Close, But No Cigar…

First off, the day we mourn an 11.1 million dollar opening is the day I want out of this business.

Yes – first place would’ve been nice. Shit, it was almost do-able. But it wasn’t in the cards, apparently, and that’s okay. Opening to double digits with a movie this inside is a-okay in my book.

And the real tale, anyway, will be told next week. Let’s just pray it doesn’t repeat the ‘Dogma’ second week drop (51%), and instead, hold in there with a 30% or less drop.

But remove the figures and all (because, let’s face it – the movie’s going to make it’s money back and then some; especially with video) and concentrate on what really matters…

Were you entertained?

I’ve been combing through the last few boards (good Lord, we’re going through them quickly lately, aren’t we?), and the majority of you were, indeed, happy with the flick. Some cats weren’t (hey, what do you want me to say? No flick’s for everyone), but largely, folks dug it. That makes us here at the home office very happy.

Many thanks to those who did double and triple duty (hell, even single duty). You’re posters are waiting for you when you send in your stubs.

If you feel so inclined, hit the flick again next weekend. That’d be nice.

So please – no long faces. We’ve done well. I’m happy. Very, very happy.

And while it was nice to have the number one movie in the country for a night, to be honest, it didn’t alter my existence. All I cared about was if you guys dug the flick, and beyond that, if *I* dug the flick.

And I did. Very much. Always have, and always will.

But now it’s no rest for the weary, and right back to the drawing board. If all goes smoothly, we’ll be shooting again in Feb/March – just as ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’ should be hitting the video stores (unless Bob decides to go for the Christmas release).

And then, of course, there’s the cartoon flick next year.

Which, if you think this movie was for the fans…

Hoo-boy, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Hi Board,

Sending out a huge thanks to all of you for the amazing support this past weekend. You already know how proud I am of Kevin, but he really out did himself this time. Under the pressure of his largest budget (coupled with even larger expectations of turning a hefty profit), he made the movie that he wanted to make. He didn’t sell out to win over the masses, but instead he put his heart into making you, his fans, laugh. For this and a million other reasons he doesn’t need to top the box office to be #1 in my book.

Love, Jennifer

Recently, ZENtertainment became a voluntary-based subscription service. Like Public Television or Radio, we’ll be here for you for free each and every week but we too desperately do need the support of our readers to keep going.

And like those other services, from time to time we’ll be choosing one of our paying subscribers to win a mess of goodies. ZEN is excited to announce the first such prize giveaway will give you a big pool of items related to filmmaker and comic writer Kevin Smith. The prizes include:

– A JAY & SILENT BOB logo movie poster
– A J&SB logo T-shirt
– A pair of J&SB action figures
– A Mooby baseball cap just like Kevin is known to wear
– A Mooby beanie baby toy
– A Buddy Christ statuette
– A CLERKS open/close store sign
– A signed copy of CLERKS: THE COMIC BOOK
– The DAREDEVIL: VISIONARIES trade paperback featuring an intro from Ben Affleck
– The CHASING DOGMA trade paperback
and last but not least
– The CLERKS: UNCENSORED DVD featuring the complete animated ABC series (The best DVD in the world, by the way… If not just for the simple fact that ZEN is mentioned by name on the audio commentary track…)

If you’re one of the 400 or so people who’ve already subscribed, you rule; sit back and wait until issue #491 on September 11th and keep your fingers crossed that we draw your name. And if you haven’t yet subscribed, well, the odds are still pretty darn good, and you’ll be giving a much-needed shot in the arm to a service we hope you’d agree is worth it.

And if you haven’t signed up, well, what are you waiting for? There is no set price on the donation – I’ve suggested $6 a year, but readers have been sending in anything from $6 to $200. Our preferred method of payment is via check or money order made out to Sean Jordan sent to ZEN’s new headquarters at 24360 Vista Hills Road, Valencia, CA, 91355. Or if you’d prefer, you can click over to the www.ZENtertainment.com website and click on the AMAZON or PAYPAL logos you’ll see right up front to securely contribute via credit card or other means.

And that’s that! Remember, ZEN remains a free service and not subscribing will in no way affect you receiving issues in the future, trusted we figure some other way to keep the lights on around here. Times are tough in the advertising, freelancing, and dot.com world and your assistance will not only ensure ZEN reaches issue #500 but maybe even #5000.

In closing, ZEN would like to thank Kevin Smith, CLERKS: TAS producer David Mandel, and the good people at GRAPHITTI DESIGNS, ONI PRESS, MARVEL Comics, and DIMENSION Films who’ve contributed to this prize pool.

Freeport, Bahamas, August 24th. Having anticipated ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’ for several months, I was happy that it was premiered here at the same time as in the U.S., something that usually only happens with bigger, star-driven releases. (In fact, due to our limited number of screens, you won’t see most movies until several months later, when it’s released for rental/sale/satellite broadcast.) So, armed with my wife and friends, we headed down for the late show only to be informed that they would not be showing the film due to the fact that our Bahamas Film Board (I am unsure of the exact naming), our ratings board had decreed that the film should not be allowed to be shown in the Bahamas. Apparently, it came down to one member, who is a nun, who objected to what I can only assume from the trailers is the scene where Jay goes down on a Nun played by Carrie Fisher. In case anybody’s scratching their heads, we are officially a christian country. We’re the ones who won’t let gay cruises dock at our ports. There is absolutely no separation of church and state, so I’m not particularly surprised. HOWEVER… This is censorship, this is a violation of my human rights, etc…And It is a major bummer. I’ve been a big fan since Clerks came out, and was really looking forward to being front and centre, popcorn in hand, to see Kevin, Jason et al finishing the saga in style. Hell, I had already planned to go see it again tommorow night. Now I’ll have to wait till next year and bag a DVD, unless someone has a spare reel. And a projector. Anyway, I’m going to get more info on Monday and I will fight this as hard as I can, or at least piss a lot of prudish people. Either way, I’m up for it, and I’ll let you guys know how it’s going.

Best Comics & Hobby Center
www.bestcomics.com
252 – 02 Northern Blvd.
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.279.2099
Tommybest@aol.com

Category: SorensonVideo
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