- Today was the day that Kevin and Scott were set for the MPAA’s appeal screening, in which they had the chance to watch the movie with a select audience of members, then make a verbal appeal for the film’s “R” rating. Within moments of the screening, word was released that the film did indeed win that appeal, and the original NC-17 was overturned. AP has the story:
Smith wins appeal for R rating for ‘Porno’
LOS ANGELES – Filmmaker Kevin Smith has won an appeal to lower the adults-only NC-17 rating for his comedy “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” to an R rating.
Motion Picture Association of America spokeswoman Elizabeth Kaltman said Tuesday the rating was revised after the group’s appeals board viewed the movie.The NC-17 rating would have prohibited anyone younger than 17 from seeing the movie. With an R rating, those under 17 can see it in the company of an adult.
“Zack and Miri,” due out Oct. 31 from the Weinstein Co., stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as best friends and roommates who try to make a homemade porn flick to dig themselves out of debt.
Congrats to Kevin, Scott, and the rest of the cast and crew on this victory — From what we’ve heard, the moments that they wanted to keep were great ones, and it’s fantastic news to hear that they’ll remain when the movie hits screens this October. Word has it that in appeal screenings, precedent can be cited, using similar “R”-rated movies as examples. No word yet on the tactics the guys employed to plead their case, but whatever the method, it’s the outcome we were all hoping to hear. “Zack And Miri Make a Porno”, rated R, in theaters everywhere October 31, 2008!
Archive for August 5th, 2008
Ain’t It Cool’s Got A New Rogen Interview!
- And of course, with the interview, conducted by Ain’t It Cool News correspondent Capone, Seth Rogen chats up “Zack & Miri Make a Porno” quite a bit. Here’s some random snippets from the sit down, conducted at the San Diego Comic Con a couple weeks back:
Capone: Talk about working with Elizabeth again. She’s such an underrated comic actress.SR: I think so too. I think Kevin originally wrote the part of Rosario Dawson, and then she couldn’t do it for one reason or another. And I was kind of thrilled as soon as I heard that, and I said, “Hey, put Elizabeth Banks in it; she’s fucking hilarious.” No one has every put her in the big role in a big comedy, you know? And I thought that would be perfect for her. We’ve known each other for years, and there’s a lot of very awkward situations in the movie, and that’s very helpful when you really know the people. I know her husband; that helps [laughs].
Capone: It might not help him.
SR: Exactly. [laughs] But I think it turned out great. And there’s no one I would have rather done it with.
Capone: In just reading the one-line summary of what’s going on with ZACK AND MIRI, it combines two things that are very relevant and timely right now…
SR: Porn?
Capone: Amateur porn, for sure. And just people being broke. People are more broke than usual these days.
SR: Yeah, it’s true. Times are tough, gas prices, shit like that, especially…we were shooting in Pittsburgh, which economically is not doing that fantastically right now, and you could really see it. And it was cold as shit, so you think, “Wow, it sucks to be broke in L.A., I can imagine what it’s like in fucking Pittsburgh. It’s way worse. I knew eventually I would do a movie involving porn. [laughs]
Capone: This might be a stupid question, but is there a lot of nudity in it?
SR: Yeah, there’s nudity in it. Katie Morgan is in it. She doesn’t own clothes [laughs].
Check it out in full form over at Ain’t It Cool News! And of course, see Rogen on the big screen TOMORROW (Wednesday) in “Pineapple Express”. This interview covers everything from that film, to “Zack And Miri”, and well beyond.
View Askew NewsBites
- SModcast #60 returns after a week off for San Diego, and Kevin (this week along with special guests Walt and Bryan) once again has prepared a fantastic and free program for you…We also believe the running time’s a record breaker, coming it at 1:06. Download it for free exclusively at Quick Stop Entertainment and listen to the fun of three friends hanging out in a room, chatting it up about pretty much anything that comes to mind. Here’s the cryptic logline for the week:
SModcast 60: The Clone War
In which our heroes marvel over Pillow Babies, thwart an attack by Stalin’s man-apes, and face off over the love of a human Xerox.
Don’t miss SModcast, some of the very best entertainment the web has to offer, courtesy of View Askew Productions and our friends at cool stuff website ThinkGeek. - Playboy Magazine staffer Ron Motta beautifully recounts another recent “Spaced” signing event and has some kind words to tie it into the Askewniverse:
“Like Kevin Smith’s Clerks, Spaced captures perfectly where I was when I was in my mid-20s.”
The blog goes into detail on “Spaced” and its origins, and even reveals how a 3rd series of the popular program might have started. Worth reading, and of course DEFINITELY worth picking up a copy of from Laser Blazer online! - The 2 PM video finale of YouTube pheom “LonelyGirl15” features a classic “Mallrats” quote right at the start.
- Wizard Magazine featured another fantastic piece on Daredevil and the rest of the “Marvel Knights” line as part of the anniversary — We’ve got a few more scans for your enjoyment above, featuring a new interview with those involved with the books. Again, we highly recommend you grab a copy of this month’s Wizard for your collection, especially if you’ve got all the Daredevil books.
