Cloverfield

Because I totally agree with myself, I'll just quote him. Here's what he wrote in the Movie Tab back in January.

Cloverfield. Exciting movie which everyone already knows the premise of. It's not as revolutionary as some of the reviews here have been saying, I think the producers just know that time-tested rule that the less predictable and the less you show straight on, the more impact your slimy tentacle monster will have on viewers, as proven by the fact of how unimpressive it is when they actually show the beast, given the rest of the movie. I also really like the idea of having the recording medium be an in-story device. There may be a limited amount or it might quickly lose its appeal, but I wish more films would exploit clever ideas like this, I kind of felt they didn't do as much as they could have with it, just used it as a way to heighten the mood and make it a little more personal, both of which it does quite well. I guess I'd give it a . Worth seeing.

I pretty much agree with your thoughts there lines and your rating, I don't think I rated it the last time I stopped in here. I still don't have any desire to see it again. My pops brought it home the other day so I may throw it on again someday. Overall it was a genius marketing campaign and interesting to watch in the theater but I still just don't really believe this one is going to hold up to several repeated viewings.

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I knew from the trailer it was going to be shaky cam city so I waited to see it in my DVD player. I'm so glad I waited. I would have been sick and bored in the theater.

As it is I'm out no money and I'm just bored. Okay, I'm angry too. J.J. Abrams should be slapped around for making this movie from this perspective IMO. It's not clever or cute, it's just irritating and obnoxious.

Remember Alias and the good ole days?

*sigh*

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Bleacheddecay

The first time i saw it i loved it. Now i cant stand the movie.

Oh yeah, I love this movie. Actually one of my favorites. I had been waiting so long to see it, then it finally came out and I loved it. One of the greatest things about it was its ability to maintain a sense of humor throughout the entire movie, with Hud making most of the jokes. I thought the Subway tracks scene was especially brilliant, with the screaming and running and the use of the camcorder to see in "Nightvision". Really enjoyable movie no matter what people say.

Hated it.

my review will be biased because the way I see it, I go to the movies to appreciate the craft and when I can't do that because I'm ready to puke my guts out all over the person in front of me...it becomes an issue to enjoy the film.

I understand the filmmaker was going for the whole '9/11 home video cinematographer' look but seriously even my 10 year old cousin can hold a camcorder steadier than that.

OK OK that aside, some decent moments of tension (the subway monsters) and the build up at the party was really cool. But it just missed for me in so many places. ***spoiler*** like why the heck would that guy go to find his G/F who is across town and who is likely already dead/dying??! Never would happen, especially after your brother just got trashed on a bridge and flung a thousand feet into the water.

Pure goofiness. sorry guys not buying it.

Best part was the hot girl that the camera guy was trying to get with, oh and the fact everyone died in the end. that was refreshing that those dipshits didn't get a happy ending.

Failure of epic proportions...

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I am the same as you. I can see why some people may have really enjoyed it but the jerky camera work was what was making me look away rather than anything scary in the film itself.

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Well, I watched it on the "small screen" so the jerky camerawork didn't have any effect on me at all. I thought it was pretty well done, but it was more of an idea than a feature film. Even so, I liked it much more than The Blair Witch Project, if not as much as Diary of the Dead. Not that any of that is very significant.

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Im sorry i found this movie to be well short of outstanding. It was entertaining at parts, such as when the attack begins, but watching a couple pretty boys running around and bitching wasn't what i had in mind.

I enjoyed this film, it was very good. The whole film through a video camera I found it very clever. I would of preffered more monster, but all together it was very enjoyable.

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hey! at least no one was hard on the eyes! ..except the guy behind the camera

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My husband didn't like the way the film had been shot. However, it was just the reason I love it to death! It brought me into a semi-reality that it was going on outside of the cinema. (I was in NYC.)

I've never seen a film quite like Cloverfield. It is very unique to say the least and has impacted audiences around the country in like manner. First of all, I want to address how wide the range is for reviews on this movie. There have been a multitude of differing opinions - it even beats the likes of I Am Legend that had a host of conflicting ratings (arguably, the most controversial film of 2007). I will admit, this will be a challenge for me, perhaps my toughest review yet. You be the judge, and see how I do...

Here is my review. It's divided into 6 critique areas. It will contain no spoilers.

INTRO: The opening was perfect for this film. It explains EVERYTHING, and does a great job in preparing the mayhem. Characters are introduced, relationships are developed, and the main plot point is set in motion. The first 20 minutes lets us know EXACTLY why we're watching the last 40. Some felt that it was too long and stalled the action. Balogna. Without this introduction, this film fails on so many levels (other than the ones I'm going to mention). If they hadn't written it just the way they did, my thoughts would differ drastically. This first act is the ONLY reason I cared to watch the next two.

PLOT/PACING: When stripped to its core, it's very simple. This is survival-rescue. Since many common plot devices are absent in this genre, the entertainment is derived in the suspense, uncertainty, and drama of the moments. Cloverfield attempts to supply it, but it doesn't seem sincere. Watching a film through the lens of a camcorder doesn't garner a large target audience (isn't popular), but everything about this film screams HOLLYWOOD. The trailer seemed fresh out of a Spielberg doomsday flick, and the cast is a bunch of "teenagers." The marketing was just brutally misleading and the tone didn't flow with the premise or idea behind this movie. Writers have a chance to create REAL art with these types of films. They have an opportunity to go down in history and mark growth for the industry. But Cloverfield doesn't achieve this and it felt purposeful (like they weren't trying to do this). I would have empathy for their failed attempt at greatness, but I feel that the director just shamed everyone to the theatre.

ACTION: If you like running, screaming, and motion sickness, you're going to LOVE this. That's all there is. I can't say there is a different/better way to do it, I guess that was what they were going for, but much of it seemed a bit over-the-top. After the first attack, the action became standard "teenager" survival. Sure, it's definitely exciting in some portions, and you really hope they're going to make it, but a few of the cliche stunts and tricks can become annoying. The camera work is very interesting, though. You'll realize that there are things that the director wants you to see, and sequences that he doesn't.

CHARACTERS: Rather than actually bonding with or relating to these people, you just feel sorry for them more than anything. A crew of well-off young adults who find themselves in the most traumatic experience of their lives. Boo hoo. There was a hint of emotion that the director tried to play on, but here's a thought for him: Tragedy, or loss of family and friends are things that we as normal human beings relate to naturally. These are occurrences that AUTOMATICALLY draw out our feelings. Just because you "throw" these elements in your film doesn't make them wrenching or outstandingly touching. Having characters that are RELATABLE is what does this, and I just don't understand why they chose to play it this way with a "highschool, soft-core horror, teenager" cast. Why not have a varied range of characters with a varied range of backgrounds? How would a middle-aged man with a family to care for react? How would the poverty-stricken of New York look upon the destruction of society? Would a single mom be able to defend herself and her child? Would an all-wise grandfather figure step up to offer advice and protection? How about a convict seeing the system that confined him destroyed? Then, ONE "teenager" would be fine. But when all you have is a bunch of kids, it can become uninteresting.

CONCLUSION: Reminded me of a Shakespearean play. Love, loss, tragedy, and hope, are recurring themes in this film, and they ambitiously attempt to do something great with the last moments of screen time. But when your core ideas are surrounded by cliche hollywood action and a cliche hollywood cast, it's ruined. And as I mentioned, it seems as if it was ruined purposely. The director knew this thing flopped, so he released a falsified teaser trailer (that warrants his arrest) to get people in the theatre. This film should not have been done this way. What's worse, you'll be saying, "give me a break" with the way they ended this. Not that it was bad, on the contrary, but it felt SO out of place. It's like going to the opera wearing jeans and sneakers. This "shakespeare knock-off" ending just does not fit with this "hollywood-infested" movie.

SYNOPSIS: In grade school when people called you different, it carried a bad connotation. With disdain, I must say that the same can be applied to the film industry. When done honestly and courageously, an innovative angle CAN be successful. But when tainted by mainstream gimmicks, deceptive advertising, and cliche characters, it fails miserably. I give Cloverfield a BAD rating.

I will give this movie one thing: it delivered something different at the theater, and I can't say that it was predictable or boring. For all those looking for a twist on "normal" cinema, a rental wouldn't hurt too bad. It will have the boldness to surprise you. But unfortunately, if you want a superb take on alternative filming, you won't find it here...

Good review of a fun film. If you would like to rate the film using our proprietary popcorn box rating system (basically 1-5 stars), I can peg this review for the review section.

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I've been browsing this site, and it seems there are a few of you in power around here. My next move would have been an inquiry of the info you just told me. Much appreciation...

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