Discland
edited by Jonathan Doyle
Cloverfield [BLU-RAY] (Paramount Home Entertainment, 6.3.2008) Disguised under deliberately goofy, yet deliciously edible-sounding, aliases such as Cheese and Slusho, Matt Reeves' Cloverfield was produced and rushed into theaters under an equally appetizing shroud of secrecy. From last year's incredibly elusive Super Bowl ad to the film's viral marketing campaign, Cloverfield had everybody scratching their heads and drooling in anticipation. Aside from the as-yet untitled title and the Blair Witch-ian visual style, the film's biggest appeal was the enigmatic creature who was last (un)seen hurling the decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty onto the crowded streets of New York City. All we knew about the mysterious beast was that it was big and angry. Now that the highy-anticipated project has come and gone, one question has fortunately been answered: Cloverfield was a major success. (continued)

Upcoming

December 31

Defiance

Good

January 2

Cargo 200

January 7

Silent Light

January 9

After Dark Horrorfest 2009

Bride Wars

How About You

Not Easily Broken

The Unborn

Yonkers Joe

January 16

Chandni Chwok to China

Cherry Blossoms

Hotel for Dogs

My Bloody Valentine 3-D

Notorious

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

January 21

Of Time and the City




I talked to a critic

I talked to a critic last night (i.e., Saturday) who acknowledged that Craig Brewer's Hustle & Flow is obviously well-liked by the Sundance audience so far and is "the first movie to break through" so far. However, an opinion was also confided that it's basically "bullshit" and "straight out of 1930s Warner Bros. formula." I'm sorry but this critic (a very smart fellow) has never been more wrong. I know what it feels like when a Sundance movie has gone through the roof. Okay...mountain-air syndrome, right? But I know when a movie is working on all six cylinders (notice I didn't say eight cylinders...there's a qualification here) and is achieving ace-level delivery in terms of atmospheric grit, soul, craft, emotion and superb acting, and Hustle & Flow is definitely one of these. Will it play to white audiences as well as black? Will it in fact "play black"? My naysaying critic friend says it might not given the lack of stars, but I would be shocked right down to my Banana Republic two-tone socks if this thing doesn't do very, very well. I liked it so much I'm going to try and see it again at this afternoon's (Sunday, 1.23) press screening at the Yarrow.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 23, 2005 at 11:08 AM

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