- This is just a quick reminder to everyone in the Los Angeles area that Kevin will be holding a special LIVE interview with the man himself, Stan Lee, after a special screening of Spider-Man 2 at the Mann Chinese 6 theater in Hollywood, California. It looks like a couple of tickets may still be available for this once in a lifetime event! Get your tickets HERE and have a great time tomorrow night!
Archive for October, 2006
“Sucks Less With Kevin Smith” Premieres!
- It’s arrived! The anticipated episode ONE of Kevin’s new web-based series, “Sucks Less With Kevin Smith”, is now available for immediate streaming at the MTVu website. And what a fun show this is, too! The class filmed intros and outtros to 3 mini-segments at the Westwood Stash, with a bit of fun dialogue exchange. Students produced and filmed the segments themselves, which this week, take us to a haunted house, a roller derby, and a nerdcore rap concert. The show moves quick, doesn’t bore, and Kevin makes for a fun host to pull it all together. We’ll be looking forward to these each Thursday, and we’re sure you will as well.
Not only is the episode there, but they’ve also posted a neat Behind The Scenes video, as well as an option to e-mail Kevin and the team your ideas of what to do this weekend.
New episodes premiere every Thursday on mtvU, on mtvU.com, and on amp’d mobile phones. We’ll of course let ya know when they’re up, too.
Degrassi Flick Unlikely…
- Here’s a report on an item that we haven’t heard much on in quite some time — That Degrassi feature film project that Kevin was attached to at one point. We’ll let our scooper take over in his own words:
Pat Mastroianni and Stefan Brogren came to Humber College for a Q and A, which I was covering for the Humber Et Cetera. During the show, they spoke about how Kevin was a big fan of the show .
Pat also told a story about how many years ago, he was at a convention in Vancouver as a guest representing Degrassi and Kevin pre-Clerks, came to ask him for his autograph. Kevin, of course, was there in school, and it’s something that Mastroianni never forgot.
They then went on to talk about other things, but luckily I was able to get a question in at the Press Q and A, which was basically, “What’s happening with the movie?”
Essentially, they explained that as of now, it’s been shelved. They went through something like 8 drafts of the script and the funding was there, but things just couldn’t come together. The movie was going to be in between seasons, like the X-files did, picking up where that season would leave off. Because the movie’s not happening, the storyline that would have been used is going to be incorporated into a few episodes from this season although they didn’t mention which ones.
Brogren estimates that the show will only run for about another year becuase the kids are going to be going to college and they want to end it before they jump the shark. However, when the show ends, that will again provide a good opportunity for a movie to be made, so it will be looked at again. When and if it happens, Kevin IS still on board.
View Askew NewsBites™
- The new Mortal Kombat Armageddon console game allows players to create their own characters, with a variety of tweaks. So much, in fact, that one player’s made his own Silent Bob character to duke it out and bust some heads. Check out Bob, and his other creations, at the Gaming Target website.
- A new film opening on Friday called “Color of the Cross” is claiming to be the first to portray a Jesus of color. Have they ever heard of a little flick called “Dogma”?
- The answer to one of today’s IMDb trivia questions is based on one of the short film entries from our own Movies Askew contest:
Truly Trivial
This actor played Batman in the short film Robin’s Big Date. (answer)
The answer? Sam Rockwell. Robin was played by Justin Long, by the way.
- Looks like it’ll be Nip/Tuck’s SEVENTH episode (airing this Tuesday) with Alanis in a featured role. Looks like it’ll be a little crazy, too. Tune on in.
- And last, but not least, congratulations to Ben Affleck, who took home more honors at the Hollywood Awards earlier this week. Affleck claimed the Best Supporting Actor prize for playing TV Superman George Reeves in Hollywoodland. He took time to heap praise on his actress wife Jennifer Garner, who had to leave the event early to take care of the couple’s baby daughter, during his acceptance speech. He said, “The woman who is babysitting my daughter tonight, she’s the reason I was able to be here. She’s, in fact, the reason most of the good things have happened to me in my life. She is spectacular.” Congrats Ben!
Your First Look At “Sucks Less”!
- Kevin’s latest foray into webisodes, the “Sucks Less” project for mtvU.com, debuts THIS THURSDAY at their website — The 8 minute shorts will follow his mentoring a group of UCLA kids as they create the program. To lead into the show, Kevin’s posted a nice Myspace blog entry detailing how he became involved with the project, along with a couple promotional video clips to advertise the show. Here’s a few choice passages from his post today:
Naturally (or bizarrely, as some of my critics would point out), it’s in the School of Cinema and Television – a field I know a thing or two about (as I’ve watched many movies and TV shows). So, for the last month, I’ve been spearheading a class called “Sucks Less, with Kevin Smith”, in which we produce a weekly TV show entitled, ironically, “Sucks Less, with Kevin Smith”. It starts airing this Thursday on MtvU (the college-campus only arm of the Viacom-owned Music Television empire), as well as on MtvU.com and, in an uncharacteristic-for-me nod to what’s being called “new media”, also on the Amp’d Mobile Phone. This means we’re producing Episodes, Webisodes, and Mobisodes – which, while sounding ambitious as fuck, simply means we’re producing one show that airs on three different platforms. Eat your heart out, Dick Wolf.
…
If you dig the show, I can take very little credit: it was, from first to last, the students’ production (consequently, if you hate the show, I get to dodge that bullet as well).
As for being a teacher… well, that’s something I’ll be able to address more thoroughly once we’re done with the course (second week of December). But thus far? I’m digging it (though not nearly as much as I’m digging the cafeteria).
Here, you can take a peep at one of the “bumpers” that’ll be running on MtvU this week, once “Sucks Less” has gone into regular rotation.
And here, check out the “Sucks Less Success Story” – a bumper that Ben (one of the students) shot with Bodi and Dagmar (two of his classmates).
Check out the videos above courtesy YouTube, and of course Kevin’s blog entry HERE. We’ll remind you this Thursday, when you’ll be able to catch the first episode on the web or via your Amp’d Mobile phone.
View Askew NewsBites™
- It’s official: “Evening Harder” has indeed arrived a FULL MONTH EARLY in Australia! If you’re there and would like to send us a review of the disc, certainly let us know what you think — We still haven’t gotten a review copy from Sony to watch Stateside. We’re jealous!!! The disc arrives here on November 28th.
- Kevin and other writers (such as Alan Moore and Stan Lee) wrote a series of extremly short (6 word!) stories for Wired magazine. Kevin’s entry:
Kirby had never eaten toes before.
– Kevin Smith
– Kevin Smith
- Kudos to the Weinstein Co., who will begin placing Anti-Smoking ads as public service announcements at the start of of the DVD releases of all their films. “Clerks II” will have the distinction of being the first release with the PSA on board. This from the press release:
The Weinstein Company is the first studio to proactively offer to embed a classic truth(R) campaign ad in one of its DVD releases, beginning with one of its most popular – Clerks II, scheduled for a Dec. 5 release – and we applaud them for it. Our hope is that this bold move sets a trend for future Weinstein Company DVD releases and with other key decision makers in Hollywood. It is a simple way to prevent thousands of youth from smoking, and can ultimately reduce the impact of tobacco addiction and premature death that accompany it.
An Interview With Joey Lauren Adams!
- Catch a very nice new interview with Joey Laruen Adams (of, of course, “Chasing Amy” and “Mallrats” fame around these parts) from Aint It Cool News regarding her writing/directing debut, “Come Early Morning”. It’s a very interesting piece, not your typical softball press interview. By the looks of it, she’s transitioning more into writing than acting now, though we found this exchange of particular interest:
Question: Are you going to keep acting?
JLA: No, I just don’t,…the five years that we were trying to get the money, I kept thinking at any moment we were going to get the money, and I was passing on jobs, and then, it got to where I needed money, so I had to do films that I wasn’t necessarily right for the role. And, it sort of put a bad taste in my mouth with acting. So, I’m going to let that go away.
But, if Kevin Smith called and said, Hey, Joey, I would in a heartbeat. Like for THE BREAK-UP when Vince [Vaughn] called and said, Will you come do this? That’s really fun for me. But I only want to do it, even if it’s a small role, if it’s really a director I want to work with or something that I feel I’ll grow as an actor. Because, like I said, there are so few directors that really direct. I would love to work with a great director that really works with his actors and that sort of thing.
Question: Did Kevin Smith have any words of advice to give you before filming?
JLA: I asked him if he wanted to read the script, and he said, No, because we have such different styles. [Laughs.] “I don’t think I should give you notes.”
“Come Early Morning” opens November 10th and stars Ashley Judd. The film has been getting quite a bit of praise from audiences and critics alike.
View Askew NewsBites™
- Okay, so is everyone loving the new NBC series “Heroes” (airing tonight)? It came out of the gate kind of shaky, but it’s fast becoming this webmaster’s favorite new show of the year (though Battlestar: Galactica still holds the crown for the best on TV). Anyway, “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back’s” Ali Larter has a few interesting words to say about Kevin in a recent interview that she conducted with 9th Wonders (the official fan site of the show):
Q: One of my personal favorite movie roles of yours was in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Are you still in contact with [director] Kevin Smith, and is he aware that you will soon be playing a “super heroine” in a way?
A: Yes. I’ve seen him a couple of times. You know, once you get into the Kevin Smith “family,” you’re in forever. Him and his wife Jen, I love so much. We’ve talked about it a little bit, and he’s just so excited to see the show, and see where it’s going. I’ve asked him for pointers on Comic-Con, and that whole world, but I think he’s such a genius, and I absolutely loved working with him.
- Stan Lee is making another appearance after that previously-mentioned gig with Kevin on Halloween. He’ll be hosting the grand re-opening of Golden Apple Comics on November 1st starting at 10 AM. Expect big lines to see one of the comic industry’s legends at one of the country’s greatest comic book shops (aside from our own Stashes, of course).
- Clerks II in Russia! Oh yeah! Check out these shots taken there of a billboard near a scooper’s home, in Moscow City.
- Clerks will be playing at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor on November 2nd and 5th at 7:15 and 8 PM respectively. It’s part of thepr “Sundance at 25” series. Nothing like catching the original with a crowd up on the big screen. Find out more at their official site.
- Along with the IMDB page, Kevin’s untitled Horror project now also has an official Hollywood Stock Exchange page as well. Now you KNOW it’s arrived. And speaking of the IMDB, we hear they’ve just done a bunch of major updates to their Clerks: TAS page as well.
- Folks starting to get ideas from the finale of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back? Huh. Watch what you say in those chat rooms and talkback areas, folks!
- Finally today, just an interesting story — Apparently given two subtitles for a fictional new Daredevil movie, folks were more interested in a flick with a subtitle vs. just one with a number after the name. Interesting, no? We still prefer Clerks II to “Passion of the Clerks”, personally. We’ll see you again real soon!
- By the way, if anyone reading this works for any of the Disney parks in Orlando, or the Universal parks, drop me a line. I’m trying to get some info. Thanks.
Kevin’s Coming To MacWorld!
- The MacWorld expo is the largest Apple-oriented event of the year, where folks gather from far and wide to talk about the glory of Apple Computers and all their products. With the Ipod brand still the top MP3 player by far, Apple isn’t the black sheep it used to be — In fact, folks everywhere are embracing Apple’s beautiful design and elegant OSX operating system — Even a crotchety old-timer PC lover like yours truly has to admit that OSX is slick, and has me thinking about making the switch.
That being said, it’s no secret that Kevin Smith himself has long been a supporter and lover of Apple Computer and their products. In fact, pretty much all of his computing life has been spent behind an Apple. So, it comes as no surprise that he’ll be invading the MacWorld Expo this January 9, 2007, when the show is in full force in San Francisco, California. The official posting reads as such:
Speaker: Kevin Smith, Writer and Director, Smith, Kevin.
01/09/2007, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
In the few years since his entry into the indie film community – starting with the surprise critical and commercial success he received for his debut film Clerks – Kevin Smith has seen it all. Now, several films later, Kevin comes to Macworld Conference & Expo to share his wry perspective on the film business, its quirks, and what it takes to stick with it. Hear Kevin’s story, and get a few tips, some sage advice, and a chuckle or two out of the deal!
MacWorld themselves also confirm the news at their own site.
You’ll find the official event page HERE.
“Hollywood Halloween” With Kevin & Stan Lee!
- Wanna have some fun this Halloween eve? Have we got a COOL EVENT for you! How about a special screening of Spider-Man 2 at the famous Mann Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Complex in Hollywood, followed by a live interview of Spidey creator Stan Lee, hosted by our very own KEVIN SMITH? You wanna go, RIGHT? Details straight ahead for this sure to sell out event (Get your tickets HERE before they’re gone):
Hollywood Halloween With Stan Lee
Hollywood’s Master Storytellersâ„¢ Welcomes Writer-Producer Stan Lee And Invites The Public To Celebrate His Career and Characters With Special Guest Host Kevin Smith
HOLLYWOOD,CA (PRWEB) October 19, 2006 — One of the more interesting events of the ‘scary season’ is the scheduled live appearance by Stan Lee, the creator of some of the most memorable comic book and movie characters ever, like The Hulk, X-Men and Spider-Man. The event will include a special screening of Spider-Man 2 and fans are encouraged to come as their favorite ‘Stan Lee character’.
The renowned Hollywood’s Master Storytellers Series will showcase the career of the legendary POW!Entertainment Chairman, Stan Lee and provide insight into a creative career that has spanned seven decades. The live interview will be conducted by special guest host writer-director Kevin Smith (”Clerks II” and “Daredevil”) after a special screening of Spider-Man 2 at the Mann Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Complex on Monday, October 30, at 7:30 PM.
Hollywood’s Master Storytellers co-producer, John Culton says, “This will be fun! We are inviting the fans to get into the Halloween spirit and celebrate the star-studded event by coming dressed as Wolverine, Electra, Spider-Man, or your favorite Stan Lee character.”
Legendary writer Stan “The Man” Lee remains the most well-recognized figure in comic book history for creating such iconic superheroes as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, and the X-Men. Lee entered the comic book scene at the age of 17 working for Timely Comics Group, which would later become Marvel Comics. In 1942, he was promoted to editor. Under his editorial guidance, Lee’s Marvel revolution extended beyond the characters and storylines to the way in which comic books engaged the readers and built a sense of community between fans and creators. His success helped transform Marvel Comics from a small publishing house to a large multimedia corporation. He has also written more than a dozen bestselling books. Known for his signature dark sunglasses, Lee often narrates for animated series featuring his Marvel Comics characters and usually does cameo appearances in the live-action films based on his comics.
Stan Lee and guest host Kevin Smith have collaborated on several projects. Smith began a lengthy association with Marvel Comics in 1999 when he took over as the writer of the Marvel Comic Daredevil. Lee later made an extensive cameo in the Kevin Smith film Mallrats. Lee plays himself, visiting “the” mall to sign books at a comic store. Later, he takes on the role of a sage-like character, giving Jason Lee’s character, Brodie Bruce (a longtime fan of Lee’s), advice on his love life. He also recorded interviews with Smith for the non-fiction video Stan Lee’s Mutants, Monsters, and Marvels (2002). Smith’s most recent film endeavor, Clerks II, a follow-up the 1994 cult classic Clerks, will be out on DVD on November 28th. Other popular Smith titles include Chasing Amy, Dogma, Daredevil, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, featuring Smith himself as “Silent Bob.”
Hollywood’s Master Storytellers is known for honoring high-profile actors, directors, and writers in the industry. “I’ve produced a lot of shows over the years and I am beyond excited about this night,” says Hollywood’s Master Storytellers Executive Producer Nadine Hamdan.
“Spider-Man 2” Live Q&A with Writer/Director – Stan Lee. Monday, October 30 – 7:30 PM at Grauman’s Chinese Theatres Complex (Mann’s Level 3 — Hollywood and Highland). Tickets Available at www.HollywoodsMasterStorytellers.com.
You can also view the full press release online. Don’t think about it, get those tix now, because this event will sell out FAST.