Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOILERS INSIDE!!!]

[prepneck0285]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I don't know what movie you saw but there was a plot... the characters were believable and you actually felt for them... and the ending was good... better than "oh the monster is dead everyone is safe and happy like every other Hollywood monster movie."

***GREAT RETURN***

 

[falconfan]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I don't know what movie you saw but there was a plot... the characters were believable and you actually felt for them... and the ending was good... better than "oh the monster is dead everyone is safe and happy like every other Hollywood monster movie."

The ending was silly and predictable. They tried to force a romance they never adequately established down your throat. Both the characters and the plot were very simplistic and one dimensional. It's mindless action which is fine for an action film but if one is not a fan of it it's certainly doesn't make you a 'mental midget.' PLEASE. It was a predictable, unoriginal movie that was made entertaining by some quick camera work. But the camera is only one part of a movie.

The same day I saw Jack Lemmon and Shirley McClain in The Apartment and it was infinitely better... despite the lack of a 100 foot monster.

 

[StlKj]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

There was no real romance, falcon. That's the thing. We got to see glimpses of one perfect day in the lives of two people who loved each other for years, but out of fear never acted on it except for that one time. It's obvious that they (probably Rob) retreated back into "friendship" and were letting the possibilities slip away from them. It's why Rob tries so hard to get back to her; he realizes he's never told her he loves her, and now he may lose her forever.

 

[JOHN B]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

It was a GREAT movie! If it had been done as a regular "monster attacks city" movie with the perspective of a "observer" as in regular movies, it would not have worked. This movie was shown in just the right format to make it an edge of your seat thriller.

 

[falconfan]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

There was no real romance, falcon. That's the thing. We got to see glimpses of one perfect day in the lives of two people who loved each other for years, but out of fear never acted on it except for that one time. It's obvious that they (probably Rob) retreated back into "friendship" and were letting the possibilities slip away from them. It's why Rob tries so hard to get back to her; he realizes he's never told her he loves her, and now he may lose her forever.

See but that's the thing they try to make it a romance. The last thing they leave you with is the sappy crappy romantic shit that there was no foundation for. Yes he loved her. He went back for her. You see it in his words and actions that they establish but it's not a love story and it shouldn't be. It's a stupid way to end and it only gets stupider when that thing plummets in the river... that's basically we should add some sort of shock to end with. Don't shock me if there's nothing to it. Maybe leave with an eeriee Twilight Zone-esque, unsettling shot or leave me with a happy ending I don't care... but don't leave me with a nonsense twist and a romance that was half baked at best. I've got no problem with mindless action/horror. Just be honest about it. I hate it when films dress themselves up like they're something they're not.

 

[StlKj]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

See but that's the thing they try to make it a romance. The last thing they leave you with is the sappy crappy romantic shit that there was no foundation for. Yes he loved her. He went back for her. You see it in his words and actions that they establish but it's not a love story and it shouldn't be. It's a stupid way to end and it only gets stupider when that thing plummets in the river... that's basically we should add some sort of shock to end with. Don't shock me if there's nothing to it. Maybe leave with an eeriee Twilight Zone-esque, unsettling shot or leave me with a happy ending I don't care... but don't leave me with a nonsense twist and a romance that was half baked at best. I've got no problem with mindless action/horror. Just be honest about it. I hate it when films dress themselves up like they're something they're not.

I don't understand how this movie dressed up like something it was not. The trailer for this film was two minutes of a bunch of young New Yorkers at a party. Their building shakes, something in the distance seems to explode. Pieces fly at them, so they run downstairs. Something we don't see knocks the head of the Statue of Liberty into the street as they gawk into the distance.

That's exactly what the movie was about--people reacting to something causing destruction. Yes, we all began to understand that it was a monster movie over the months that followed, but even those details were kept under wraps. What did we continue to see in the ads? The humans and their reactions. The commercials asked "Who would you go back for?"

We weren't promised a horror movie or a sci fi movie. We were promised a movie about people going about their lives, who then have to confront a devastating force while trying to survive and save their loved ones. Now whether or not you found those people and their stories interesting, that's a valid point.

But as far as I can tell, it was dressed appropriately.

 

[falconfan]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I don't understand how this movie dressed up like something it was not. The trailer for this film was two minutes of a bunch of young New Yorkers at a party. Their building shakes, something in the distance seems to explode. Pieces fly at them, so they run downstairs. Something we don't see knocks the head of the Statue of Liberty into the street as they gawk into the distance.

That's exactly what the movie was about--people reacting to something causing destruction. Yes, we all began to understand that it was a monster movie over the months that followed, but even those details were kept under wraps. What did we continue to see in the ads? The humans and their reactions. The commercials asked "Who would you go back for?"

We weren't promised a horror movie or a sci fi movie. We were promised a movie about people going about their lives, who then have to confront a devastating force while trying to survive and save their loved ones. Now whether or not you found those people and their stories interesting, that's a valid point.

But as far as I can tell, it was dressed appropriately.

Perhaps it's more so the way it was marketed that raises my ire... like what was the deal with this whole HUGE cloak of secrecy... um what was there that had to be kept so secret? After seeing it I know everything I knew before not seeing it. Its just ridiculousness. It's an OK movie that was able maintain suspense with an underutilized method of photography... that hardly makes it worth all this hoopla

 

[prepneck0285]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I don't understand how this movie dressed up like something it was not. The trailer for this film was two minutes of a bunch of young New Yorkers at a party. Their building shakes, something in the distance seems to explode. Pieces fly at them, so they run downstairs. Something we don't see knocks the head of the Statue of Liberty into the street as they gawk into the distance.

That's exactly what the movie was about--people reacting to something causing destruction. Yes, we all began to understand that it was a monster movie over the months that followed, but even those details were kept under wraps. What did we continue to see in the ads? The humans and their reactions. The commercials asked "Who would you go back for?"

We weren't promised a horror movie or a sci fi movie. We were promised a movie about people going about their lives, who then have to confront a devastating force while trying to survive and save their loved ones. Now whether or not you found those people and their stories interesting, that's a valid point.

But as far as I can tell, it was dressed appropriately.

God Bless you (or whatever higher power you may believe in)

 

[StlKj]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

Perhaps it's more so the way it was marketed that raises my ire... like what was the deal with this whole HUGE cloak of secrecy... um what was there that had to be kept so secret? After seeing it I know everything I knew before not seeing it. Its just ridiculousness. It's an OK movie that was able maintain suspense with an underutilized method of photography... that hardly makes it worth all this hoopla

One of the filmmakers addressed this very issue in an interview. So many trailers these days reveal EVERYTHING about the film, and then when you see the movie, you've seen most of the best parts. I don't remember the film, but I saw a recent trailer for a remake that actually showed a scene that gives away the climax of the film! I used to love watching trailers because they were a taste of the film, but not the whole thing. Nowadays not only does the trailer give everything away, but it's often a better film than the feature length version.

So the trailer for this movie did its job. It made the audience talk about it. Speculate about it. Want to see it. Again, whether or not it delivered what you wanted it to, that's a valid argument.

I wish MORE movies would create an air of mystery in the previews.

 

[tmb1]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I just find it odd that every critic, every one, that I've read says there are clear, unmistakable, and unnecessary evocations of 9/11.

Look, of course there are going to be similarities. For crying out loud, a monster knocks down a skyscraper, we see it collapsing, then the huge dust cloud coming at people. We all know now what happens when skyscrapers fall down. Are we suppose to not show it in a giant monster movie because it reminds us of 9/11? If they didn't show the dust cloud, people would say it looked fake because we now KNOW what it is like in real life.

I will say however that the plot(yes, there is one and it is good because we get character developement along with great acting), could evoke the fears of 9/11 but what is wrong with that? Something anfathomable is happening, just as on 9/11 and it shows how a small group of people deal with it. And just as on 9/11, when you think this nightmare can't get worse, it does(and is just as unbelievable). And the deep beauty of this movie is you see people being human and in turn doing their best to be the best they can to each other, as well as making me think "jesus, what the hell would I do." Abrams said he wanted to make America's own Godzilla. Well, Japans Godzilla came about because of the fears and after affects of the atom bomb. And it could be said that this movie came about by the fears of global warming and terrorism. Its actually making a statement more than "here's a new monster movie". I think this is why some have hated the movie because they were expecting a michael bay action flick and one where they don't have to think too much about what is really going on. The more I get others thoughts on what was going on and the more I think about it myself, I really think he has made a classic movie. Its not perfect, but he did succeed in making a thinking mans monster movie.

 

[VaseFace808]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

Look, of course there are going to be similarities. For crying out loud, a monster knocks down a skyscraper, we see it collapsing, then the huge dust cloud coming at people. We all know now what happens when skyscrapers fall down. Are we suppose to not show it in a giant monster movie because it reminds us of 9/11? If they didn't show the dust cloud, people would say it looked fake because we now KNOW what it is like in real life.

I will say however that the plot(yes, there is one and it is good because we get character developement along with great acting), could evoke the fears of 9/11 but what is wrong with that? Something anfathomable is happening, just as on 9/11 and it shows how a small group of people deal with it. And just as on 9/11, when you think this nightmare can't get worse, it does(and is just as unbelievable). And the deep beauty of this movie is you see people being human and in turn doing their best to be the best they can to each other, as well as making me think "jesus, what the hell would I do." Abrams said he wanted to make America's own Godzilla. Well, Japans Godzilla came about because of the fears and after affects of the atom bomb. And it could be said that this movie came about by the fears of global warming and terrorism. Its actually making a statement more than "here's a new monster movie". I think this is why some have hated the movie because they were expecting a michael bay action flick and one where they don't have to think too much about what is really going on. The more I get others thoughts on what was going on and the more I think about it myself, I really think he has made a classic movie. Its not perfect, but he did succeed in making a thinking mans monster movie.

Well said, and I too just don't understand why people would even point out that it reminds them of 9/11. If done properly & realistically, there's only so many ways a building will fall & create falling debris/dust clouds. Why even point that out in this movie, and not other movies where NY is faced with a catastrophe is a pretty weak argument in itself & not even worthing bringing out.

Planes flying closely over buildings, people running & screaming, buildings falling, dust & smoke clouds, etc will all remind people of 9/11 & Cloverfield is NOT the only film to have contained that imagery since 9/11...

 

[muttley]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

Saw it yesterday, finally. I really liked it. It was crazy! What I couldn't believe is how fast the military acted in setting up evacuation and medical sites. Now that was more unbelievable than the monster. haha! I also couldn't believe how fast the military was to start bombing Manhattan. When you look at it on a map, it seemed odd that the monster would just end up in the bay and then into Manhattan. And the sea lice! crazy!! All and all it was a fun movie.

 

[muttley]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

@Harding
Oh yeah... I forgot about the rig! I did read the backstory and at another site this guy's thread about how he followed all the movie hype and fake Slusho and Sea Nectar websites and even the fake myspaces of the characters. So the military should have already been on alert status of the approaching thing. I wonder if would have been just as good without the shaky camera? I thought there was more than one monster but idk because the shaky cam kept turing off at certain points then on again. You know .... it did remind me a bit like playing a first person shooter. The sea lice kinda reminded me of the head crabs in Half Life.

 

[VaseFace808]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

A lot of other people were.

(And with only one, possible, survivor! Where's that Hollywood ending, in which they ride off into the sunrise, side by side on the back of two beautiful white horses?)

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie too & even though I'm probably grabbing at straws here, maybe there was some symbolism in the scene with the people-less horse drawn carriage? Maybe a hint that this isn't your typical Hollywood blockbuster with a sentimental feel-good ending?

I'm may be off, but I still think there is something as to why that scene was in the movie, it just stuck out to me

 

[falconfan]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie too & even though I'm probably grabbing at straws here, maybe there was some symbolism in the scene with the people-less horse drawn carriage? Maybe a hint that this isn't your typical Hollywood blockbuster with a sentimental feel-good ending?

I'm may be off, but I still think there is something as to why that scene was in the movie, it just stuck out to me

Horror movies never have happy endings.

 

[Georgemichaelfan]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

Just saw it, I was pretty impressed. There was some dialogue that I think was intended for humor or at least amusement that I just didn't care for, but it's alright. A couple notches off a good movie still leaves a pretty good movie. I think the premise was a bit weak, there wasn't a lot of story, but in a way, that's the whole point. It's not a novel, it's just a story of escape.

I think it's main point (besides entertainment) was to show how people come together in times of tribulation, which is cool and all it's just that...I've kindof seen that before in a lot of movies. It was still a pretty good film, I am glad I saw it. It's more unique than most movies.

 

[tHaTeViLmOnKeY]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

Anyone find it a bit jarring to have the monster so obviously revealed in the commercials now? I understand that the ticket sales pretty much plummeted after the first week but a lot of my anticipation going into the movie was not knowing exactly what was attacking the city.

If I were to see the monster now in the commercials, and not have seen the movie, I'd shrug it off as 'Godzilla' and probably pass.

 

[VaseFace808]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

Yeah, I haven't seen the new commercials, but have heard that they show the scene before they go into the Subway (where you its foot slam down & it screaming at Hud & Rob)

If I hadn't seen the film, I'd be kinda pissed & let down that they showed the monster(the mystery was a major part of getting it hyped)

What I'm questioning even more now is they're going to market the sequel...?

 

[Raven03]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

In an interview the creator said that he played around with the idea of a sequel while doing this one. There is a scene in the movie when they are on the bridge and another guy has a camera recording the events. That scene gave him the idea to see it through another persons perspective while revealing questions that went unanswered in this movie.

That and the fact that money talks.lol

 

[VaseFace808]

Re: Cloverfield......HOLY EFFIN A! [WARNING: SPOIL

I've heard about that as well & I think that could be an interesting take

I worded my last post wrong LoL

It should've been: What I'm questioning even more now is how are they going to market the sequel?

I'm assuming they are going to just run off people being interested in answers & give a decent amount of back-story next time around, otherwise it would just be the same movie with less curiosity/intrigue