Super 8

My View:  Super 8  (2011)  From producer Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and writer/director J.J. Abrams (Lost), this film is part E.T., part Close Encounters and part Alien with a whole lot of The Goonies thrown in.  The film takes place in summer 1979 (an awesome sound track reflects the time period) in a small town in Ohio.  While a group of friends are making a zombie movie using a super 8 camera, they witness a train crash.  After the crash, dogs disappear, people become missing, and strange sounds and power outages start happening.  The young cast, led by Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths and Elle Fanning, carry this movie and do a terrific job sending you on a thrilling adventure. If you enjoyed the Spielberg film-world of the 70’s, see this wondrous film. My Rating:  Full Price   Super 8 Website

The 50 (a movie from my best/worst films of all time):

#41 Worst Film:  Halloween III:  Season of the Witch (1982)  When is a sequel not a sequel?  When the protagonist from the first two films (bad guy Michael Myers) isn’t even in the film.  Absent also are the stars of the first two films, Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, who both probably thanked their agents with big bonuses at Christmas time.  There are robot henchmen, some sort of Stonehenge curse is involved and there’s a very annoying commercial that is supposed to entice kids to buy the mask made by an evil toy company which will trigger the murder of millions at 9pm Halloween night.   Now is that East or West Coast time?   Halloween III Info

Forgotten Film:  Ulee’s Gold  (1997)  Peter Fonda received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of soft spoken Ulee Jackson, a bee keeper harvesting honey in Florida.  Ulee has made mistakes with his family in the past and is determined to pull his family back together, even if he has to risk his life and livelihood. Patricia Richardson and Christine Dunford are memorable in the cast, but Fonda is the reason to watch this film, and he doesn’t disappoint.   Ulee's Gold Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): Red Riding Hood  (2011)  Just skip on to Grandmother's home and pass up this retelling of the folk tale aimed at the Twilight crowd.  Amanda Seyfried is the object of affection of her childhood friend, a man she really loves (played by Shiloh Fernandez) and the boy she is betrothed to (played by Max Irons).  There is, however, a werewolf in the neighborhood that she may have to sacrifice herself to in order to save the village. This film is badly written with a storyline that just keeps adding to its already-too-complicated plot, and it’s one where you wish the wolf would just finally put everyone out of their misery, including the viewing audience.  My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again   Red Riding Hood Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea:  Bad Teacher  (2011)  Cameron Diaz (who really needs a hit film to help her career) plays an uninspired junior high teacher, who gets dumped by her sugar daddy. She then tries to woo a millionaire (played by Justin Timberlake) who happens to be more into public service than having fun and spending his money.  This film just looks unfunny, and Diaz’s character seems so unlikeable.  It’s interesting that the recent promos for this film focus on Diaz and not on Timberlake, who is on a comedy hit streak with his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live.   Bad Teacher Website

Weird Credits:   From the credits of Super 8 (2011):  Viral Footage

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Friends with Benefits (2011)  This romantic comedy stars Mila Kunis (That 70’s Show & Black Swan) and Justin Timberlake, who try to remain just friends with sexual benefits.  I have hope for this film since both the principles are first-rate comedy actors, and the trailer was entertaining and made me laugh.   Friends with Benefits Website

Until Next Time!