“Super 8” (2011) —  J.J. Abrams, of “Lost” fame, pays homage to Steven Spielberg (who produced the film) with an off-beat slice of sci-fi nostalgia that tries to recapture the wonder of “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial” and often succeeds.

You’ll also find salutes to “The Goonies” and “Stand By Me,” as this is a movie about big, important events seen through the eyes of kids.

Set in a small town in the 1970s, “Super 8” begins with a group of imaginative and talented friends surreptitiously making an 8 mm zombie movie.

During their shoot, a train derails in a spectacular fashion, and the young filmmakers discover things about the train cargo that they’re asked to keep secret.

The movie certainly has that feel of an early Spielberg movie.

Is this an alien movie? Is it about a strange, unexplained phenomenon? Is it about a hidden government conspiracy?

The trailers do a remarkable job of not giving it away, and I won’t blow it here.

But I will say that the reveal, though familiar, involves some great action and special effects that will leave you feeling that you got your popcorn’s worth.

(I’m really psyched that Abrams now can get to work on the sequel to his exciting “Star Trek” reboot, which is set to begin shooting in January.)

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Contact Warren Epstein at-636-0270, Twitter @Wepstein, Facebook Warren Epstein 

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