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Posts Tagged ‘Stargate SG-1’

What’s that coming over the hill, is it a monster? (Cloverfield thoughts)

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

It sure is, Bob- one heck of a monster.

Sorry to be so abstract, but these are just some thoughts of mine on Cloverfield.  For some reason I hadn’t gone to the cinema to see this, it happens.  I don’t neccessarily go to see every film out there, although I admit I do try.  Heck- even though I know it’s supposed to be decent, I haven’t even seen Quantum of Solace yet!

Anyhow, when walking around HMV one fine day (it was probably raining to be honest), I felt compelled to pick up Cloverfield on DVD and buy it.  I’d heard mixed reviews: some thought it was the second coming, whereas others thought it was generic and sub-par.  I thought I’d give it a go anyway.

To be quite honest I was initially totally shocked with the opening.  It felt suffocating, being restricted to one solitary camera- a shaky one at that (hand-held camcorder).  I was also thinking ‘this sucks’ right from the beginning, and right the way through the party- watching and listening to some kind of mindless drivel from all of the guests and especially the guy holding the camcorder.  What a tool.

Yes, very boring right up until the point where… something happens.  From this point onwards in the film, and right until the bitter end- the whole camcorder perspective makes perfect sense.  There’s a point in the film which reminds me of some of the finest moments of Halo and Starship Troopers.  With a first-person viewpoint you are totally immersed in the film, and the film as a whole benefits enormously for it.

Again, I’m not going to go into too much detail here with regards to spoilers, but there’s a scene near the end that could have been done so much better.  I’ve seen more emotive stuff like this on a Stargate SG-1 episode called ‘Heroes‘.

So, to kind-of conclude: Cloverfield is on the whole, and excellent film, but be prepared for a totally different viewpoint.  I’m always interested in different cinematic styles and experiences (I found the film ‘Hero’ to be particularly good) but there absolutely must be a great story to back it up.  And Cloverfield has just that, the story of a group of ordinary people trying to survive the carnage of a monster in New york City.  Epic.

Anyone reading this seen Cloverfield?  Thoughs?  Agree?  Disagree?  Agree to disagree? Beg to differ?

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Posted in Films | 4 Comments »

Don S. Davis: 1942-2008

Friday, July 4th, 2008

Don S. Davis: 1942-2008- I can’t really believe it and find it so sad, especially as he was a really talented actor and a very warm and generous person.  For those that don’t know, Don S. Davis played Major General George Hammond in my favourite TV series, Stargate SG-1.  He passed away on June 29th 2008, and the release of Stargate: Continuum will be his last Stargate appearance.

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Posted in Asides, Life, TV | 1 Comment »

Ark of Truth Review

Friday, March 7th, 2008

Ark of Truth Review- GateWorld have done a nice four page review of Stargate: The Ark Of Truth without giving any spoilers away.  This is a must-read for all Stargate fans.

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Posted in Asides, Films, TV | No Comments »