Friday, January 18, 2008

Cloverfield? Day-um!

Dear Fanboys and girls:

Go see this movie. Mrs. Nat Turner and I went to see this and it freaked us the Hell out. New Yorkers--it will bring back memories of 9-11 and the blackout. But sometimes we need a controlled, fun scare to put things in perspective. For instance, the monster and his/her/its "mites" (spoiler there re: the mites) gets pretty far up Manhattan because our military is busy paying bribes to militias in Baghdad. Oh well. Still cool to see Abrams tanks rolling down Lexington Avenue as the monster gets in Manhattan's ass. Maybe Giuliani can use the footage for a campaign commercial.

Speaking of monsters, check out Publishers Weekly, 12/31/07. Listing the dozens of books that won critical, reader and peer awards in 07, major and minor, how many were by black authors? More specifically--how many were by black American authors? Count on half of one hand. Travesty...travesty that there's a bloc of us who refuse to aspire for more, as writers, readers, agents, publishers. Oh let's not forget the publishing houses. Then again, I think the monster took a big squat on midtown so at least in JJ Abrams's world we can start all over again. Thanks, Clove. If you come down to DC, I'll point out the places to flatten.

CAC

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

My brother saw it tonight and is so geeked on this damn movie he was giddy like a girl!

Of course he said there was hardly any people of color in the movie. If it's supposed to verite, wouldn't have black people, asians and Puerto Ricans in a city of 8 million people? Maybe not, because this was Manhattan, where regular people can't afford to live!

Anonymous said...

Why is it that the only black folk in Cloverfield are the ones looting the electronics store?

Anonymous said...

^um... the main chick in the movie is black

joseph's girlfriend...

she's black

Chicama Vineyard said...

I am, er...mature enough to recall drive in dates on humid nights, showing Godzilla movies. Naturally we would bring coolers full of beer and frankly there was much kissing and fumbling (from the boys). It was easy to let your teenage appetites get the best of you because the movies were indeed campy. I doubt this movie is of drive in quality as it looks too "real." I'll wait for my nephew or daughter to rent the DVD!

Anonymous said...

Okay, so one of main characters was black -- that is correct. However, the only other black person with a speaking part was the guy on the roof (nice suit, tight 'fro). When the monster first starts wreaking havoc he is up on the roof of the building with them, and he says - "there go Cloverfield right there! Dayum!"

Lisa said...

OMG! There go Cloverfield right there?! You are evil whoever you are!

Anonymous said...

I saw that PW review. Indeed a travesty on both sides (I refuse to let "the business" off the hook, Chris, but yes--we do bear some responsibility as writers, as do the fans).

Tafari said...

OMG, Cloverfield was the worst movie released since Poetic Jutice. I am still waiting for a refund!!! The previews looked so good, talk about bait n switch.

I did peep out that looting piece and was like WTF, but the I remembered that non Whites started it.

What was up with the camcorder with the battery that never died and did they every change the tape.

Bygbaby

Chari said...

I will have to check this movie out...

Have a blessed New Year!!

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