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)

Snobby-Enough Summer?

The Film Department CEO Mark Gill has told Wall Street Journal reporter Lauren Schuker that "the quality of independent films [this summer] is higher, less bleak and dark, and the studio films are more cartoon stuff and less for a college educated audience. Last summer, everybody in my snobby crowd saw the Bourne movie and loved it, [but] this summer there are fewer of those big blockbusters to go to." Is The Dark Knight not expected to appeal to film snobs? I know for sure that Tropic Thunder will. Iron Man is clearly a hit among know-it-alls. Others in this vein? If the Snob Site wasn't so elitist, this would be right up its alley.

Flying Rights<< previous | next >>Daily Reminder

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 10, 2008 at 4:45 AM

comment #1

erniesouchak Author Profile Page says ...

Not sure I'd label it "for film snobs," but there's a new "X-Files" movie coming out this summer, and it's bound to be more intelligent than 7/8 of the studio product out there. I find Fox's lack of marketing for the thing somewhat mystifying, however.

Posted by erniesouchak Author Profile Page at May 10, 2008 8:13 AM

comment #2

Edward Author Profile Page says ...

This has the makings of a good summer at the cinema.

Posted by Edward Author Profile Page at May 10, 2008 9:06 AM

comment #3

calraigh Author Profile Page says ...

Ernie, I love you for mentioning the X-Files movie in these hallowed boards.Ironically just as you've mentioned the lack of promotion, they've just kicked it off.The trailer is going to debut on IGN on Monday and there's 2 VERY interesting flash ads featuring Mulder and Scully talking about, well, Mulder and Scully embedded in lots of spoiler sites as we speak.This film has all the hallmarks of an edge-of-seat experience in my opinion...Can't wait!

Posted by calraigh Author Profile Page at May 10, 2008 1:01 PM

comment #4

erniesouchak Author Profile Page says ...

Glad to hear it, Calraigh, but it's too bad nobody clued Manohla Dargis in before she wrote her "summer is only about male heroes" think piece last week. Scully is a great character.

Posted by erniesouchak Author Profile Page at May 10, 2008 5:09 PM

comment #5

calraigh Author Profile Page says ...

Ernie- I know!Just shows you how under the radar Fox are/ were flying with this movie.However the fact remains Scully is a seminal character;it never fails to amaze me how, 6 years after the series ended, the influence and effect that character had on female characters in TV and in film is never credited.I really wish someone would give Gillian Anderson another role worthy of her wonderful ability.She's an actress I never tire of watching, unlike many others.
Shame on Manohla Dargis, really.Makes me realise just how much people are just jumping on a bandwagon 'think' piece for print now and not giving it any thought or research.Sigh.

Posted by calraigh Author Profile Page at May 11, 2008 1:41 PM

comment #6

Alpha Base Author Profile Page says ...

Darn, I normally love Manohla and still happen to think she's currently one of the best film review writers, but even if the bums at Fox are not doing their promotional duties, she should have mentioned the X-Files, because Scully is a very special character, indeed.

Posted by Alpha Base Author Profile Page at May 11, 2008 4:09 PM

comment #7

calraigh Author Profile Page says ...

Copy that, Alpha.Over!

Posted by calraigh Author Profile Page at May 11, 2008 9:47 PM

Post a comment