#2 - Cloverfield

This is a movie I have been waiting for a long time. The moment we got that trailer with Transformers, all vague yet awesome, I was stoked to see this. The viral campaigning that JJ and Co did only stoked my flames, and I admittedly did not go that deep into it all, merely keeping up with all the buzz. With all the anticipation, there were really only two options for this film: fall flat on its' face or absolutely kick ass.

It did the latter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I loathe The Blair Witch Project which many compare this to because of the hand cam style. But this movie was just awesome through and through. You don't know much about the characters really, there's a going away party for one of the guys, and there's girl drama. Back story, check. From there, it really becomes, "OH SHIT, there's a giant something owning NYC, RUN!" And you would think, a plot like that should suck, but it honestly doesn't.

I would have to say my favorite thing in the movie, aside from its' general awesomeness, was the humor that came out of it. It really all exuded from Hud, the guy with the camera. He is dumb as nails, and spends the entire movie hitting on a chick, even while running from the Oh Shit Monster and its' minions (Spoiler in white, highlight at your own risk). Humor is often used to break or ease the tension in horror movies and in this it succeeds.

The other thing I really have to saw about this movie, and I think what makes it such a good movie, is that throughout it, it almost seems believable. It probably is the camera style, and just the general attitude of the script, but you are sitting there thinking wow, this could actually be happening. That's pretty impressive considering the movie is solely about a giant monster f'ing over New York.

I want to see this again. Reason A is I did not get a poster like the people at the other movie theater did, and it is an awesome one that I would frame. But B because it is a JJ Abrams movie, and I bet there's a lot more to it. That's just how JJ rolls, and I eat it up. And last, a bonus to all you who have not seen it, apparently there is something after the credits, which is foolishly (I can't believe I forgot to stay) did not see.

In the end, even with the movie making me dizzy at times, confused at others, I loved it. This gives me hope for Star Trek, because apparently whatever JJ touches turns to gold. I give this movie an awesomely stunning, yet still vague meh.

Date: 1.18.08
Cost: $8
Running Time: 84 minutes
Companions: Paige O'Hara
Anticipated Spot on the 100: 3