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)

Cannes Integrity

N.Y. Times critics A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis have written that "for many" -- code for themselves and other top-dog elites like Jim Hoberman, John Powers, Glenn Kenny, Scott Foundas, et. al. -- Cannes-spotlighted directors like Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Le Silence de Lorna), Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Three Monkeys) and Lucrecia Martel (The Headless Woman) "are the real stars of Cannes. In America their names may be met with blank stares, but here they walk up the same red carpet as some of the most prominent Hollywood filmmakers and celebrities. And this may be the ultimate measure of the festival’s integrity as well as a reminder of its noble traditions."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 14, 2008 at 9:04 AM

comment #1

T. S. Idiot Author Profile Page says ...

I'm sure Uncle Glenn is amused at being among the elite.

Posted by T. S. Idiot Author Profile Page at May 14, 2008 9:23 AM

comment #2

LYT Author Profile Page says ...

Eventually any film critic with a job will be considered elite.

Posted by LYT Author Profile Page at May 14, 2008 10:40 AM

comment #3

p.Vice Author Profile Page says ...

Breathe easy Jeff. These dastardly upper-crusters will never make the mistake of including you in their little club.

They may, however, give you a wink as they head into the new Jia film while you toil in the queue for Kung Fu Panda.

Posted by p.Vice Author Profile Page at May 14, 2008 11:06 AM

comment #4

oakling Author Profile Page says ...

And I think that Glenn Kenny has proven LYT's point, now...

Posted by oakling Author Profile Page at May 14, 2008 2:15 PM

comment #5

corey3rd Author Profile Page says ...

didn't these directors cut their teeth with matlock episodes?

Posted by corey3rd Author Profile Page at May 14, 2008 8:40 PM

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