From NY Times Square.

From the Huntington WV News:

The opposite of Elle, Joel Courtney had never had any professional acting experience at all when he was offered "Super 8's" lead role of Joe Lamb, a kid trying to come to grips with the sudden loss of his mother.

"I knew J.J. was taking a real chance on me and I didn't want to let him down. I wanted to do a good job for him, myself and for everybody working on the film," Joel explains.

Abrams adds, "I didn't want the main character in 'Super 8' to be the director of the movies. I wanted him to be the kid who follows the director, who's there because he's lost his mother and is having a tough time with his father and is looking for his way."

From the beginning, Joel understood why Joe devotes himself to making his friend's Super 8 movie at a time in his life when nothing else is certain. "Joe's mom has passed away and his dad, being the town deputy, is never really around," Joel comments. "So, Joe finds his only comfort with his friends. His dad wants him to be a regular kid and play baseball, but Joe just wants to make movies. He's in charge of all the makeup, sound and special effects and he loves that stuff."

Most of all, Joel was kept intrigued by the mounting tension of the story. "I love the mystery of it and it is a total adrenaline rush," he says.

Selected quotes from today's Super 8 Domestic Press Junket

"An instant classic."
"The movie to see this year."

-Mark Rupert, E-Talk

"A mind-blowing masterpiece that will make you excited to go to the movies again!"
"'Super 8' is a film that will make you excited to go the movies again!"
"A brilliant masterpiece that will live on for years."
"Remember the feeling you had when you first saw 'E.T.?' Well get ready to feel it again."
"Abrams has created an epic film that delivers everything from emotion to honesty to down-right thrilling action."
"Epic, brilliant. Masterful."
"Hands down the best movie of 2011 so far!"
"One of the most original, mind-blowing and epic experiences you will have in the theatres this year!"

-Kevin McCarthy, FOX-TV / CBS Radio

"'Super 8' - super great!"
"The most heartwarming sci-fi movie since 'E.T.'"

-Nancy Jay, Daybreak USA

"A cinematic masterpiece. A rare timeless classic that's destined to entertain audiences for years to come. The best film of its kind since 'E.T.' The best film so far this year. Prepare to be blown away."

-Jake Hamilton, FOX-TV

"Nostalgic, gripping, charming and visionary action. Best ensemble of young actors in years."

-Kim Holcomb, KING-TV

"'Super 8' is out of this world. Fantastic! Extra Fantastic!"

-Stacey Elgin, FOX-TV

"'Stand by me' and 'E.T.' on steroids."

-John Uzarek, Deco Drive Miami

"Great fun - a Spielberg adventure not unlike 'The Goonies.'"

-Sam Hallenbeck, NBC Tampa

"The ultimate love letter to Spielberg."
"A must-see out of this world ride!"
"I can't wait to see it again and again."

-Christina Vandre, KARE-TV (NBC)

"Phenomenal!! Reminiscent of 'E.T.', 'Super 8' is this summer's perfect family action adventure!"

-Mose Persico, CTV, Montreal

"The perfect summer movie."
"Spielberg is back."
"Wow!"
"Everything you loved about Spielberg for a whole new generation."

-Tony Toscano, Talking Pictures

"JJ Abrams is a blockbuster guaranteed."
"It's 'The Goonies' and 'E.T.' on steroids!"
"JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg are a dream team."

-Jeff Bayer, KOIN-TV (CBS)

"The perfect thriller! JJ Abrams has done it again."
"'Super 8' is unlike anything you have ever seen before!"
"JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg has teamed up for the perfect sci-fi thriller!"
"Exciting!"
"A winder throwback to the films you grew up loving."

-Bryan Erdy, CBS TV / Movieplanet

"'Super 8' has everything to satisfy the sci-fi fans, plus a remarkable story about family, friendship and love."

-Ralph Garcia, KENS-TV (CBS)

"Awesome movie - loved it. JJ and Spielberg have an amazing way of reminding us of why we go to and love movies."
"Yay Gabriel Basso!"
"Joel Courtney was incredible."

-Mark Reardon, KMOV (CBS)

"Brilliant! One of the best movies this summer! Great filmmaking. Superbly acted! You'll laugh, cry and get spooked! Amazing! Thrilling! Exciting!"

-'Manny the Movie Guy', NBC-TV

From Empire:

The following is from the press junket in Singapore yesterday. From TODAY Online:

Wherever you stand on the 44-year-old American producer-screenwriter-director, to the bunch of under-15s he directed in the Steven Spielberg-produced Super 8, Abrams is an inspiration, mentor and every other positive superlative you can think of.

"Don't be honest," quipped Abrams with a laugh at the Four Seasons Singapore yesterday when Today asked Joel Courtney, who plays lead character Joe, what it was like working with the director.

"He's a really good guy. He's the most generous man I know! He's a lot of fun to work with!" said Courtney, who is making his acting debut - on any platform. "He's a genius. He's just brilliant!" he finished off with a mischievous smile.

Thirteen-year-old Elle Fanning - Dakota's little sister and "It" actress on the rise - who plays Alice, agreed. "Sometimes I watch him working on set, and you always see his mind working, you know? You can see he's thinking through all the little details in the film. And all those details make the film what it is."

"I know it's a little cheesy to say but J J has inspired all us kids. And, in turn, he was inspired by the great Steven Spielberg who produced the film," said Ryan Lee, who plays Carey in the film. "So here's hoping this movie inspires everyone to pick up a Super 8 camera and start making movies." 

Someone drew this amazing cartoon rendering of the Super 8 kids.