From The Pine Log: 

Spielberg understands that film is a form of storytelling. And all great stories have one thing in common: great characters. People that you can relate to, that have enough depth to them so that you feel you know them and have grown fond of them in just 90 minutes.

The father-son relationship between the town sheriff Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler) and his son Joe (Joel Courtney) is very touching and well done, particularly by Courtney. Also, the chemistry between Joe and Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning) has that sweet middle school crush feeling to it that's endearing and takes you back to a simpler time in life.

The cinematography is beautiful, and the film's art direction gives the film a Spielberg feeling to it as well: a small town in 1979 that still feels likes it's in the 1960's, where kids can ride around the neighborhood on their bikes day or night.

From Wings of Poesy: 

The stars of the film are a group of young actors, including, most notably, Joel Courtney as Joe Lamb who displays a mature and heartfelt performance. We follow his story as he tries to overcome the death of his mother at a young age, whilst doing a normal childhood hobby making a horror film with his mates. Riley Griffiths’ comedy element as Charles stole the show for me, adding an element of childhood rivalry for the affections of young actress Alice played by Elle Fanning.

The scene where the bunch of film makers realise it was no accident what they had caught on camera is the best scene of the film for me. It evokes a strange, supernatural feeling when the youngsters meet their old school teacher, Overmyer (Richard T. Jones) who tells them not to say a word as they will find you. This intrigues audiences into who they were and keeps the mystery and suspense going. The events become linked and the children find themselves understanding not only human bravery but friendship as well.

The film is a mixture of sci fi and action adventure and well worth a watch. Overall, I would say go and see Super 8 for the child in you, it will bring back memories of what we go to the cinema for: magical escapism and adventures of the unknown. It’s an Abrams and Spielberg classic that families will keep for generations to come.

From BuzzSugar: 

The plot of Super 8 actually having some similarity with Stephen King’s genre but what really impresses me is the way JJ Abrams delivers his story - suspense and thrilling.

CGI, cinematography and soundtrack are great but will never surpass the casting part. The chemistry between the kids no matter both friendship and romance is palpable alongside I am totally drawn into the cuteness in Joe’s (Joel Courtney) his pout and also Charles’s projected natural sense humor.

According to Cablefax, R.L. Stine's "The Haunting Hour: The Series" has been named a finalist in the CableFAX Program Awards.

Here are the nominees for Best Children's Show or Series

• Disney Channel/Disney Junior - Jake and the Never Land Pirates
• Disney Channel/Disney Junior - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• The HUB TV Network - R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series

From Filmonic:

Paramount has announced that J.J Abrams’ Super 8 will be released on DVD and Blu-ray November 22, 2011.

The movie, produced by Steven Spielberg, starred Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, and Kyle Chandler and was released back in June to positive reviews. Despite being sandwiched between big budget fare such as X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern, Super 8 went on to make $253 million worldwide, a great number considering it had a budget of just $50 million.

Here are the special features:

Blu-ray:

1. Commentary by writer/director J.J. Abrams, producer Bryan Burk and cinematographer Larry Fong
2. Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes

   1. The Dream Behind Super 8
   2. The Search for New Faces
   3. Meet Joel Courtney
   4. Rediscovering Steel Town
   5. The Visitor Lives
   6. Scoring Super 8
   7. Do You Believe in Magic?
   8. The 8mm Revolution
   9. Deconstructing the Train Crash
   10. Deleted Scenes

DVD:

1. Feature Film
2. Digital Copy

From Hollywood Reporter: 

Peter Bogdanovich has joined the cast of the supernatural thriller, The Healer, playing a mysterious character inspired by Charon, the ferryman in Greek mythology who carries souls across the River Styx.

Written and directed by Giorgio Serafini, the film stars Isabelle Fuhrman and Joel Courtney as teenage twins who go on a camping trip with their father, played by James Le Gros, only to become lost in a haunted forest.

The movie, which begins filming in North Carolina on Sept. 14, is being produced by Giuseppe Pedersoli and Susan Johnson through Pedersoli’s Italy-based Smile Prods.

Although best known as a director, Bogdanovich, repped by Abrams Artists, Original Artists and Management Production Entertainment, makes frequent appearances before the camera as well, with acting gigs in such recent films and TV series as Humboldt County, The Sopranos and Infamous.

From SciFi Mafia: 

Last Friday, we told you about the building cast of the indie supernatural thriller, The Healer byGiorgio Serafini, with the casting the young stars of Super 8, The Hunger Games, andUnicorns with Joel Courtney, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Natalia Dyer respectively.

According to THR, writer/critic/actor/director Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Sopranos) has been cast to play a character based on the Greek character of Charon, the ferryman of the River Styx to the land of the dead.

Giuseppe Pedersoli and Susan Johnson are producing the project under the Italian company,Smile Productions. Production will begin this week in North Carolina.