Friday, January 9, 2009

Awesome

Each Friday we drum up some cool trivia and quotes about amazing movies and not-so-amazing movies (read: pilfer the extensive trivia catalogues of IMDb) as a little treat for those thousands of loyal fans who stick it out till Friday afternoon to make sure they've read every. single. one. of our postings. This week: Cloverfield

The story behind the marketing of Cloverfield is almost more amazing than any of the trivia surrounding the movie itself, so I will do my best to include both. 

For anyone who saw the movie - and if you haven't you should - the coolest part about the trivia is that it explains literally everything. No shot isn't there for a reason, no number or word isn't shown unless it connects to something else. It all fits together so well that the trivia, combined with the movie makes you feel like you're looking at a freshly completed cross-word puzzle. Or so I could imagine, having never finished a cross-word puzzle myself. Either way, without further adieu, Cloverfield.

CLOVERFIELD (2008)

- The first trailer for this movie played before Transformers (2007). It showed a giant explosion in the heart of New York City and the Statue of Liberty's head being thrown down a street. It was shot with a hand-held video recorder. There was no title.

- Jason (Mike Vogel) can be seen wearing a Slusho! T-shirt throughout the movie. Slusho! is a drink from J.J. Abrams' show "Alias" (2001) as well as a codename of the film's, and the shirt is the only time the beverage is acknowledged during the movie, with far more information hinted about it on the Internet.

- The film was shot in 34 days, in Los Angeles under the fake title "Slusho" and in New York under the fake title "Cheese". The Ferris wheel scene, the last in sequential order, was filmed on the first day. The scene inside Beth's parents' apartment, the first in sequential order, was filmed on the last day.

- While shooting in New York, the movie piggy-backed on the filming of I Am Legend, using the crowds and shooting permits to shoot their own scenes at the Brooklyn Bridge. In fact, the destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge shown in both I Am Legend and Cloverfield looks striking similar when watched in quick succession.

- The title "Cloverfield"; initially just a codename for the movie, is named for the boulevard in Santa Monica where the Bad Robot offices were located during the making of the film.

- The only reason people knew about the film at all was that J.J. Abrams Lawyer opened a company called Cloverfield sometime in 2005. All funds for the film were funneled through there, so no studio was publishing costs for Abrams' new movie.

- The new company, set up by Abrams' lawyer had a website. It turned out it was a Japanese company that made the specialty drink called "Slusho" (referred to above), the secret ingredient to which was a mysterious deep-water plankton that they were farming.

- There are suggestions that the deep-water plankton has something to do with waking the Cloverfield monster, angering the Cloverfield monster, or bringing it to earth in the first place. Or perhaps all three.

- The teaser trailer, as was planned, was shot before principal production began with digital cameras.

- The film has no music score and music for the end credits do not begin until 1 minute and 30 seconds after the credits start rolling.

- Prints were shipped to some theaters under the name "Bertha".

- The movie is viewed primarily from the point of view of Hud, the character who uses the camera the most. H.U.D. is short for Heads-Up Display, a method for overlaying information onto a view of one's surroundings such as Timestamps on video footage.

- During the first weekend of the release, many theaters posted signs warning guests that the hand held camera movements may cause motion sickness. My friend Kent actually barfed in the theatre.

- Lizzy Caplan (Marlena) did not know what she was auditioning for. She thought it was a romantic movie until her second audition, where she read a scene from "Alias" (2001). It wasn't until after she was offered the role that she found out it was a monster movie, and the actors weren't allowed to read the script until after they signed on.

- After signing on, the principle actors were allowed to read the whole script only once. From then on they were only given the shooting pages for that day, all of which were then collected at the end of the day and destroyed.

- The decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty in the street is inspired by the poster for John Carpenter's Escape from New York (1981), which depicts the head of the Statue of Liberty lying in the middle of the street.

- In the teaser trailer, the voice yelling "I saw it! It's alive! It's huge!" is that of Director Matt Reeves.

- The voice in the mysterious radio broadcast that plays after the end credits is director Matt Reeves.

- One of the original ideas for a title for the movie was "Greyshot," both a reference to the hand-held style of filming and the name of the bridge in Central Park where Rob and Beth take refuge.

- The voice yelling "Oh my God!" repeatedly when the head of the Statue of Liberty lands on the street is either producer Bryan Burk of J.J. Abrams. Both claim that it's them.

- The opening party scenes were filmed without music, and the guests in the background were silently pretending to talk to one another. All the music was added in post-production.

- The film begins on April 27 and ends on May 23 at the exact same time: 6.42 AM.

- Images from King Kong (1933), The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), and Them! (1954) are hidden within the film. Each image is seen extremely briefly, for only a single frame, during a camera edit. The "Them!" picture is shown at 00.24.06, the "Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" picture is shown at 00.45.27, and the "King Kong" picture is shown at 1.06.55. A brief clip of Rob and Beth at a train station is seen with the "King Kong" image at 1.06.51.

- The head of the Statue of Liberty is shown about 50% larger than actual size. CG supervisor David Vickery said in an interview that many people imagined the head being much bigger than it actually is, and that the size was increased due to complaints that the head looked too small in the trailer.

- Cameo: [Laetitia Casta] Model in the poster inside the Sephora shop exterior where Lily, Marlena, Rob and Hud stop after running from the Brooklyn Bridge, before Rob enters the electronics store.

- The rats used in the tunnel scene were specially-trained and colored with a dark, charcoal-like substance to give them the appearance of wild, dirty tunnel rats. The rats in the final shot were completely computer-generated.

- J.J. Abrams has used the number 47 extensively on past projects. In "Alias" (2001) it played great importance as a page on Rambaldi's manuscript, and as a recurring pointer to important motifs. It should come as no surprise that "Cloverfield" is the designation to the case of the images found on Area US-447. Also, in the scenes where they're taking the stairs up to the top of the skyscrapers to save Beth, one of the floor numbers filmed is the 47th.

- 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.

- The crossfire sequence was shot in one night on the Warner Brothers New York Street lot in Burbank. The extras playing soldiers fired real blanks from their weapons for the first couple of takes until 10:00 pm, when noise ordinances forced them to use quiet flash bulb alternatives.

- Eric Leven -- the visual effects supervisor -- refers to the monster as "Clover".

- According to Neville Page, creature designer -- the monster is a baby in a new environment -- "spooked" and looking for its mother.

- There are rumors stemming from this comment from Page that Cloverfield II will surround the mother coming to earth as well.

- According to Annie Pomeranz - visual effects producer - puppets were used in the scene involving the "parasites" inside the tunnel but the scene turned out to be more interactive than originally thought and CGI animation was required. However, Matt Reeves - the director - states that the scenes with the puppets were too "goofy".

SPOILERS:

SPOILER: Right before the credits, in the last Coney Island scene, as the camera looks out at the ocean, you can see a large but far away object fall into the ocean and make a splash.

SPOILER: After viewing a cut of the film, Steven Spielberg suggested giving the audience a hint at the fate of the monster during the climax. This resulted in the addition of the broadcast overheard on the military helicopter's radio, as well as the sounding of air raid sirens, both to signal the forthcoming "Hammerdown" bombing mentioned earlier in the film.

SPOILER: Hud was originally going to survive, but producer J.J. Abrams suggested having him getting eaten by the monster, allowing the audience to vicariously experience this. The scene was then planned as having Hud getting eaten instantly after turning around, but it was decided that the audience deserved a good look at the monster, which resulted in the longer shot with the monster leaning down to inspect Hud before biting and killing him.

SPOILER: It was originally intended for the Brooklyn Bridge to be destroyed by one of the monster's hands, but it was decided that this seemed too deliberate. It was changed to the monster's tail destroying the bridge, which seemed more accidental.

SPOILER: According to Director Matt Reeves in the DVD documentary, the last shot of the film, when Rob and Beth are on Coney Island, was the very first shoot of principal photography, while the very first scene in Beth's dad's apartment was the very last shoot of principal photography.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Calendar of Events Leading up to Nicaragua


I think it's important in the winter to have things to look forward too. Don't you? So let's have a look at the upcoming weekends and see if we can't get this thing filled up with funness.


Weekend of Jan 9th -Jan 11th:
9th - Raptors box seats followed by Make Your Exit concert at the Rivoli. Solid night.
10th - Party at the Ghaeli/Umpherson/Heakes residence. Tearful goodbye for Umphie.
11th - Playoff Football games plus mad depression knowing Monday is coming.


Weekend of Jan 16th - Jan 18th:
16th - no plans as of yet, someone fill this in.
17th - MONSTER TRUCK RALLY! Jean jackets and trucker hats here we come.
18th - Playoff Football games plus mad depression knowing Monday is coming.


Weekend of Jan 23rd - Jan25th:
23rd - Still pending. Driving up to Huntsville for the whole weekend and playing hockey, beer pong, and drinking far too much at Howie's cottage. Please god let this happen.
24th - Still playing hockey YEAH!
25th - Miserable drive home knowing Monday is coming.


Weekend of Jan 30th - Feb 1st:
30th - Big Make Your Exit show this night, possibly the biggest of all time.
31st - Nothing going on, someone fill this in.
1st - Take a wild guess.....fuckin mondays.


Weekend of Feb 6th - Feb 8th:
6th - Leave early from work to drive to Montreal for the weekend, arrive late, drink hard.
7th - Head to Peel Pub early afternoon. Drink 5 Bud Lights for 9 dollars. Attend Habs vs. Leafs game at Bell Centre. Celebrate the shellacking the Habs lay down afterwards.
8th - Drive back to Toronto, possibly swerve into oncoming traffic.


Weekend of Feb 13th - Feb 15th:
13th - Excitement rising.......no plans.
14th - Still rising......reaching epic proportions.....no plans.
15th - Excitement still there.....but slight abated knowing Monday still sucks.


Weekend of Feb 20th - Feb 21st:
20th - Masturbate all day and night thinking about Nicaragua.
21st - Wake up early, taxi to airport, fly to Nicaragua, drive to new house for the week, ejaculate for the first time in my life with no physical contact upon arrival at the house.
22nd - Surf all fuckin day and get drunk.

So there's the schedule. A few things may need to be filled in, but i think we're pretty well covered. Pumped?


-Rum and Coke with a slice of Grime

Update!


Ok so for all you Mark Grimes fans out there who were dying to know how he did in net last night, here's your update.


Well Mark did better than expected, much better. In fact, he had a shutout going almost halfway through the game! Bear in mind that our defense in the first period was pretty much impenetrable and he might have had only one shot on net. Then in the second we let up a few more, including two breakaways both of which they missed the net on. However Mark did make about 4 or 5 saves before a wrist shot from the slot beat him off the post and in. They quickly found Mark's weak spot which was low five hole, and ended up potting another one before we could answer back and make it 2-1. (I got the goal!)


The third period it was clear that with only two lines we pretty much ran out of gas. The final score was 6-2 for those dickheads, but Mark made some more nice stops, including gloving a slapshot from the point from their best player. Mark and I had made a bet pregame that was if he let in 8 goals or more he owed me dinner. If he managed to keep it under 8 then the reverse was true. Which means I now owe him a meal. DAMN! Also the gamesheet somehow says that he faced 26 shots which isn't remotely true, so now he's all stoked and bragging about making 20 saves when there's not a chance that's true! However i think he did surprise us all by playing better than we expected, and more than anything he has my respect for wanting to get in net, and following through. So well done Markus.


I'd say the high point of the night though was the drive home. It's snowy and shitty out, a real nice slow drive with 3 tired stinky young men just wanting to get back to their cozy beds. Then all of a sudden the van starts to throw out warning bells. The engine temperature warning comes on, we take a look and the old girl's overheating. Then there's this weird knockity slip slapping noise coming from the engine. Luckily we were right at the mississauga road exit so we pulled in quickly and made it to the Tim Horton's/Shell station. So I gave CAA a call, they show up 45 minutes to an hour later. Load up my baby girl and tow her to Oakville. We call a cab and head back to Toronto. So my mom just gave me a little ring a ding, turns out it's going to cost 1000 bucks to get my sweet baby fixed. Well so much for my plans of buying a new computer! What a night.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Ramblings


Nothing specific to talk about today so let's just have a nice ramble, we can talk about the news, sports, what's new in my life and the lives around me. Just catch up, wouldn't that be nice? I think that would be nice.


First off, mad props to all 17-19 year old males out there. Wait....that sounds really bad. I'm shouting out specifically to those Canadian males with gold medals around their necks. Some of you may have followed the World Juniors tournament in Ottawa this year. Some maybe saw just the final. Either way i think i will go on record and say that this was the most entertaining World Juniors i've ever watched. And i've watched them all for as long as i can remember. First off i got to see a game live, Canada's first against the Czech Republic. Sure they blew them out 8-2 but it was still a great atmosphere and had been on my "To Do Before I Die" list for a long time. Seeing as how i probably don't have much time left I'm glad i got it done. This year's team was fun to watch. So much skill and as cliche as it sounds, so much heart. They deserved to win unlike some years where the goaltending carries them through. The Canada vs. Russia game was a classic and always will be cause of the last second heroics of Eberle. And then the final, although it wasn't much of a nail biter, was still a fantastic game to watch cause they played their best game of the tournament when they needed to. So hats off to those young men, for those of us who were watching, you made us proud!



Next on the list.....let's talk about the Gaza strip! Actually let's not....i'll get depressed and i don't know enough about it. But i think many of us can agree that it's sad to see so many bodies pile up because of a piece of land, no matter how important it may be.



We haven't talked about Mike Denby in a while and i know he's always a hot topic! Specifically cause he just called me up a minute ago. The kid got his old job back! Not full time or anything, but they're going to find some work for him for a while so let's all give a Big John Denby "HEY HEY MIKEY BOY! WHAT A HOOT! ISN'T THAT JUST GREAT! HEY HEY!" Also for those music lovers out there, young Michael Robert is now in Jeff Buckley, and Mike Thompson's band "Make Your Exit". That's them in the picture above sans Mike Denby. I was fortunate enough to see their show at the El Mocambo on Friday night. Wow did they ever blow minds. They get better and better every time i see them play, and with the addition of Mr. Denby into the band they now pop boners aswell. Hmm....probably shouldn't have written that last part. Either way they're playing a show this Friday night at the Rivoli, we will all be there, and you should come too if you haven't seen them cause they're pretty much the best band in the history of music. No exageration.



Ok let's check the list, what's up next? Hmm...nothing there. So i'll just make a few short comments.


The Buffalo Bills suck, and it sucks being a fan, but i will not give up on them.


I've got box seats to the raptors game friday night, high rollin!!!


Alex Kitz wants to purchase a treadmill.


My friend and yours Peter N'geno, is due to be a father this Sunday Jan.11th! We're all very excited for him. But Peter....if the baby comes out white.....and maybe a little slow....and is blonde.....and loves weed.....well i think you know what i'm trying to say.


The Habs rule, the Leafs suck. Accept it.


Nicaragua surf trip is now only about a month and a half away, i seriously can not wait to gnar out with my brohan's in the freshy freshy.


Derek Mumford has a job interview tomorrow. If he gets it, he will be hanging with Inuits 2 weeks every month, and being paid far too much to do it.


Julien Favre cheered for Sweden in the World Juniors final last night, further cementing his position at the top of the list of "World's Largest Douchebags".


My brother will be strapping on the pads and playing goalie for my hockey team tonight. This marks the first time he's played net in 20 years. The over/under for goals scored will be set at 10. I personally am choosing over.


I filled out an expense claim for my year's worth of contact lenses yesterday, that's $445.00 worth of lenses since i wear dailies. I don't believe i filled out the form properly. So i'll probably receive a letter from Manulife Financial promptly in the mail, informing me of this. I'm not looking forward to filling it out again.


Well after rereading my final little note there i think i might have run out of things to say and probably should have stopped a while ago. Unless you guys want to hear about my pubic hair removal fiasco from the other day? No? Well we'll save that for another day then. Happy Tuesday everyone, i'll let you know how Mark does in net tonight!


Peace out,

Optimus Grime

Monday, January 5, 2009

Happy Birthday Mumford!


Today is Derek "the Comfort" Mumford's birthday. He's 28 years old, or 4 years old in reverse dog years. I suppose there's some truth to the rumour that guy's get better looking with age cause despite his chronic back pain, Mumford is looking damn fine these days. Probably cause he doesn't have a job stripping his looks away like the rest of us. So let's all wish him a happy birthday when we get the chance ok? Write on his facebook wall, send him a BB message, text message him, give him a call, just get in touch cause i'm sure he'd love to hear from you.


Mumford is going to hopefully have one of the happiest birthdays of his life, cause that lucky bastard is attending the Canada vs. Sweden world juniors game tonight which i know we're all looking forward too. Not only that....he finally has a job interview on Wednesday! Not only that, i have box seats to the Raptors game Friday night so we will be celebrating and getting drunk like the high rollers that we are that night! What a birthday week for the comfort!


So that's it for now. Not much of a blog, more of a shout out to Big Juicy Van on his birthday. Keep it real comfortable Mumford.