Den of Geeks reviews Joel & Kyle

From Den of Geeks:

It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that Abrams chose to open his 'sizzle reel' with an intimate scene set in a diner between lead kid, Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) and his father, town Deputy Jack (Kyle Chandler). Nicely setting up the slightly strained father/son dynamic at the heart of the picture, the scene was perfectly pitched by both actors and sharply scripted by Abrams.

Joel Courtney, in particular, comes across really strongly onscreen, while Kyle Chandler seems perfectly cast as the recently widowed lawman looking out for his movie make-up obsessed son whom he, clearly, doesn’t quite understand. They’re a hugely believable father and son combination and one you buy into straight away.

Joel Courtney
Why J.J. Abrams is super mysterious

From Australia's Herald Sun:

Speaking from Los Angeles, where he is racing the clock to meet the June 10 opening day, Abrams says he isn't being precious -- but he misses the days when audiences could walk into a film knowing nothing about it.

He laments that websites, magazines, TV shows and even trailers have conspired to strip that experience of some of its magic.

"It felt appropriate, given it is about ordinary people going through something extraordinary, not to try and shove it down people's throats but to maintain a level of mystery and secrecy to it," he says.

"By the time movies come out we seem to know so much about every aspect of them that we feel we have seen them. To me, the experience of going to the movies should be one of discovery. I would try to maintain that wherever possible."

...

Abrams is planning to head to Australia early next month to promote the film, bringing some of his cast of teenagers including Elle Fanning (younger sister of Dakota) and newcomer Joel Courtney, as well as Kyle Chandler of Friday Night Lights fame.

Joel Courtney