Here’s a look at what’s playing.

8 photosNew ‘Super 8′ Stills Show Everything (But The Monster)

Super 8

If you like Steven Spielberg, you’re probably anxious to see J.J. Abrams’ Super 8. The film is basically a love note to the acclaimed director of E.T., Close Encounters, and lest we forget, 1941.

See, even geniuses shit the bed once in a while.

Best Review
Super 8 is a wonderful film, nostalgia not for a time but for a style of filmmaking, when shell-shocked young audiences were told a story and not pounded over the head with aggressive action.

Roger Ebert – The Chicago Sun-Times

Worst Review
Sadly, the helmer seems too smitten working with Steven Spielberg to recognize that his idol-turned-champion created the very paradigm that limits his passion project, forcing this modest nostalgia trip to function as a blockbuster.

Peter Debruge – Variety

Our Recommendation
Over all, there seems to be a lot to like about this film, provided you haven’t bought into the hype. If you set out with realistic expectations, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you are already expecting a classic, be prepared for disappointment…just like my wife.

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen‘s latest film is finally getting a wide release. And that’s great news, if you like Woody Allen.

‘Midnight In Paris’ Trailer: Now It’s Owen Wilson’s Turn To Imitate Woody Allen

Best Review
As a filmmaker, Allen has grappled with the temptations of repeating himself instead of forging a fresh path. You can feel that conflict here, and watching him work it out is exhilarating.

Peter Travers – Rolling Stone

Worst Review
Pure Woody Allen. Which is not to say great or even good Woody, but a distillation of the filmmaker’s passions and crotchets, and of his tendency to pass draconian judgment on characters the audience is not supposed to like.

Richard Corliss – TIME Magazine

Our Recommendation
If you’re OK with a guy banging his pseudo step-daughter, be sure and check out Midnight in Paris!

Troll Hunter

Troll Hunter is not your father’s troll hunting film. Unless of course you are very young, and your father worked on this film, in which case, it is.

Trolls Are Larger Than Life In 'Troll Hunter' Trailer

Best Review
You’ll want to catch this clever movie before Hollywood ruins everything with a dumb remake.

V.A. Musetto – New York Post

Worst Review
Here’s what’s not so good in Troll Hunter: the actual troll hunting.

Noel Murray – AV Club

Our Recommendation
If you’re in the mood for something different, this film will certainly deliver. The premise isn’t for everyone, but with genuinely positive reviews, you can do a lot worse.

“Troll Hunter was a visceral, thrilling cinematic rock and roller coaster ride of a movie.  Visually, there are scenes in this film that American audiences have never seen.  We want to introduce an International audience to this amazing moviegoing experience!” said Chris Columbus.

I think I can speak for the American movie-going public when I say, the movie needs to end with a giant troll swallowing a huge bomb, and then grumbling “Oh, shhh–” mere seconds before exploding. That’s why you guys didn’t like Cloverfield, right?? (Deadline)

Trollhunter claims to be edited down from hundreds of hours of found footage that was authenticated. The sheer number of text screens explaining this has to be satire. Yes, every movie from Blair Witch to Paranormal Activity and The Last Exorcism claims to be made out of reverence to the victims. So does the troll movie.

The camera team is Thomas (Glenn Erland Tosterud) in front of the camera, Johanna (Johanna Morck) who appears from time to time and Kalle (Tomas Alf Larsen) on camera. They’re investigating Hans (Otto Jespersen), a supposed bear poacher, but really he’s hunting trolls.

Writer/director Andre Ovredal knows how to build drama with hints of troll damage and this mysterious hunter. Hans’ attitude only builds the mystique more. He’s so matter of fact and organized about using troll scent to blend in.

Trolls Are Larger Than Life In 'Troll Hunter' Trailer

Ovredal gets to the trolls in the first act though. When the shaky camera runs through the forest, it’s a lot funnier when the filmmakers are running from goofy trolls. Still, don’t you want to drop the camera when you’re running for your life? But that’s the “found footage” genre. They even work camera damage into the footage at one point.

The trolls look like Jim Henson creatures. They could be guys in suits, which is a triumph of CGI. The creatures have personality and they look so silly. It’s only their massive destructive power that makes them a threat. They look like they just want to be left alone to eat rocks in peace.

In between troll attacks the film remains entertaining. The government has a whole system in place to cover up troll attacks, and the filmmakers chronicle the entire procedure. The film delivers all the practical interests one could have about trolls: trapping them, disposing of them, even the scars and haunting memories Hans bears. Ovredal and his cast approach the material with the gravity of Blair Witch and Paranormal, and that makes it funny.

Trollhunter has more of an ending than any of the other found footage movies. Maybe they had it easier because they could make it a joke, but even without the final tag, Trollhunter provides a satisfying resolution and leaves plenty of room for a follow-up team of investigators to uncover Trollhunter 2.

Anyhow, the film is making festival rounds now and follows a group of college film-makers as they venture into the Norwegian woods in search of trolls. Seems like a lot of trouble when you can find plenty in Break.com‘s comments section at any given moment.