Cloverfield

Disney Villain · Post by **Disney Villain** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:46 pm

I’m sorry this film is very, very disrespectful to the victims of 9/11. They have some nerve creating a film that involves the destruction of Manhattan. To see the characters in this trailer running, screaming, covered in debris- it’s horrific and disgusting. I’m sorry but the movie makers should have more respect. I’m going to presume that there will be a large group of people who will not be happy with this film. 9/11 was very traumatic for me. I saw everything that day, almost lost my mother among other members of my family, and I’m lucky to by typing this right now. I am very, very disgusted. Shame on Paramount.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:41 am

Did you like Transformers because that had (robotic) planes flying into buildings? TMNT has monsters running around destroying the city. Dragon Wars has monsters destroying the city. This is not a 9/11 movie. Its a monster movie.

Disney Villain · Post by **Disney Villain** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:16 am

Siren wrote:Did you like Transformers because that had (robotic) planes flying into buildings? TMNT has monsters running around destroying the city. Dragon Wars has monsters destroying the city. This is not a 9/11 movie. Its a monster movie.

I understand that this is not a 9/11 film; However, to create a film that hits so close to home for many victims is disgusting. Is it really necessary to depict the total destruction of Manhattan, so soon after 9/11? (yes 6 years is still current). I don’t expect you to understand. I don’t know how 9/11 affected you, but it affected me greatly. All I saw and heard during this trailer was the same images and sounds I experienced on that day. Total chaos, people running and screaming for their lives, people covered in debris, and looking around feeling as if the entire world was ending. I don’t want to start an argument with you because you obviously do not understand. I will not be seeing this film, and I’m sure many others will not be happy as well.

Maerj · Post by **Maerj** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:57 pm

The first season of Heroes showed the destruction of NYC. There are a lot of monster movies or disaster films that deal with the same thing. They are all just fantasy and I don't think they are disrespectful to anyone. 9-11 was a tragedy but there is a time when you do have to move on.

disneyboy20022 · Post by **disneyboy20022** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:08 pm

Maerj wrote:The first season of Heroes showed the destruction of NYC. There are a lot of monster movies or disaster films that deal with the same thing. They are all just fantasy and I don't think they are disrespectful to anyone. 9-11 was a tragedy but there is a time when you do have to move on.

I kinda understand Disney Villain's problem... I know I got rid of Godzilla right after 9/11 happened.... The 1990 american remake of the movie with Godzilla in NYC with Mathew Broderick.... I just thought it looked too realistic... Espically the scene in the movie where an army plane flys into and damages the Chrysler Building.....

But 6 years later I tell myself movies are just movies... What I would imagine that really makes people upset (including myself..) is the 9/11 movies made recently such as the one with Nicholas Cage in it.... To make any Blockbuster Hollywood film (and I use the word Blockbuster very loosley) is bad taste in my opinion....... It took them 50-60 years to make a Blockbuster Hollywood film about Pearl Harbor.... Now there are at least 3 Hollywood films I can think off the top of my head (although I forget there names at the moment) and thats not even counting Farenheit 9/11 (which was Informative Please don't hate me I am not a big bush fan) and the number of TV movie/documentaries Plus the movies that indirectly mention it... such as Reign Over Me with Adam sandler (Which I thought was done in good taste as well as the other 9/11 movies even with Nicholas Cage) I just think that some people which I will agree it is too soon to come out with movies about 9/11..... no matter how well made they are I think that is just too soon.. They should have waited at least until 10 - 15 years before they should make a movie based on 9/11 directly..

Also I do think that if we boycott movies or boycott anything that we liked to do before 9/11 because it reminds us of the tragedy.... the terrorists have done what they wanted to.... terrorize us...

Sorry to get off topic I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents on the subject... sorry if I seem disrespectful (which I don't think I do) but IF I do offend anyone I am sorry

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:18 pm

So we are not longer allowed to have movies of NYC being destroyed? So I guess because of Pearl Harbor, we shouldn't have military bases destroyed because of Pearl Harbor, no more sinking ships because of Titanic, no more tornado movies because of Bangladesh, no more tsunami movies because of Asia....how far should I go? I didn't lose anyone myself in 9/11. I had friends living in NY and it was horrible not knowing for hours, for some, even days. But if America keeps acting all meek and mild and doesn't allow its writers to write a movie because it is about destroying NYC, then we are letting terrorists get to us. Never forget, but we should continue on. We should be able to make and watch movies about NYC being destroyed, as we have since movies were made in the first place. NYC has always been central to many story lines, from TV, to movies, to comics. I don't see this movie being disrespectful at all. No more than I saw Transformers, and those were machines flying into buildings. I remember seeing it in the theaters and whispering to my friend, "Well, I am glad to see Hollywood finally got over the whole, plane flying into a building.". We need to get back to normal in America, and if that means making monsters destroy NY again, I am all for it.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:24 pm

disneyboy20022 wrote: To make any Blockbuster Hollywood film (and I use the word Blockbuster very loosley) is bad taste in my opinion.

I thought the SAME thing, but didn't have the balls to say it, LOL.

I'll say it now then, lol. I agree. They said they donated a portion of the profits and such to the victims. That's nice, but compared to what the 9/11 movies probably made in the box office and on DVD it is a very small fraction. I watched the documentaries on Discovery Channel and whatnot, but I didn't bother with the movies. It was too soon. If they made them years from now, I could deal. But this soon and then add insult to injury and give them a tiny donation, but act like their s*** don't stink?

Escapay · Post by **Escapay** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:28 pm

I shudder to think how people will react to a film that showed the destruction of the whole planet Earth...maybe that's why The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy wasn't well-received...

I can understand any newfound or established sensitivies some people have towards films that depict an event that's too reminiscent of real-life (be it a tragedy or otherwise). But at the heart of any moneymaking film is the idea that there's a story to tell, and that those who view the story will come away from it enlightened with the message that the director/writer wanted to convey. Even if it hurts.

disneyboy200022 wrote:It took them 50-60 years to make a Blockbuster Hollywood film about Pearl Harbor....

*cough*From Here to Eternity, Tora! Tora! Tora!, The Final Countdown*cough*

Scaps

Disney Villain · Post by **Disney Villain** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:51 am

I would just like to apologize for getting this thread so off-topic, it was not my intention to do so. I posted my original message after viewing the trailer and re-living my memories of 9/11. Don’t get me wrong, Hollywood can make whatever film they want. If they want to blow up buildings, or make evil fairies evoke the powers of hell then more power to them, I’m all for it. I’m not one of “those people” who go around protesting for political correctness. I know this is totally off-topic, once again, but I hate political correctness…Merry Christmas not Happy Holidays. In fact it often enrages me when I read about people protesting films or deeming things to offensive. My initial post was written as a response to the trailer, which brought back many painful memories. This is a touchy subject for me and I feel that, by what I saw in the trailer, the film was way, way to graphic and eerily similar to that horrifying day. I thought that perhaps the filmmakers could have put that into consideration.

As to “moving on”, well I have moved on. I understand that this is an open forum and we’re all entitled to our opinions, but you have no right to tell me to “move on” or “get over it”. We all deal with these things in our own way. I have put my 9/11 experience behind me. This trailer merely brought up too many memories, and in my emotions got the best of me, and that is why I wrote my initial post. Siren, I value you as a UD member, you’re a great poster and I’m a fan of your many wonderful videos; however, I took your comments as rather rude and offensive. I don’t know if that was your intention, but that’s how I took it. I hope that you never have to endure something like 9/11, and if you did then I think you might take some offense to this film. Now once again, I am sorry for straying this topic off of its original intent. This is all I have to say on the matter. Thank you.

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:35 am

Debate #1: Firstly, in the 80s and 90s, way before 9/11, while the UK, (and it must be said other countries) had to deal with terrorism the US didn't think twice about churning out hundreds of cheesy "lone defender against terrorists" movies (often totally ignoring the actual realities of terrorism) and selling them to us and other countries. All of these movies had scenes of public places being blown-up. It makes for good visuals, but arguably could be considered in bad taste for people who have just heard about another pub/nightclub/office building being blown-up on the news a day or week or two before. Yet, oddly, nobody really cared. Certainly not the US filmmakers, or those marketing or promoting the films over here. And neither did the UK audience either. It's your decision if you go and see a movie or not, and if you feel the subject is not right, for whatever reason (time, personal closeness to an event, etc) just don't pay to see it.

Secondly, people make films about wars during or soon after the war in question. Lots more people die in wars. War is not great, or glorious or simply an adventure – war is authorised killing. Even now, while it is still ongoing, the US has started to make films examining both the actual experience of being a combatant in the Iraq war, or examining how the war happened and the decision making of those controlling the war.

Debate #2: I said this in another thread, but I think the point of the new movie will be Gaia like – nature's revenge on mankind for polluting the environment. I think the monster will be like Hedorah from the Godzilla movies – something created because of mankind's actions, perhaps even out of all the bile and pollution we generate and simply dump. Green politics and the environment are – if not popular as such – a huge talking point at the moment, and such a movie would be timely and relevant.

I'm sure it's not another Godzilla movie, or Godzilla lite movie (which is what I would consider a "re-imagining" of other famous monster movies to be). I hope this has an original monster and hopefully an actual point (no matter how slight) to it.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:17 pm

I didn't mean for them to sound offensive, but its how I feel. I agree with 2099net, I think it might be a monster we created, intentionally or not. And you do realize there is a dragon in Enchanted running amok in NY right? In one clip I saw it crashing out of a building. But THAT is okay, right? Just trying to be on the same ground here.

Godzilla himself was a monster we created when radioactive waste went into a normal lizard's body. Its a premise used and overused very often. Jurassic Park has the same idea. In essence, JP movies were just big budget B-movie monster flicks. There are very few monster movies out there that don't involve humans screwing up something in nature and it coming back to haunt us. The Host for instance. While a monster movie like Lake Placid, we really didn't do anything. A croc found its way by accident there. Betty White may have fed it, but with or without her, it was finding prey on its own anyways. But most monster flicks, we screwed up, lol.

9/11 wasn't us screwing up. And I won't even humor those with conspiracy theories. I don't begin to trust our government 100%, but I won't play around with 9/11 conspiracies. But regardless, it wasn't something we did that created it. This monster flick will be like the rest of them. Maybe the monster was made in a lab with DNA or maybe by accident from pollution. Or an alien.

The movie is filmed mostly on a camcorder, ala Blair Witch. Blair Witch was about teenagers lost in the woods and likely being killed. You didn't hear parent's of lost teens crying foul. I think people are looking too deep into this. If the monster is wearing a turban and has a goatee and is screaming "AIAIAIAIAIAIAIAI!" before hitting a building, I think complaints would be mandatory. But for now, I stick with my theory, its a big dumb reptile that is playing cat and mouse with the military. Like all the other ones do. Am I am done talking about the supposed 9/11 connection. I rather just talk about the movie itself.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:44 am

There are some "concept art" and sculptures around online of what the monster looks like now. Some are covered in tentacles and ones it kinda whale like. Hard to say what it may look like. I am unsure if this poster is official, but it is interesting

You can see the image of the monster in the smoke/clouds. SPOILER
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/20 ... onster.jpg

Was reading a bit more about the movie tonight (not that there is much out there)

The head of the Statue of Liberty was inspired by Escape from NY.
And also, this movie is NOT a remake of Godzilla. According to JJ, this is a brand new monster of his own creation. And the reason it is filmed in the way it is, is due to our culture right now. YouTube, reality TV, paparazzi....we are obsessed with cameras. Of documenting everything in our and other people's lives and watching it. It does help to give a new twist to an old story. Experiencing it through the eyes of the heroes, rather than just watching it as an audience.

SpringHeelJack · Post by **SpringHeelJack** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:22 am

If this winds up being some bizarre bit of H.P. Lovecraft mythology / Cthulhu, I will smack somebody.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:29 pm

That was speculation before, but according to JJ, this is a brand new monster movie/story. He said he got the idea when he took his son to Japan and they had all the Godzilla stuff there and he thought how America didn't really have a "real monster". That King Kong was too cute and sympathetic. That America needed a monster that was just hell bent on destruction.

SpringHeelJack · Post by **SpringHeelJack** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:51 pm

But Godzilla is a friend to Japan! At least in the sequels.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:31 pm

Yeah, in the sequels, he eventually is "nicer" and defends Japan. That is because culture changed. They saw Godzilla as being a mascot for Japan. Something that could defend Japan from enemies. But the original concept, he was all for destruction of Japan. That is what JJ is going for he said. America's own Godzilla. No idea about its backstory and creation. I don't want to know about that anyways. I'll wait till the 18th to see

memnv · Post by **memnv** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:16 pm

I am taking off early from work on the 18th so I can see this movie. BTW I am a native New Yorker, born in Queens and I am not disturbed by this movie destroying NYC. It has happened in so many movies over the years. We have has Giant Apes climb the Empire States Building and the Towers, A Giant Lizard laying eggs in the Garden, A Masked Seiral Killer taking the city, The City in the Atlantic Ocean and also frozen plus many more things happen to it. Just gotta remember it is a movie

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:37 pm

I believe it was Stan Lee who said something like this about New York

Everyone knows New York. Whether you live in or out of the USA, you know what New York, looks like, and is all about. Even if you have never been there. That's why its so often used in comic books and movies. Because when you Spiderman swung to the Empire State Building or the X-Men battled Magneto in Central Park, you can instantly see it all in your head. And yet, you may never have been there in your life.

And he's right. NY means a lot of things to a lot of people. No matter what, this is a movie about a monster destroying a city. No matter what, even if it didn't take place in NY, people would still feel some sort of connection to 9/11. It is bound to happen for a very very long time. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't watch it or it should be boycotted. If that's the case, there will never ever been another disaster movie ever.

Lazario · Post by **Lazario** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:32 pm

I don't know if I'm too late to this discussion or not, but on the subject of a movie depicting horrific acts that terrorize large groups of people...

You can say 9/11 all you want, and I'm not blaming you or saying anything particularly harsh, but this movie is just one more film in a tradition of movies that are pretty much just like this (forgiving certain aspects of supernature) - Independence Day and Armageddon leap to mind fairly quickly. They also showed devastation in large cities. And I found both to be much more disturbing than what we're seeing in the previews for this one.

This movie isn't doing anything new that these other movies haven't already done.

Have a nice day.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:48 pm

I find ID4 and Armageddon more disturbing as well. And it has nothing to do with 9/11. They just have this feeling of "it could happen". Meteors strike Earth all the time, most are too small to register. But knowing of the KT meteor and what destruction it did, its a very real possibility we could be hit. Few years back, some astronomers identified an asteroid that they announced would likely hit Earth and it was huge, it was an extinction asteroid. Within days, NASA and our government has them up there on tv saying "We were wrong by a million miles.". I have a feeling they were forced to say that. I'm sorry, but when a scientist discovers something as mind-blowing as that, they don't just run around and announce it. They likely all checked the math, rechecked it, checked the recheck, and then checked again, before coming out with it. I think the whole press conference was a piece of B.S. to calm people down and I do believe the original release was correct, that there is an asteroid making a b-line for Earth.

And ID4 felt real because if there is intelligent life out there, and they can visit Earth, obviously their technology is way above our own. We'd compare to the Stone Age to them. We'd be totally screwed if they attacked us.

Humans so often feel above everything. Because on Earth, we feel above it all. We feel smarter than everything here. But when it comes down to it, we are still just animals that are prone to being openly attacked and there is little we could do to stop it.

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