Cloverfield and Post Road Pumpkin Ale

31 Days of Drafts and Darkness: VOL 2!

"Cloverfield" (2008)

A horror sub-genre, monster movies are usually great fun. Though they can serve as metaphor ('Godzilla' was a reaction to nuclear warfare), most creature features are out to be thrill rides. Be they built on a small, skittering shadow in the dark or a looming behemoth, these films have their hearts set on the monster. Most of the human characters are only there to a.) Get eaten and/or b.) Run away.

When shooting a monster, filmmakers can take one of two approaches. They keep the beast hidden, giving the audience only a glimpse or shadow until the big reveal at the end ("Jaws", for example). Or the total opposite approach: throwing the monstrosity at you from the get-go and daring you to sit and stare at its spectacle ("The Host", "The Thing").

Tonight's film does a bit of both.

Back when the found-footage craze was still young, "Cloverfield" took classic elements of 50's monster movies and then put us in the role of fleeing citizens. The beast in spends much of the movie hidden, not because it's small, but because it's so immense we can never get a full-picture look at it. Unnamed (though he/she/it has come to be nick-named 'Clover'), this monster is unlike any other I've yet to see on film.

The Plot:

Our story unfolds via a series of video recordings. Most of the action centers on Rob, a yuppie drone who just landed a job in Japan. His going-away party is made up of the various urban 20-something archetypes. Conversation follows as can be expected. Relationships, flirting, drinking, blah, blah, blah. And we, the audience, get to hear it all via the ever-present camcorder. This is our viewpoint for the film: directly first-person and through the eyes of Hudson, goofy friend of yuppie drone.

Right when the banality starts become insufferable, a tremor rocks the apartment. Power begins to flicker on and off, so everyone rushes up to the roof. In the distance, fires are breaking out. Then a building explodes and rains debris down on our party-goers. Those that make it out of the building and onto the street confront a wave of fleeing New Yorkers. The Statue of Liberty's head rolls down the street with a claw mark down its face.

New York is under attack. But by what, no one knows. Something large is moving behind all the buildings, but it's too big to get a good look at. The tightly-spaced skyscrapers obstruct all but a tail here or fang there. Whatever it is, it's angry.  Confused and afraid, the cast attempts to escape with their lives, fleeing the destructive path of the beast.

The Flavor:

While found-footage movies are getting tired these days, when "Cloverfield" came out, it was one of the first big examples of what the style could do. As a meek spectator, we spend the entire movie looking up, way up, at a monster doing damage. This changes the entire perspective of the terror. Suddenly, we're seeing the threat exactly how its victims are seeing it. We're not watching a monster attack actors. We're watching it attack us.

And while the beast is deadly enough on its own, equally dangerous are the crumbling buildings all around. The world has gone from a place of relative safety, frivolity even, to literally falling apart. Why? How? Doesn't matter. Just run.

"Cloverfield" is best enjoyed via big screen and surround-sound. I got to see the film at its midnight release, and wow, am I ever happy I did. The entire theater reverberated with each footstep the creature took. The chaos was right in your face, like being aboard a high-octane roller coaster. Footage can be dizzying to keep up with at times, but it's fitting for the scenario. We can't expect our cameraman to keep a steady shot while running for his life. Thus, something that usually detracts from found-footage films, the dreaded shaky-cam, actually works well here. When things slow down and we actually do get a decent look at what's coming, it's usually not good.

Finally, I really want to commend the film designers for the look of 'Clover'. Months before the film's release, the internet was abuzz with rumors and pictures of what this creature was supposed to be or look like. Some people speculated that this was a remake. I heard Godzilla and even Voltron mentioned a few times. It's appearance was tightly kept under wraps. Hell, the reason I saw the film opening night was out of fear that the media would spoil monster soon after.

"Cloverfield" is no remake. It's monster is an original creation. Sometimes during the film, Clover is revealed in pieces. Other times, we get quick, flashy glimpses of its full frame. It's unlike any other monster I've ever seen. Pale and twisted, with whip-like tentacles and gills. I think. The nearest I can describe it is an amalgamation of shark, lizard, and insect. He's a scary looking thing who most certainly elicits a "What the hell is that!?" sort of respond when you first see it.  Awesome design.

While not perfect, "Cloverfield" is a ton of fun. Like I mentioned, the human story is a bit lame, but let's be honest, none of us came for the human story. We came for the thrill, the destruction, and the monster.  And "Cloverfield" delivers on all counts. There's even a cameo by a few of the little, creepy variety of monster too! What a bonus.

Best Paired with:

"Cloverfield" is a blast of a party movie. Crank up the volume, dim the lights, and let the living room shake under the monster's weight. There's a bit of gore in the middle of the film, but most of the film is bloodless. The majority of horror comes from the monstrous threat how to get away from it.   

Accompanying Brew:

Classic monster-movie vibe? Okay, time for another pumpkin ale. Too fitting for the season, after all.

Name: Post Road Pumpkin Ale

Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery

Where Brewed: New York

ABV: 5.0%

Style: Pumpkin Ale

Color:  A subtle amber tone, this is lighter than an Octoberfest and similar in color to other pumpkin ales.

Aroma: There's a strong spice nose, with lots of cinnamon and nutmeg upfront. There's a bit of zest to the scent as well, but it's very mild. I'm not sure if that's from the pumpkin or some other flavor.

Taste: The spices - cinnamon and nutmeg, with some clove - are with you from the start of a sip. Their flavors are very upfront, yet not overly powerful. As the brew settles over your tongue, the spice flavor is joined by a light malt character and subtle tartness. The malt flavors are pleasant with slightly roasted notes to them. The tart flavor surprised me moreso, as it's something I've encountered in other pumpkin beers, but isn't what I'd call common. I'm not sure if this particular flavor - just a bit sour, but not in an unpleasant way - stems from the pumpkin. The taste seems to carry a bit of the vegetable undertone of the signature gourd, but it's hard to pinpoint. Even so, it's a nice unique addition to make this beer stand out from the rest of the pumpkin crowd.

Aftertaste: The tart flavor sticks around longer than the malt taste. As you swallow, a slight acid zing will remain on your tongue for a moment or two before the hops show up. Once they do, the tartness recedes and you're given a second or two of spice before the bitterness cleanses it away. Like in many pumpkinheads, the hop factor is mild. It also strikes me as a bit spicy, but seeing as I just tasted cinnamon and nutmeg, I can't quite be sure that's coming from the hop alone. Despite that, the hop flavor is just bitter enough to wipe away the other flavors and reset the palate for the next sip. It's also mild enough to go easy on those not used to bitter beers.

Body: Fairly light, I can see the Post Road Pumpkin Ale going down like air at Halloween parties and the like. It's very drinkable and probably quite easy to tackle many of in one sitting. Bear that in mind.

Pair: If your friends are gathering around pizza and wings, Post Road Pumpkin Ale offers a light, yet flavorful choice to go along with your Friday evening.