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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Meryl Streep is not going to be Oscar nominated for her performance in Mamma Mia!. Okay, possibly a Golden Globe nomination or win...maybe. But forget the Academy. However good or wonderful Streep may be in this upcoming ABBA musical, AMPAS members will stick to the straight and narrow and nominate for her Doubt, if they nominate her at all.

My perception is that Mamma Mia!'s reputation went south with the hip crowd once the Hollywood Reporter's Ray Bennett flipped for it. That was it -- the death knell. Those actresses playing the girlfriends of Amanda Seyfried going "oh...my...God!" were just icing on the cake.

Sardonic Bill<< previous | next >>Mexican Film Buffs Shafted

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 4, 2008 at 1:45 PM

comment #1

BurmaShave says ...

The Envelope in general makes me pretty sad, but that article in particular... I dont know, the vapid nature of the Oscar race seems especially ridiculous this year. Just looked at a fucking Iraqi orphan on Huffington Post for fucks sake. Happy 4th everybody.

Posted by BurmaShave at July 4, 2008 2:06 PM

comment #2

hepwa says ...

I can't imagine she'll be nominated either, but then again, I haven't seen the film yet! So I can't predict anything about it and neither can you. This is all dumb speculation. Frankly, I don't want the "hip crowd" (whatever the hell that is) to go see "Mamma Mia" -- it's not made for the "hip crowd", it's made for people who just want to go out and have a little fun at the movies. I don't think there's anything too hip about people who spazz out over "The Hulk" and "Hellboy". Anyway, I'm glad you're sure. Whatever.

Posted by hepwa at July 4, 2008 3:11 PM

comment #3

kingspiffo says ...

Des Partridge, the film critic for the local newspaper here in Brisbane (down in Australia, natch), gave the film five stars and said it was "the happiest, funniest, sunniest and most engaging movie musical since Seven Brides for Seven Brothers more than 50 years ago."

For some reason I'm not convinced... but then, I'm struggling to think of more than a handful of happy, funny, sunny and engaging musicals off the top of my head, so maybe he's right by default. But hey, I just woke up so maybe they'll come to me.

Posted by kingspiffo at July 4, 2008 4:24 PM

comment #4

gruver1 says ...

Wells to Kingspiffo: That's it -- Des Partridge is on the suspect list. "Happiest, funniest, sunniest," etc? Is he taking happiness pills? Never trust anyone who celebrates good vibrations for their own sake. All good critics wear a little bit of a frown.

Posted by gruver1 at July 4, 2008 4:53 PM

comment #5

scooterzz says ...

i'm willing to bet that the one adjective you won't see in a review of this film is 'proficient'....

Posted by scooterzz at July 4, 2008 5:07 PM

comment #6

Edward says ...

My wife loves ABBA and she and my daughter really are looking forward to this. To each their own. I've already expressed my feelings about Mama Mia! so I won't comment further.

Posted by Edward at July 4, 2008 6:29 PM

comment #7

bmcintire says ...

"i'm willing to bet that the one adjective you won't see in a review of this film is 'proficient'...."
Yes, because, as an artist, "proficient" would be just the adjective I'd be clamoring for in a review.

"All good critics wear a little bit of a frown."
Especially if they are curmugeonly fuckwits.

Again, Jeffrey, your buzz, your spin and your feel for this picture all mean nothing until you've seen the thing. I haven't yet, and am holding no special affinity for it. But this line of premature criticism is sadly and obviously ramping up as your pre-Oscar Hatred Campaign. Clearly it's not your cup of tea. Everybody already knows that.

It's only July. Relax already.

Posted by bmcintire at July 5, 2008 2:50 AM

comment #8

Mgmax says ...

"the happiest, funniest, sunniest and most engaging movie musical since Seven Brides for Seven Brothers more than 50 years ago."

Better than LOST HORIZON?!?!?

Posted by Mgmax at July 5, 2008 6:42 AM

comment #9

nemo says ...

No, he's wrong. Springtime for Hitler in The Producers (the original) is the happiest, funniest, sunniest and most engaging movie musical since Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Posted by nemo at July 5, 2008 8:39 AM

comment #10