- Degrassi The Next Generation just finished up it’s current season stateside on Noggin. We’re still unsure of when Kevin’s episodes will air, though
last we heard, they’d first see air in January, but only in Canada. - Seems JoBlo is excited as we are about Kevin’s possible involvement with a Star Wars TV series.
Please let this one be TRUE!!! - More high marks for Raquel Castro as Susie in the stage production “White Christmas”
come to us today from the New York Times. Congrats, Raquel! - Congrats also to Dogma score-meister Howard Shore, who has been nominated for a Golden Globe for his score in the film “The Aviator”.
- There’s lots of chances for those of you with the Independent Film Channel to catch a rerun of Kevin & cast members from “Jersey Girl”
on their “Dinner for Five” over the holiday week. The show will air at 10:00 PM on 12/24, 7:30 PM on Christmas Day, and once more at 8:00 PM on 12/28. As
always, check your listings, times vary by zone. George Carlin, Jason Biggs, and Stephen Root appear with Kevin and Favs. - And finally today, when you mix a View Askew fan with a philosophy degree, this is what you get: “Is ‘Time for Cookies’ Part of the Foot Court”?
Author Archive
Looking Back at Miramax…
- We’re deep in the Christmas crunch here, with packages to buy, wrap, all the last minute craziness that comes with the rapidly-approach holidays. So, we’ll be back with more stories tomorrow. Until then, we’ve got this one piece which touches upon the beginnings and the possible future of Miramax, should the Weinsteins part ways with the company.
Looking Back at Miramax, While Many Wonder About the Future
by Eugene Hernandez
Another real Oscar contender from Miramax, one that many believe has the potential to win big this year, opens in theaters today while at the same time many in the industry continue to speculate whether the company’s founders will still be at the helm come Oscar night. Martin Scorsese’s spectacular look at the life of Howard Hughes, “The Aviator,” was one of many films touted during a seven-minute highlight reel from the 25 year history of Miramax, screened at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan last night. The clips, a collection of iconic Miramax movie moments cut together to some of the most familiar music from the company’s films, kicked off a 50-film series at MoMA, followed immediately by more than an hour-long Q&A session with the Weinsteins, moderated by filmmaking favorite son Quentin Tarantino.
Much of the discussion looked at the legacy of the company, with Tarantino leading the Weinstein brothers through a discussion of the history of Miramax from its launch in 1979 and including a number of anecdotes and light-hearted insights on the company’s films. After about an hour, the director finally asked the primary question on the minds of many of those in attendance. “What’s going on guys?” Tarantino said, as the Weinsteins sat silent for a beat and some in the audience chuckled. “We’ve gotta go now,” Bob Weinstein said quietly. While brother Harvey reiterated the same message,” From our point of view, the idea is to resolve it in an amicable way with Disney.”
The Weinsteins remain in ongoing discussions with executives at their corporate parent, that bought Miramax in 1993, and the brothers are still under contract to run company, however it is understood that Disney wants to make some changes before the end of 2005.
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing earlier this week, Disney said, “The Company does not expect business at its subsidiary Miramax to continue at the same level beyond the September 30, 2005 date on which the current contractual relationship with the co-chairmen (Bob and Harvey Weinstein) will end.” The Disney filing continued, “The Company is currently in negotiations with the Weinsteins regarding the future of our business relationship with them. At this time the Company is unable to determine whether projects currently in progress may be abandoned or otherwise impaired and whether there will be any material charges.”
With a nod to their mother Miriam, who they asked to take a bow from her seat a few rows back, the Weinstein’s reminded attendees that the Miramax name was formed with the names of their own parents, Miriam and Max. And Weinstein, reiterating that Miramax is “the house that Quentin built,” underscored his pride in the films that they have released over twenty-five years, noting that the company is “a debt-free, $2 billion asset.” That would seem to be his answer to recent comments from Disney that questioned Miramax’s profitability.
With last night’s event, including the reel of clips emphasizing the award-winning works that have earned the company some 229 Academy Award nominations and 54 Oscars, the brothers are clearly trying to remind people (including the journalists in attendance) of their own legacy while at the same time positioning themselves for the future. A day after the Disney finling this week, Miramax issued a press release touting its successes, including a leading 15 Golden Globe nominations on Monday, and hyping the kick-off of last night’s MoMA retrospective that will screen some 50 films now through the end of the year and continuing next summer.
Miramax said this week that on its upcoming release slate are Dimension’s “Darkness” (December 25) and “Hostage” (January 21) and Gurinder Chadha’s “Bride & Prejudice” (February 11), as well as Wes Craven’s “Cursed” (February 25), Robert Rodriguez’ “Sin City” (April 1) and “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D.”
“A lot of this had to do with ‘Fahrenheit 9/11′,” Harvey Weinstein said, talking about the current tensions with Disney, “When you stand up for what you believe in, sometimes you pay a price,” but he added that he would do it again. Continuing, he noted that “the response from the financial community has been great,” joking, “I’ve never been the pretty girl,” but saying that he and his brother are entertaining many offers.
“We feel young,” Bob Weinstein said on stage, drinking from a bottle of Diet Coke during the chat, “We want to keep doing it. Look at the film and see what we’ve done, and we want to do more of it.” And brother Harvey Weinstein offered, “We are not gonna stop making films or being the kind of film company that we are,” emphasizing that their relationships with Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Robert Rodriguez and others would continue at any new company he and his brother create. “They’re coming with us,” he asserted.
You can read the entire article AND talk back with your own comments over at IndieWire. Personally, these webmasters think that Disney would be making a big mistake to not keep these guys around. They’ve made some incredible contributions to film — Miramax has brought some amazing movies that may have never been seen or even MADE to the screen. It’s because of Bob and Harvey that’s happened, and View Askew productions wouldn’t be nearly what it is today without those guys. We’re sure that the offers will be flooding in, should Disney let these guys get away. We’ll see what the future holds, and of course keep you informed with this continuing story.
More updates tomorrow. For now, back to wrapping!
View Askew NewsBites™
- The proposed Mallrats 10th Annviersary DVD scores a mention at IGN today:
Looks like Kevin Smith’s next special edition DVD will be Mallrats. At a recent “An Evening With Kevin Smith” show, he confirmed that the DVD is no longer available because Universal is planning a 10th anniversary edition next year.
Some fans suggested on his View Askew message boards that, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the film they gather at the Eden Prairie, Minn. mall where the movie was filled. In response, Smith posted the following:
“So funny that you mention this, because I just went into Universal yesterday to work out the details of the Mallrats 10th Anniversary Edition DVD. We were talking about doing another ArcLight Screening/Q&A which we’d shoot out here in L.A., but as I was driving home, I was thinking “Maybe we can go to the Eden Prairie Mall and hold the screening/Q&A…”
If it’s anything like Clerks X, it’ll be a good disc.
- IMDB reports:
- Despite recent public statements by Disney officials that contract-renewal negotiations with Miramax founders Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein are
continuing, the company said in its annual SEC filing Monday that it “does not expect business at [Miramax] to continue at the same level” beyond Sept.
30 next year when Disney can end its relationship with the Weinsteins. In the same statement, Disney said that it was “unable to determine whether projects
currently in progress may be abandoned or otherwise impaired and whether there will be any material charges” if it parts company with the Weinsteins.
Of course, if this affects any of the projects we’ve been hearing rumblings about, Clerks 2, Green Hornet, and the like, we’ll of course let you know. We’ll
be watching this story closely.
- Finally today, congrats to “Jersey Girl”’s Liv Tyler. She gave birth to an 8-pound boy (”Milo”) at 4:11 a.m. yesterday. It the first for Tyler, 27, and
husband Royston Langdon. Our favorite headline on this one? Citing father Steven Tyler, “Dude looks like a grandpa”. Ah, the press.
View Askew NewsBites™
- Diamond Comics is reporting that, sadly, Kevin will no longer be lending his writing talents to the “What if Karen Page Had Lived?”
alternate Daredevil-verse story. Joe Quesada’s artwork also has been taken over by another:
What If Karen Page Had Lived? (OCT041752, $2.99) — originally solicited with Joe Quesada creating the book’s cover & pin-ups — will now feature a cover
and pencils by Michael Lark. Additionally, the book will be written solely by Brian Michael Bendis, and not Bendis & Kevin Smith, as originally solicited.
and pencils by Michael Lark. Additionally, the book will be written solely by Brian Michael Bendis, and not Bendis & Kevin Smith, as originally solicited.
- We’ve got a few more photos here from last week’s Blade 3 premiere of Kevin and Jay, courtesy of the fine folks at the IESB website.
- IFC has been running Wes Craven films lately as well…And in a way, with his J&SBSB cameo and the Scream 3, he’s a member of our
extended family here. So, this is a neat one: In a most unusual Christmas night, IFC is showing Wes Craven’s genre bending ORIGINAL “Nightmare on Elm
St.” followed by his return to the fold a decade later (1994, ironically the year Kevin broke out) in “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare”. Both enjoyable flicks.
The fun begins at 8 PM EST Christmas NIGHT beginning with the ORIGINAL A Nightmare on Elm St. followed by New Nightmare. Then, an encore of the original.
IFC has been quite good at showing these films in the original widescreen, 1.85, aspect ratio. So, for you horror fans, it might be a fun Christmas double
feature if you’ve yet to pick up New Line’s fantastic dvd set. Also: on December 29th (Wednesday), Clerks will be airing at 11 PM EST with an encore at
4:30 AM (early Thurs. morning). Fun times at the end of December on IFC! - And finally today, high-bandwidth website Heavy.com has a fun little feature that takes the Clerks audio and dubs it over some alternate
video. Go to their site, http://heavy.com/heavy.php , select Dubbed and Dumber, then click the “Clerks” icon (with Batman & Robin in the photo). It sure
did give us a chuckle, being fans of those classic cartoons. See ya next time!
Kevin/Hamill Involved In Star Wars TV?
- Those scoop-loving folks over at the IESB have again been stalking the movie premiere lines these days, and yet again uncovered some potentially HUGE
information regarding Kevin’s involvement in that much-rumored Star Wars TV project . As we know, George Lucas
has been quoted stating that he sees the Star Wars universe heading into television after Episode III has come and gone, and Kevin has been mysteriously
quiet when questioned about his involvement with such a project. Now,
“Back in Febuary of 2003 we here at the IESB started reporting about a possible Star Wars TV series. Nothing much was known except that George
promised to
keep Star Wars alive in other mediums besides film.
promised to
keep Star Wars alive in other mediums besides film.
A few months ago we were the first to report that Kevin Smith was being considered for some kind of creative role in the upcoming Star Wars TV series. We
even caught up with Kevin a couple of times and asked him about his rumored involvement. You can actually click
here and here to see the video interviews.
As you can see in both of the interviews he does not deny that he is involved. He actually teases us quite a bit about the rumor. Even the News Askew
website acknowledges that he might be involved in the TV series in some capacity.
We are not known for posting many rumors that are sent in by scoopers but this one has quite a bit of validity. This e-mail was sent to me early today and
we went as far as trying to contact Kevin Smith’s publicist but we have had no response as of yet. Take this as a rumor but if it turns out to be true
remember that you heard it here first.
Guys,
You were the ones who had the star wars TV scoop up right?
OK, Can I be the first to confirm that?
I’ve been doing some [work] at Studio E Productions – the Annex – and a pal’s working on a film called Through the Moebius Strip there concurrently.
It features Mark ‘Star Wars’ Hamill.
Which brings me to the news item.
Kevin Smith and Mark Hamill are doing the pilot for a new weekly Star Wars series. It’ll feature Hamill as Skywalker in a ‘pop up now and then’ role, but mostly, it’s new characters, set in the same world as the films.Lots of talk about it here, but don’t expect anything until Episode III is out. Its a go project, but I don’t think there’s much on it yet.
Hope this helps.”
So, remember now — Anyone can make up a story and get the rumor to run rampant. However, something smells a bit true to us when we check out this one.
Keep in mind, we don’t know more than anyone else, but the secrecy seems possible and would certainly explain why Kevin hasn’t outwardly confirmed OR denied
his possible role in such a project. It’s no secret the he and Hamill have been pals since filming J&SBSB, either. So it certainly is a well-written
scoop, with the scent of plausibility. Regardless of that, if Kevin takes this one on, we’re extremely interested to see what he’ll do with the piece.
View Askew NewsBites™
- Kevin had the honor of being named one of the Top 10 film icons on this weekend’s IFC “10 Icons, 10 Year Anniversary” special. The show
re-airs throughout december. Check your listings. IFC is also re-running “A Better Place” at 2:30 AM EST (1:30 AM) CST Monday morning. IFC claims to show
it in WIDESCREEN, although the previous showing aired it in full screen aspect ratio (which Vin seems to prefer). - Lots of raves (and yes, even a little more Kevin) can be found for the newly-released Daredevil Director’s Cut DVD. Here’s another that
just came into us:
Just noticed nothing’s been posted on the website about the Dardevil director’s cut DVD. I picked it up and it’s a way better movie in every way. A lot
more stuff with Matt and Foggy including a great Fight Club reference. Kingpin in this version is much more threatening. Also the fights, which in the
theatrical run I thought were way too choppy, are 100% better. The whole subplot with Coolio works and shows more of Matt as an attorney. And there is a
little bit more of Kevin in this one too and the closing shot of DD has a great reference to the Guardian Devil story in both dialogue and the way he
poses. Basically to sum up this getting a bit too long email, the DD director’s cut is the better version and people that didn’t like the first version
might want to give this a 2nd shot. People that did like the first version I think will definitely love it.
more stuff with Matt and Foggy including a great Fight Club reference. Kingpin in this version is much more threatening. Also the fights, which in the
theatrical run I thought were way too choppy, are 100% better. The whole subplot with Coolio works and shows more of Matt as an attorney. And there is a
little bit more of Kevin in this one too and the closing shot of DD has a great reference to the Guardian Devil story in both dialogue and the way he
poses. Basically to sum up this getting a bit too long email, the DD director’s cut is the better version and people that didn’t like the first version
might want to give this a 2nd shot. People that did like the first version I think will definitely love it.
Sounds great! Hopefully this one ends up in the Christmas stocking.
- And finally today, here’s a couple shots from a fan who claims their friend is one of the biggest View Askew fans on the planet. And
we’re not having trouble believing that after seeing these photos:
I think I might possibly know one of the craziest View Askew fans… Two of my best friends recently had a baby (November 26). His name is Brodie Holden…
no joke.
Here are some of pics of little Brodie Holden in his homemade View Askew gear. Daddy was all decked out in his View Askew best in the delivery room, too.
We think Kevin should consider some baby clothes, I think a big chunk of his fan base is at that place in their lives.
See ya next time!
Blade 3 Premiere Pic…
- Here’s a pic of Kevin and Jay from the BLADE 3 premiere that was held in Los Angeles the other night. And also in attendance was Alanis Morissette to support her boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, co-star of Blade 3.
View Askew NewsBites™
- Sorry for the late notice (just saw this ourselves) but Clerks is on NOW on the
Independent Film Channel (IFC) with a follow up of the
View Askew produced classic “A Better Place”. Clerks will then repeat at 11:30 EST, and a Better Place at 2:00 AM. It’s an all Askew night on IFC! And
there’s always something fun about watching uncut Askew on broadcast TV. - We’ve found what’s as close as you can get to View Askew looking packages – Target is currently carrign Spider-Man wrapping paper which
features scenes mostly (possibly all) from the “Evil That Men Do” storyline from Kevin’s Spidey/Black-Cat story. Check your local stores! - The Stash gets a quick name drop in this Asbury Park Press article today on the many attractions to
be found in beautiful downtown Red Bank. - Matt Damon’s been hitting the press hard the last week for Ocean’s 12…but Dark Horizons has some info on the third film in the Jason
Bourne series:
‘The Unsomnambulist’ attended a screening of “The Bourne Supremacy” last night at Arclight Cinemas that was followed by a Q & A with producer Frank Marshall. Here’s his report:
“Nothing terribly new and surprising to come of it. Frank was adamant that “Indiana Jones 4” would happen, and mentioned that “The Bourne Ultimatum” was currently being writter for a 2006 shoot start, since Matt Damon is busy til then, as is director Paul Greengrass who’ll return after helming the “Watchmen” comic adaptation.
Frank also said he would be directing again soon, a true story about Japanese explorers in Antarctica and their sled dogs they had to abandon”
Had no idea this series was continuing, so that’s good news.
- Alanis Morissette is heading to TV, after signing a deal to star in a mockumentary-style show peeking behind the scenes of her fictional
tour. “We’re with the Band” will be fully improvised by the cast and follow Morissette and her crew as they travel on the road. A number of the improv actors
playing her crew on the show, which is expected to be shot before Morissette goes on tour in the middle of 2005, have actually toured with the star in real
life. A range of stars from the music world will be featured in the comedy, as opening acts or bands on the billing at charity concerts. Comedy Central
will produce and air the show.
$10 SIGNED Bluntman & Chronics!
- The insanity continues. And this one’s the best deal yet! Yes, we are SOLD OUT of the signed $5 Jay figures (We TOLD you to act fast!) – However, never fear, as Santa Kevin has come up with another incredibly amazing and affordable gift idea for you this year. How’s about a signed Bluntman & Chronic figure set, by BOTH Kevin AND Jason, for $10? Yep, you’re reading that right. There’s no way you should pass this deal up, as we are sure these things will also sell out, possibly even overnight. Order this set at this ridiculously low price today through the Stash.
Need more ideas? How about a signed Jersey Girl poster for 10 bucks? Autographed soundtrack CDs for $15? Tshirts and bookends at lower prices that ever before? Don’t miss out on the Stash’s Christmas Sale, going on right now. There’s no telling how long these prices will be this low, so if you’re eyeballing something, order it before we come to our senses or just plain run out of the stuff!
Mallrats 10th Anniversary: Minnesota?
- Who says that your posts at the View Askew WWWBoard don’t mean anything? Not us, not EVER! Check out this prime example of a question
that turned into what could be a HUGE event announcement for those of you in a part of the country who might not normally get their chance to catch a
glimpse of Kevin & crew in the flesh:
From board member loooosernumber7:
“I think a ten year Mallrats special or something would be cool. I work at THE mall and though it’s totally renovated and basically the only thing that remains the same is the escalator, I still think it would be awesome to hold some kind of ten year special there. When: sometime next year. Where: Eden Prairie Center – Eden Prairie, Minnesota”
KEVIN SAYS:
So funny that you mention this, because I just went into Universal yesterday to work out the details of the “Mallrats” 10th Anniversary Edition DVD. We were talking about doing another ArcLight Screening/Q&A which we’d shoot out here in L.A., but as I was driving home, I was thinking “Maybe we can go to the Eden Prairie Mall and hold the screening/q&A…”
So I made this bitch a sticky because I’d like to ask the faithful…
If we were to do this – hold a “Mallrats” screening/q&a at the Eden Prairie Mall, which we’d shoot for the “Mallrats” 10th Anniversary DVD – who’d make the trip to attend?
What do we think? We think it’s the coolest idea for a View Askew reunion ever. And it’s got mad potential. So what do YOU think? Live nearby? Would
you fly in from anywhere on the planet to attend such a nifty, once in a lifetime show? Let your voice be heard over at the WWWBoard!