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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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Hancock

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The Whackness

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Diminished Capacity

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson

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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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July 18

A Very British Gangster

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Boy A

Cannes '08 Lineup?

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Agence France Press published an article two days ago about the rumors surrounding the '08 Cannes Film Festival line-up. The confirmed Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the rumored Sex and The City were mentioned, of course. Both would show out-of-competition like Ocean's 13 andU2-3D were last year.

The usual Cannes suspects and their new movies were mentioned: Steven Soderbergh's The Argentine, Abel Ferrara's Chelsea on the Rocks, James Gray's Two Lovers, Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Barbet Schroeder's Inju.

Also mentioned were some French films -- Agnes Jaoui's Parlez-Moi de la Pluie, Arnaud Desplechin's Un Conte de Noel, Michel Houellebecq's La Possibilite d'une ile, Laurent Cantet's Entre les Murs and Marina de Van's Ne Te Retourne Pas.

The Dardenne Brothers, who won the Palme d'Or twice, might be offering their new film, Le Silence de Lorna, in competition.

Either one of the two legendary Brazilian filmmakers Walter Salles (Linha de Passe) and Fernando Meirelles (Blindness) could have their film in competition. AFP also expects a movie from the one or more of the new generation of Argentinian directors: Lucrecia Martel (La Nna Santa), Pablo Trapero (Leonera) and/or Lisandro Alonso (Liverpool).

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on March 14, 2008 at 07:29 PM

comment #1

renorambler says ...

Is it just me or does this seem at first glance like a less than stellar year? I suppose some of these will break through but star power seems lacking.

Posted by renorambler at March 14, 2008 08:56 PM

comment #2

truefaith says ...

Who cares about "star power." I thought one of the purposes of a film festival--including Cannes--was to bring attention to a lesser known film for the world to appreciate. It's difficult to do that when you're surrounded with all that star power.

Posted by truefaith at March 14, 2008 09:08 PM

comment #3

Noah says ...

Oh man, if Desplechin's new movie is playing there, then I might have to consider going. Wells, you have to see Desplechin's new movie and report on it. Kings and Queen is one of the best movies of the last five years.

Posted by Noah at March 14, 2008 09:10 PM

comment #4

MilkMan says ...

I can't wait to see the new Martel, Ferrara, and I'm interested to see what kin of director Houellbecq is. If he makes films like he directs then we should be in for a Noe-ish good time.

I don't like James Gray's movies and I'm always suprised when someone does. His movies are lifeless.

Posted by MilkMan at March 14, 2008 09:31 PM

comment #5

BurmaShave says ...

lifeless is a bit strong. I always have mixed feelings about them, but he gets stellar work from his men, and obviously doesn't know how to write or direct women. My reservations aside, I'm glad he's working more. 5 years between films is too long of a gap from someone who still needs to improve.

Posted by BurmaShave at March 14, 2008 10:33 PM

comment #6

JohnCope says ...

If he can improve on We Own The Night I'll be amazed. I thought that was one of the best films of the last few years.

I don't know how anybody can think that was lifeless. What in the world do you want to see? Gray's understanding of melodrama, its possibilities and depths, is absolutely profound.

Posted by JohnCope at March 14, 2008 11:59 PM

comment #7

JohnCope says ...

BTW, I can't believe Jeff considers Walter Salles a "legendary" director. How about Tom Shadyac while we're at it?

Posted by JohnCope at March 15, 2008 12:05 AM

comment #8

YND says ...

Noah -- Totally agree about KINGS AND QUEEN. I still don't understand how it got so overlooked (just a bad title?)... I thought it was the best film I saw in '05. Very much looking forward to what Desplechin does next.

Posted by YND at March 15, 2008 04:31 AM

comment #9

Gordie Lachance says ...

I agree with all the comments so far! What Cannes needs is like a big comic star in a bee costume to give it some pizzazz....

Oh and James Gray shouldn't be allowed to make films. In fact, he should be shot.

Posted by Gordie Lachance at March 15, 2008 04:32 AM

comment #10

JD says ...

Walter "Dark Water" Salles and Fernando Mereilles are not legendary. That is ridiculous. And James Gray is 3 for 3 in my book. He's one of the most gifted American filmmakers of his generation. I'm glad people are calling his movies "lifeless" because his entire philosophy is that filmmakers shouldn't pander to mainstream sensibilities about what's entertaining. He's not making conventional entertainment, he's making art films in popular genres.

Posted by JD at March 15, 2008 07:36 AM

comment #11

drillo cocco says ...

'Little Odessa' is a merciless, merciless film. American cinema needs so much more of that. Salles is an average director, but Mereilles is a serious man and a humanist. We need more of that, too.

Posted by drillo cocco at March 15, 2008 07:53 AM

comment #12

Gordie Lachance says ...

Little Odessa is one of the most unsettling films I've ever seen. I think it's the lack of a single note of music in the film that makes it feel like such an emotional void. Though I do love it.

Posted by Gordie Lachance at March 15, 2008 08:26 AM

comment #13

BurmaShave says ...

This turned into a really ace film discussion, some hyperbole aside. I'm proud of all of you, keep it up.

Posted by BurmaShave at March 15, 2008 11:52 AM

comment #14

actionman says ...

We Own the Night was one of the most underrated films of 2007. Big fan of Jimmy Gray. Two Lovers sounds very different than his previous work. Can't wait.

Very much want to see Blindness. Both City of God and The Constant Gardener are masterpieces.

The Argentine will probably be great too.

Posted by actionman at March 15, 2008 12:31 PM

comment #15

cinemascopian says ...

I might have some Cannes news on my site in a few days. But I'm quite sure you can add Ari Folman's "Waltz With Bashir", an animated documentary from Israel, to the competition lineup.

Posted by cinemascopian at March 15, 2008 12:38 PM

comment #16

jasonvang says ...

i don't care these things, however, i like girls.
months ago a friend told me a online dating site WEALTHYLOVES.c o m where people can find their perfect matches or quality friendships. ....maybe we can keep in touch and make friends on this site.

Posted by jasonvang at March 16, 2008 02:30 PM

comment #17