Cloverfield seems to divide audiences into two distinct camps. There are those that think it’s brilliant and those that claim it was shit. (Yes, there are some that merely say: “It was ok”. But those are the assholes that say that about every goddamn movie ever made. So they don’t fucking count. Fuck those guys.)

I, as many were, was blown away by the trailer before that shitty Transformers movie. I researched it and sucked up every bit of news to come out and followed the so-called viral campaign. It was a convoluted collection of background information that seemed to really make not a whole fuck-load of sense, but it was fun to find all the new shit.

Anyway, after months of waiting, I finally went to see the movie.

Here is how I went: I brought a date. I was intoxicated. I was high. We went to a digital showing.

After I got home, I typed up the following write-up on my MySpace blog. (For those three of you that read it, it will be familiar, but bare with me.):

“Thursday, January 24, 2008 Holy effing ... wow

Cloverfield kicked my ass up the street and then back down.

It totally blew my mind.

I don't, normally, react to films. But I found myself hurting my dates' hand by squeezing it too tight. I cried. I shouted out loud. It was exactly what a movie was supposed to do to you. Really pull you in and make you feel like you were fucking there.

Oh my fucking kryst! My adrenaline was cranked up so high that I couldn't stop talking or moving around when we got home. All I could do was pace around gesticulating wildly and babbling on and on.

I don't know if my following the viral campaign helped my experience. Sure, I could sort of tie everything together. But the movie wasn't about the story of the creature. It was about the people involved in this fucked up situation. Maybe that doesn't sound like it makes sense, but the movie is not going to give you any answers. It's not concerned with telling you the hows and whys, just the effects to "normal" people.

I'm gonna stop ranting. Holy shit. Blew my mind.

Nix says: I'm ready to go, again."

Alright. That’s an initial knee-jerk reaction. I spent the next week or so going over and over what I’d seen and what I’d felt.

I decided to see Cloverfield a second time, after the initial rush had worn off a bit, and it helped me to get a new perspective.

Here is how I went: I brought a friend. I was intoxicated. I was high. We went to a digital showing.

I also went in wondering if the film would hold up on a second viewing. Would it still thrill me? Would the emotional aspect work, again? Would it be any fun? Or would I be bored and annoyed?

I must say, that for me, it is still a great, great fucking movie.

Admittedly, it wasn’t as grueling an experience as the initial viewing, but it was still quite powerful.

The second go-round made me change my mind about the movie not giving you any answers. It actually does, but not in a "beating you about the fucking head" way. And I think that's why some people don't like it. They have two choices: 1) Just become part of the experience and not give a fuck about reasons and explanations or 2) Become part of the experience, pay attention and actually "think" if you want answers. Crazy, I know, but people are stupid.

From what I've heard, most idiots want to know EVERYTHING and have it spelled out for them but... man, fuck them.

This movie is meticulously crafted. Everything is well thought out, right down to the camera shots that still look totally random and real-time.

They left nothing open to question. Everything is RIGHT FUCKING THERE. Even the geography was correct. My friend was so excited and knew exactly which directions they were heading, that he was getting vocal about seeing places he used to live near being destroyed. I had to shush the fucker. But, in talking with him afterwards, everywhere the characters headed and just happened to meet up with the creature made absolute fucking sense.

You don’t understand why someone would risk their life for someone? It’s explained in the opening 20 minutes of the film! IT’S THE WHOLE MEANING/PURPOSE OF THE MOVIE! Oh, perhaps you were too busy bitching about “Where’s the monster? Whaaaahhhh!”, to pay attention to the dialogue and what all of the characters meant to each other.

Cloverfield is not really about a monster attacking a city. POINTLESS SPOILER: It’s about realizing what is really important to you as your world falls apart around you. And are you going to make the effort/sacrifice to do what you know is right?

And as for explanations and all that, for what’s going on? Again sheeples, PAY ATTENTION: everything you NEED to know is given to you, if you only look and listen.

Ok, ok, enough of meanings and messages. “But what about the monster and destruction, Nix? Isn’t that why were supposed to go, in the first place?”

Well, sure. That’s why I went the first time. Hell, even the second time. And it is epic. Forget all this Blair Witch comparing bullshit. Blair Witch had no real purpose or meaning and it never showed you shit. “Oooo, piles of rocks, stick figures and a hanky full of cheap props of something or other! Thanks Blair Witch!” Cloverfield gives you just enough to keep you going “What the fuck was that?” quite a few times. A glimpse of what appears to be an arm, sometimes a tail… or was that tentacle? And even when you get to see the creature in full, you’re still going to say “What the fuck was that?”

The creature practically causes your mind to reel, trying to make sense of what, exactly, you’re looking at. It simply doesn’t add up. If Lovecraft were alive, I think he would have given a standing ovation at the end of this film. It’s the closest to a true Lovecraft/Cthulhu movie ever made.

Guys and gals, if there is one piece of advice to pass on, it is this: Do NOT wait for DVD. You absolutely MUST see this is in a good theater with digital sound/projection. It is imperative.

And if you want more clues as to how to put everything together, there are several reputable sites to lead you to them. You can start with the most exhaustive: www.cloverfieldclues.blogspot.com. Be warned, it may be more fun to find all that out after you've seen the film. It's up to you.

I'd like to leave you with a little fan-made slide show of stills from the picture that, I think, effectively portrays the feel of the movie. Don't expect to see the creature. To this day, there are very few full pics of it and it's better if you leave it to suprise. It's worth it. Trust me. (Oh, and the music may not be perfect, but the tone is fitting for the slide show. Enjoy!)