The 2011 Summer Blockbuster Season continues this weekend with the release of the summer’s only original blockbuster. J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek) wrote and directed Super 8, which hits theaters with a producing credit from Steven Spielberg and a great throwback vibe to the days of Amblin Entertainment and films (like The Goonies and E.T.) where kids were the heroes. There are kids, explosions and a nasty creature – so parents may want to check out this Movies.com guide on when it’s appropriate to watch Super 8 with your children – but nevertheless the film has all the makings of yet another summer hit. It’ll be competing against X-Men: First Class (in its second weekend) and the kids’ flick Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, so don’t count this one as a lock for the creature feature. Let’s take a closer look …

What’s the Scoop: This 1970s-set flick revolves around a group of kids whose small town begins experiencing strange – and often deadly – events after a train crash unleashes a mysterious creature.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: The names J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg should bring out the movie fans in full force, and if anything moviegoers should take this opportunity to see summer’s only purely original blockbuster.
What’s the Scoop: Based on the popular series of novels, the film follows third-grader Judy Moody who sets out to have the best summer of her life.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: This one is perfect for those kids too little to see Super 8, whose lives revolve around the end of the school year because it means they have the whole summer to go out, have fun and just be a kid. 
My Prediction: Though some have said its original concept and no-name cast will hurt its opening weekend, I have faith in the moviegoing public that they’ll go out to see Super 8 this weekend. So that’s my pick to win it.
My Pick of the Week: As a guy who grew up with all the Amblin Entertainment movies, it’s hard for me not to recommend Super 8. It’s pure, original summer entertainment at its best, and it’s the film I suggest you go see this weekend.
Now it’s your turn to vote on which film you think will win the weekend box office.