Super 8 -- Grading and Discussion Thread
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Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
Super 8
My Grade: B-
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Super 8 is a perfectly enjoyable film that combines old-school movies from Spielberg like Jaws, Close Encounters and ET among others as well as Goonies.
The movie begins showing us a Jr. High who has just lost his mother due to a factory accident leaving him to be raised with his workaholic father -a deputy Sheriff for the county. The boy has promised a friend of his he'll work on a movie for a submission for a contest as a jack-of-all-trades and a bit of a shake-up comes when the friend (script-writer and director) writes in a part for a grl in school our two friends have a crush on. During a late-night shoot at a train station there's a tragic train-crash that casts the town in to a set of bizzare events that aren't easily explained.
The scenes involving the defacto Sheriff (when the real goes missing) are similar to what Brody goes through in Jaws as he battles with locals on the actions should be taken as the events go on play well and "monster scenes" are played similar to Jaws as well with the monster only being seen mostly in shadow and glimpses -the movie could've used an iconic theme though to suggest the presence of the monster.
If anything the movie moves a bit slowly but also is paced pretty well, I know those two things clash but the movie builds up to its action pieces and reveals in a good way.
Overall it's an enjoyable movie that should be seen but probably isn't a rush-out and see movie. And while it's not nearly as bad as Star Trek was a couple years ago this movie still shows that JJ Abrams has a thing for lens flares.
Super 8
My Grade: B-
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Super 8 is a perfectly enjoyable film that combines old-school movies from Spielberg like Jaws, Close Encounters and ET among others as well as Goonies.
The movie begins showing us a Jr. High who has just lost his mother due to a factory accident leaving him to be raised with his workaholic father -a deputy Sheriff for the county. The boy has promised a friend of his he'll work on a movie for a submission for a contest as a jack-of-all-trades and a bit of a shake-up comes when the friend (script-writer and director) writes in a part for a grl in school our two friends have a crush on. During a late-night shoot at a train station there's a tragic train-crash that casts the town in to a set of bizzare events that aren't easily explained.
The scenes involving the defacto Sheriff (when the real goes missing) are similar to what Brody goes through in Jaws as he battles with locals on the actions should be taken as the events go on play well and "monster scenes" are played similar to Jaws as well with the monster only being seen mostly in shadow and glimpses -the movie could've used an iconic theme though to suggest the presence of the monster.
If anything the movie moves a bit slowly but also is paced pretty well, I know those two things clash but the movie builds up to its action pieces and reveals in a good way.
Overall it's an enjoyable movie that should be seen but probably isn't a rush-out and see movie. And while it's not nearly as bad as Star Trek was a couple years ago this movie still shows that JJ Abrams has a thing for lens flares.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I saw it this afternoon and I am so disappointed, which is sad because the kids in it give great performances. What killed it for me was that it borrows so much from previous Spielberg films and Cloverfield that it almost becomes predictable. IMO what the film lacked was a good father/son bonding moment to give the ending the heart it needed. It's the one element missing to give it the classic Spielberg feel.
I'm also wondering if the generations that weren't born during the time period can relate & appreciate many of the period specific jokes and references in the film.
I saw it this afternoon and I am so disappointed, which is sad because the kids in it give great performances. What killed it for me was that it borrows so much from previous Spielberg films and Cloverfield that it almost becomes predictable. IMO what the film lacked was a good father/son bonding moment to give the ending the heart it needed. It's the one element missing to give it the classic Spielberg feel.
I'm also wondering if the generations that weren't born during the time period can relate & appreciate many of the period specific jokes and references in the film.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
And Leonard Pts 1-5!
...hope to see this Sunday night.
Hopefully better than Plans 1-8 from Outer Space.What were Super 1-7 like?
And Leonard Pts 1-5!
...hope to see this Sunday night.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
No interest. So an alien headed for Area 51 (yawn) gets loose while some dopey high school kids make a zombie movie?
Who cares?
Also, I read a spoiler for the ending that makes it sound positively anti-fun. A Netflix, mainly for my man Kyle Chandler.
No interest. So an alien headed for Area 51 (yawn) gets loose while some dopey high school kids make a zombie movie?
Who cares?
Also, I read a spoiler for the ending that makes it sound positively anti-fun. A Netflix, mainly for my man Kyle Chandler.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I'd probably put it in the B+/A- range.
The strongest parts of the movies are the interactions between the kids. Those are pretty much pitch perfect, and all the young actors are great. In particular, I'm starting to think Elle Fanning could end up bigger than her older sister; her presence feels a lot more down-to-earth than Dakota. I could honestly have watched the kids hang out and make their movie for the whole time.
Also, the action scenes are very well-done. Well-done jump scares, which are the easiest thing in the world to overuse.
Most of the weaknesses I find concern the specifics of the alien plot; admittedly, the movie doesn't dwell on this too much, but if this alien supposedly has some great understanding of Woodward by touching him, why is going around attacking random people who had nothing to do with it? Particularly since, going by this, he should know they have nothing to do with it by touching them.
Also, the dad doesn't really work for me. He spent most of the movie as a huge asshole, and the relationship with his son was rather underdeveloped.
I'd probably put it in the B+/A- range.
The strongest parts of the movies are the interactions between the kids. Those are pretty much pitch perfect, and all the young actors are great. In particular, I'm starting to think Elle Fanning could end up bigger than her older sister; her presence feels a lot more down-to-earth than Dakota. I could honestly have watched the kids hang out and make their movie for the whole time.
Also, the action scenes are very well-done. Well-done jump scares, which are the easiest thing in the world to overuse.
Most of the weaknesses I find concern the specifics of the alien plot; admittedly, the movie doesn't dwell on this too much, but if this alien supposedly has some great understanding of Woodward by touching him, why is going around attacking random people who had nothing to do with it? Particularly since, going by this, he should know they have nothing to do with it by touching them.
Also, the dad doesn't really work for me. He spent most of the movie as a huge asshole, and the relationship with his son was rather underdeveloped.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I just got back from it and I enjoyed it. I thought it was a good, fun film. But I really thought it was lacking something to throw it over the top. Maybe it is because the whole (CGI) alien thing has been done to death the last few years.
The kids all did a good job with Elle Fanning being the standout. I was very impressed with her acting and she was the strongest element of the movie. The scene with her acting at the train station and being a zombie in front of Joe were very impressive. Always great to see the wonderful Kyle Chandler. Really loved the 1979 setting and the way the movie was shot. They don't hold back on the language too, which is good.
Liked I said though, I thought the plot itself didn't play out strongly. The whole alien run amok thing has been played out. I don't know quite how to describe it but this element of the story, which was kept secret for so long, was what let the movie down and ultimately kept it from being a truly memorable film.
Agreed on this. The relationship between the two is nonexistent. I understand this is how it's supposed to be but there's nothing there in the relationship between the father and the son until the very end. I was hoping we'd get an epilogue that dealt with that but I have to say I absolutely loved that they showed the completed film at the end with the kids. Terrific choice.
Super 8 is a good but not great film. The cast is good, it's well-directed, and has heart but is undermined by the plot itself.
Totally agree. Even I jumped a couple of times and I rarely do that in movies.
I just got back from it and I enjoyed it. I thought it was a good, fun film. But I really thought it was lacking something to throw it over the top. Maybe it is because the whole (CGI) alien thing has been done to death the last few years.
The kids all did a good job with Elle Fanning being the standout. I was very impressed with her acting and she was the strongest element of the movie. The scene with her acting at the train station and being a zombie in front of Joe were very impressive. Always great to see the wonderful Kyle Chandler. Really loved the 1979 setting and the way the movie was shot. They don't hold back on the language too, which is good.
Liked I said though, I thought the plot itself didn't play out strongly. The whole alien run amok thing has been played out. I don't know quite how to describe it but this element of the story, which was kept secret for so long, was what let the movie down and ultimately kept it from being a truly memorable film.
Agreed on this. The relationship between the two is nonexistent. I understand this is how it's supposed to be but there's nothing there in the relationship between the father and the son until the very end. I was hoping we'd get an epilogue that dealt with that but I have to say I absolutely loved that they showed the completed film at the end with the kids. Terrific choice.
Super 8 is a good but not great film. The cast is good, it's well-directed, and has heart but is undermined by the plot itself.
Totally agree. Even I jumped a couple of times and I rarely do that in movies.
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Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I've read the reviews, which are very good. Just from watching the trailers, though, I feel it lacks a certain "Oomph!" If I'm bored enough, I may check it out Saturday.
I've read the reviews, which are very good. Just from watching the trailers, though, I feel it lacks a certain "Oomph!" If I'm bored enough, I may check it out Saturday.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I figured you pressed <Shift> key + 8 too many times. But why the extra asterisks? It looks censored, as someone pointed out.
I figured you pressed <Shift> key + 8 too many times. But why the extra asterisks? It looks censored, as someone pointed out.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I put the stupid asterisks in there to draw attention that this might be the offical grading thread.
Yes the first asterisks was me going ape on the shift button
I put the stupid asterisks in there to draw attention that this might be the offical grading thread.
Yes the first asterisks was me going ape on the shift button
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
Disappointing movie. E.T rehearsed into something scary. And JJ made THIS movie whilst delaying Star Trek 2? Nice.
Disappointing movie. E.T rehearsed into something scary. And JJ made THIS movie whilst delaying Star Trek 2? Nice.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
You do know the man can make what he wants, it doesn't all have to be Star Trek...and I feel this film was a great exercise for him as a filmmaker.
I loved the film. I don't understand the people complaining it was too much like a Spielberg film, or how it was ET gone bad...that was the point of the whole exercise. Its a love letter to Spielberg, and since Spielberg circa Close Encounters is my favorite director, this movie was right up my alley.
You do know the man can make what he wants, it doesn't all have to be Star Trek...and I feel this film was a great exercise for him as a filmmaker.
I loved the film. I don't understand the people complaining it was too much like a Spielberg film, or how it was ET gone bad...that was the point of the whole exercise. Its a love letter to Spielberg, and since Spielberg circa Close Encounters is my favorite director, this movie was right up my alley.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
great movie! lovely to see a something that isn't a shitty superhero film, or directed by michael bay! the acting was actually surprisingly good and I felt the script had just the right amount of wit, humour and scares. certainly not the greatest film of all time or anything, but out of most of the movies I've seen recently it would certainly rank quite high. and did anyone else notice the kelvin gas station?
great movie! lovely to see a something that isn't a shitty superhero film, or directed by michael bay! the acting was actually surprisingly good and I felt the script had just the right amount of wit, humour and scares. certainly not the greatest film of all time or anything, but out of most of the movies I've seen recently it would certainly rank quite high. and did anyone else notice the kelvin gas station?
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
Right down to the last shot in the film.
Right down to the last shot in the film.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I enjoyed the movie very much. I've been recommending it to everyone. As someone else stated, its a nice change of pace from all the superhero movies out this summer (and I like superhero films).
The acting was quite good. The movie itself was definitely Spielbergesque, filtered through Abrams' lens (flares). ;-)
This is the first Abrams film that places him near the top of the list of modern filmmakers.
I enjoyed the movie very much. I've been recommending it to everyone. As someone else stated, its a nice change of pace from all the superhero movies out this summer (and I like superhero films).
The acting was quite good. The movie itself was definitely Spielbergesque, filtered through Abrams' lens (flares). ;-)
This is the first Abrams film that places him near the top of the list of modern filmmakers.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
Two Words:
Lens Flares
Two Words:
Lens Flares
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
I enjoyed this, probably even more than the X-Men movie. The actors were really good, especially the dad and the main two kids. It was a pretty well paced movie and definitely had some great suspense moments. The complaint I sort of have is that the ending felt very sudden. Part of me almost thinks that this is because I'm so used to having movies spell everything out for me that the one time they don't do it, it feels like it's missing something. I'm 95% sure I know exactly what happened, but it happened so quickly and without any of the, "OK, the audience won't figure this out without our help" dialouge that it almost seemed overly abrupt. Still an excellent movie.
I enjoyed this, probably even more than the X-Men movie. The actors were really good, especially the dad and the main two kids. It was a pretty well paced movie and definitely had some great suspense moments. The complaint I sort of have is that the ending felt very sudden. Part of me almost thinks that this is because I'm so used to having movies spell everything out for me that the one time they don't do it, it feels like it's missing something. I'm 95% sure I know exactly what happened, but it happened so quickly and without any of the, "OK, the audience won't figure this out without our help" dialouge that it almost seemed overly abrupt. Still an excellent movie.
Re: Super **** Grading and Discussion Thread
A Spielberg produced love letter to Spielberg?
A Spielberg produced love letter to Spielberg?
