Buzz Multiplex: The "Cloverfield" Crush
by Vera H-C ChanJan 17, 2008
"Cloverfield," the long-awaited monster mash, comes into the multiplex with a 15-fold buzz lead over wedding-themed comedy "27 Dresses." While we await the day when a clever director combines the genres for a monster Bridezilla movie, the true horror of the week (at least for the male of the species) may be this week's third-place limited release.
1. "Cloverfield" (PG-13). At the stroke of midnight, director J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Mission Impossible III") finally unleashes the monster from the marketing campaign. Trailers have spurred an online investigation into the oversized critter, and searchers have come up with suspects like Godzilla, H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu or the beast from 20,000 fathoms (from the 1953 flick). T.J. Miller may be the movie's videographer and Michael Stahl-David the camera's focus, but the buzz belongs to co-stars Jessica Lucas and Lizzy Caplan. By the way, at least one mystery has been solved: "Cloverfield" is just the exit the director takes off the Santa Monica Freeway to get to work.
2. "27 Dresses" (PG-13). The all-frills piece makes a direct appeal to the female contingent, and it's working: The Katherine Heigl romantic comedy doesn't have the appeal of rampaging beasts, but the chick flick ranks in the top 2,000 searches for the past 7 days. Heigl, following in the perky tradition of Meg Ryan and Reese Witherspoon, gets more interest than co-stars James Marsden, Malin Akerman and Edward Burns combined.
3. "Teeth" (R, limited release). The bizarre festival indie horror brings urban legends to life, with star Jess Weixler as a young Christian girl whose female organs are equipped with teeth. Interest from males and females alike is small but mesmerized, and they've been motivated to research the "vagina dentata" phenomena as well. Not surprisingly, the role of a lifetime has imprinted Weixler for movie audiences—the actress' buzz is up 116% this week.
Also spiking on the Buzz Marquee... Despite an all-star cast that includes Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah, and Diane Keaton, people care more about Holmes' latest haircut than "Mad Money" (PG-13). Expect the movie to make a mad rush to the DVD bin... Director Woody Allen is still steeped in his creative London phase, but "Cassandra's Dream" (PG-13, limited release) comes up short generating buzz even with talents Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell teaming up as brothers in this dark crime drama.