Cloverfield (2008)

Director:

Matt Reeves

Writer (WGA):

Drew Goddard (written by)

Release Date:

18 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Some Thing Has Found Us

Plot:

Revolves around a monster attack in New York as told from the point of view of a small group of people.

Plot Keywords:

Camera Man | Fluorescent Lamp | Gossip | Looting | Necklace

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Lizzy Caplan	...	Marlena
Jessica Lucas	...	Lily
T.J. Miller	...	Hud
Michael Stahl-David	...	Rob Hawkins
Mike Vogel	...	Jason Hawkins
Odette Yustman	...	Beth McIntyre
Anjul Nigam	...	Bodega Cashier
Margot Farley	...	Jenn
Theo Rossi	...	Antonio
Brian Klugman	...	Charlie
Kelvin Yu	...	Clark
Liza Lapira	...	Heather
Lili Mirojnick	...	Lei
Ben Feldman	...	Travis
Elena Caruso	...	Party Goer

Also Known As:

1-18-08 (USA) (promotional title)
Cheese (USA) (fake working title)
Clover (USA) (fake working title)
Monstrous (USA) (promotional title)
Slusho (USA) (fake working title)
Untitled J.J. Abrams Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and disturbing images.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Denmark:15 | Germany:12 | Brazil:14 | Australia:M | New Zealand:M | France:U (with warning) | South Korea:15 | Ireland:15A | Iceland:14 | Netherlands:16 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | South Africa:13V (13LV) | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44015) | Argentina:16 | Hong Kong:IIA | Czech Republic:15 | Japan:PG-12 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Norway:15 | Malaysia:U | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Finland:K-13 | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Bloomingdale's Department Store, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Bad Robot

Trivia:

One of the promotional websites, Jamieandteddy.com (password "jllovesth"), shows videologs (vlogs) made by the title couple about their relationship (which turns sour). Jamie Lascano is only seen at the party unceremoniously unconscious on the couch, and Teddy Hanssen is nowhere to be found (although on 1-18-08.com, he is now identified as "missing"). The actors who play either of the two are not confirmed. Though it has been speculated that Jamie is played by 'Blake Lively', this is incorrect.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the subway tunnel scenes, Rob's shirt seems to clean itself. At first it is dirty and sweat stained, then it is relatively clean, and then it is dirty again.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Rob Hawkins: It's 6:42 AM. Beth's dad's place. He's out of town. And it's already a good day.

Movie Connections:

Features "SpongeBob SquarePants: MuscleBob BuffPants/Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost (#1.11)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Sunday Ticket

After all someone might say it's a love story....

I have to say that I haven't had so much fun in a movie theater in such a long time. Cloverfield brought back a sense of excitement and delight for me.

The movie draws you in, makes you a part of the experience. It succeeds primarily because of two things; what you see and what you hear.

The movie does not have a major actor stealing the screen. Everyone is treaded just about equal. As the viewer you feel you are with the group as you are seeing the movie from the first person view. You feel connected to the characters as you understand that because of their loss, they have to set something right and not escape from the city. The movie draws you in and you feel like you are a part of the action.

There is no music. Ambient sounds such as creeks and thumps don't distract you from looking at all the finer details. You stay focused on what's important and constantly entertained.

One thing you must remember going into this movie. Remember the first 10 seconds of the movie (the stuff that comes right after the Star Trek teaser). If you keep that in mind everything will make sense and make the movie more pleasurable.