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)

Who's on McDonalds?

A Robocop-era outtake of Gene Siskel and Rogert Ebert, to wit: "He asked the McDonald's girls if he could have apple pie with his order before they asked him! Wants some salad with your apple pie? They worked through the whole fucking menu! He ordered every fucking thing they have!" (YouTube clip stolen/copied from Patrick Goldstein's bloggy-blog...I think. I still can't tell the difference between the blog and the weekly dead-tree "Big Picture" column because those lazy-ass Times designer guys can't be bothered to create a real stylistic distinction.)

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 23, 2008 at 8:02 AM

comment #1

DavidF says ...

Fun clip.
I didn't remember that wearing matching sweater vests was part of their shtick...It was a more innocent time.

Posted by DavidF at July 23, 2008 8:16 AM

comment #2

Midwest Doug says ...

Wow. Siskel kills Ebert at first, but then Ebert slices him like a razor. And they maintain great humor and cameraderie throughout. And of course, get right back to "on screen" mode.

Posted by Midwest Doug at July 23, 2008 8:19 AM

comment #3

Rich S. says ...

This is why their teaming was so great. Though they (kind of) respected one another, there was a genuine undercurrent of dislike. I remember one whole episode they dedicated to things they didn't like about each other and reviews each one couldn't believe the other had given. Roger gave Gene all holy hell about buying Travolta's actual white suit from Saturday Night Fever. Good times.

Posted by Rich S. at July 23, 2008 8:21 AM

comment #4

Bilge says ...

Yeah, I prefer these clips where they seem to still be sort of getting along as opposed to the ones where you're actually worried one is going to choke the other.

Damn, do I miss Siskel, though. A really sad loss.

Posted by Bilge at July 23, 2008 8:25 AM

comment #5

corey3rd says ...

i liked the fact that this wasn't merely an act.

Posted by corey3rd at July 23, 2008 9:20 AM

comment #6

115thDreamer says ...

Man, that's just gold....takes me back. The one that Gene always busted Roger's balls about was Roger's thumbs up review of "Cop And a Half". And I remember Gene gave a thumbs down to "Casino", and Roger was beside himself. And they were always a riot when they went on Stern, of course. I'll never forget the time Roger offered his current weight, and Gene was so insistent that he was full of shit that a Stern staffer was sent to buy a scale so that a weigh-in could be held. Turns out Roger was fibbing a bit, of course. Good times.

Posted by 115thDreamer at July 23, 2008 9:35 AM

comment #7

Tim says ...

What a classic, classic paring. You couldn't write it better.

Posted by Tim at July 23, 2008 9:40 AM

comment #8

Admiral82 says ...

That's just funny. I agree, they got under each others skin. But, there was a mutual respect. Both points are obvious in this clip...

I liked when Siskel gave high praise to "Practical Magic." Ebert professed that they must not of seen the same movie.

Posted by Admiral82 at July 23, 2008 10:03 AM

comment #9

Ray says ...

LOL ... I was just watching this yesterday!! Jeff, have you been snooping on my computer, or are we psychically linked??

This clip demonstrates what true friendship is all about. These two guys, despite their disagreements, actually loved each other. They could poke fun at one another without feeling offended or hurt ... they had fun. Any great relationship has this crucial element.

Does anyone really think that Ben & Ben can ever match this type of effortless chemistry????

Posted by Ray at July 23, 2008 11:23 AM

comment #10

BurmaShave says ...

Yeah this is the true fraternity I remember from them growing up. Just great. I'm really glad Ebert is still with us and writing. His DARK KNIGHT rave was the best I saw by far.

Anyone know where I could find an archive of Gene Siskel's print reviews? I'm curious.

Posted by BurmaShave at July 23, 2008 11:37 AM

comment #11

corey3rd says ...

The twosome didn't really start loving each other until they had been doing the show for several years. There was always competition between the two - little things to make each other jealous. They were Kobe-Shaq "love"

Posted by corey3rd at July 23, 2008 11:42 AM

comment #12

Terry McCarty says ...

I still fondly remember the episode of THE CRITIC where Lovitz' character reunites Siskel and Ebert after they've had a spat.

Posted by Terry McCarty at July 23, 2008 1:23 PM

comment #13

Arran says ...

I loved that episode, Terry (and that show in general). I remember the scene with Gene auditioning new co-hosts.

Candidate: And Tim Allen delivers yet another immensely likeable performance, showing once more that Disney may not make the kind of films that win Oscars, but they can still delight audiences.
Siskel: You're Satan, aren't you?
Candidate (immediately morphing into the prince of darkness): YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, SISKEL!

Posted by Arran at July 23, 2008 2:39 PM

comment #14

Sendyhong says ...

Have u guys heard that he ever appeared on the wealthy dating club **R I C H L O V I N G.C O M*** for hot singles to hook up for Hot Love and Sexy Dating? There are his hot photos and Lots of hot girls are found in his circle there. I've been there for day, it seems the girls are not hard to hook up.lol

Posted by Sendyhong at July 24, 2008 3:06 AM

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