Super 8

I went to see the movie Super 8 today. It was a real treat. I haven't been to the theater to see a movie in quite a while. There was a time in my life when I went nearly every week to see a new movie. However, those days are gone.
I don't know if I am getting more grouchy in my middle age but going to the theater to see movies is not as fun as it used to be. Much of it has to do with the behavior of people in the theater. For example, there were two people sitting behind me who obviously thought they were at home and could just talk whenever they wanted to talk. I guess with everyone having smart phones, iPads, and laptops on which to watch movies, people really don't know how to behave in the theater any more. I don't have a problem with people laughing or even shrieking during appropriate times during movies. However, what I don't care to hear is their casual conversations and snide remarks. Today was like sitting in front of Beavis and Butthead. I ended up moving to a different part of theater after they kicked the back of my seat for the third time.
Any way, in spite of the rudeness of my fellow theater goers, I really enjoyed Super 8. It's a great summer movie. In fact, it's just a great movie. I found myself being taken back in time to earlier days of movie going. I also found myself reminiscing about my childhood and some of the things that I did with friends. I didn't know anyone who had a super 8 camera, but if we did I can almost be certain we would have had a lot of fun with it.
J. J. Abrams does a wonderful job at direction. His films always seem to be filled with all kinds of special effects and this movie was no exception. The kids who play the main characters are also quite incredible. I kept comparing them to kids that I knew when I was growing up.
I could also relate to the setting of a small Midwestern town. The film gets the look just right. I thought that I could have been in my home town in Northern Indiana in several scenes. I love it when film makers are able to get the look at the feel of the Midwest right rather than some Hollywood version of what people in California think the Midwest looks like.
I also enjoyed the setting of the late 1970's - early 1980's. The music brought back a lot of memories. Hearing the music of Blondie and the Commodores was a real blast from the past.The fashion was even more fun to watch on some of the people. I also loved all of the ways in which technology of the day was used or referenced. Of course, there's the Super 8 film itself that was the latest technology for making home movies before video cameras were popular and affordable to the masses. There is also a scene in which a teenager is listening to his Walkman which seems to be on the cutting edge of technology in the movie. This made me smile because I remember the first time I saw and listened to music on a Walkman. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen.
So, if you're interested in a fun summer movie, I would highly recommend Super 8. It's fun, got some action, and if you're of a certain age, it will bring back a lot of memories.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!