• Here ya go, folks, the long-awaited skinny on Kevin’s Chicago appearance at WizardWorld next month. Mewes is also scheduled to be there, but don’t assume he’ll share the same signing times as Kevin (it’s possible, just not definite). The great news here is that Kevin is there both Saturday and Sunday, traditionally the con’s 2 busiest days, with TWO signing sessions as well as his famous Q&A. As always, show up EARLY on your day(s) as you’ll likely need to wait in line to nab tickets for both the signings AND the Q&A, and they WILL RUN OUT FAST! Don’t say we didn’t warn ya. Here’s all the details:

• View Askew’s man on the west coast scene, Chris Ryall, was kind enough to ship us off the photos he took of the View Askew booth as it appeared before the con opened in San Diego last weekend. As you can see, the new posters are in and being shown off in all their full-color glory, along with the ever-growing collection of inaction figures, t-shirts, and other fun toys. We’ll see you again real soon in Chi-town!

• Kevin has revealed that he’ll be recording the commentary track
  for the new DVD release of the director’s cut of the excellent “Donnie Darko” later tonight. If you’ve got something you’d like Kevin to
  question to ask or possibly cover during the track, you can post it for Kev HERE,
  but do it soon! Time’s ticking…
• In a related story, Kevin’s involvement with DD’s DVD likely stems from his project with directory Richard Kelly, “Southland
  Tales”. In this snippet from Antony’s new column at the ‘Shoot, Kelly makes his first comment on this project:

He’s made it known at many a Q&A that he’s not gonna dance on stage, so we can’t help but wonder how Kelly’s gonna talk him into it! Should
be a very interesting project to keep an eye on…

• This funny little image was printed in the Comic-Con Programming showcasing several cartoons celebrating Hellboy’s 10th Anniversary. One
  ‘toon in particular looked kinda familiar…
• The excellent interview with Kevin Smith and Guin Turner from “The Advocate” has finally been made available online via their official site. You hardcore fans know that Guin and Kev both took
  their flicks to Sundance in 1994, and that she also appeared in Amy and Dogma (as well as proved a bit of an inspiration for Chasing Amy,
  many a fan’s favorite View Askew flick). It’s an excellent piece, highly recommended you check it out, even though it’s now a few month’s
  dated. Plus, it’s written by long-time NA scooper Alonso Duralde, all the better reason to give it a read.
• Affleck’s joined an interesting-sounding new film project called “Nowhere Man”.
  The ensemble adventure is described as “Ocean’s Eleven” meets “Men in Black.”
• And finally today, scroll down to the bottom of the page to see what made the IMDB’s DVD of the Week!
  Thanks for stopping by today, and we’ll see ya next time.

• As we mentioned last update, San Diego showcased some amazing new View Askew merchandise currently in the production pipeline, and yep, thanks to Kevin himself (for providing those beautiful top 2 shots of the upcoming J&SBSB set) and our good friend Matt at Action-Figure.com, we’ve got a TON of beautiful photos to look at. Let’s let Matt take away with his own words regarding the major coolness he witnessed out west this weekend:

Graphitti Designs had a number of new items based on the Kevin Smith Films on display at their booth at San Diego Comic Con…

The 4 members of The C.L.I.T. – Sissy, Chrissy, Missy and Justice all alert and off to do a heist.

Jay and Silent Bob in thier super hero alter ego’s as Bluntman and Chronic ready to keep the Knocker at bay.

Marshal Willenholly – barking orders.

All will have new packaging art in a similar style to the Clerks, Mallrats and Dogma figures.

Chasing Amy are already in the works and Graphitti hope to release Holden, Banky, Alyssa and Hooper X

They are also working on a View Askew first – A Marina Diner scene Jay and Bob Diorama from Chasing Amy that will be part of the Clerks animated line of figures.

On display was the prototype of next years Con exclusive figure that will be at all the shows throughout 2005

The Kevin Smith figure captures the main man in his traditional sports shirt and shorts.

Every place the exclusive is offered the shirt will be in the colours of the local sports team.

Next up are the Jay and the Silent Bob wobblers.

An offical name will be anonounced soon first three will come out will animated style and can keep you company in your car.

Graphitti also had limited run Music whore girly fit t-shirts and the first six askew posters.

They were also promoting Kevins new West coast store in LA soon.

So, there ya have it! Jay & Bob figures, those sweet bobbleheads (you know every View Askew fan needs THOSE on their desk), and check out those shots of the Kevin Smith figure, along with our first look at the Jay & Bob versions of Willenholly, Jay, & Bob! Too, too cool. And a diorama to boot? Graphitti, you’re way too good to us. Like the headline says, boy, are we ever gonna need a bigger desk.

Huge, HUGE thanks to Kevin and Action Figure for their always incredible work in getting photos to the public. Keep in mind, these are of course the prototypes, but we’ll let you know as we hear more about release schedules for all this great stuff. The Stash will be taking preorders as always, and these should be ready in time to show up under your Christmas tree. Keep it here.

• These weren’t for show in SD, but Kevin was kind enough to drop another HUGE story this weekend – Yep, that’s right, another con exclusive
  will be the VERY limited “Huge Ass Jay & Bob” for Wizard World in Chicago next month. Yep, we’re not sure how many they’re making, what the price will be,
  or if they’ll even make the deadline, but you lucky bums going to Chicago will likely get the first crack at the BIGGEST inactions yet! We’ll let you know
  when we hear more on this as well. But until then, check out the size of those bad boys. Whoa.

• In the new issue of Entertainment Weekly (July 20), they pick 50 great movie quotes of the last half century. Guess which one takes number
  36?

They couldnt’ go one back and give us 37, huh? We’d have settled.

• Kevin’s “Declare Yourself” spots are making the rounds, asking you all to please vote in this year’s election. You can read more details
  on the ads at PR Newswire and
  The Futon Critic. Tune into COMEDY CENTRAL to check out all the very entertaining
  spots, directed by Kevin Smith himself. Thanks for stopping by today!

• Entertainment Tonight reports on Kev’s latest project, the “Declare Yourself”
  spots he directed. They’re starting to air on Comedy Central today, and should show up on many a television channel as the days go on. Ming also tells
  us that every spot is now avialable to view online. The PSA’s feature Ben Affleck, David Cross, Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler, Adam Brody, Ray Romano,
  Molly Shannon, Larry David, Zack Braff, Wanda Sykes and yes…the return of Jay & Silent Bob!

Kevin directed these just a few weeks back! Watch them all HERE. ENJOY!!!!

• The biggest and best con in the world, San Diego, is in full force now and boy oh boy do we wish we could be out there. Graphitti and
  View Askew have surprised us all with some amazing new stuff on display: Stuff like bobble heads, animated Jay & Bob clips, and next year’s exclusive
  inaction figure which we hear is da bomb. Photos coming soon.

There’s also Graphitti flyers and a flyer for the upcoming West Coast Stash! Grab us some scans, people! Ming says:

If you have the means to get there, DO NOT MISS San Diego this weekend! Trust us.

• Retailers are reporting to us that the wonderful Mallrats Special Edition DVD is no longer available for order, which means it’s likely
  been discontinued! No word yet on if a new pressing is scheduled, though we HIGHLY suggest you order a signed copy from the Stash if you don’t have one
  yet. Get them before they’re gone!
• Here’s a blurb from Movieline.com’s recent article on “Hot Young Directors”:

• On a recent episode of Penn and Teller’s excellent program titled “Bullshit”, they were contradicting the bible and Teller uses a Buddy Christ statue on a
  comical recreation of Noah’s Ark. Good stuff. Gotta love those guys.
• Catch the modern classic “CHASING AMY” at a midnight show in Minneapolis at the Crown Theaters, Block E location, tonight (7/23) and tonorrow (7/24) nights.
  Tickets are just $5.75. View Askew flicks are always more fun on the big screen with a roomful of fans!
• Mewes scores a very small mention in AZCentral’s review of the new flick
  “Harold and Kumar”.

• Yesterday’s edition of the comic “Heart of the City” featured one kid dressing up like Spider-Man, then switching over to an up and coming
  film hero that a certain director here’s been associated with. Click it to see!
• Here’s an interesting lineup: The Drudge Report has posted a schedule of events surrounding the DNC Convention in Boston this week with
  Affleck, Chevy Chase, and one of the Baldwins all sitting together.

We dare someone to ask a Fletch/Smith question! Catch ya at the next one…

• Kevin is accepting the Group 101 Ovation Award on July 26th. It’s not a Q&A, but he will be speaking briefly and they’ll be honoring him
  with the award and showing a brief clip of his career. Wanna join in on the celebration? Here’s all the details!

Group101Films and Filmmaker’s Alliance invites you to join us for ‘Cocktails and Summer Shorts’ Screening and Gala Celebration celebrating the newest collection of short films and the 2004 Ovation Award Presentation honoring director KEVIN SMITH

MONDAY, JULY 26

Doors open at 7pm • Screening at 8pm sharp • $10

Includes cocktails before and after the show

The Egyptian Theater

6712 Hollywood Blvd

Arrive early, no guaranteed seating

RSVP: send email to rsvp@group101films.com

Include name, company, number of guests

For more information, visit http://www.group101films.com

Discover the work of new directors. Check out http://www.thespecspot.com

Group101 films is an LA-based filmmaking collective that challenges each member to shoot a short film every 30 days. Started by five entertainment industry professionals in 2000, the collective has exploded; 600 filmmakers have produced over 4,000 short films in 12 cities across the U.S. and abroad, making Group101 the largest producer of short-form entertainment in the world.
Their mission: to empower filmmakers everywhere.