Do you consider movies as Stand By Me, Jaws and E.T., classics? Well then you will also enjoy November’s DVD recommendation. Coming to a rental store near you in November is a soon to be classic movie from Writer/Director J.J. Abrams and Producer Steven Spielberg called Super 8. If you missed our podcast review, listen in here.

Paramount Pictures - Super 8

Super 8 is about a young group of friends making a short horror movie for a local film festival. During the production of the movie a horrific train accident occurs during filming. The question is, was it really an accident or not? If it was, why is the government involved in the investigation and why are there bizarre things occurring in the town? This movie stars a couple of great young actors, Joel Courtney plays Joe Lamb and Elle Fanning plays Alice Dainard. I expect some great films from these two in the future. All around the performances in Super 8 are wonderful. Each character has their own way of pulling you more and more in to the film. You can only imagine this must have been what it was like for both Steven Spielberg or J.J. Abrams as kids with their friends trying to make movies.

The young actors are not the only ones to give magnificent performances, the adults hold their own as well. Kyle Chandler (recent Emmy winner for his portrayal of high school football coach in Friday Night Lights) plays Jackson Lamb, local deputy sheriff and Joe’s father. The relationship between Jackson and Joe is tough to watch but you can tell that they both love each other and just struggle trying to relate. Other actors include Glynn Turman (The Wire) and Noah Emmerich (Walking Dead, White Collar).

The suspense that is innate in the dialog and visuals is terrific and helps you escape into the film. The story concept of a creature terrorizing a small town while only a few people know about it is fascinating. While watching this film you can’t help but think you are watching a Spielberg movie. I think Abrams was paying homage to Spielberg in the way that the story is written, as well as the way it was directed. Abrams still has his signature on this film; you will see a lot of lens flares throughout the movie, which is my only real complaint. The lens flares are distracting and not necessary.

Despite this one little flaw in the movie, it is a must see for everyone. Super 8 is rated PG-13 due to some language and alien violence, but overall the entire family can see it. If you are not sure if you want your children under 13 watching this movie, be sure watch it first. Then plan a family night for you and kids to watch this movie together. It’s worth seeing more than once!

I give this movie a rating of 5 out of 5 model trains!  Go rent it now, better yet buy it so you can watch it whenever you want!