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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God grant me (a) the serenity to accept the bad movies I cannot stop from being made that I will probably wind up seeing anyway because I have to try and stay current because I write a daily column, (b) the courage to refuse to see the really bad films that come along that are truly bad for your soul, like Wanted, and (c) the wisdom to know the difference.

Contempt<< previous | next >>Not a Stretch

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 3, 2008 at 3:14 PM

comment #1

sardine says ...

watnted is crap. mc avoy is brilliant in it.

Posted by sardine at July 3, 2008 3:19 PM

comment #2

Geoff says ...

McAvoy was brilliantly cast in ATONEMENT. That's all there is.

Posted by Geoff at July 3, 2008 3:28 PM

comment #3

Chase Kahn says ...

I liked WANTED better than GET SMART, who wants to watch a comedy that isn't funny...

Posted by Chase Kahn at July 3, 2008 3:57 PM

comment #4

LYT says ...

I just know that some editor or other is going to ask me to watch and review Friedberg & Seltzer's DISASTER MOVIE. And because I could use the money, I won't refuse, as I haven't with their last two.

But god damn, I wish someone would stop them.

Posted by LYT at July 3, 2008 4:03 PM

comment #5

Arran says ...

Did you just quote Rambo?

Posted by Arran at July 3, 2008 4:52 PM

comment #6

Andrew says ...

Amen.

Posted by Andrew at July 3, 2008 4:56 PM

comment #7

roman says ...

Have to disagree: McAvoy would be at the top of my long list of everything wrong with Wanted. Man, it's pretty bad. It had some redeeming qualities, though, but not enough to save it from the word of mouth that will crush it.

Posted by roman at July 3, 2008 4:58 PM

comment #8

romeoisbleeding says ...

Thanks Jeff for making me laugh. I needed that today. And Wanted is crap. Amen

Posted by romeoisbleeding at July 3, 2008 5:01 PM

comment #9

Aladdin Sane says ...

McAvoy was the best thing in Wanted. At least he had the sense to try and elevate the material. Too bad everything else in it drags it down.

Posted by Aladdin Sane at July 3, 2008 9:05 PM

comment #10

Reedyb says ...

Oh, why am I posting this here, but Wanted is NOT CRAP.

Did anyone see Nightwatch or Daywatch?

Sure, they had their bad moments, but they were full of life. So is Wanted.

Yes, Wanted would play better if you imagined it in Cantonese with a John Woo stamp, but it is a heck of a lot of fun if you go with it.

I remember a Village Voice article from the early 80's which had the Coen Brothers commenting that Runaway Train (from a story by Kurosawa) would have been a better movie if it was in Japanese with English subtitles.

Wanted is a little like that.

But if you liked "Shoot em Up" and I think you did, then Wanted should be right up your alley.

Posted by Reedyb at July 3, 2008 9:38 PM

comment #11

Terry McCarty says ...

Chase Kahn wrote:
I liked WANTED better than GET SMART, who wants to watch a comedy that isn't funny...

Maybe someone could prank-call Fox on Monday and say that Steve Carell wants to do a SILVER STREAK remake.....

Posted by Terry McCarty at July 3, 2008 10:17 PM

comment #12

iamwhoiam says ...

That was funny, Jeff. I'm still so pissed at Wanted. It's been a while since a movie made me so upset. What a disgusting piece of shit. Next time Angelina Jolie goes to Africa to save some kid from the hell, she should be reminded that she did this worthless, immoral "hit", idolizing weapons, murder and gratuitous violance. There isn't one good thing in it.

Posted by iamwhoiam at July 3, 2008 11:22 PM

comment #13

nola says ...

Ha. Unfortunately I think you will be saying that prayer quite a bit during the next 12 months.

Posted by nola at July 3, 2008 11:26 PM

comment #14

nemo says ...

"Did anyone see Nightwatch or Daywatch?"

"Sure, they had their bad moments, but they were full of life. So is Wanted."

"... the Coen Brothers commenting that Runaway Train (from a story by Kurosawa) would have been a better movie if it was in Japanese with English subtitles."

I was quite taken by the cleverly pixillated subtitles in Nightwatch. They were like the fizz in a really good gin and tonic. In fact, it would have been an inferior experience without subtitles. I never saw Daywatch.

Yes, Nightwatch was dopey and disappointing in many ways. But it was at least as good or better than any of the half dozen or more American action blockbusters that clog up the movie screens every summer. I'd rather be subjected to a second screening of Nightwatch than have to sit through Hulk or Hancock even once.

Runaway Train has always been a favorite of mine. I'm not sure it would be a better movie with subtitles, but it probably would have gotten more of the respect it deserved.

Posted by nemo at July 4, 2008 9:19 AM

comment #15