- The Hollywood Reporter has announced film ratings assigned by the MPAA this week. “JERSEY GIRL” has received an R rating, however a notation states that Miramax intends to appeal the rating to the CARA Appeals Board. We expect that they’ll get through with the PG-13 they’re looking for, hopefully with no cuts though a word or two may hafta get redubbed in order to get that rating. Having seen the film, we can say with confidence that Miramax will get the rating changed. We’ll keep you informed.
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View Askew NewsBites™
- Those of you who were at the Stash for Kevin’s recent tonight show Roadside Attractions filming, take none — The latest date that we believe that segment will air is September 26th, a Friday. We imagine Kevin will be on the show to introduce the segment. Mark your calendars!
- Congrats to Jason Lee! The IMDB had this news on Lee’s impending fatherhood and also took a cue from the recent email of his that Kevin posted:
Jason Lee To Be a Father
Vanilla Sky actor Jason Lee is expecting a son with fiancee Beth Riesgraf . The Chasing Amy star – who announced his engagement to actress Beth back in January – made the revelation in an email to friend and colleague, writer/director Kevin Smith. Lee has been a regular cast member in many of cult maestro Smith’s movies – including Mallrats, Dogma and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. Smith’s website Newsaskew.Com yesterday published an email from Lee in response to the news that he will not be taking on the role of Fletch in Smith’s upcoming movie Fletch Won , after studio Miramax decided they wanted a bigger-named star. But, aside from explaining that he doesn’t mind being passed over for the lead role, Lee says he’s looking forward to the more important role of fatherhood. He writes, “I understand how a company like Miramax works, and quite frankly I don’t feel like fighting them for a project that I probably don’t feel as passionate about now as I did 2 years ago… It also has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve started (company) Stereo Skateboards again, am having a son, am planning on finally directing (my script) next year, and have grown pretty fond of smaller movies. New experiences, different experiences.”
Vanilla Sky actor Jason Lee is expecting a son with fiancee Beth Riesgraf . The Chasing Amy star – who announced his engagement to actress Beth back in January – made the revelation in an email to friend and colleague, writer/director Kevin Smith. Lee has been a regular cast member in many of cult maestro Smith’s movies – including Mallrats, Dogma and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. Smith’s website Newsaskew.Com yesterday published an email from Lee in response to the news that he will not be taking on the role of Fletch in Smith’s upcoming movie Fletch Won , after studio Miramax decided they wanted a bigger-named star. But, aside from explaining that he doesn’t mind being passed over for the lead role, Lee says he’s looking forward to the more important role of fatherhood. He writes, “I understand how a company like Miramax works, and quite frankly I don’t feel like fighting them for a project that I probably don’t feel as passionate about now as I did 2 years ago… It also has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve started (company) Stereo Skateboards again, am having a son, am planning on finally directing (my script) next year, and have grown pretty fond of smaller movies. New experiences, different experiences.”
Thanks to the IMDB for the plug!
- And in more Lee news, a new Jason Lee interview appears in the October issue of Skateboarder Magazine. The piece discusses the resurrection of Stereo Skateboards, and includes photos of Jason skating.
- Obscure Clerks reference: The crossword puzzle of the month in the latest EGM (Electronic Gaming Monthly) magazine is named “OOH, NAVY SEALS!”.
- Chasing Amy is featured prominently in Filwise’s “Director’s Orders” quiz.
- The Jay-proclaimed “greatest band in the world”, Morris Day and The Time, will be performing this weekend in Indianapolis at the Rib America Event, today from 4 to 5:30pm.
Kevin Smith Reviews “Filmmaking For Dummies”…
- As we promised you earlier this week, here’s the complete review of “Filmmaking For Dummies” as it appears in Entertainment Weekly, hitting newsstands today! Kevin generally seems to like the book, though he does make some very good points about the examples it uses, and can’t resist getting a few plugs of his own in there (always the smart businessman, that one). Check it out, along with what we believe is a new image of Kev with Liv Tyler on the Jersey Girl set. We’ll have more news later! See you then.
Lee On “Fletch” Casting…
- Kevin shared the e-words of the one and only Jason Lee today regarding the Fletch casting announcement. Here’s what Jason had to say:
“I understand. I really do. I understand how a company like Miramax works, and quite frankly I don’t feel like fighting them for a project that I probably don’t feel as passionate about now as I did 2 years ago. Of course that’s no offense to you, it’s just that I don’t feel as interested in doing comedies lately. Would Fletch be a typical comedy? No. Are you a typical comedy director? No, of course not. But still, it seems to be how I feel. It also has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve started Stereo Skateboards again, am having a son, am planning on finally directing (my script) next year, and have grown pretty fond of smaller movies. New experiences, different experiences. Trying to expand, yet simplify at the same time. Prioritize my creativity, you know? This very small movie that I’m working on right now with Daniel Day-Lewis has really brought me back to “the Chasing Amy time in my life” and has helped restore a lot of my drive and enthusiasm for acting. Not sure if any of this makes much sense to you, but something tells me it does.”
RSVP Screening With Mark (& Jay?)
- The Superstition Mall Silver Cinema in Phoenix, Arizona will be showing RSVP starting this Friday, August 29th. The DVD’s out, but if you’d like to see it on the big screen, meet the director, and possibly even Jay Mewes (though we doubt he’s going to make it out there on such short notice, you never know) this is your chance!
The film is making a two week exclusive run at these times: 1:05 | 3:20 | 5:20 | 7:30 | 9:45. This Friday, at 7:30 PM, there will be a special screening with appearances by Mark Anthony Gulluzo (director) and a hopeful appearance by Mewes. It will also be a memorial for the late Glenn Quinn, who died of an overdose in December, though the RSVP website states that it will be a “party atmosphere” (not a somber thing). There is no list to sign up for advanced tickets, so be early as this one’s sure to fill up fast. The Silver Cinema is located at 6555-1002 E. Southern, Mesa, AZ 85206 in the Superstition Mall.
See Kevin’s “Dinner For Five” Online!
- Those of you who bought the Daredevil DVD might have been disappointed to notice that the wonderful DD cast episode of Jon Favreau’s of “Dinner For Five” wasn’t included as an extra. Many of you in other parts of the world and even those of you stateside without IFC would probably enjoy seeing it, wouldn’t ya?
Well, we’ve got good news for ya. A Jennifer Garner fansite (www.jen-garner.net) is currently hosting the show, divided into three files for easy download. You can find it HERE.The 30 minute episode features Jon Favreau, Ben Affleck, Kevin Smith, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Garner in conversation. As you’d probably expect, Kevin and Ben actually do quite a lot of talking and with the major exception of the now famous Tim Burton story, most of it’s new stuff.
Grab it while ya can, before we certainly bog down the poor Jennifer Garner website server to the point of overload.
View Askew NewsBites™
- The Mewes signature madness continues — Get your ‘Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back’ mini posters – signed by both Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes – right HERE!
- Today’s Film Threat Quote of the Day: “Talking me into Dogma was one thing, but this…” — Matt Damon from “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” (2001).
- Issue #67 of Witchblade seems to feature a page inspired by Kevin’s coroner character from the Daredevil movie, as this scan shows — Notice, the dude’s name is “Bob” and certainly bears a striking resemblance.
- Perhaps a small View Askew reference in this animated cartoon of Strongbad from the famous Homestar Runner series (The e-mail from “Silent J”).
Kevin Pens Guest Review In EW This Friday!
- We’ve just received word that Kevin has taken the critic’s chair to pen a guest book review that will appear in this Friday’s edition of “Entertainment Weekly” magazine. Kevin reviews the new book entitled “Filmmaking for Dummies”. We’ve read the piece, and it’s very amusing, just as you’d expect. There’s even a Jersey Girl/Gigli comparison comment and a poke at Project Greenlight producer Chris Moore that we’re sure fans like yourselves will appreciate. We’ll be able to print the piece here for you later this week. Until then, you’ll hafta wait to find out what Kev’s review grade for the book is. Catch ya then.
Mewes-Signed Chronic Figs Available!
- While they last, get your set of Bluntman & Chronic figures from the Stash, with the Chronic figure SIGNED by none other that Jason Mewes himself! This is a rare chance to own a Mewes-signed item, and the perfect chance to pick up a set if you’ve yet to, or to grab yourself a second set to keep in the bubble (since you couldn’t resist playing with that first one). Sold ONLY as a pair, get the set from the Stash today for the special sale price of $25.00. A true bargain for a set of rare figures WITH an authentic autograph to boot.
View Askew NewsBites™
- A recent E! Online article again dug up the ‘ol rumor about Kevin directing the ailing Superman film. Here’s the blurb they ran:
Man of Stealing Away Quietly: Movie fans, you all know Kevin Smith wrote a draft of the new Superman movie, and that it may have renewed interest in the property enough for Warner Bros. to greenlight its current mess. You may also recall that Smith wanted Nicolas Cage to star as the Man of Steel. Well, now the directing job’s open (again!), so we wondered if Smith would like the gig. As it turns out, he doesn’t. “Too big,” he protests. “Too big and too many people in the audience who are like, ‘You’re doing it wrong, you’re doing it wrong.’ And I’d be the guy in the audience going, ‘You’re doing it wrong!’ I don’t want to be subjected to that.” But wasn’t that true when Smith wrote the Superman script he intended to direct years ago?
And for the record, as far as we know, Kevin NEVER intended to direct the film. Just write it.
- You saw the Mewes news above, now see him in RSVP — Available on DVD everywhere TODAY! Buy or rent your copy, and then don’t forget to enter our RSVP “Killer Trivia” Contest! You’ve got until the end of September. We’re currently spinning through the disc and enjoying the extra features. In the meantime, check out this interview with writer/director Mark Anthony Galluzzo (but beware of the spoilers!).

- Yet another sighting of that Buddy Christ dashboard statue — This time, he’s on the cover of the current Reno News & Review!
- The great MALLRATS is playing on Friday, September 5th at the NUART on Santa Monica Blvd. for their Midnight screening that night. Get more info HERE.
- Speaking of Mallrats, Production Weekly reports that Claire Forlani (recently appearing in “The Medallion”) will star opposite Jim Caviezel in the Bobby Jones biopic “Stroke of Genius”, directed by Rowdy Herrington. She joins a cast that also includes Malcolm McDowell and Connie Ray. “Genius” is about the gold legend who became an icon and retired from competitive gold at age 28. Forlani will play the wife of Bobby Jones (Caviezel). Production is scheduled to start on September 8 in Atlanta.



