Whether you’re trying to avoid the releases this week or augment them with even more movies, Your Alternate Box Office offers some options for movies that would play perfectly alongside of (or instead of) the stuff studios are shoving into the megaplex this weekend.
With apologies to everyone scratching at the walls of their play pen to see Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, this week features one major release. Trains, nostalgia bombs, and a coming of age story the likes of which haven’t been seen since Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, J.J. Abrams is back with a tribute to everything he loved when he was just Jefferey.
If you plan on catching Super 8, here are 3 films you should watch with it.
Plus, if you see something you like, you can click on the image and buy it over at Amazon.
NIGHTBEAST (1982)
The Pitch: What’s Nightbeast? A movie that demands to be seen by everyone with eyeballs. A terrible, awe-inspiring force of a schlock movie from cult director Don Dohler, it focuses on a small town sheriff trying to protect his citizens from an alien beast. No kidding. There’s definitely a bit of Nightbeast in Super 8, but then again, isn’t there a little Nightbeast in every movie? In all of us?
As a bonus, it features music from a young artist named Jefferey Abrams – the first screen credit he got before breaking as the writer of the 1990 Jim Belushi vehicle Taking Care of Business (a movie that Nightbeast is superior to in every way possible).
How to See It: Watch Instantly or Buy It
STAND BY ME (1986)
The Pitch: While everyone is comparing it to the Spielberg films of Amblin’s heyday, Super 8 feels much more like Stand By Me than anything else (except for, you know, whatever is lurking in that damned train car). The Rob Reiner-directed, Not-Produced-By-Steven-Spielberg classic is based off a novella from Stephen King and can be seen under the guise of any flimsy excuse. Coming of Age movie brimming with Nostalgia coming out? Toss in Stand By Me. Put on pants this morning? Celebrate with Stand By Me. Thought about Rob Reiner in the shower? Set up extra session with therapist and watch Stand By Me.
Beyond the tone and the friendships, the thing that most unites the two films is the train. One is a ghost that haunts, the other is a massive fireball, but both loom large over each narrative.
How to See It: Watch Instantly or Buy It
ALIEN (1979)
The Pitch: Super 8 takes place in 1979. Alien was released in 1979. It all makes sense. Toss in the fact that you can never go wrong suggesting a double feature with Ridley Scott’s perfect movie (watching it with Babe is particularly eye-opening), and you’ve got a solid back-to-back play here.
For a full-on 1979 science fiction marathon, also pick up The Brood, The Blackhole, Stalker, Time After Time, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (as if we needed another Abrams connection).
How to See It: Watch Instantly or Buy It
What are you watching this week?
Come back next Friday for more alternative box office tips
Related Topics: Aliens
