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)

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July 2

Hancock

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The Whackness

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Diminished Capacity

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson

Holding Trevor

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Full Battle Rattle

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A Man Named Pearl

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Eight Miles High

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Hellboy II: The Golden Army

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Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

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July 18

A Very British Gangster

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July 22

Two Tickets to Paradise

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Boy A

Thompson hearts Gabler

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Hollywood Reporter columnist Anne Thompson credits Fox 2000 president Elizabeth Gabler for helping to steer The Devil Wears Prada away from the usual-usual, away from being "over the top or silly" (as screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna puts it), away from the turf of a typical "broad romantic comedy, where the plucky young heroine not only lands the guy in the end, but gets back at her wicked, evil boss." And amen to that. I mean, at least Prada went in a slightly more urbane and grown-up directon.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 30, 2006 at 11:46 AM

comment #1

Sully Mc Griddle says ...

What?

But having poorly written male characters, casting these roles with absolute drips (pretty as he is, Adrian Grenier is one bottomlessly awful actor), hiring a director who doesn't have a clue how to give the film a big screen glow (this looks, sounds, and moves like a basic cable movie through and through), and using a tired screenwriting 101 arc (She's ignoring her friends!) to soften the book for the masses... THAT stuff is OK?

Amen, schmaymen, Jeffrey.

Without Streep and Hathaway to elevate the material (aka tricking the press into liking the film), PRADA would be dismissed with the same venom that greets any mediocre New York comedy that litters the side of the cinema freeway every year.

Posted by Sully Mc Griddle at June 30, 2006 12:27 PM

comment #2

Dixon Steele says ...

Just came back from the matinee of TDWP. No surprise that it's the ultimate chick flick (unless you're gay and/or totally into fashion).

Neither bad nor good, I just can't recommend it and can't see word of mouth being strong.

It's decently crafted, and Streep and Tucci are fun.

But maybe because Streep's "monster" character is so one-note, I just couldn't get engaged. Like most chick flick/rom coms, you know exactly where it's heading.

Nothing wrong with a light summer comedy, but this one is a little too forgettable for me.

Posted by Dixon Steele at June 30, 2006 06:26 PM

comment #3