Tag: SUPER 8

Super 8: Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast 2:22.1

Posted on by Dan Persons

The Effects Extravaganza Gets Real: A junior filmmaker (Joel Courtney, foreground) confronts a genuine threat in SUPER 8.
The Effects Extravaganza Gets Real: A junior filmmaker (Joel Courtney, foreground) confronts a genuine threat in SUPER 8.

J.J. Abrams, the man who set the deliriously enigmatic pace for LOST in that show’s pilot and upended STAR TREK by blowing up Vulcan (we still haven’t recovered) now sets his sights on the Spielbergian kids’ adventure in SUPER 8. Set in a small-town, rose-tinted version of 1979, the sf/fantasy film tells the tale of a group of tweens — prime amongst them Elle Fanning — who while filming their zombie movie capture on-camera a spectacular train crash and the unleashing of something malevolent from within. With Abrams idol Spielberg himself stepping into the producer role, will SUPER 8 be the film to take the Master’s visionary fantasy/drama template from the seventies and eighties and reconcile it with Abrams’ ability to work nuanced, character-based drama into a genre framework? Or is the inexorable pull of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS’ sense of wonder too strong even for the man who in the past few years has acquired a reputation for his own, unique storytelling style? Join Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they discuss the issue.
Click on the player to hear the discussion.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Super 8: CFQ Round Table Podcast 2:21.3

Posted on by Steve Biodrowski

Super 8 (2011) poster horizontal

SUPER 8 – the highly anticipated science fiction thriller from writer-director J.J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg – explodes onto screens this week. Naturally, the Cinefantastique Round Table Podcast – the podcast of horror, fantasy, and science fiction films – is here to tell you whether or not to get your hopes up; CFQ regulard Dan Persons, Lawrence French and Steve Biodrowski wiegh in, and Dan, who got a sneak peak months ago, opines that, yes, you should be excited.
Also on this week’s agenda: a look at some recent headlines, including news that Tom Cruise is signing on to appear in the big-budget futuristic would-be blockbuster OBLIVION and that directorial stylist Alex Proyas (THE CROW, DARK CITY) is developing a new science fiction film.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download


[serialposts]

Super 8 Sneak & Skyline Blu-ray Review: CFQ Round Table Podcast 2:12

Posted on by Steve Biodrowski
Super 8 Abrams copy
The explosive train wreck from the teaser for SUPER 8

Get a sneak peak at SUPER 8, the upcoming science fiction film from J.J. Abrams, on this edition of the Cinefantastique Round Table Podcast, the weekly round-up of news and views focusing on horror, fantasy & science fiction films. Also on the menu this week: Dan Persons and Steve Biodrowski explore the questions of whether THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will be an R-rated horror film as opposed to a PG-13 romantic fantasy and whether it’s a good idea for director Zack Snyder to bring his patented CGI slow-mo action stylings to the upcoming SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL. Plus, Steve Biodrowski reviews the SKYLINE Blu-ray disc, which has not only gorgeous picture and sound but also interesting extras, including audio commentary explanations for all the exposition missing from the slam-bang-action-packed alien invasion film’s actual screenplay.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

'Super 8' — New Trailer

Posted on by Tom Powers

Here’s the latest Trailer for the Steven Spielberg / JJ Abrams film SUPER 8.
Due in theaters June 10th from Anblin Entertainment, Bad Robot Productions and Paramount Pictures, the mostly under wraps kid-centric film, written and directed by Abrams, stars Elle Fanning (TAKEN), Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler (EARLY EDITION).
Speculation is that the apparently 1970’s set film features monsters and/or ailens.

Abrams’ Super 8 Teaser and Info

Posted on by Dennis Routledge Tizzard

J.J. Abrams (STAR TREK, CLOVERFIELD) and Steven Spielberg (E.T., JURASSIC PARK) have been working together on a rather hush-hush project called SUPER 8 over the last year, and the first teaser trailer has begun showing before screenings of IRON MAN 2. You can watch the teaser on the left, and we also have new information regarding the film, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, below.
So what is SUPER 8 all about? Contrary to earlier rumours it’s not connected with CLOVERFIELD in the slightest. It will, however, share a tonal similarity with the sci-fi monster hit as it revolves around ordinary people encountering something most extraordinary. Abrams has written the script and will directing the film himself while Steven Spielberg will serve as producer. The film, which is rumoured to be about a group of teenagers stumbling upon alien lifeforms whilst shooting an amateur film on super 8,  will not be shot using ‘shakey-cam’ and is being given a budget of between $45-50 million.
If you don’t want anything spoilt for yourself, read no further and instead visit the official site here as it’ll soon be hosting the teaser in much better quality than the bootleg available on YouTube. Said trailer is simply brilliant as it continues Abrams’ gift for creating a mystique around his films and in turn, generating hype. We don’t see much, but what he do see is more than enough to have me thoroughly excited for the film.
Abrams and Spielberg are currently working hard on SUPER 8 in time to release it next year.