- Happy ID4 folks…Heheh…Remember when that was the talk of theaters a few years back? Anyway, looks like we’ve got a very rare holiday update for ya today…Traditionally we take days off at times like this, but there’s a couple hours before I’m off to the family picnic, so it seemed like a good time to get caught up on a few things. Let’s take a look!
Archive for July 4th, 2000
View Askew 5 Second Draft Is Done!
- Kevin has already completed a second, shorter draft of View Askew 5, as he announced this past weekend. Seems this one runs 110 pages, so, going by the page a minute rule, the flick’s already down to 1:50 (and will likely be shortened even a bit more before all is said and done). Here’s Kev:
Busy weekend. Draft two is done. First draft was 130 pages. This draft is an even 110. Thanks to Scott and Jen who both had insightful perspectives and gave good notes.
Now, on to Green Arrow, issue two.
Latest Fletch Tidbits/Fletch Won Summary…
- Kevin has said that he plans to write and film Fletch Won just like the book, so we thought some of you might want to read the jacket description from the book itself. Keep in mind that this will summarize the flick from beginning to end, so there WILL be some spoilers here, but just general plot points. Read on if ya like, and keep in mind you’ll probably forget it all by the time you see the flick in about 2 years:
It’s Fletch’s first case. As a rookie reporter for the News-Tribune, he’s been covering all the routine stories no one else wants. With his already slightly skewed view of the world the young Fletch only manages to get himself and the paper into trouble -more trouble than his boss thinks he’s worth. As a last chance, he’s assigned to the society page to cover the story of Donald Habeck, a wealthy criminal lawyer who wants to donate $6 million to the local art museum.
It’s a simple public relations feature – until Habeck turns up dead in the parking lot of the News-Tribune and Fletch gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for.
Digging into the case, Fletch turns up a glut of suspects. First there is Habeck’s unhappy family; the certifiably crazy wife, an impoverished daughter, an avant-garde Poet of Violence, and the son who despised the old man so much he became a monk. Then there are Habeck’s former clients, including a convicted child molester just out of prison and a man who once faced a murder rap and now confesses to every violent crime in the city. And underneath it all, there’s a nagging, unanswered question: Why would Habeck, a man who made a fortune keeping society’s lowest out of prison, suddenly become a do-good philanthropist?
As Fletch outruns the cops, the crime reporter of the News-Tribune, the seductive hostess of the Ben Franklyn Friend Service (more than just an escort aganecy), a refugee from the federal Witness Protection program, and his own fiancee, he finally stumbles across the clue that can break the case wide open -and launch his legendary career.
Also, if you’d like to catch up on your Fletch now that Kevin’s getting involved, you can purchase electronic copies of the books at Gregory Mcdonald’s Official Web Site. Keep in mind that the books ARE out of print, so if you want paper copies, garage sales, auction sites, or libraries are your best bet.
View Askew NewsBites™
- A scooper chatted with Jay at Dragoncon last week. He was charging $10 for a signed pic and $5 for any other autographs. We heard he was very good to the fans and fun to talk with, though he did take an obligatory smoke break about every half hour!
- Online music site NightRaven Radio has a new radio show callled Music Askew on Friday Nights @ 10PM EST, playing not only music and clips from Kev’s flicks, but also music related to like Michael Ferrentino (doing the music for the upcoming Better Place). They also read regular tidbits from News Askew and more.
- Men’s Health has an article called “Men We Admire Most”, and Kevin makes the list under the “Authors and Media Figures” category. You can place your votes for your fave at their web site.
- Upcomingmovies.com, always up-to-date with the latest, have posted pages for the upcoming Fletch Won and View Askew 5 flicks. Coincidentally, we can think of another site that should have some pages for these flicks soon…
- Ben Affleck’s film ‘Reindeer Games’ has just been released in UK cinemas as ‘Deception’ (Rated 15). It would appear that the UK distributors decided at the last minute that ‘Reindeer Games’ wouldn’t sell in July as it sounds to Christmas-like.
- The DVD Festival in Las Vegas (July 8-10) has selected Mallrats among the “Best DVD Commentary” nominees for the VSDA Convention. Also, Chasing Amy debuted at #13 for Top DVD sellers. Not bad at all!
- Clerks will air on the Independent Film Channel tonight, check your local listings for air times!
- Sounds like Vulgar was seen by a few more lucky folks…Here’s a report just in from the Toronto Film Festival:
I got a friend who books films for the Toronto Film Festival and I guess Vulgar was submitted to them because my friend saw it. He said that he can’t see any distributor picking it up because it was too offensive but he said it was also witty and very funny. A couple of other programmers watched and also liked it a lot. So if everything goes well it should be playing the Toronto Film Festival.
- Finally today, congrats to News Askew reader Rob Miller, whose Jay & Silent Bob animation won for “Best Adaptation” at the Pixelfest website. Congrats!!!