Super 8...Try Good 8

I have to first of all state that I actually enjoyed the film. For a film to sit down and watch it was really enjoyable. I also have to state that the following is only my opinion and is probably wrong, cause what do I know? And finally I can gather reasons on why the following happened. So lets begin…

Super 8 is essentially about a group of friends who are making a home made zombie movie using a super 8 camera, when they witness (and film) a train crash that then causes the Government to come to town to try and cover up what was actually the cargo. So...

Recently I keep seeing on social network sites to go see Super 8 because its brilliant and its like the goonies and all those films that were made ‘back in the day’ about growing up and kids having adventures. Super 8 WISHES it was like this.

On face value you would think it would be and has all the makings of a 'classic' film like stand by me/the goonies.

The trouble is that JJ (cause we are such good friends) has tried to fit far too much into this film. The friendship, the relationships between 2 of the kids and their fathers and a relationship between the fathers themselves. On top of this you have the plot of the film. Its far too much in to little a time and so each ‘theme’ and relationship gets a little time slot to develop a little but never feels complete. I didn’t believe or feel anything towards them
Without giving anything away, the audience are fed the tones of all the relationships and are portrayed in stereotypical ways, especially the relationships with their fathers. And the relationship between the 2 dads is only given around 2 minutes to be explained and resolved.

JJ has admitted that he has thrown 2 films together. He had a film about growing up (the kids making the film) but could not get it commissioned so threw in the plot about the alien. And you can tell, though this probably more a studio move than his own - they want explosions to sell tickets - and he hasn’t made the money that dark knight made (to which the studio then let Nolan make whatever he wanted…which was Inception). I can literally see the studio hearing the idea and saying to him "make it more like that cloverfield...."

Now for a summer blockbuster this film is very much the closest we will, and has been in recent years, for a film in the same thought of the goonies, stand by me, ET etc. I think the desperation for a film of ‘our’ generation has caused a few blinders. If you loved those films and Spielberg (both of which i do) then you will want to love this film,even before it came out due to the hype. I did. I think the love of these films and the want for the film to be like those films back in the day has made everyone like it more and I don’t hold them for that at all, I just looked at the film objectively and this what I thought of it - too much to try and cover too little time, one area would have been enough, and JJ wanting to make ‘his ET’ which sadly didnt happen for me. I even thought the end was a bit lame and again force fed for the audience to cry (no tears in my screening) or maybe I am just a cold bastard…

Oh and JJ….we get it. YOU LIKE LENS FLARE, STOP IT

So at the cinema tonight

Me and Matt (flamate) went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Great film,and I have to hold my hand up as when I first seen the trailer i thought it looked the biggest piece of shit I had seen…man was I wrong, and its only the directors' 2nd ever fiilm.

But that is not why I write. Me and matt were in the middle of the row in a busy cinema when this guy….no, this wanker, behind us is talking so fucking loud, obviously wanting to everyone around him to know his knowledge on film. Which was what actors have been in what film together and he made a lot of shit up.

Then the trailers come on and the trailer for Pedro Almodóvar’s new film “the skin i live in” comes on. I cant give any opinion on it, only the trailer did its job - it got me interested and looks like another great film as Almodovar (the first time was pasted from wiki) hardly ever goes wrong - classic film maker that makes strong, successful European films.

This wanker, after seein 2 clips says “this looks shit.” his friend says “but its Almodovar, he is amazing”

Wanker - “But the direction of the shots are terrible, i really dont like them” (he repeated this, loud as he could talk)

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN!? ITS A TRAILER NOT THE WHOLE FUCKING FILM. AND YOU ARE TELLING ONE OF THE GREATEST DIRECTORS OF THE PAST 20 YEARS THAT HIS FILM HIS SHIT FROM A FEW TRAILERS - I MEAN FUCKING REALLY, WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? AT LEAST WATCH THE FILM AND COME UP WITH MORE EXCUSES FOR THAT, OR SHOW ME YOUR GREAT FUCKING FILM

Really pissed me off. What pisses me off most is that he wanted everyone to hear him. Then he fake laughs loud when there is a reference to something in the film…yes, i seen it too, you dont hear me wanting everyone to know. Fuck.

Go see rise of the planet of the apes, but make sure you are in a seat you can escape from. Matt and myself were stuck between two fatties and couldnt move.

My ever changing career plans.

When I was asked at school what I wanted to be I would always give them same answer. "To play in midfield for Manchester United." Back then this dream was a reality. I was young, had talent at the sport and time was on my side.

As I got older I realized that this reality was slipping away. I had to work harder and avoid from temptations such as girls, underage drinking and general socializing with my friends. As much as I managed to avoid all this, my dream was shattered when a 'career' ending injury ended all dreams of playing in football.

So I got on with it. I went through school, being pressured into choosing a career, with many different ideas. Lawyer, journalist, PE teacher, musician, etc etc.

School was over (a bit early for me...thats for another time though). I chose to go study Film, Media & Journalism with the intention of becoming a journalist. Uni comes and goes. I change my plans again. Journalist, work in film or TV, teacher, academic, screen writer.

I leave university. I am currently unemployed, although awaiting to start work in a call center job. Its good money and good hours with excellent benefits...but no disrespect to anyone, but its not for me. I got my starter pack in the mail yesterday and got really really depressed about it. Working in this dead end job.

So, I am 22, had 4 years of university education and I have NO idea what the hell I am going to do with my life. Not that this a failure, or a criticism of the educational system. I dont know what it is, maybe I was to lazy at Uni to get enough work exp (although I worked as much as possible to pay my way through). I am applying for jobs in the BBC and production companies, trying to get some of my writing published, online or in print. I panicked so much last night that I went looking for gap year jobs and seriously thought about just going traveling and worrying about it later. I also spent 4 hours looking for a job anywhere in the media industry. I went to bed at 7am, still unable to sleep.

I have been thinking of my skills...I really cant think of anything I am GREAT at....and that depresses me. I was good at writing in my youth, but I lost that. I was good at football, I lost that. I am going to be stuck in this limbo for a long time.

Ask me now what I want to be. A scriptwriter. Or working in TV, film or radio. Playing bass in a band. But most of all I want to play center midfield for Manchester United