Let us not waste time being confused about whether the upcoming J.J. Abrams-directed/Steven Spielberg-produced science fiction picture—whose teaser trailer has been around for some time—is going to be called Super 8 or Darlings. As opaque a title as Super 8 is, and as hilarious a title as Darlings is (implying it’s about a bunch of aliens who look like Julie Christie who come to Earth and become social climbers), this is beside the point.
The point is (and this is why, even though this trailer’s been around for a while, I'm using an excuse as flimsy as this silly question about the title to write about it): J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. It’s a rare director who can swagger with technique alone, and both of these guys can. Not to mention, these two guys are making a movie that, as best as anyone can tell, is about aliens. I’d explain exactly why that was awesome (technical cinema term) if I could stop shrieking.
So, the title doesn’t matter. They could call this picture J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg Counting Money for all I care. There will be aliens. Light will be brought. Do not be surprised if, when I review this, it sounds like a teenage girl talking about a Beatles concert.
Danny Bowes is a playwright, filmmaker and blogger. He is also a contributor to nytheatre.com and Premiere.com.
