My Amazon Review Of Cloverfield

Here's my review of Cloverfield from Amazon.com. A few sentences may not make sense. That's because I'm referring to other reveiws or topics on Amazon.

Enjoy...

Perusing a number of reviews about this film, I've come to realize that a lot of people are giving it three or less stars because they felt that it was "overhyped." However, after watching "Cloverfield," I saw that it met my expectations as a somewhat experimental monster movie. J.J. Abrams merely planted the seed last year with that brief glimpse of footage from what we would learn to be as Hud's "documentary" on the last night that his friend, Rob, would be spending in Manhattan before heading off for Japan. It was the viewers of said clip who ran with it and created such a stir that a large portion of the population wanted to see this mysterious movie. That's what you call good advertising in my book. I praised "The Blair Witch Project" for doing the same thing a few years back even though that movie wasn't half as good as "Cloverfield." With that said, "Cloverfield" is just what it claims to be: a monster flick shown from the point of view of a lowly citizen running for his life from a danger he knows very little about. There is no great leader of the city to protect the people. There's no young scientist to find a solution to the very big problem. There's not even a cocksure military leader, just a couple of run-ins with soldiers almost as confused as the primary characters. Does it work? Yes. Are there flaws? Yes. That doesn't stop the viewer from enjoying the film, however. Director Matt Reeves utilizes noise, chaos, uncertainty and pitch black scenery to get into the viewer's head. On a number of occasions during the film, I caught myself trying to look around the corner of the camera in order to see what was happening. Viewing the situation through the lens of a digicam makes the viewer seem to be a "part" of the action, even though everybody was securely tucked in their seats, most likely stuffing there faces with popcorn (I know I was). Sure, one could argue that anybody with a little bit of common sense would drop the camera to help their friends, but then again, there wouldn't be much of a movie to watch, would there? Characters such as the goofy Hud (T.J. Miller), Lily (Jessica Lucas), and Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), draw genuine sympathy from the crowd as we learn just enough about them to care for them. Rob (Michael Stahl-David) is likeable, but comes across as a bit selfish when the others are in danger. Jason Vogel (Hawk) and Odette Yustman (Beth) are excellent in their roles, but aren't part of the primary group as long as the rest of the characters (don't let that revelation make you sure of their demise, either). Abrams also throws in a couple of twists on the traditional monster movie that weren't touched on in the film's trailers. When you see them, you'll realize that there's even more to this film than one would think. Overall, "Cloverfield" does deliver on its hype and stealthy ad campaign. I wonder if some of those who are upset with the film are really upset with themselves for getting pumped up over a movie that never truly revealed enough details before its release to give the viewer any specific expectations. As stated before, this movie is nothing more than it proclaimed to be in the months prior to its release. I highly recommend it to fans of monster movies, sci-fi flicks in general, and those who like to see a "what if" scenario come to fruition.

Wal-Mart, Oh, Wal-Mart

I remember when I used to enjoy going to Wal-Mart. Back when Sam Walton was still alive and actually cared about his customers. Back when Wal-Mart would actually have SALES instead of insisting on always having the lowest price (which turns out to be a lie these days). Before self-checking aisles (where you should get a discount since YOU do the work) replaced friendly employees. Yep, I even remember friendly employees who actually helped customers in the store.

Nowadays it's "I don't work in that department," "I'm getting off now," and clearance sales when all the good stuff has been cleared away. Sure, they have groceries, but the checkout lines are so long that most of your cold products are warm and your frozen products have defrosted by the time your turn comes around. The employees couldn't care less about helping you anymore. Oh, and just last night I encountered a problem that seems to get worse every time I go to a local Wal-mart: no buggies. Yep, you read that right: NO BUGGIES.

I popped into Wal-Mart to buy one thing that I really needed for my infant son. I had him and my young daughter in tow. Being a sucker for my kids, they were almost guaranteed some sort of a treat. When I reached the greeter, she looked at me, looked at the car seat my son was in and mumbled something about "no buggies." I looked into the vacuum that normally has a few buggies in it, saw the buggy boys standing around looking at the floor and proclaimed to my daughter that we weren't going to look at toys, clothes, food or anything else. "We're just going to get the formula and get out," I said. Of course, the disinterested employees did nothing in response (at least not while I was looking at them). It was raining, barely. No lightning, no torrential rain, no volcanic ash, just a drizzle. Am I to believe that the fear of getting wet kept the buggy boys from doing their job? Or perhaps it was the lack of customer service on the manager's part? Either way, it was the last straw for a tired father who's tired of dealing with these idiots.

From now on, I'm shopping at Target, my local grocers, and only eating at fast food joints NOT in a Wal-Mart. I'm finished with them.

Sure, Target may cost a bit more (mere pennies, and the service and store cleanliness is worth it) and so will my local grocers, but that's not going to make me hit my left turn blinker when I near my local Wal-Mart. Heck, Internet shopping sites are CHEAPER on a lot of their products. It only takes a little patience and a little searching to find exactly what you need at an ALWAYS low, NON-Wally world price!

Oh!!! The Horror!!!

Disney World recently announced that children under the age of ten would no longer be allowed into their prestigious Victoria & Albert's. A number of news services are stirring the pot on the issue, asking why a family-based theme park (and company in general) would do such a thing. In all honesty, does it really matter why Disney World banned kids from ONE restaurant in their entire park?

For one thing, Victoria & Albert's is a very swanky place, with quiet, mood-setting music, a dress code, high dollar food and all-around exquisite features. I'm betting that most kids wouldn't even want to eat at the place. They mainly want to grab a quick bite and get back to the many wonderful attractions that the park has to offer.

Secondly, will families really miss not dining at the restaurant? I've been to Disney World on two occasions. The first time was with my wife on our honeymoon and the last time was with our daughter. Neither time did we dine at Victoria & Albert's, and we feel like no less of human beings for not doing so.

Also, parents these days often bring a nanny or a granny to watch the kids while they take off one evening of their vacation to spend time alone in a nice place. Perhaps Disney World is giving parents the opportunity to do such a thing without leaving the park. Sounds like a wise move in my opinion.

Finally, there are plenty of other restaurants that offer fine cuisine that do allow children under ten. When our latest child is old enough, we will once again be headed down to Florida for a family vacation at Disney World. Sure, we won't eat at Victoria and Albert's, but we will have a grand time no doubt.

Please Mr. Media, back off of the Mouse! Just because the park makes one place a little bit more exclusive than the rest, don't blow this thing out of proportion just to up your ratings. Last time I checked, Disney was doing just fine in the popularity department. Maybe it's you, Mr. Media, who's spinning stories to boost YOUR ratings!

The Mardi Gras Season Is Under Way

Last night in Lake Charles, LA, krewes (not crews) kicked off the Mardi Gras season with an early Twelfth Night celebration. Traditionally, Twelfth Night is celebrated twelve days after Christmas, but it's on a Sunday this year, so southern Louisianians bumped up the celebration so as not to interfere with church services. I enjoy going to local parades, especially with my daughter, who loves catching beads, cups, dubloons, etc. I grew up in Oberlin, LA, where they still celebrate Mardi Gras similar to its ancient roots of having a chicken run. Folks don't dress up fancy to be seen, but to hide their identity. They usually ride horses or on trailers, travel through the countryside and ask folks if they have anything to donate to a gumbo. If the people oblige, the Mardi Gras runners, under the guidance of a captain, dance and pretty much act silly to thank the person for their donations, be it rice, a chicken, or anything else. In the evening, the runners come into town and make a huge gumbo for the whole community.

When I was growing up in Oberlin, I wasn't allowed to celebrate Mardi Gras because I was told it was a Catholic holiday and it was wrong. After growing up a bit, I started celebrating Mardi Gras with my friends in college and found that it was quite enjoyable. Sure, it wasn't the traditional gumbo runs that I heard the other kids in school talk about, but it was and is my Mardi Gras. I fully took in the beads, the music, the food and the celebration that is Fat Tuesday. It has become one of my favorite holidays. The best part of the Mardi Gras season, in my opinion, is the King Cake. It is quite possibly the best dessert your mouth will ever taste. It's usually a big cinammon roll-type cake that contains a baby or a bean inside. The person who finds the baby (which represents the infant Jesus) usually wins a prize and/or has to pay for the cake the next year. It's a wonderful tradition. Some versions of the King Cake include a filling which ranges from strawberry to Bavarian cream to chocolate. I personally like the Bavarian cream treat.

Since becoming Catholic, I understand more fully the true meaning of Mardi Gras. It isn't supposed to be the last big sinful hurrah before Lent, but a day to put to an end celebrations in order to prepare for Easter and the celebration of our salvation through Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us. It is a wonderful holiday and if you're ever passing through southern Louisiana during the Mardi Gras season, take in a parade, eat some King Cake, and hang a bead or two off of your rearview mirror.

Until next time loyal readers...