Review: Cloverfield

Mysterious monster attacks New York City the night 5 New Yorkers are attending a going away party and film their experiences.

I was so pumped about seeing this movie ever since the crazy trailer in front of Transformers. For me, it did not disappoint. I have read very conflicting reviews of people who loved it and people who hated it. I loved it. It was unique with its camera work, marketing, and story, but still very traditional in the monster movie sense.

I was sad when my plans changed and I had to see it at our crappy local theater. However, I was slightly placated when they showed at the beginning that it was being projected with a new digital movie projector and surround sound. (Wow, I thought the 17 commercials and trailers at the front of the film looked remarkably crisp). (Yay, for the awesome Star Trek teaser, more on that later).

I knew going into it, as most people should have, that it was all done with hand held cameras, a la Blair Witch Project. So we sat more towards the back than the front. I had no problems with the shaky camera. It also wasn't too too scary for me. I only remember wanting to look away once. It also shocked the crap out of me at a couple points, which I loved.

I know the people behind us hated the ending as did some others I've seen online, but I thought the ending was very appropriate given the entire story arc. Oh, and it's a monster movie, people die during the movie, ok, didn't you see that coming??? Crazy complainers.

I know J.J. Abrams only produced the movie, but is was another reason I wanted to see it. I suppose I am just interested in anything his name is attached to. Plus, check this out. A scene from the very beginning of the film, I think, anyone recognize the symbol in the corner?



That's right, a Dharma logo, CRAZY easter eggs. I love it!

My favortie parts of the movie:

Hard to define, I enjoyed it immensely!

5 out of 5 stars.

Short Reviews

The following two reviews are rather short because I saw the movies back in December and it's much harder to remember what I thought about a movie I saw that long ago. Hey, at least I am finally updating things.

Review: National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is back on the hunt for proof that his ancestor was not involved in the plot to assassinate President Lincoln which of course leads to... Treasure!

Pretty much more of the same here. So since I greatly enjoyed the first one, I also enjoyed the second one. I think the critics bashed it because it was more of the same, but isn't that really what fans are looking for in a sequel?

My favorite parts of the movie:

New characters played by Ed Harris and especially Helen Mirren, as Ben's Mom
Arguments between Ben's Mom and Dad
What's on page 47 (or whatever the number was)?
I love Riley Poole!

4 out of 5 stars.

Review: I am Legend

Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the last human survivor in New York of a worldwide plague.

I greatly enjoyed this story. It was a bit more scary than I thought it was going to be, but I still enjoyed it. It did move slowly in some places but I mean it is mostly just Will Smith by himself.

My favorite parts of the movie:

video store visits
quoting Shrek

4 out of 5 stars.

Cloverfield Clip

Trailer: Jumper

Trailer: Inkheart

Wow, good people for a kid's book. Brenden Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren,
AND Andy Serkis, Gollum himself. According to Yahoo Movies, Kathy Bates and Jim Broadbent also appear although I didn't catch them in the trailer. Looks promising. Opens March 19, 2008.

Trailer: Prince Caspian

Trailer: Speed Racer

A little trippy but it's from the same guys who brought us the Matrix and I think I really like Matthew Fox as Racer X.

New Look

Well, my last blogger template was...hmm... PERFECT. But something happened and it disappeared and I can't get it back. So we'll hang out with Wallace and Gromit for a while until I find something else.

Review: Enchanted

Giselle (Amy Adams), bride-to-be of Prince Edward (James Marsden), is tricked into a magic well by Queen Narissa (Susan Saradon) which sends her from the animated kingdom of Andalasia to real world New York City. Thankfully, she recieved help navigating the real world by divorce laywer Robert (Patrick Dempsey).

Cute, fun, fantasy. Very light-hearted with lots of Disney references thrown it. Not quite a fractured fairy tale but quite funny with enough humor for the grown-ups too. Amy Adams is wonderful as Giselle. The mixture of classic animation and live action is fun. Plus, it's hilarious to see Cyclops as the kind hearted but slow prince.

My favorite parts of the movie:

Charades with Pip the chipmunk
the animals cleaning Robert's apt.
random song in Central park
fun twist at the end

4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer: Cloverfield

Ok, if you want to see the actual Cloverfield trailer, head here.

New Trailer with Cloverfield Monster!!!

Poster: Prince Caspian (2008)

Review: Becoming Jane

A young Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) is attempting to do the unthinkable, marry for love.

This was the most heart-wrenching movie I have ever seen. I mean it was good but wow. Be aware that they took some very fictional liberties with the story only having a few letters to go on. Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy who played her love interest, Tom LeFroy, were both excellent. The story also wove in parts of her books. There were only a couple I could pick out being a fan of Jane Austen in movie version only. I believe I read Northanger Abby in High School but I could tell you absolutely nothing about the story.

My favorite parts of the movie:

her sister and fiance meeting in their night clothes
playing cricket
the dancing
Jane playing the piano

5 out of 5 stars.

Lauren's Tidbits

This production photo from the upcoming film Valkyrie features three men who also starred in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Pictured from left are actors Kevin McNally (aka Mr. Gibbs), Christian Berkel, Bill Nighy (aka Davy Jones), Tom Cruise, Terrence Stamp, David Schofield(aka Mercer, Lord Beckett's henchman) and Kenneth Branagh (aka Professor Lockhart, ok, that's from Harry Potter).

Valkyrie is based on the true events of a plot to kill Hitler during World War 2. Here's why they case Tom Cruise. He eerily looks like the guy.

Review: Stardust

Tristan (Charlie Cox) tracks down a star (Claire Daines) to take back to his true love.

Please go see this movie. I had such a good time with this one. I won't say it was absolutely perfect because it did have flaws. The cinematography has it's ups and downs. The story kind of drags at the beginning. Yet, it is such a fun fantasy adventure with multiple story lines, tongue-in-cheek humor, random story deviations, many different kinds of villains... Michelle Pfeiffer is excellent as the evil witch, Lamia.

I haven't ever told you to go see a particular movie before, but this one is so unique. It didn't make much money (by Hollywood standards) in its first weekend. Perhaps that is why they keep giving us crap sequels, Rush Hour 3, Daddy Day Camp. Seriously, support the unique ones.

My favorite parts of the movie...

slaughtered princes
voodoo sword fight
Billy and Bernard
the haircut
the scene where Tristan is a mouse
the guard at the wall
Ricky Gervais as Ferdy

5 out of 5 stars.

Teaser: The Dark Knight

Review: The Bourne Ultimatum

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is tracking down the beginning of Treadstone and where it all started for him.

Excellent three-quel. Probably the only third movie this summer (and there's been a ton) that really lives up to expectations. Fast paced, action packed. Classic Bourne really.

My favorite parts of the movie:

Finding out his real name
hints from Nicky Parsons
real locales, they actully filmed in all the different locations and there is a lot
the part only Tom and I laughed at, sadly I don't remember what happened, but it must have been sutble becuase in a packed theater we were the only two that laughed ;)

4 out of 5 stars.

01-18-08 Website

There is now awebsite for the crazy trailer in front of Transformers.