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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What's the point of running a tribute to the original 1965 George Lois Esquire cover with Virna Lisi? It meant something in the mid '60s, sort of -- obviously a faint provocation or taunt aimed at forward-thinking women -- but what does it mean for Jessica Simpson to repeat it for the May issue? Nothing. The Esquire website, which is always behind the curve, doesn't even mention it.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 9, 2008 at 9:31 PM

comment #1

hiviper says ...

it means about as much as Lindsay Lohan's pics in New York magazine did. Absolutely nothing and forgotten in a couple of days.

Posted by hiviper at April 9, 2008 9:52 PM

comment #2

Jeffrey Kunze says ...

Virna Lisa looks classy. That photo is timeless.

Jessica Simpson looks dumb.

Posted by Jeffrey Kunze at April 9, 2008 9:54 PM

comment #3

T. Holly says ...

Must be for the Pope, there's a religiousity to it.

Posted by T. Holly at April 9, 2008 10:45 PM

comment #4

atticusrex says ...

I agree with Jeffrey Kunze, but to go farther because it's a slow morning here... The Lisi pic is actually quite good. She seems to be actually shaving and the colors against the black are quite stunning and very much captures the period.

Ms. Simpson's is just a pose. A pretty vapid blonde with shaving cream on her face against a white background with typefonts.

But more important... she's just posing.

On the other hand...Hiviper I must disagree with, Ms. Lohan's pictures were very much an updated tribute and brave for her to do by baring herself in an attempt to shake up her image.

All Ms. Simpson has done is give further proof to how true that old adage "Deer caught in the headlights" look is.

Posted by atticusrex at April 10, 2008 5:52 AM

comment #5

Wrecktum says ...

They screwed up the Simpson pick. If you look at the original, a deliberate attempt was made to keep cream away from Virna's top lip. She'd also conspicuously shaving the far side of her cheek. Why were these two choices made? Because otherwise she'd look like she has a moustache and beard. Simpson looks like she's wearing a white goatee, which is ugly and offputting.

Posted by Wrecktum at April 10, 2008 8:11 AM

comment #6

Jay T. says ...

I'm so sick of "tribute" photo shoots... give me a fucking break, is Hollywood so unoriginal that they can't even do a photo shoot without it being a remake too?

Posted by Jay T. at April 10, 2008 8:12 AM

comment #7

Jay T. says ...

Jessica Simpson was also a horrible choice for this type of a shoot given that her facial features aren't the most feminine to begin with. Someone like Charlize Theron would have been much better...

Posted by Jay T. at April 10, 2008 8:20 AM

comment #8

corey3rd says ...

why Jessica Simpson? She's worthless at this point. He records don't sell. her TV show is over. Her movie career is straight to video. Only thing she's got going is those pimple cream ads and being Tony Romo's new meatdoll.

Posted by corey3rd at April 10, 2008 8:41 AM

comment #9

T. Holly says ...

Everytime I look at the new photo on the left, I see Jesus Christ.

Posted by T. Holly at April 10, 2008 8:42 AM

comment #10

T. S. Idiot says ...

"Everytime I look at the new photo on the left, I see Jesus Christ."

I see Custer.

Meanwhile, those who don't know who the divine Virna is should see How to Murder Your Wife.

Posted by T. S. Idiot at April 10, 2008 8:49 AM

comment #11

anti-sardine says ...

If both of those Simpson girls packed up all their belongings and moved away to a different town then I would be the happiest kid on the street.

Posted by anti-sardine at April 10, 2008 9:44 AM

comment #12

Abbey Normal says ...

This year is Esquire's 75th anniversary, so they're periodically recreating classic covers from past issues. That's the point.

Not too mysterious, really...just involves a half-second of research.

Posted by Abbey Normal at April 10, 2008 10:31 AM

comment #13

Jean says ...

Damn, T.S.: you beat me to it - How to Murder Your Wife is a great comedy in of itself, but Lisi looked unbelievably stunning in the film. Jessica Simpson is nowhere near in Lisi's league.

Posted by Jean at April 10, 2008 10:34 AM

comment #14

christian says ...

HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE is rather unpleasant, that Axelrod bitterness mingled with dark comedy. But it's a fascinating film and great production design by Dick Sylbert.

The problem with Simpson is that she literally looks like she has no idea why she's striking this shaving pose. I can see her thought ballon saying, "I don't get it." Lisi exudes Euro-sensuality and playfullness and GETS IT.

Posted by christian at April 10, 2008 10:45 AM

comment #15

T. S. Idiot says ...

"HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE is rather unpleasant, that Axelrod bitterness mingled with dark comedy."

It argues that American and British males put up a misogynistic front but down deep we're pussies who just want a cuddle from a hot mama.

Posted by T. S. Idiot at April 10, 2008 10:58 AM

comment #16

Jay T. says ...

"Not too mysterious, really...just involves a half-second of research."

Gee, next time I'll make sure to properly research and edit my blog comments. Now, can you evacuate a person or just a building? I'm still unclear on that.

Posted by Jay T. at April 10, 2008 11:23 AM