This Week's PCR Movie Review

	"Cloverfield" Movie review by: Michael A. Smith Movies are rated 0 to 4 stars

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LA FLORIDIANA The Fabulous Architecture of the Tampa Bay Region: Part 5  by William Moriaty
MOVIE REVIEW "Cloverfield"  by Mike Smith
THE AUDIO PHILES Top 20 Albums of 2007 #10-1  by Terence Nuzum
FILMLOOK Bud Lee: His Trapped Memories Can Still Escape Through Photos  by Paul Guzzo
ODDSERVATIONS Goodbye, Vampira  by Andy Lalino
FANGRRL R.I.P. Maila “Vampira” Nurmi 1921-2008  by Lisa Ciurro
RETRORAMA The Yellow Submarine Chronicles Part One: In the Town where I was Born...  by ED Tucker
MIKE'S RANT It's Oscar Time! .... So Mj's Available? .... Belated Congratulations .... .... .... .... .... .... And The Oscar For 1983 Should Have Gone To...  by Mike Smith
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Starring: T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David and Jessica Lucas
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Rated: PG 13
Running Time: 1 hour 25 mins

Hype. In these days of presidential primaries, hype is a word heard often. But it’s also used in other areas, like motion picture promotion. Remember “Snakes On A Plane?” Three months before the film opened you couldn’t find a person who hadn’t heard of the movie. However, when opening night came, most of those people stayed home. This past 4th of July weekend the movie buzz wasn’t about “Transformers” as much as it was about the short preview that proceeded it. Very grainy footage and a shaky image of what appeared to be New York City on fire. A loud explosion and audiences were shocked to see the head of the Statue of Liberty scoot down 42nd street. THE END. Hype again, only this time deservedly so. Sorry, snakes.

New York City. Late spring. A small party has assembled to say goodbye to their good friend Rob (Stahl-David), who has taken a high paying job in Japan. Among those saying their farewells are Rob’s brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason’s girl Lily (Lucas) and Rob’s best friend, Hud, (Miller) who has been given the duty of videotaping the joyous event. Things go swimmingly until a loud “boom” is heard and the building seems to shudder. Convinced that an earthquake is taking place, the partygoers head outside, only to witness the aforementioned beheading of Lady Liberty. Who, or what, is not enjoying the big apple tonight?

Shot in a very shaky hand held fashion, “Cloverfield” fills its early promise of suspense with action that is far above anything seen in recent years. The performances, realistically delivered by the young cast, draw you into the ever depressing situations the group finds themselves in. The special effects are excellent, with
just enough being shown of the marauding “attacker,” and its minions to keep you on the edge of your seat. The one disturbing image I found was how similar in appearance the film’s attacks were to the events of 9/11. Toppling buildings and clouds of dust do trigger anxiety and fear, though I’m not sure necessarily the kind the producers intended.

An exciting way to start the new year, on a scale of zero to four stars I give “Cloverfield”