Here’s what’s inside this week:
My pick: a bunker thriller that feels almost pleasant, right up until it doesn’t
The rewind: a J.J. Abrams classic where the kids steal the show
Behind the scenes: the Spielberg phone call Abrams thought was a prank
Member Spotlight: Bardiya and his top 5 of all time
Club picks: two from you
Let’s get into it!
🍿 My pick
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Thriller · Science Fiction
Runtime: 1h 44m
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman
Where to watch · Parents’ guide
There are some terrific thrills and suspense throughout, along with a chilling performance by John Goodman.
I enjoyed this one after a second viewing!
If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:
After a car crash, Michelle wakes up in an underground bunker. The man who runs it, Howard, says he saved her life, and that the air outside isn’t safe to breathe anymore.
If you love a good suspense thriller with a side of sci-fi, you’ll dig this one. Skip it if you’re not into sci-fi thrills and intrigue.
As the story develops, the day-to-day of living in the bunker starts to seem normal, even pleasant. But then things take a turn and start unraveling.
That’s when the pacing dramatically picks up and the tension skyrockets.
⏪ The rewind
Super 8 (2011)
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Science Fiction · Adventure
Runtime: 1h 52m
Starring: Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning
Where to watch · Parents’ guide
If 10 Cloverfield Lane leaves you wanting more sci-fi from J.J. Abrams, go back to the one he directed himself, with a gang of kids and a Super 8 camera.
If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:
In late 1970s Ohio, a group of friends filming a homemade zombie movie witness a devastating train derailment. Soon after, their quiet town is gripped by unexplained disappearances, strange phenomena, and a growing sense of fear, as they uncover that something terrifying has been set loose.
Amidst the countless lens flares from J.J. Abrams, I still really like this movie. It feels very much like a nod to classics like E.T. and The Goonies.
The kids in this movie show tremendous heart and trueness to their character. Some incredible casting there. Some of the best parts in this movie are just the kids being kids and interacting with each other.
Skip it if you’re not into sci-fi thrills and intrigue.
🎥 Behind the scenes
In 1982, J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves were teenagers who’d just been noticed at a Super 8 film festival in L.A. Then Steven Spielberg’s office called. Kathleen Kennedy, who worked for Spielberg, wanted them to repair the Super 8 movies he had made at their age. Abrams was sure it was a prank call.
Decades later, Reeves directed Cloverfield, and Abrams made Super 8 with Spielberg as a producer.
You never know how things will play out years later, but this story made me smile.
Next time you watch Super 8, stay for the end credits. That’s where the zombie movie the kids shoot all summer, The Case, finally plays.
It’s absolutely delightful!
🔦 Member Spotlight: Bardiya Sadeghi
Writing from: San Jose, CA · Bardiya on Letterboxd
Where I watch
We had a baby boy in July and I’m on night shift, so for the last 3 months I’ve been catching up on my watchlist while he feeds and naps. Baby boy was a big fan of Isabelle Adjani in Possession.
My comfort movie
Any movie from my childhood, the first live action Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future, Gremlins, Indiana Jones, Bloodsport, or any of Jim Carrey’s comedies from the 90s.
A scene I’d rewind forever
The podrace from Phantom Menace. No other scene can match that sense of speed and the sound design is unreal.
And Qui-Gon betting the Queen’s mission and a kid’s freedom on one death race? Absolute degenerate gambler. Love that Jedi wisdom.
A movie I’ll defend
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) • Where to watch · Parents’ guide
I am an official member of The Last Jedi defense force:
My top 5 of all time
Jurassic Park (1993)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
La Haine (1995)
Casino (1995)
Heat (1995)
My movie collection
I just ordered new shelves so the collection is a mess right now, so I’ll share this purchase from my latest trip to Paris… not only do their stores still sell 4Ks but you can find them for movies like The General, Zone of Interest, Bloodsport, and Megalopolis for only 15€ each!
🎟️ Club picks
Thanks to everyone who sent in a pick this week.
Superman (2025) · 2h 9m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Adam Z on Substack: The first teaser had me hooked, along with everything that James Gunn had been saying with regards to his approach to the character. After that first teaser, I just knew it was a must-see for me. The feeling of hope and optimism after I left the theater. I cannot remember the last time I left a superhero movie feeling such joy and hope.
Rear Window (1954) · 1h 52m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Sarah S on Letterboxd: My coworker lent me a Hitchcock box set, complete with his best works! Filming set. They had to build a whole apartment building (exterior so we could see all the cheeky neighbors) for the film.
Want your pick in a Thursday newsletter? Club picks are open to everyone, and it takes about a minute.
Super 8 saves one of its best bits for the end credits, so let’s talk about the ones worth sitting through.
🎬 What movie is worth sitting through the end credits for?
Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread.
Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.
— Gannon
I think 10 Cloverfield Lane is the best of the Cloverfied movies. Super 8 is a good movie until the silly reveal of the alien at the end which reminds me of the silly reveal of the alien, also at the end, in the movie, Nope.