Cloverfield!

Went to see the hit movie Cloverfield this week. This flick has been causing a huge buzz all over the country, thought it was high time I went to see what all the fuss was about. Been hearing too about all this motion sickness and people running out of theaters from fear so I put my fortitude to the test.

In the Winter there really isn't usually whole lot to talk about at the movies. Like every other business, it's Hollywood's slow time. Until Cloverfield. 42 million dollars the first weekend, and that's a January opening record. Made on a tight budget by two guys who grew up like us watching Godzilla scarf down Tokyo movie after movie, and whose previous claim to fame was producing the "cute com" Felicity in the 90's.

I'm not going to review the movie here just lay out some facts and impressions. You've probably heard of the premise. New York City is attacked by "something." And the movie is filmed from the point of view of a guy carrying a video camera around with him. Complete with all the herky-jerky....tough to watch sometimes out-of-focus shots you would expect if you were filming panic. After the movie was over, some guy was complaining to the manager that the movie was unsteady, and was screaming that HE could have filmed it better with a 100 dollar video cam..(get a clue man....put him in the "miss the whole point line".....hello??? McFly???? anybody home???) Don't be that guy. it's NOT a regular movie. I'm here to help.

It is extremely interesting movie making to be sure. You've heard it compared to the Blair Witch Project but it has two differences. One it's GOOD...and two it's SCARY. And for some this movie will be a little too scary. No one ran out of the theater I was in flailing their arms, crying for their mothers but it was a matinee. I was hoping to see that. Maybe if the crowd had been bigger....Might have been fun to watch.

But at this time of the year with lethargy setting in and cabin fever running amok, maybe it's good to go to the film house and get a good old adrenaline rush and get the pants scared off you. Just a little jolt. Might hold you till Spring. Get the blood pumping...it's good for ya!

Cloverfield..... the beneficiary of being in the right place at the right time. If you're scared easy....get an aisle seat.