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

Poster for 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) — *Poster © Paramount Pictures*

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

Poster for Super 8 (2011) — *Poster © Paramount Pictures*

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.

Subscribe now

🎥 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:

Deleted Scenes

In Defense of The Last Jedi

I’ve been putting off writing this piece because The Last Jedi discourse never ends well, but I love this movie too damn much to stay quiet… The Last Jedi is a genuine feat in serial storytelling. And the way it was received, scapegoated, and ultimately abandoned by the same studio that made it, tells you everything you need to know about what’s wrong w…

3 months ago · 101 likes · 123 comments · Bardiya Mazda

My top 5 of all time

Jurassic Park (1993)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
La Haine (1995)
Casino (1995)
Heat (1995)

My movie collection

*Photo: Bardiya Sadeghi, used with permission*

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.
Share your Club pick →

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

Rewind Movie Club

A bunker thriller, a Super 8 camera, and a…