Cloverfield - Paramount

YAWN .... Wake me when its over

The title says it all.
EVERY TIME I tried to watch this movie, I wound up falling asleep!!
(at least I know what to watch IF I ever have insomnia - There's ALWAYS something positive in every negative)

I tried 3 different times to watch this movie. NO LUCK
FINALLY, on the FOURTH attempt (with a friend who really wanted to see it) I drank one of those little 5 HOUR ENERGY things. (They WORK)

BUT, it was a mistake!! I should have just let myself go to sleep and ignore my friend. (BTW, my friend did NOT like the movie either - She wound up falling asleep - LOL!!!)

Movie: 3.5/5 Picture Quality: 2.5~4.5/5 Sound Quality: 5/5 Extras: 4.25/5

Version: U.S.A / Region Free
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
VC-1 BD-50

Running time: 1:24:40
Movie size: 24,852,836,352 bytes
Disc size: 42,219,444,202 bytes
Average video bit rate: 30.42 Mbps
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit) English
Dolby Digital 5.1 640 Kbps French / Spanish / Portuguese
Subtitles: English / English SDH / French / Spanish / Portuguese

#Director's Commentary
#Cloverfield Visual Effects (HD, 23 minutes)
#The Making of Cloverfield (HD, 28 minutes)
#I Saw It! It's Alive! It's Huge! (HD, 6 minutes)
#Deleted Scenes (HD, 3 minutes)
#Alternate Endings (HD, 5 minutes)
#Clover Fun (HD, 4 minutes)
#Viral Videos
#X Creatures
#Military Cast

Nothing like a monster terrorizing NYC

I saw this movie opening night with no idea of what to expect, due to the mysterious posters and trailers. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself watching the documentary of something large and weird destroying New York City.

To be perfectly honest, I cannot decide if this movie was supposed to be serious or not. I was under the impression it was pure camp, what with the classic and simple giant monster and the smaller monsters lurking in the darkness. But yes, the key word is classic. Monster movies have definitely made their niche in cinema culture, and I guess they figured it was high time for another one.

Besides the monster, much of the movie focused on the emotional plot line of the humans desperately trying to reach each other. I was interested in their courageous trek through Ground Zero, though I was mostly interested in watching them scream and run from various dangers. Still, I could appreciate the humanity.

The effects. Oh, wow. Now these were some nice effects, from the Statue of Liberty literally losing her head to tilted buildings. The monsters, while still looking classically Hollywood camp, were awe/fear inspiring.

I don't know if I experienced the same terror as the teenagers in the theatre as I spent a good deal of time laughing, but I was certainly entertained.

Old school works. This proves it. Remember that, Hollywood.

Worst movie EVER!

Want to watch a 19 something bunch of kids run around Manhattan with no clue, no acting ability and 5 minutes of good CGI. Well then you will love Cloverfield. This is the first movie I have wanted to pluck my eyes out over. This sucked SO BAD. I watched it for some redeeming qualities and found NONE (except when it ended; sweet relief). Don't even waste your time if someone gives it to you for free (they are just trying to get rid of the worst movie ever). Not even worth a look at $0.99 rentals. At least with Netflix it was not the only movie I got...

I really wanted to hate this but,

I didn't. The movie snob in me wanted to stick my nose up at it, but I just couldn't.

Summary: Rob is leaving for Japan (hee GODZIRRA!) and Lily, his brother Jason's girlfriend, is throwing him a surprise going away party. Rob is in love with Beth, a girl he's been FRIENDS with since college - but are on the outs (watch the movie if you want to know why.) Beth leaves the party, cue big bangs and explosion, running and screaming, a glimpse of the monster and me feeling just a tad freaked out. Rob, Lily, Marlena, and Hud (your camera man for the evening) go off to save Beth - because that's what Rob wants, and he's kind of a big deal in this movie.

Why I liked this movie?
*The monster was actually very well done, and REAAAALY freaking scary looking.
*The hand held camera didn't bug me at all. I don't see why people are complaining about it. Maybe I'm used to watching home videos and youtube videos.
*I like what J.J.A. is trying to do (giving the US their own Godzilla).
*I actually watched the Extra features and have more of an understanding & appreciation for what they were going for.
*Unlike Blair Witch, it wasn't pretentious.
*The special effects were really great.

What I didn't like:
*The acting wasn't great. The only character I actually liked was Hud.
*I think there were other good story angles that could've been used that weren't so cliched as "going to save the woman I love!"
*Because of the overlapping of the video, the very first part of the film was a bit confusing. Note! Pay attention to the date at the bottom of the screen.
*In an effort to make the film feel a little "post-apocalyptic" you get no extra information than what is provided on the home video. This left me kind of frustrated at the end.
*The love story was LAME. Would've done better if they focused more on the comedy and action.

It was okay for what it was. I hated BWP & Godzilla 98 - but I enjoyed this. I was entertained - I'm not afraid to say it! The monster put knots in my stomach. Ugly mofo. If there's a sequel I'll see...probably at the $1 show though. Heck I didn't even buy this DVD, my mom gave it to me.