go to comedies. But at least the public knows how to vote with their viewing dollars!
I was tempted to see this movie this weekend, but then I...saw a woeful flick on the recommendation of a friend. I guess I learned my lesson. We'll probably go next weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why did I choose X-Men over this in DBOX?
ReplyDeleteTomeka: Not sure. But at least in X-Men you got the special treat of seeing the black man mutant be the only one of the team that dies. I pointed that out on twitter #justsayin
ReplyDeleteJust saw Super 8 and loved it. Reminded me of Goonies, ET, and with a bit of Predator thrown in. The first hour was probably the best storytelling I've seen in a long time. As the story was developing I thought many times... "I just love this story and want it to go on forever." It was developed with such care that it's almost sad how the last half seemed rushed with resolutions that just seemed too easy. The worst part was the parting between the two best friends and the resolution of the parents. He spent so much time developing the 2 stories that I wish he would have taken another 5 minutes to given both stories less hokey resolutions. All in all I loved the movie but the first half was so close to perfect that it makes the second half seem worse than it actually was.
ReplyDeleteOne other comment...
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many people that loved the movie were kids in the late 70s. I was pretty much the exact age of the kids in the movie at the time and that may be part of the reason I loved the first half so much. The houses, the music, the styles, the cars were so spot on part of me wanted to jump into the screen so I could relive my childhood with them. Instead I'll have to settle for buying the amazing soundtrack.
I was that age and loved the show. There definitely is a feeling of nostalgia that comes from watching it (at least for me). I may have to go and see it again this weekend if Green Lantern ends up sucking.
ReplyDelete