Get ready for an episode full of production value as we get nostalgic with JJ Abrams and SUPER 8 - the 70s set sci-fi drama following a group of kids making their own movie in their backyard, and happen to stumble on a government conspiracy involving an escaped extra-terrestrial being. We welcome back returning guests Daniel Kelly and Michael Perry, re-assembling the team that once made up our student radio show Close-Up on RAW 1251AM, fittingly looking at a movie that was released the summer before we all met for the very first time. We dig into its value as a nostalgic artefact; a film looking back and directly homaging Amblin of old, and how successful Abrams is at approximating that Spielberg-vibe while also trying to deliver something that feels like it comes from the heart, as well as assessing its place in the early 2010s blockbuster landscape. We also resurrect a old feature from our Close-Up days to give you some further viewing recommendations. Mint!

You can watch Andy’s Sixth Form zombie movie - ZOMBEY - made in the summer of 2011 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjn3y1L5CLo

And you can read Forbes’ 10th anniversary oral history of Super 8 here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2021/06/01/super-8-turns-10-a-mint-oral-history-of-jj-abrams-love-letter-to-movies-childhood--spielberg/

You can rent or buy Dan’s film DOCTOR JEKYLL on Amazon and find Michael’s blog here: https://quotesponge.wordpress.com/

Follow the podcast on Twitter (@RamblinAmblin), Instagram (@ramblinamblinpod) and Blusky (@ramblinamblin.bsky.social). Be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Get in touch with us either via our socials or email [email protected]. Please feel free to give us a 5-star review, share your favourite Amblin movies and tell us if ET makes you cry.

Ramblin is created and produced by Andrew Gaudion and Joshua Glenn. A special thanks as always to Emily Tatham for the artwork, and Robert J. Hunter & Greg Sheffield for the theme music.