STAR WARS - EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS [2015]

After retooling the premise of the Star Trek series, sci-fi nerds were very cautious approaching director J.J. Abrams' much-hyped continuation of the Star Wars saga, coming 38 years after the original film.
Fortunately Abrams & co. deliver the popcorn space opera awesomeness for Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Set thirty years after Return of the Jedi, with the Empire defeated, a powerful new threat rises, known as the First Order and clashes with the Resistance, comprised of faces both familiar and new.
This gorgeous looking thrill-ride captures all the excitement of Lucas' films while capturing Abrams' edgier flavor but never sacrificing any of the fun (or going overboard with his trademark lens flare).  The casting is wonderful and even though I'm familiar with nearly all the names, it's the one who I didn't know that stood out the most: Daisy Ridley as the ass-kicking scavenger Rey.  It mirrors the events of the original film, giving it a history repeats itself feel but as it comes to a conclusion we're promised a brand new direction that's sure to surprise with flying colors.
"Chewie, we're home" indeed.

4 big hairy things out of 5

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III [2006]

J.J. Abrams makes his feature film directorial debut with the third film in the immensely popular Mission: Impossible movie franchise.
Ethan Hunt comes out of retirement to hunt down a dangerous arms dealer who's kidnapped his wife.  Abrams does a wonderful job with a brisk pace that never slows down long enough to allow you realize how silly it all is.  It's pretty much a paint-by-numbers action film but has just enough enthusiasm and popcorn thrills to rise above boredom.  Cruise performs his obligatory bat-shit crazy stunt that never ceases to amaze but the rest of the action is nothing we haven't seen before.  It's tightly wound story never strays too far from it's mark and in the end will leave the action-junkie suitably satisfied, lens flare and all.

3 deadly head-aches out of 5

SHOWRUNNERS: THE ART OF RUNNING A TV SHOW [2014]

Director Des Doyle takes us into the frantic world of running an American television show in the documentary, Showrunners.  

It interviews many famous names, including Joss Whedon, J.J. Abrams, Terrence Winter and Ron Moore (all of whom look like they get about 2 hours of sleep a week) but centers itself around a day in the life of Bones runner Hart Hanson.  While it mostly focuses on the accomplishments and war stories of the successful series, I wish it would have shed light on some of the more controversial problems with the showrunners from Community or The Walking Dead and how it effected those series behind-the-scenes.  

It's an interesting watch and a delight to see so many favorites talking about their craft but it simply doesn't have enough time to dive as deep as would have liked it to in it's jam-packed 90 minute running time.

3 controlled plane crashes out of 5

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS [2013]

A little bigger, darker and bolder than director J.J. Abrams & his Fringe team's first film in the franchise, Star Trek Into Darkness continues the "more balls than brains" version of Trek.
It stirs the excitement with adventure and intrigue, while taking us to brand new worlds that seem more in place in the Star Wars universe than Rodenberry's vision.  Nevertheless, with a simply deliciously cold and menacing performance from Benedict Cumberbatch and Chris Pine & Karl Urban stealing lens-flared scenes left right and center, the film is nothing more than good summer fun to butt heads with Iron Man 3.

3½ models of Zefram Cochran's ship out of 5

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL [2011]

The Incredibles and Ratatouille director Brad Bird dives right into his first live action film with the fourth installment of the popular Mission: Impossible franchise.

With the help of J.J. Abrams & Tom Cruise serving as producers and a highly entertaining cast including Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner & Michael Nyqist, Bird flies high on this absurd yet tightly paced popcorn action flick.  Utilizing his animator's eye, Bird's use of the visual space and color is hardly ever wasted. Even the brilliantly inconceivable climax comes off as an action piece from a Pixar film.  Good fun and nothing more.

3½ Missiles headed towards Pixar home offices out of 5

STAR TREK [2009]

When the mastermind behind TV's LOST, Alias & Fringe, J.J. Abrams was announced as the director of the 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise it created quite a stir with Trek fans and Abrams fans alike.
Apart from some unforgivable flaws and changes to the universe, Abrams take on the Trek is nothing short of an entertaining ride. Highlighted with a solid story, action, humor and wonderful spot on performances (particularly from Chris Pine, Zackary Quinto and Karl Urban) the new Trek is more balls than brains.
In a time with ridiculously dark comic book movies and brainless comedy after brainless comedy, Abrams optimism and humor in Star Trek is a refreshing breath of fresh air.

4 Wil Wheaton's voice is everywhere out of 5

SUPER 8 [2011]

Star Trek rebooter, Fringe & LOST mastermind, J.J. Abrams writes & directs Super 8, a tribute to the 80's sci-fi, child adventure movies.
The young cast is massively entertaining (particularly Elle Fanning...keep an eye on this talented little actress). The setting is superb. The pacing is wonky and the ending goes by too fast.
A little more simplicity in the spider-webbed story and it might have established itself as a modern day Goonies or Explorers.

3 Alien Rubix Cubes out of 5