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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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Mayor Tut-Tuts Brolin

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Cedric B. Glover, Mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, has responded to Josh Brolin's account of the famous altercation that happened at the Stray Cat bar in Shrevesport last July.

I ran Brolin's statement yesterday in a piece that came out of an interview at the W. junket. Glover read it and sent his response by e-mail to Shrevesport Times reporter Alexandyr Kent. Here it is:

"There is an interesting presumption of privilege in Mr. Brolin's comments. He appears to be blurring the line between reality and his on-screen persona. As Southerners we inherently go out of our way to make our guests and visitors feel welcome and at home. However, the expectation that legitimate charges would be summarily dismissed by me, the Chief of Police or the City Attorney is not in line with the way this administration is leading the city of Shreveport.

"At every level, from City Hall, to our faith community, to our neighborhoods, we are working diligently to make all of Shreveport safer and better. Crucial to that effort is the equal and consistent application of the law.

"But make no mistake, we treasure and value all that the film industry has brought to our community. We will continue to pursue every opportunity available to bring this industry to our region. And we will continue to make all those who come feel wanted, appreciated and welcomed." -- Cedric B. Glover, Mayor of Shreveport."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 8, 2008 at 6:50 PM

comment #1

Matthew Lucas says ...

I live in the south, and I know for a fact that the part about going out of the way to make guests and visitors feel welcome and at home is simply not true. Southern hospitality only applies if you're white, Christian, conservative, and straight.

That's not true with everyone, but for a regrettable vast majority, it most certainly is.

Posted by Matthew Lucas at October 8, 2008 7:11 PM

comment #2

bobby1976 says ...

I second Matthew Lucas.

Atlanta, Ga

Posted by bobby1976 at October 8, 2008 7:25 PM

comment #3

duck dodgers says ...

[Duck Dodgers has been given the heave-ho. The man is totally delusional about my having changed the spelling on his posts. He's rabid. Saliva is collecting in little bubbles in the corners of his mouth. Another right-wing wacko given the hook -- good thing.]

Posted by duck dodgers at October 8, 2008 8:02 PM

comment #4

Chapman Carruthers says ...

That's hilarious. Really and truly.

Wells, I'd be honored if you molested my text.

Posted by Chapman Carruthers at October 8, 2008 8:08 PM

comment #5

varla says ...

What a Quacko!

Posted by varla at October 8, 2008 8:11 PM

comment #6

Josh Massey says ...

I think Matthew and Bobby need to get out more.

Atlanta, GA

Posted by Josh Massey at October 8, 2008 8:13 PM

comment #7

62Lincoln says ...

I second Josh Massey.

Atlanta, Ga.

Posted by 62Lincoln at October 9, 2008 4:37 AM

comment #8

JaySmack says ...

John, I LIVE in Shreveport. I think YOU need to get out more. Matthew is right, you're wrong. Every southern politician loves to play off that "we southerners are an accomodating bunch" line, because they know there's people (many of them southerners themselves) who's view of the south has been formed mostly by the movies and are gullible enough to buy it.

As for Glover's latest statement.

All the jelly-donuts Glover eats are clogging the bloodflow to his otherwise empty head. Considering that the city's attorney's office hasn't won a single damn lawsuit in YEARS, and that most of the money the city is forced to pay in legal settlements is almost always due to police misconduct, I woudln't be shooting off my mouth if I were Glover. The smart thing to do is drop the charges and move on. Almost all of these "charges" are being leveled by the police themselves, not the so-called aggrieved bar owner.

Word out mouth has a lot to do with where movie makers choose to make their films. Kevin Coster helped us a LOT by making the Guardian and Mr Brooks back to back here. God only knows how many productions might think twice before coming here just because Glover is too prideful to admit his boys in blue made a mistake.

Posted by JaySmack at October 9, 2008 5:01 AM

comment #9

T. S. Idiot says ...

I don't know anything about Shreveport, but I spent five years in Baton Rouge among the rudest, quickest-tempered people in the world. When I told a friend in South Carolina I was moving to Louisiana, he warned me that the folks there were the meanest he'd ever encountered. He was retired from the air force and had lived all over.

I've lived in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, New York, and New Jersey, and the Louisianans were by far the strangest I've ever encountered, constantly throwing hissy fits over nothing.

Posted by T. S. Idiot at October 9, 2008 5:28 AM

comment #10

D.Lo says ...

I am with Matthew and Bobby...although I would add you better be Southern born and raised as well. I was born in the South, raised in the North, but I came home as quickly as I could. I moved to a tiny town in South Georgia, and even though I am white, christian, conservative and straight, I was treated with prejudice because of my accent or lack there of.

Besides...Mr. Massey and Mr. Lincoln...you don't live in the South...didn't you hear Atlanta seceded? :o) It's what it seems like anyway...the last time I was there I had to leave the Perimeter before I found someone who spoke English.

Posted by D.Lo at October 9, 2008 5:43 AM

comment #11

D.Lo says ...

In addition...I had to hit Hampton before I found someone remotely hospitable.

Posted by D.Lo at October 9, 2008 5:45 AM

comment #12

JaySmack says ...

We've got a fool for a police chief and a jackass for a mayor.

Posted by JaySmack at October 9, 2008 6:01 AM

comment #13

Josh Massey says ...

Well D.Lo, I can say with certainty that small-town Georgians definitely hate perceived Yankees more than a gay, black, liberal Jew.

And Louisiana doesn't count. Those people don't limit their boundless craziness to racism, sexism, political ideology, etc. They're freakin' nuts across the board.

(By the way, while I live inside the Atlanta perimeter, I work in Conyers - so I have my insight into the Bible Belt mentality on a daily basis).

Posted by Josh Massey at October 9, 2008 10:18 AM

comment #14