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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"I remember seeing Greenwich Village from seven feet up in the air growing up as a kid, because he'd have me on his shoulders and we'd be tripping around. And at a time before underground and independent film became a hot idea, then a dirty word, then a hot idea again as it is nowadays, my dad was making films that influenced a generation of filmmakers.'" -- Robert Downey, Jr., speaking four days ago about his director dad, Robert Downey, Sr., at the "Time 100" celebration at Lincoln Center.

This is an opportunity to pay tribute to "I can crawl again!" -- my favorite line from Greaser's Palace ('72), my all-time favorite Robert Downey, Sr. film. Every now and then that line comes to me and repeats in my head, over and over.

Here's another great scene:

Nothingness Vanquished<< previous | next >>After The Fall

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 11, 2008 at 3:28 PM

comment #1

scooterzz says ...

'greaser's palace' was great but my favorite has always been 'putney swope'.....not sure it holds up as well as 'gp' though....might be time to revisit both....thanks

Posted by scooterzz at May 11, 2008 4:07 PM

comment #2

romeoisbleeding says ...

Thnaks for posting the clips Jeff. A very nutty fun movie. A bit of trivia here.. Allan Arbus (who was married to Diane Arbus) has a part in this movie. Fast forward many years and Robert is in the movie Fur which is about Diane Arbus and her husband Allan. Also one more little side note.. Robert's mother is also in GP and so is he as a little boy. A rather disturbing scene,. Hmmmm anyway..
If you have a chance you should read Robert's whole speech at the Time Gala. Very touching. And then of course his Dad had to top it off with a great line.

Posted by romeoisbleeding at May 11, 2008 6:05 PM

comment #3

EOTW says ...

I've never seen Putney, but know its rep and I need to check it out soon. PTA always mentions it as an influence on his work.

Not unrelated: what about that rumor that Downey Sr. got his son into coke?

No matter what, I've loved Downey Jr for years and years and it's thrilling to see him on top of the game. youk now he's loving every second of this time in his life and the full speech he did at this thing is pretty touching.

Posted by EOTW at May 11, 2008 7:56 PM

comment #4

huisache says ...

I watch Putney Swope about once a year and still think it is the best indie movie made in that era.

The scene when the board of directors has to elect the new president of the ad agency is still as funny as it was over thirty years ago.

Posted by huisache at May 11, 2008 8:47 PM

comment #5

BurmaShave says ...

I'll always remember Robert Downey Sr. from TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. and the 15 times I watched that over one summer in the '90s. So glad to hear he's still with us, I wasn't sure.

Posted by BurmaShave at May 11, 2008 8:58 PM

comment #6

iamwhoiam says ...

Just reading the script of that nigt made me chock. TDJ story is just wonderful. I'm so glad for him.

Posted by iamwhoiam at May 11, 2008 10:56 PM

comment #7

T. S. Idiot says ...

I have a Putney Swope DVD autographed by RD1, who apologizes for the film's quality. Despite some good bits, it hasn't aged well--speaking as one who loved it when it was new.

Posted by T. S. Idiot at May 12, 2008 11:44 AM