Talking Points: Are You Going to See Cloverfield?

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 16, 2008

We have a well-documented history of spreading the love to Paramount’s monster movie Cloverfield, as we have been following it closely since July 2, 2007 when the first teaser trailer preceded Transformers. Since then, this monster movie has become — for lack of a better term — a hype monster with a mind of its own. Thanks to viral marketing, producer J.J. Abrams’ committment to keeping information under lock and key and the lowkey personas of director Matt Reeves and his young cast, we have seen nothing but more and more build up for this January release.

On top of all that, we are seeing positive reactions from all corners of the webosphere. Our own Robert Fure hit us with an early review and said that it “is a mixture of Jaws, The Blair Witch Project, and Godzilla. It actually bears a lot of similarities to the American “reimagining” of Godzilla, but without the Doritos ads (It’s Nokia, this time) and less fish jokes, French men, and mini-Godzilli (Godzillas?). But to be fair to Cloverfield, it’s much better than that steaming pile of fish guts.”

And there is more. Of course we know that Harry Knowles goo’d all over it, but thats not all. Our good friend Alex and First Showing called it a “classic”. Another friend of the Rejects, Vic at Screenrant also gave it much love: “Will it win an Oscar or Golden Globe? Heck no. Was it fun and exciting to sit through? Hell yes. This is what the ridiculously weak American version of Godzilla that came out a few years ago should have been.”

So there you have it — that is what the pros have to say about the flick. The consensus seems to be that it is a lot of fun and that it lives up to the hype. Then again, it appears that you must take it for what it is. So that leads us to our Wednesday Talking Points:

Talking Point #1: Are you going to head out to see Cloverfield this weekend?

Talking Point #2: Based on the hype plus the positive reaction from reviewers, do you think Cloverfield is going to be a runaway hit, smoking the early year box office?

Let us know what you think in the “Sound Off” area below. Would you like to suggest a “Talking Point” topic? Just drop a line to neil@filmschoolrejects.com.

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Jeremy m

I'm still pumped to see this movie.

Even after loads of people decided on jumping on the 'it's over hyped' bandwagon.
It will do very well on the box office because nothing, right now anyway, is rivaling it...

and because it's over hyped.

Dee

I went to see the premier showing of Cloverfield last night. If I would have paid I would of asked for a refund. This was one of the worst films I have ever seeing.
Over 25 people got up and walked out half way through the movie and the others that stayed wandered straight into the restrooms when they got out, probably to go throw up. If you are going to brave it and try and watch just remember to bring a barf bag and take something for motion sickness before going in. My 2 year old neice could of kept the camera more steady than these people did!

Robert Fure

I really lit a fire under the "Its over-hyped" camp and thought/still think/know its overhyped. But check out the review we have posted (still on our front page) and you'll find I really enjoyed it. For all the talk about how unique and different and original it was, I really found it comfortable and just a different POV on the tried and true monster-disaster flick.

Though undoubtedly many of the older generation wont sit through shakey-cam.

Jordan

i'm seeing a free screening tonight. can't say i've been really hyped to see it, but i got a chance to go, so what the hell.

Kyurious Hype

We seem to treat seeing movies in the theatre like some sort of reflection on our judgement, like its some sort of social "investment" that says something about us. Fellas, its going to see a movie in the theatre. You might be spending an extra 2.50 watching it in the theater vs. renting it and seeing it on your tiny boob tube. Please.

I respect the filmaker's decisions, from what i've seen so far to brave the shaky barfamatography and check it out. Plus, that's the only way you can really find out if its "over-hyped" or not.

And for the record, over-hyped = good marketing.

Croucher

OK. I just saw this movie, and I wish i hadn't. It's terrible. The use of constant 1st person view throughout the film really gets boring and annoying especially when the guy holding the "hand-held" camera is a moron and gets really annoying. There is no explanation of anything at all. Where is came from, What it is, Why does it have things spawning off it and even Did we kill it? not even that is explained everyone just dies. its ridiculous.
If you will listen to me, which i really recommend you do.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR EYESIGHT ON THIS FILM.
Nothing makes sense, it doesn't even entertain you at all.
YES its original
YES its different
YES its shit.
Also, the shaky cam is over done and by the quality of the film he must've had a massive camera over his shoulder the whole time because its don't in 16mm film quality

Ols

The film was good fun and a great way of introducing us to the story, which, I hope, will be continued bigger and better next year. This monster has potential and it is creepy to boot.

Lizzy

i saw this on opening night. it was wonderful, i felt really car sick throughout the whole thing but it was worth the hype. they didnt skip out on showing the thing. lots of money shots.

Justus

I am dissapointed in people that think they're critics. To those that spend a year trying to solve the mystery of the monster, nice try, but bravo anyways.

I say this the night of the 17th (the midnight premier) and I avoided the whole hype of it, as I don't watch much TV. I figured I'd go see it because the plot sounded interesting. The first five minute, yes... I was feeling a little dizzy from the camera, but once the "cameraman" hands it off to the next guy-- 'Hud' gets a few shots of sake and tons of beer in 'em he's fine to shoot, pretty well I might add. I have no complains about the camera besides the beginning, because it was unecessary.

In the style of another comment here:
NO, Not much is really explained, but does it HAVE to be? Do the 'good guys' always have to prevail?
NO, it isn't crap.
YES, definately original. I think JJ Abrams accomplished his goal for America's own monster to rival Japan's Godzilla.
YES it is a damn good movie.

It was like an action-suspense/action-drama/action-horror/action-scifi. Did I mention action? Very good balance of all the genres, but mostly action.

Yeeeeeeeeah, action.... Awesome.

Tommy

This movie was incredibly well done. At the very beginning the shaky cam is annoying, but you get used to it pretty quickly, and it's plenty worth it.
Best monster movie i've ever seen, easily.

I saw it opening day and the day after. Do yourself a favor, get some friends together, and GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

Talking Points: Are You Going to See Cloverfield?

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