kkentuckywoman

Puerto Rico is my favorite place on the earth's surface, so of course I was going to see this film. To represent the San Juan of 1960, I guess the filmmakers had to choose their locales carefully so as not to include any modern changes in facades and skyline because I kept seeing the same streets over and over again. As for the undeveloped island used by the U.S. military that figures in the film's plot--sounds like Vieques, but looked more like Culebra. Does anyone know where those scenes were filmed? I also thought I saw Luquillo beach at one point--any filming there? Lastly, were the shots from Carnival on St. Thomas really filmed there? But most puzzling to me were all the vintage cars used in the film. They were in mint condition. How did they get those automobiles to the island? Were they already there? Or are they the junkers from Cuba, repainted?!Inquiring minds want to know.

Some clever moments do not a full-length film make. Not sure why everything didn't jell, but it really seemed uneven in tone and a bit draggy. Unlike the preview, which was hysterical and propelled me into the movie theater. I should have known better after "House Bunny," but I remain a sucker for funny previews. Even when I know that they've culled all the best scenes to make one compact enticing package, I will check out a movie that seems to have promise. As for the best scene of the trailer--with the puppeteer from SNL and her response "I think we're all caught up"--I don't think I saw it in the actual film. Unless I dozed off. Did it appear in the film....or only in the preview?

This film will remind you why we love movies--it is entertaining from start to finish. It's suspenseful, scary, funny, and even heart-warming. The child actors are unbelievably good, particularly the star-crossed youngsters at the center of the group of friends making the Super 8 movie. Be sure to stay for the final credits so that you can see their movie at the end of the film. The sense of place and time achieved by the filmmakers is awesome--supposed to be Ohio; looked like southwestern Pennsylvania's old industrial areas to me; credits identified the locations as West Virginia--so yeah, right ballpark in the Old Rustbelt of the country. I also liked the fact that there were no "big stars" at the helm of this movie, though I know Kyle Chandler is a TV favorite--the casting added to the impact as the film was an ensemble effort, not, for example, a Tom Cruise vehicle. Also interesting was the use of African American actors in key supporting roles as both heroes (the science teacher) and villains (the military men). I was also pleased with the way information about the characters and their interrelationships wasn't spelled out for the viewer, but unfolded gradually over the course of the film. I'm not a fan of special effects and all the previews shown with this "action film" are not things I would see, but in this film, as in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," I'm a believer. In both cases, there is a genuine story at the heart, not just things blowing up. But when they do explode or catch fire or whatever, they're great!

See "Super 8" on the big screen as it is meant to be seen.