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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A chance encounter this evening with Guillermo del Toro, director of Hellboy II: The Golden Army, at West L.A.'s Laser Blazer -- 6.28, 7:50 pm. We spoke about a scheduled junket interview sometime on Sunday, 6.29, about our fathers, about some Blu-ray transfers looking too much like digital data and not enough, he feels, like film.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 28, 2008 at 11:06 PM

comment #1

Edward says ...

From the few interviews and DVD extras I've seen, he seems like a nice guy. What were he and you renting/buying?

Posted by Edward at June 28, 2008 11:43 PM

comment #2

CinemaPhreek says ...

Still the best video store in LA (fuck those pretentious assholes at Cinephile, the store where the employees are always right).

Ron has a great, no frills store where the DVDs come first.

Posted by CinemaPhreek at June 28, 2008 11:47 PM

comment #3

Drew says ...

8:20 PM?

How is that possible, Jeff? He was at the afterparty for the HELLBOY 2 premiere at that point. Actually, I think the movie was just ending.

You sure 'bout that time code there, hoss?

Posted by Drew at June 29, 2008 12:29 AM

comment #4

gruver1 says ...

I thought it was 8:20 pm. I guess it wasn't. You wanna have a debate about it?

Posted by gruver1 at June 29, 2008 1:23 AM

comment #5

Devin Faraci says ...

Actually, GDT was not in the theater. I imagine this is how he was killing time until the film let out.

Posted by Devin Faraci at June 29, 2008 1:43 AM

comment #6

The InSneider says ...

Ooooh, I smell a debate. And for the record GDT was actually taking a shit at 820. I was marking the time in the next stall.

Posted by The InSneider at June 29, 2008 3:01 AM

comment #7

Kristopher Tapley says ...

Actually, I'd like to have a debate. I'm wondering if a pack of surfers kicked your ass immediately after snapping this.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at June 29, 2008 3:11 AM

comment #8

D.Z. says ...

For some reason, I can't picture him at a rental store. He seems like the kind of guy who'd be too busy hanging out at clubs to watch older movies.

Posted by D.Z. at June 29, 2008 3:17 AM

comment #9

EDouglas says ...

I was going to ask if Guillermo ALWAYS wore a suit nowadays but that's right, last night was the premiere so maybe he went out and was buying stuff while the movie was showing.

Posted by EDouglas at June 29, 2008 4:42 AM

comment #10

mutinyco says ...

Admit it. You caught him in the porno section, and threatened to tell people unless he agreed to have his photo taken...

Posted by mutinyco at June 29, 2008 8:10 AM

comment #11

p.Vice says ...

[Comment deleted due to personal insult/slander element and general asininity and asshole-ishness of the poster.]

Posted by p.Vice at June 29, 2008 8:53 AM

comment #12

LaserBlazer says ...

Indeed, he was here during the screening. He did his intro and then came in to shop. Guillermo, a long time customer, has honored us with autograph signings for both Cronos and Hellboy. Says he'll be back to do a Hellboy II signing! Thanks Jeff for taking that cool photo.

Posted by LaserBlazer at June 29, 2008 8:57 AM

comment #13

lazarus says ...

Could you be more of a dipshit, p.Vice? Obviously if Del Toro is quoted in the banner at the top of this site, he doesn't consider Jeff second-tier, and knows him well enough to be more than happy to take a picture.

People are so preoccupied with taking potshots at Wells and other posters that they completely ignore reality, the truth, etc.

Really lame.

Posted by lazarus at June 29, 2008 9:03 AM

comment #14

redmond says ...

p.Vice does your Mommy know you're visiting a website where they sometimes say naughty words? I'm sure it's hard for her what with school being out for the summer, but I hear that's lots of fun things for kids to do. Like, I dunno, playing in traffic. You should give it a whirl.

Posted by redmond at June 29, 2008 9:22 AM

comment #15

tjfar67 says ...

Damn, I never have any chance encounters with anyone cool....I did meet Skippy from Family Ties while working at a dry cleaners though...

Posted by tjfar67 at June 29, 2008 9:47 AM

comment #16

JD says ...

Hey Jeff, was GDT being anti-Blu-ray in general or was he just complaining about a few select discs? I haven't had a chance to watch Hellboy or Pan's Labyrinth on Blu-ray yet, but both transfers have been well-reviewed.

Posted by JD at June 29, 2008 10:37 AM

comment #17

GKLondon says ...

I bumped into Guillermo Del Toro briefly in London 4 years ago in the Cinema Store (where poor geeks like myself flock to buy overpriced DVD's etc.). He seemed very friendly and approachable and recommended I buy Oldboy. Nice dude, and with such impeccable taste.

Posted by GKLondon at June 29, 2008 10:56 AM

comment #18