• Askewniverse fans across the globe rejoiced today as the long-awaited Clerks X and Jersey Girl DVDs hit store shelves everywhere in the
  US. Importers have started shipping their copies as well, so those of you with all-region players should be happily watching them with us soon, as well.
  Jersey Girl marks the arrival of Kevin’s sixth film in 10 years to the DVD format. It’s full of features, and worth a purchase, especially since a special
  edition release of said film is currently up in the air. Clerks X is our largest DVD release yet. It celebrates the 10th anniversary of the film that
  started it all, and contains our favorite DVD extras of all time – Including the amazing “Snowball Effect” documentary.

You can read our Jersey Girl DVD review and Clerks X DVD reviews if you missed their prior postings. In short, you need these
DVDs. No doubt about it.

Fans near Westwood, Califoria are particularly ecstatic today, as they’re now enjoying the release party of the DVDs with a signing by Kevin in the freshly
open Secret Stash West. The release party runs today from 5 to 10 PM PST, and should be in full gear by the time you read this. We’re sure to have tons
of photos and reports from that scene in our next update (you lucky bums!) but in the meantime, let’s see how the Clerks X / JG buzz is hopping around the
web today:

• The widely-read DVDTalk posted an outstanding, positive review of Clerks X. Here’s a
  sample of the good stuff they had to say:
  If you never thought you’d see the day when Clerks earned four stars for video and audio quality, think again. While it’s true that the film’s grainy black and white transfer can’t compete with major studio releases, let me again direct your attention to the film’s low budget. The decision to shoot in black and white was purely financial (as Kevin Smith has verified on many occasions), and the equipment wasn’t top quality, either. Even with these limitations (and considering the production team was still learning the ropes), Clerks isn’t an ugly-looking movie. The excessive grain is as much a part of the film as Jay and Silent Bob, and this new DVD release keeps every imperfection to a strict minimum. Blacks are solid, contrast is surprisingly good, and there’s not much dirt to speak of either. In short, this anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen transfer is about as good as Clerks will ever look on DVD, and anyone who stays away from this film based on said imperfections should go fornicate themselves.

  Likewise, the film’s audio quality was never really anything to write home about, but this DVD really makes lemonade out of lemons. This brand new 5.1 mix won’t really test the limits of your home theater system, but it really makes for a satisfying presentation of the film itself. In short, most of the action is anchored squarely in the front channel, but the frequent uses of music in the film really open up the soundstage nicely. While it’s unfortunate that the film’s original mono mix hasn’t been included (unless you speak French), this won’t likely upset most Clerks enthusiasts. The dialogue is more easily heard and the music has more punch, and that’s never a problem in my book. Also, it’s worth noting that optional English and Spanish subtitles have also been provided, as well as an Enhanced Playback Track that will be covered shortly.

• The Detriot Free Press weighs in on both releases (more so on Clerks) with a mixed
  review, generally positive, if not a bit jaded.
• “Redlands Daily Facts” runs a new article/interview with Kevin on his
  love for home video/DVD and today’s new releases. Here’s a couple select clips:
  When director Kevin Smith calls himself “a glorified straight-to-video filmmaker who gets a large theatrical window,’ he’s not being totally disingenuous.

  Smith knows he’s improved as a director in the 10 years between his first release, the rough-edged, cheeky “Clerks,’ and his most-recent film, the kinder and gentler romantic comedy “Jersey Girl.’ But he also knows his strengths and likes.

  “I’m a better storyteller now in that I don’t solely rely on dialogue anymore,’ says Smith from his home in Los Angeles, adding that the look of the film depends primarily on who’s shooting it. “I’m all for pretty- looking pictures, but since ‘Clerks’ was my first movie … and got favorable critical notices as a movie that looked like hell but still worked, I’m kinda still in that mind-set…’

• “Mickey News”, the official Walt Disney news site, runs a nice press release for
  Clerks X today. Neat little site they got there.
• High marks for the Jersey Girl DVD come in from JoBlo.com today. All of the extras are praised, and the disc is
  highly recommended as the 6th Kevin Smith movie in your DVD collection.
• The Detriot News gives Clerks X an “A”, stating “Few films deserve this much adulation. This one does.”
• In honor of the Clerks X release today, web comic Hayt-n-Auggie ran a tribute to the film.

We’ll see you again soon with news surrounding the DVD release party and more…