TREKS IN SCI-FI FORUM

Main Decks => Movies => Topic started by: wraith1701 on May 06, 2010, 11:48:28 PM

Title: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: wraith1701 on May 06, 2010, 11:48:28 PM
This trailer is apparently being shown before Iron Man II-

*** TOP SECRET JJ ABRAMS SUPER 8 TRAILER *** (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NECsrx7VC3I#)

...Old-School Alien Monster on the loose flick? If so, SIGN ME UP!  ;D
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: billybob476 on May 07, 2010, 03:53:35 AM
Cloverfield 2?
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on May 07, 2010, 04:54:40 AM
I discussed this a bit on last weekend's podcast.  Suppose to be a throw back to Spielberg's movies of the 80's.
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: wraith1701 on May 07, 2010, 09:08:13 AM
Quote from: Rico on May 07, 2010, 04:54:40 AM
I discussed this a bit on last weekend's podcast.  Suppose to be a throw back to Spielberg's movies of the 80's.

Yep; I remember you mentioning the film on the show.  :)

@ Billybob- Abrams says the film is in no way connected to Cloverfield.
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: billybob476 on May 07, 2010, 09:40:41 AM
Oh I know it's not connected to cloverfield, just the style of the trailer and the way it was launched without fanfare before a big movie reminded a lot of it.
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Darkmolerman on May 07, 2010, 12:34:38 PM
Yeah as soon as I heard JJ Abrams and monster flick I thought "ooooh a cloverfield 2" I actually want to SEE the monster in the regular cut now
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Bryancd on May 07, 2010, 04:50:00 PM
I wasn't a big fan of Cloverfield.
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: billybob476 on May 07, 2010, 05:47:55 PM
I couldn't watch it, the shakycam made me nauseous.
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on May 07, 2010, 07:02:12 PM
Guys, this isn't Cloverfield or related to that (although I liked that film).  The only connection is JJ Abrams.
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Blackride on May 18, 2010, 06:00:58 PM
Quote from: Bryancd on May 07, 2010, 04:50:00 PM
I wasn't a big fan of Cloverfield.

I enjoyed it until they started showing the monster too much. People need to watch Alien and learn from it! Less is MORE!
Title: Re: New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on February 06, 2011, 01:40:36 PM
Super 8 trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAuzdACq38U#ws)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Bryancd on February 06, 2011, 03:14:46 PM
Looks cool!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Geekyfanboy on February 06, 2011, 04:48:23 PM
They just played a new trailer during the superbowl... don't have a clue what it's about .. but man I want to see it.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Geekyfanboy on February 06, 2011, 06:13:26 PM
'Super 8′: J.J. Abrams reveals the secrets of his new film
Feb. 06, 2011 | 4:08 p.m.

J.J. Abrams on the set of "Super 8"

Sitting in his Santa Monica office late last week, J. J. Abrams was the picture of a conflicted filmmaker. For months, he had guarded every detail about his upcoming movie but now, against all of his instincts, the writer-director knew it was time to reveal the secrets of "Super 8" — or at least some of them.

"This is the first time I've talked about the movie with anybody that wasn't working on it," a fidgeting Abrams said of the June 10 release – the third feature he's directed, following the hits "Star Trek" and "Mission: Impossible III." Abrams, the co-creator of the ABC series "Lost," would much prefer to keep quiet right up until opening night, but he and producer Steven Spielberg have seen this summer's intensely dense release schedule and are too invested in "Super 8″ to let it get lost in the crowd.

No major movie this summer has been kept under wraps like "Super 8″ — all that's really known about it comes from a teaser trailer from last year showing a stunning locomotive derailment and some sort of powerful beastie escaping from a military train-car — and Abrams likes it that way. "Cloverfield," the monster-movie with a similar state-secret approach, was produced by Abrams, along with partner Bryan Burk.

Sunday's premiere of a 30-second commercial for "Super 8″ during the Super Bowl, however, marks the beginning of the public life of the movie that Abrams would rather keep locked up in his basement for another four months.

"To me, all people need to know is that it's an adventure about a small town and it's funny, it's sweet, it's scary and there's a mystery: What is this thing that has escaped? What are the ramifications of its presence? And what is the effect on people? But I know that's not enough. Look, I feel we need a little bit of a coming-out party because we are up against massive franchises and brands and most people don't know what 'Super 8′ means. We're a complete anomaly in a summer of huge films ... and we don't want to be so silent or coy that people don't care or don't hear about it."

So, ladies and gentlemen, meet "Super 8," a sci-fi film that has the monster-on-the-loose vibe of "Fringe" (another television show that Abrams co-created) or "The X-Files" as well as a throwback spirit that in many ways evokes "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," "Stand by Me" and maybe even "The Goonies."  Those were all movies from the 1980s popcorn era that most shaped the sensibilities of the 44-year-old Abrams, and the film's title has a similar heritage connection for him.

"Super 8″ takes its name from the Eastman Kodak film format that became a sensation with amateur movie-makers in the late 1960s and represented a rite of passage for several generations of aspiring directors, among them Spielberg and Abrams. The Paramount Pictures release is set in Ohio in 1979 and introduces a troupe of six youngsters who are using a Super 8 camera to make their own zombie movie. One fateful night, their project takes them to a lonely stretch of rural railroad tracks and, as the camera rolls, calamity strikes — a truck collides with an oncoming locomotive and a hellacious derailment fills the night with screaming metal and raining fire. Then something emerges from the wreckage, something decidedly inhuman.

During the Super Bowl, the world will get a taste of "Super 8″ with a commercial of quick-cut images that reveal the young faces, the small-town vibe and the vintage textures of a movie that includes plenty of time-capsule episodes — including a sparkling moment that will give "Reality Bites" a run for its money in the category of  best usage of  "My Sharona." That's the sort of detail that Abrams would rather keep close to the vest but on Thursday he allowed a visitor (yours truly) to watch about 30 minutes of "Super 8″ footage, which included an especially savage destruction of a gas station and a heartbreaking father-son conversation. During the visit, it was also apparent that Abrams believes he has something special with the film.

"As the process went along I  realized I had the potential makings of  my favorite sort of movie, which is the one that is the hardest genre to define," Abrams said. "That because you could say — and be right — that it's a science fiction movie; or you could say — and be right — that it's a love story; or you could say — and be right — that it's a comedy; or you could say — and be right — that it's a special-effects spectacle. That sort of cocktail is for me what I love about movies...that was the beginnings of this movie coming together."

The movie began as two projects that ended up merging due to their individual deficiencies. The first was a non-fantastical tale of youngsters and the way they see the world and each other through the viewfinder of their Super 8 camera. Abrams took the vague notion to Spielberg and they decided to investigate further but a string of meetings with top writers in town ended with a lot of shrugs and consternation.  Abrams said "there was not much there and it was frustrating because it would not go away in my head. ... I couldn't tell you what the story was. I knew characters, I knew situations, I knew there were issues of class and a love story at the core and that it would be a coming-of-age movie. A lot of the writers were lukewarm."

Paramount, meanwhile, had bought a separate idea by Abrams for a spooky film about the 1970s scrutiny of Area 51 and how anxious government officials decided the best way to protect the classified possessions of the increasingly notorious military base was to ship them off to other sites aboard midnight trains — one of which never reaches its final destination. With this project, Abrams had "a pretty cool premise but no characters to speak of ... so I was in possession of two halves and it occurred to me after six months or so to put them together."

The hybrid approach immediately won the affections of Spielberg. He told Abrams that for years he had tried to find a film that spoke to the specific heartbreak of divorce and then finally found it by making the unlikely decision to meld it with a sci-fi story. The result was "E.T.," which had spaceships but was just as much a tale of a single-parent family and the loss of connection and home, for human and alien alike. "Super 8″ has a similar backbeat approach to heartache. The film begins with a small-town factory death that is very much of the real world.

"This is a movie about overcoming loss and finding your way again and finding your own voice," Abrams said. "A boy whose lost his mother and the man whose lost his wife. There's this father who, because of the era, never really had to be the parent. He's a good man, he works hard, he's a deputy in the town, but he's never stepped up as father."

The fact that the story is built around a half-dozen young characters presented profound challenges once the cameras started rolling.  Spielberg was a key voice in the casting process and Abrams also sought advice from old friend Matt Reeves (who just worked with a child cast on "Let Me In"), as well as Rob Reiner, who assembled a youth cast for the ages when he put River Phoenix, Will Wheaton, Keifer Sutherland and Corey Feldman on the screen in "Stand by Me." All the advice in the world, though, couldn't completely prepare Abrams for the "trial by fire" on the set.

"It was a little bit like being a parent where you kind of have to herd this group," Abrams said. "They were all incredibly distinct and just amazing to work with. Two of the main kids had never been on the set of anything before. ... I have to tell you after the first day or two I was horrified. It just took them 48 hours, though, to go from being complete neophytes to being on their way. It was incredible to watch and as scary as it was for me I can't imagine how scary it was for them."

In the footage Abrams showed, there was one scene in which 12-year-old actress Elle Fanning is at work on the movie-within-the-movie with her young compatriots and stirs up so much emotion that the other kids are dumbfounded with a mixture of swoon and shock. It's especially compelling stuff and Abrams said the Georgia native is a preternatural presence in the cast. "Elle was born to do this," Abrams said, "and she is just eerie in her sophistication and wisdom."

Abrams talked about much more — the challenge of creating a compelling alien that would capture the imagination of audiences, for instance — but it was off the record or for another day. The Super Bowl ad will go a long way to putting "Super 8″ on the radar of movie fans but the director is reluctant to provide anything more than that blip on the screen. While contemporary peers such as "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau reach out to fans, bloggers and journalists throughout the filmmaking process for a thoroughly transparent view, Abrams longs for the muscle-car days of 1979 when movies had far more mystique.

"'I've never done Twitter," said Abrams, a man who has a tape cassette player in his car and is releasing a movie called "Super 8″ in the age of iPhones. All of that and the summer of blockbuster competition add up to worries about time and timing.

"We have such a challenge on this movie," Abrams said. "Yes we've got Steven's name on it and my name on it — for what that's worth — but we've got no famous super-hero, we've got no pre-existing franchise or sequel, it's not starring anyone you've heard of  before. There's no book, there's no toy, there's no comic book. There's nothing. I don't have anything; I don't even have a board game, that's how bad it is. But I think we have a very good movie."

– Geoff Boucher
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Geekyfanboy on February 06, 2011, 06:17:01 PM
Super 8 Super Bowl Trailer (HD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wjs7XV-tks#)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: moyer777 on February 06, 2011, 06:20:58 PM
really cool article Kenny.  I am looking forward to this.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on February 07, 2011, 02:24:27 PM
The Superbowl teaser trailer again.  A bit higher quality I think.  Looks like a great movie.  I've learned a little more about it now too.

Super 8 - Super Bowl Official Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu5dLtRnaOY#ws)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Vartok on February 07, 2011, 05:37:47 PM
Not surprisingly, music by Michael Giacchino!  Looking forward to that!

V
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on February 08, 2011, 04:46:17 PM
Great article and clips. Another one to add to my list.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on March 11, 2011, 04:17:55 PM
Awesome new trailer is now out.  This is looking to be really something special.

Super 8 Trailer 2 NEW! (HD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImZIWlvACcU#ws)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Geekyfanboy on March 11, 2011, 04:25:12 PM
Quote from: Rico on March 11, 2011, 04:17:55 PM
Awesome new trailer is now out.  This is looking to be really something special.

Super 8 Trailer 2 NEW! (HD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImZIWlvACcU#ws)

OMG.. we must have sent the same post at the same time.. I just posted this as well.

this look fantastic.. it gives me chills.. I don't know if it's the music or the looks but there is something about this trailer that's special.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on March 11, 2011, 04:29:14 PM
I think the combination of Spielberg and Abrams is just perfect.  Oh, and I just have to mention, it's not in frakking 3-D!  :)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on March 12, 2011, 06:43:07 AM
I already wanted to see this but that clip really makes me want to see it!!! I'm going to have to take out a loan just to go see all these great summer movies coming out!!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Geekyfanboy on April 26, 2011, 07:10:51 AM
Still don't have a clue what this is about.. but man can they make some good trailers.. can't wait to see it.

Super 8 - TV Spot 2 (Kids Choice Awards) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQBhQQnVYsY#ws)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on June 09, 2011, 07:17:00 PM
Checking this out Friday with the wife and my mom. Got a 3 day weekend, so get a chance to go to the early Friday show!!!!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on June 09, 2011, 07:34:27 PM
I'm going to try and go soon too - maybe over the coming weekend.  Looks very cool.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on June 10, 2011, 03:36:44 PM
GO TO THIS!!! Really good movie. I was with my wife and mom and we all really liked it. And stay "during" the credits.  [spoiler]JJ does his flare thing in this too. I thought it was a little much but in no way did it take from the movie.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: jedijeff on June 12, 2011, 03:14:11 PM
I saw this movie today, and I have to say, it is incredible. This movie gave me the feeling that I was watching a movie that was 30 years old, they did a wonderful job of staging this, and people who are in their 40's will probably feel a bit nostalgic for it. I know I did as the cast were around the same age as me during the time period the movie takes place in.

I was glad I was a little slow getting out of my seat, like Will says, stay for the closing credits.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on June 12, 2011, 03:31:00 PM
Thanks for the very positive reviews guys.  Is this something even our non-geek wives will enjoy a lot too?  I know Will mentioned that his wife and mom liked it too. 
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on June 12, 2011, 05:12:15 PM
My wife does enjoy alot of sci-fi like I do. My mom not so much but I think the sci-fi element isn't over done so I think your wife would enjoy it, Rico. I agree with Jeff as well in that the time period for us folks in our 40's should feel right at home.  [spoiler]And wasn't that train wreak scene awesome!! Loved the scene in the gas station about the walkman also!! Funny!! And yes I still have one of those around.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: M-5 on June 12, 2011, 06:38:20 PM
I saw it last night and loved it.  I got a kick out of seeing all those old cars.  The the music brought back memories.  My wife isn't a scifi fan, but she loved it.  Gret movie!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: wraith1701 on June 15, 2011, 08:36:36 PM
Awesome flick.  First thing that came to mind when I left the theater was (possible mild spoiler?)- [spoiler] E.T. meets Jaws. [/spoiler] It totally took me back to my own childhood. The clothing, hairstyles, cars, music; everything was reproduced perfectly.  I found myself comparing the kid's room to my own room back when I was a kid, and it was pretty spot-on.  I found myself searching the scenery for Star Wars stuff, and voila; it was there!   

Nice blend of action, suspense, comedy, and drama.  Hell; it even made me tear up a bit at certain points. 

This one is a "Must-see".

Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on June 18, 2011, 07:58:53 AM
Going this afternoon to see it.  Want to see this before "Green Lantern."
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on June 18, 2011, 08:01:19 AM
You'll love it, Rico. Well worth the trip.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: jedijeff on June 18, 2011, 09:27:14 AM
Quote from: wraith1701 on June 15, 2011, 08:36:36 PM
I found myself comparing the kid's room to my own room back when I was a kid, and it was pretty spot-on.  I found myself searching the scenery for Star Wars stuff, and voila; it was there!   


Here is an Interesting Article where JJ talks about some of the Items in Joe's room.
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/06/15/super-8-jj-abrams-gives-us-a-tour-of-the-films-pop-culture-artifacts/ (http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/06/15/super-8-jj-abrams-gives-us-a-tour-of-the-films-pop-culture-artifacts/)
I really like as well when the dress up sets with lots of interesting things. The Model of Darth Vaders Tie Fighter was really cool also.

Enjoy the Show Rico, will be interested to hear your thoughts on it.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on June 18, 2011, 02:24:53 PM
Just got back and,.....  LOVED IT!  Best movie all summer in my opinion.  Just great from start to finish.  I'll say more soon and on an upcoming podcast, but don't let this one slip by this summer.  Go to the theaters to see it!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Bryancd on June 18, 2011, 04:14:51 PM
I am so going to see this.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: moyer777 on June 18, 2011, 05:17:45 PM
me too!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: WillEagle on June 18, 2011, 06:19:07 PM
You guys will love it. It's already on my to buy Blu-Ray list!!!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Geekyfanboy on June 18, 2011, 09:59:43 PM
Here's my review from my blog.. I liked it.. it was good but not great.

There is no "spoiler" tag.. not that there are really any huge spoilers.. but if you haven't seen the movie yet I'd wait to read this.

[spoiler]I wish I could say that I totally LOVED this movie but I can't. I did enjoy it.. alot.. but maybe the hype got to me. It was a good movie but it didn't remind me of Goonies or E.T... both of which I can watch over and over. One thing that I did LOVE about this movie were the young actors, all of them...  but the main two Joe (Joel Courtney) and Alice (Elle Fanning) were AMAZING. The emotions they conveyed with just a look was brilliant. Part of this film felt like a horror movie, making you jump out of your seat when the "monster/alien" appeared. I like that we got a quick run down on the alien and why it was doing what it was doing... but I would have liked to know why it was kidnapping the people and eating some of them and not others. Was it just storing food for it's travels. One thing I hated but it's a JJ staple.. the lens flairs. OMG.. they were happening even when there wasn't any light source.  Would I recommend this film.. of course it's a very sweet coming of age story with a dash of horror. It made me cry, it had some very beautiful and heart touching scenes. The acting by far was my favorite part. There is also a train derailment scene that is totally EPIC and incredible shot and the alien looks pretty cool (when you finally see it).[/spoiler]

Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: alanp on July 02, 2011, 12:38:31 AM
I just roasted transformers in another post so I thought I should give a positive review to the other movie I saw.

This had, what I wanted from the movie.  The feature matched the trailer, told a story I can really get in to, had the Spielberg moments, I can't say a bad thing about it.  It really felt like I was watching a good ole 80s movie I'm so fond of.
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on July 02, 2011, 05:32:36 AM
I felt the same way Alan.  "Super 8" is just an awesome movie!
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Rico on October 19, 2011, 03:21:23 PM
Congrats to JJ Abrams and everyone who worked on the great summer film, "Super 8."  They won a Spike Scream award for best Sci-Fi movie.  Zoe Saldana presented Abrams with the award too.

http://trekmovie.com/2011/10/18/photos-zoe-saldana-presents-jj-abrams-best-sci-fi-scream-for-super-8-zachary-quinto-margin-call-premiere/ (http://trekmovie.com/2011/10/18/photos-zoe-saldana-presents-jj-abrams-best-sci-fi-scream-for-super-8-zachary-quinto-margin-call-premiere/)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: turtlesrock on October 19, 2011, 08:17:59 PM
i still haven't seen it! but there's a hilarious MAD parody about it.... you're gonna love this :D
Mad Short: Super 80's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmcY3fljog4#ws)
Title: Re: "Super 8" - New Spielberg/JJ Abrams Sci-Fi Flick
Post by: Bryancd on December 31, 2011, 06:33:24 AM
FINALLY saw this last night as an iTunes HD rental on Apple TV! Jamie watched the whole thing with me and she also noticed the Goonies similarities, she like that movie. We both really enjoyed it, I think the first half is better then the second and the end felt a bit rushed, but overall a very fun movie.