This week the BF and I finally sat down to watch the much hyped “Cloverfield.” I had read several blog posts from people who saw this movie and thought it was the most amazing thing ever. Unfortunately neither of us liked it. The BF didn’t think it was too bad, he just didn’t like the ending, but was hoping for a sequel to tie up lose ends. I just thought it was aggravating all around.

For those who don’t know, “Cloverfield” is basically “The Blair Witch Project” but with a Godzilla like monster attacking New York. It made news first with it’s very odd trailer last year and then when it was released because the shaky hand-held camera angles and movement were making people sick in the theater. Had I seen this in the theater I so would have had a monster migraine for sure! It was worse than “The Blair Witch,” which did make me ill watching on the big screen. That’s one reason I waited for the small screen.

Unlike “The Blair Witch” though, I don’t feel “Cloverfield” delivered. First, there literally is no real story to the movie. There kind of is, but not enough of one. Most of the story is about the people and their relationships rather than the monster. Maybe this is what they were going for, but if I have to see a giant monster destroying New York then I’d like to know something about IT. The relationships in the movie were also aggravating, because aside from one couple, there really weren’t relationships. The guy who does the camera lusts after a girl in the group he hardly knows, while our “hero” decides rather than flee New York he’s going to ground zero to rescue his girlfriend. Oh and by girlfriend, I really mean the girl he’s been in love with for years who has treated him only as a friend, blew him off at his own going away party and is dating someone else. So of course all his friends risk their lives to help him! Yeah you know this isn’t going to end well. Finally the ending was aggravating. I won’t give it away, but even the BF yelled out “What the #$%#$ that’s it!”

Two thumbs down as far as I’m concerned!

Last night however I finally watched “Aliens Versus Predator: Requiem” which I’ve had sitting around for about a month. All I can say is redemption! Now THIS is a monster movie! It’s the sequel to the ill received original “Aliens Versus Predator” which I actually rather enjoyed myself. You don’t have to have seen the original really to enjoy this one, but it does provide a back story.

The original took place at an excavation somewhere in the arctic circle. A large pyramid structure was found deep underground. As it turned out it was a temple built by humans for the Predators, an alien race engaged in a hunt across space of the Aliens race. Every so many years earth hosted the hunt and well, I won’t spoil any more in case anyone wants to see the original then the sequel.

The sequel takes place right after the original, once again on earth. However instead of being confided to an underground pyramid, this one takes place in some town in somewhere USA. This is a classic no hold barred, no one is safe from death monster movie. Almost everyone, and I mean everyone is slaughtered in this movie. What’s great is the gore doesn’t get to the point of “Saw” or “Hostel” levels where the gore takes over and is the movie. This is much like a classic slasher movie, just with the Aliens and a Predator as the killers.

Two thumbs way up!