Archive for February, 1999
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Commentary…
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- Fight Fans like Jack Nicholson, Jay-Z, Ben Affleck, and Mark Wahlberg packed the VIP lounge at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand to watch Mike Tyson endure the taunts of Francois Botha and then systematically pound the guy to the canvas in Round Five. Affleck was kicking back after recently finishing Kevin Smith’s comedy Dogma, in which Alanis Morisette plays God. “She’s really nice,” Affleck said about his cast mate. “Very Canadian. Super Canadian. She could really be a representative for Canada. She is a Canadian like you read about.” How so? “I mean, she’s a Canadian from the hinterlands.” The film, due out this fall, is sure to cause controversy with the 700 Club. “It’s unformulaic and very fresh,” Affleck says. “Once you see it, it’s quite obviously a joke.”
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Kev’s News…
- Anyhoo, not much new to report. Scott and I have been shaving at the flick for the last few days, doing what we refer to as our final pass. It’s an eight reel film, and we’re just about to start reel four. Within those first three reels, we’ve found over four minutes of cuts. At that rate, when we reach the end of the film, we should have it down to about 2:05 or so. Panic not, good people – it’s nothing you would’ve noticed anyway. No scenes are being excised; we’re just trimming a line here and there.
I find it all a little odd that for the longest script we’ve ever shot, the flick’ll wind up being only a few minutes longer than ‘Amy’. Go figure.
Meanwhile, the ‘Coyote Ugly’ script is coming along nicely as well. The Bruckheimer folks seem very pleased. Mind you – this isn’t one of the bombastic Bruckheimer epics. It’s more along the lines of a ‘Dangerous Minds’ or ‘Flashdance’ (the Jerry ‘chick-flicks’ as it were). It’s slated for release before year’s end.
Kevin On Superhero Costumes…
- Superman: The classically beautiful costume. But where are the footpads? If you’re dropping from rooftop to rooftop and landing in the asphalt, that’s gotta wear and tear on those socks. And the webbing under the arms- all that swinging through the night air; he’s gotta catch some bugs under there.
Captain Marvel: This is one of the superhero costumes that most shows off the package, which, I think, is really the secret agenda of male superhero costumes. Even though I’ve never been a fan of the button-over, I’ve always loved this costume.
Starman: Elegant and simple. If there were such a thing as superheroes, this is what they’d look like. Doesn’t do much to hide one’s identity, but with a phallic cosmic rod, does it matter?
Witchblade: Who the hell could fight crime in this getup? Who the hell could do anything in this getup? God forbid you trip. What if somebody commits a crime in the winter?
Too Much Coffee Man: Never really liked this costume. But it’s also a hero I’ve never really understood. I don’t drink coffee. From what I understand, he doesn’t do much crime fighting, so I don’t think that big cup on his head is much of a hindrance.
Kingpin: If you were a man with that girth you’d want to wear darker colors. Whites will show you off poorly. And the purple pants? How are you supposed to take him seriously with pants like that? I guess when you’re that big, no one’s gonna give you shit about what you’re wearing.
Three More Reviews From The 2nd Dogma Screening…
- “Dogma” – A Review by ‘Efil’s God’ (Mixed/Negative – Minor Spoilers)
I saw a private screening of the “work in progress”. The score wasn’t set, a couple of shots were grainy and the special effects weren’t completed.For those unfamiliar with the story, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) are two fallen angels who try to get back into heaven using a loophole involving the pope’s power to decree dogma. Unfortunately, if these angels succeed, they will prove God wrong and undo existence. To stop this, God employs an abortion clinic worker Bethany(Linda Fiorentino) to stop them with the aid of two “prophets” (everyone’s favorites, Silent Bob and Jay). A very interesting plot, and Ben and Matt are very good in their respective roles. Loki is a slightly over the top character with a penchant for death and destruction, while Ben Affleck plays excellently as more of a straight man, mocking Loki when he gets overdramatic. Unfortunately, this movie fails because Kevin tries to do too much, although he does have an awful lot of time to do it in (2:15 or so, by this cut). The film starts off strong, but often, scenes that started off humorous drag as he heaps on criticisms of organized religion and other such sermons. Another irritating factor is a constant use of movie references, some funny (Silent Bob says “No Ticket” after hurling guys off a train a la “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”), some not funny… Many of the characters, while playing major roles in the film, seem tacked on in order to get some of the director’s friends involved, to create cameo opportunities, or to make the film “big budget”. The movie could’ve worked a lot better if it just stayed to about six or seven main characters. This is not to say that the added characters do not make a contribution. Chris Rock is extremely funny as the forgotten “13th apostle” and Jason Allen (Chasing Amy)is also very good as a renegade demon with his own agenda. Unfortunately, Salma Hayek isn’t particularly impressive as a muse and as a seraphim, Alan Rickman is often hard to understand. Generally, fans of the Kevin Smith holy trilogy will go see this no matter what I say. Be prepared though, it tries to be a lot more complex than his earlier films, and only partially succeeeds. There will DEFINITELY be some kind of backlash from the Catholic community. So go see Dogma, if only to laugh at SB and Jay’s (extremely funny) antics and to play “Find the extraneous character”.
- I also attended Monday’s screening and like a total and complete moron(and judging from the talkbacks on my review of The Mummy some of you think I am becasue I typed suburb instead of suberb*sheesh*)I didn’t even think about writing to you until I saw Wed. reveiw of DOGMA
Now as you can maybe tell by my “name” I’m a religous person. That means I’m not into orgnized religon it just means that I belive there is a big guy(or gal or space alien or my personal opion a dog) in the sky. i’ve been involved in several different organized religons (including catholism)and have seen the kinds of messes they’ve made, the poor and homeless not getting the help they deserve because the Methodists and the Babptists are fighting over…dogma…I’ve seen Ireland and the fighting going on between the protestants and the Catholics…I’ve seen the fighting between the Shite and Sunni Musilms and between the Muslims and the Isralies and it all just sickens me because if these groups were really about GOD then they would relize that GOD is a loving God, now I relize I will probably get flamed in the talkbacks for posting this but I belive it’s true.
ok I’m done with the religous rant, onto the review. Most of your readers have probably read the script, like I did, or if they haven’t know the basic story. Two renegagde angels are gonna destroy mankind and it’s up to Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock and everybody’s favorite stoners scince Bill and Ted to stop them.
I’ve been a big fan of Smith’s since “Clerks”(which I saw pre-Dante not getting shot at Sundance) His writing has always been great and at times thought provoking. Now I didn’t really *care* for Chasing Amy, only because of the threesome suggestion, the rest of it was great EXCEPT for that part in my opinon but what do I know right. This film continues the thought provoking/humourous vien. I would consider Smith to be the film era’s version of Aristhophines, the great and sole surviving greek playwright. He’s not afraid to push boundires to make points. Now where as his last films delt with love and realtionships this movie, as has been mentioned, deals with religon and organized religon. And He pulled it off. When I first heard that Smith was going to tackle religon I thought “shit! no way” a bit skeptically. And boy was I surprised. My only fear about his writing is that with the pop-culture refrences people who are getting introudced to Smith for the first time will think that he is just copying that other Kevin writer (Williamson) I hope they don’t but I think they will.
The acting was great, wonderful performances from Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock*(who I was pleastenly surprised by…Damn they boy CAN act) and it was great seeing Jay Mewes and Kev. on the screen again along with the cameos from Smiths crop of actors, Brian O’Halloran, Dwight Ewells. Ethan Suplee, Jeff Anderson and producer Scott Moiser. I saw in a previous Kevin Smith talkback someone thought that the cameos from Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Alanis Morrisitte would stand out. Well i wouldn’t exactly call Damon and Affleck’s roles cameo’s as they are the leads and they are good…Damon is very belivable and did pull off the comedy well and the chemisty between him and Affleck is great, I won’t comment on Benny-boy (this is the only place I would dare comment on him like that) mostely becasue he annoys me, it’s not his acting or anything, he just reminds me of the football players that used to beat me up in High School so I have a thing against him. Alains did seem a little out of place. I would have rather seen Sarah Mclaughlan in the Alanis role if they were going to cast a Candian female singer. Your previous poster mentioned the weakness of Jason Lee and I don’t think that was really his fault, just from watching the movie and reading the script that’s on the net I think his part is just an underdevolped part. Lee has about as much screen time here as he did in Enemy of The State, his acting is good, just not much there to work with
Like your previous poster mentioned it came out to about 2:15 and from what I’ve heard it’s not going to get cut down much more then that, wipes and dissolves were rough but most of the effects were done. I’m thinking work on a track comes next. Altough the Batman theme was a great introduction to Jay and Silent Bob, but Idon’t think they can use that can they(doesn’t Warners own the themes or something)
- I mostly agree w/ your spy – the film rocked, and I’ll get into that, but I don’t know where he got this 2 hours and fifteen minutes crap. The film started almost promptly – at about 7:35pm and I checked my watch at the end to see 10:30pm – and that was without opening opending credits – so unless we saw different cuts, the current cut seems to be 3 hours.
The special effects were incomplete (as well as transitions – all those prints made from an Avid or other digital editing system while the main scenes where direct from the film), and the score was temped. As well as the Elfman appearance the “colonel” mentioned there was a lot of cool use of Goldenthal’s Alien 3 music for Jason Lee’s minions…
Okay, I don’t want to give much away, so I’ll be general, but let me say that it is my opinion this is Kevin Smith’s best. It’s funny as hell, but more importantly it’s definitely smarter than his previous efforts.
The characters develop solidly – most have a very interesting arc, especially Damon, Affleck, and Fiorentino. (Damon and Affleck are great by the way… it surprised – the film rocked, and I’ll get into that, but I don’t know where he got this 2 hours and fifteen minutes crap. The film started almost promptly – at about 7:35pm and I checked my watch at the end to see 10:30pm – and that was without opening opending credits – so unless we saw different cuts, the current cut seems to be 3 hours.
The special effects were incomplete (as well as transitions – all those prints made from an Avid or other digital editing system while the main scenes where direct from the film), and the score was temped. As well as the Elfman appearance the “colonel” mentioned there was a lot of cool use of Goldenthal’s Alien 3 music for Jason Lee’s minions…
Okay, I don’t want to give much away, so I’ll be general, but let me say that it is my opinion this is Kevin Smith’s best. It’s funny as hell, but more importantly it’s definitely smarter than his previous efforts.
The characters develop solidly – most have a very interesting arc, especially Damon, Affleck, and Fiorentino. (Damon and Affleck are great by the way… it surprised me, but Damon gets a chance to do some deadpan humor and is hillarious. Affleck does some heavy stuff and does it much better than in Armagaddeon). Fiorentino has some nice heavy moments as well, especially a great scene with Rickman that I’m sure will be in the final cut b/c it’s a main plot point. They have an earlier scene however that may be cut for length – the film does take a little while to get going…
But when it does, it rocks. This film is just so damned funny! The plot is moving along, and there are some great serious moments, and then out of nowhere Jay says something hillarious and the entire audience explodes. They really were roaring during parts of this movie…
And for you who like Smith’s film references, you’ll love these too: from Fat Albert to Star Wars( as usual), to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade…
Final things to be happy about: A lot of well-worked in Jay and Silent Bob time, and also surprising amounts of gore…
Okay, I think I’ve given away too much already – I enjoyed this film so much I wouldn’t want to ruin it for anyone. It’s going to be a winner.
One more thing in case you’re interested – Barry Levinson’s newest is called “Liberty Heights” and is about Baltimore in the fifties (kind of his own “growing-up story). It stars mostly “little-knowns…”).
Remember, we didn’t key these in or edit them, so excuse the spelling mistakes…And rest assured, the current cut of the flick is 2:15.
Bluntman & Chronic In ODF #12…
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 10, 1999
Smith, Allred, Dini, Fowler, & Aragones visit Oni Double Feature for 12th issue celebration.
The May publication of ONI DOUBLE FEATURE marks the 12th issue of Oni Press’ flagship anthology. To celebrate its landmark anniversary, this issue will feature brand-new stories from Kevin Smith & Mike Allred, Paul Dini and Tom Fowler, and Sergio Aragones.
“We’re very excited about this line-up,” said editor Bob Schreck. “We’re very proud of the work we have done on this title over the last year and a half, and #12 is no exception. To have Kevin back is also very special. He did the lead story in our first issue, and his return to DOUBLE FEATURE brings us right back around to that.”
“It does feel somewhat like a homecoming,” added publisher Joe Nozemack. “That first story with Matt Wagner got this whole comic book ball rolling, and now to be working with Mike Allred, everything seems to be falling in its perfect space.”
The Smith-Allred collaboration will be the comics debut of Bluntman and Chronic, Jay & Silent Bob’s alter-egoes. In addition to reuniting Smith withDOUBLE FEATURE, it is also the first time he and MADMAN-creator Allred have worked together since Allred drew the Bluntman and Chronic comic-book pages for the film CHASING AMY.
“I’ve always love superheroes,” Allred said, “and one of the best things about Kevin’s script for these characters is it also has a strong love for superheroes. It tears them to shreds and mercilessly makes fun of them — but in a loving way.”
Allred will also be providing the cover for this issue, and his appearance in ONI DOUBLE FEATURE is one half of Oni’s Mike Allred Month (the other half will be CRASH METRO AND THE STAR SQUAD, his team-up with artist Martin Ontiveros).
ONI DOUBLE FEATURE #12 will be 32 pages in length, presented in black-and-white with a full color cover. It will feature strong language and adult situations and will carry a retail price of $2.95 U.S., $4.50 Can. The issue will be available in stores Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
Remeber to visit our own Oni Pages for all the latest.
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Joe & Jimmy Onscreen Again!
- So there was this night last year when Jimmy and I had tickets to see the NY Rangers play at the Garden. There was a third friend who was to join us but was running late. As we waited in the New York cold I caught from the corner of my eye a guy who looked eerily like Michael Douglas, and he was heading down into Penn Station. I informed Jimmy of this fact and he insisted that I was seeing things. Well, soon we both found out that we had accidently walked into and were smack in the middle of a set shot full of extras and handheld cameras.
Suddenly it’s “Action” and all the extras start to move in there assigned patterns and here Jimmy and I are left ridiculously fumbling to look busy and pretend that we’re a part of the shot. Well, it worked.
They must have done about 8 or 10 takes and feeling kind of goofy we figured we’d have some fun while we were standing there, what the heck our friend was still late. We both decided to make sure to be at complete profile to the camera this way we would be seen yet not pointed out by the Director as trouble makers who are looking at the primary action in an unnatural way. Remember as extras you have to look inconspicuous and we weren’t supposed to be there. During one of the takes Jimmy decided to try the old gag of rubbing ones forehead or eye by using his middle finger thus flipping the unsuspecting camera “The bird.”
So last night I happen to be watching “A Perfect Murder” and suddenly realized that that was the film we walked in on. Well, lo and behold there we are! I’m as clear as day and out of all the shots that they used, there’s Jimmy flipping the bird. It last a milli second but I think it last longer than our appearance in “Chasing Amy” and much funnier.
You can look for this scene right after Michael Douglas exits the train, as he walks outside of Penn station and just before he gets into the cab.