Spidey signing

Hey, kids, it’s time for another DVD in-store signing, this time the man behind Spiderman himself, Marvel’s Stan Lee. Stan will be appearing at the Virgin Megastore on Sunset in Los Angeles, California, along with director Kevin Smith to sign copies of his new DVD, Stan Lee’s Mutants, Monsters and Marvel.

The signing will take place from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, May 14th, and both Lee and Smith will each sign two items per fan, one of which must be a copy of the DVD purchased in-store at Virgin. The address is 8000 Sunset Blvd, and phone is 323.650.8666. See ya there!

Brian O’Halloran (a.k.a. – Dante) will be appearing as Jesus in the upcoming, outrageous comedy PANAMA playing at the New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway in Long Branch. Written by Mike Folie, this world premiere will be performed Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm June 20 through July 28th only! PANAMA is the story of a man who tries to cheat death by searching for the secret of eternal life. This leads him, his wife and two young serial killers on a chaotic, comic road trip, guaranteed to offend everyone. For tickets call 732-229-3166. For additional information visit www.njrep.org.

Given that Dushku has worked with a variety of directors and actors, not to mention her stint on television as Faith, one can’t help but wonder if this was the most improv-oriented project she’s been involved with. “No, Kevin Smith takes the cake,” she replies. This comes as a surprise, given that Smith is supposed to be a notorious stickler not only in terms of dialogue, but also with hardcore rehearsals prior to shooting. “Half my lines on Jay and Silent Bob were given to me in-between the words “roll” and “action.” Exclaims Dushku. “[Smith was like] “Duck Shoot, [his pet name for her] before you throw the thing to Shannon say, ‘B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b.’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ He would give me this whole thing to say. And I’m a good mimic, I have a terrible long-term memory, but I have a really good imitating ability. So he’d be like, ‘Say this, okay? And Action!’ The scene would be going on and all of a sudden I’d get to the point where I spit out the line and I’d hear Kevin just dying laughing. I’d be like, ‘Kevin, you can’t do that dude! I have such a potty mouth.’ The scenes were all full of curses and just really, really crazy stuff. I’m telling you some of those lines came on the moment. Kevin really liked playing that little game with me.”

Kevin Smith Introduces ‘Star Wars’ Fan Takes for Sci Fi

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) – Long before he became a successful independent filmmaker, Kevin Smith (”Clerks,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma” ) was a kid in love with “Star Wars” (as the frequent “SW” references in his films make abundantly clear).

Over the years, his admiration for the original trilogy has not waned, but the release of “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace” saw him swearing off “being a gushy, avid fanboy. [The first three] are movies I really dug when I was growing up and kind of held over until adulthood.”

“But the new trilogy — which I’ve seen the first one, and am game to see the second one, very anticipatory — that’s not my generation. It’s the next generation. That’s for kids, primarily, just as the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy was for kids when I was a kid.”

“So, swear off ‘Star Wars’? No. But I can’t really say that I’m lying awake in bed at night. There’s a line already in front of Grauman’s [Chinese Theater, in Hollywood] — I honestly don’t know if there’s much I would wait on line for, unless it’s the cure for death. ‘Wait on line, and we will cure you of that pesky death.’”

“But I’m always happy to see another ‘Star Wars’ flick. This one certainly seems much cooler than the last one.”

In anticipation of May 16 release of “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones,” Smith is host of “The Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards,” airing Sunday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Sci Fi Channel.

“It’s essentially a special made up of fan-made short films,” Smith says. “There was a contest sponsored by Lucasfilm and Atom Films.com, in which a bunch of fans sent in their spoofs, parodies or homages of ‘Star Wars.’” “I guess Lucasfilm and Atom Films pawed through the entries and came up with some winners. So I’m the guy that introduces the nominees and the winners.” Categories include “The Young Jedi Awards” (best film by an under-18 director); “The Audience Award” (as voted on by on-line viewers at www.starwars.atomfilms.com); “Best Animation” and “Best Documentary or Mockumentary.” There’s also a segment on “Pioneering Fan Films,” a montage of clips from such films as “George Lucas in Love,” “Hardware Wars” and “Geek Wars.”

The creator of “Star Wars,” George Lucas — who directed and co-wrote “Attack of the Clones” — makes an appearance to announce the film worthy of the highest honor, the “George Lucas Selects” award. As might be expected, clips from “Clones” are also included.

As a fan, Smith is happy to see Lucas and company embracing the creative efforts of other fans. “It’s always befuddling to me when I see George Lucas in the press going, ‘I don’t get it. I don’t get all these people who love the movies.’ It’s like, ‘How can you not get it, man?’ If he got down there with the great unwashed, he’d see why it means so much to them and makes such a difference in their lives.”

“I get why people like what I do. They identify with it; they see themselves in it. I’m sure you can plead the same case for a 35-year-old guy who lives by the code of the Jedi, but that’s a whole different thing. There may not be that identification factor between the fan base and ‘Star Wars,’ but it means something to them. It’s their mythology.”

Does Kevin Smith’s final outing for his slacker heroes make the cult or not?

Juvenile, self-indulgent, shambolic: say what you like about Kevin Smith’s latest (and many will say all of the above), but there’s no denying it’s damn funny.

For the uninitiated, the chubby writer-director here gives his favourite comedy creations – stoner foul-mouth Jay (Jason Mewes) and his “hetero life mate” Silent Bob (Smith himself) – their very own movie. In it, the boneheaded double-act find out that Miramax are shooting a major film based on comic-book heroes they inspired – and they’re being stuffed on the cash. The lads embark on a Jersey-to-Hollywood road trip to wreck the flick, running into the likes of Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth, and Chris Rock en route.

Displaying no more finesse than Smith’s last outing Dogma, JASBSB makes you wonder if Smith just belched up everything that was on his mind one day, and started shooting the next. The plot veers up and down and from side to side, and the tone careers from gut-busting hilarity to clumsy tedium. But while the hirsute helmer has little to say beyond “Aren’t internet movie geeks annoying?”, he should be thoroughly backslapped for coaxing a succession of big names to join in the fun. Best of all are Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who mercilessly rip the piss out of themselves and each other. After watching this, you’ll be praying that they make Good Will Hunting 2.

Matt Mueller / * * * (out of 5 stars)

SILENT BOB SPEAKS! AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH

Proceeds go to ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots): Bringing financial relief to the Original Founders of the Comic Book Industry

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 6th , 2002 – ACTOR, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veteran comic book writers and artists in need, will host an evening with writer/director/actor Kevin Smith, on May 31st, at 7.30 PM at the Writers Guild Theater, 135 South Doheny Dr. ( 1 Block south of Wilshire) in Beverly Hills.

Tickets are $15 (limited to 4 per person) and include a free comic gift bag. Tickets are available at Golden Apple Comics, 7711 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles (323 658-6047) or DJ’s Universal Comics, 11038 Ventura Blvd, Studio City (818-761-3465), or through Kevin Smith’s website, www.Viewaskew.com. Ticket sales begin May 9th and run through May 30th!

Kevin Smith, the creator behind such offbeat movie hits as “Clerks” and ” Chasing Amy” is also one of the world’s hottest comic book writers and a prominent supporter of the comic industry. Smith will answer questions on all subjects, from his new multi-year exclusive deal with Marvel Comics which includes the mini-series “Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do,” to his life as one of the movie business’s most popular directors.

“Participants can look forward to a relaxed Q&A format, as any and all questions will be answered,” says Smith, who is well known for his candid and laid back manner in public. “Come and join us, and maybe we’ll be able to raise a chunk of change for ACTOR in the process.”

As Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada says, “I can think of nothing better than hanging with Kevin for an evening and listening him talk comics and movies…Come join Kevin on this wonderful night and help out a worthy cause.”

About ACTOR

Today the fantastical visions of the comic-book world that took shape in the 1940s and 50s are reaching wider audiences than ever before. With the multi-million dollar “SPIDER-MAN” in theatrical release with huge ticket sales, it would be easy to overlook the many talented writers and artists who filled page after page with beautifully crafted artwork and mythical characters.

ACTOR is the only charity dedicated to supporting the many talented and under-appreciated creators who laid the groundwork for the comic book industry, but now live in financial need. During the industry’s Golden and Silver Ages from 1938 to 1970, these pioneering cartoonists toiled in low-wage obscurity, writers earning a penny a word and artists a mere $5 a page. As freelancers they worked without pension plans, health benefits, or the possibility for creative ownership, and today many of them live in poverty, unable to afford food, medical care and housing. Now they need a helping hand from those to whom they have given so much enjoyment.

ACTOR is an association of the comic industry’s top publishers and has received support from leading celebrities and entertainment figures, from Marvel founder Stan Lee to “Seinfeld” writer David Mandel. The federally chartered 501-(c) (3) non-profit organization is served by two boards of directors; the Fund-raising committee is made up of Jim McLauchlin and Pat McCallum of Wizard Entertainment, Joe Quesada of Marvel Comics, Mark Alessi of CrossGen Comics, Brian Pulido of Chaos! Comics, Jim Valentino of Image Comics, and Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Comics. The Fund Disbursement Committee is composed of the industry’s most respected statesmen: Roy Thomas, George Perez, Joe Kubert, Dennis O’Neil, John Romita Sr. and Dick Giordano.

For information on tickets or to send donations, contact idee PR at 310-566-5675.

Nevermind Spidey… Affleck IS Matt Murdock

So I went back to the “Daredevil” set to see Ben in action, and I may be biased, but fuck – that boy is doing some of the best work of his career.

And mind you, I made “Chasing Amy” with him, so that’s not an easy thing to say.

I think what’s so interesting about his performance is that this is the first time he’s not able to rely on his Affleck charm – the eyes, the delivery, the killer smile. For those of you who don’t know much about DD, the character is blind. As Matt Murdock, Ben’s in shades most of the time, and wearing “blind” contacts when he’s not. As DD, the mask covers his eyes and brow completely. This prohibits our boy from relying on the usual tics and “Affleck-tions” that’ve helped support his performances over the last few years (the shit I’m a sucker for). And because he can’t work that magic, he’s turning in a performance that I’ve never seen him give prior to this – a very stripped down, no-frills approach perf that’s working like mad. I was just blown away by the stuff I saw… and really proud. He’s nailing DD like Reeve nailed Superman, or Keaton nailed Batman. Kudos to the boy.

And kudos, also, to Mark, the director, and Ericson, his D.P. They’re making one gorgeous fucking picture. Mark and Ben showed me a ton of footage they’ve shot over the last few weeks, and it’s all beautiful stuff. The suit looks fantastic and the way they’re lighting it makes it look even more bad-ass.

And big, big props to Jon Favreau, whose turning in a really, really funny Foggy. I saw some flat-out brilliant takes of his that made me laugh out loud. He was an excellent cast.

Haven’t seen any footage of Bullseye or Elektra, but I’m going to go back in two weeks to watch some of the DD/Elektra rooftop fight being shot.

Mark Steven Johnson’s making, for my money, the best comic book movie we’ve seen since… maybe “The Rocketeer” (which, along with Donner’s first two “Superman” flicks may be the best superhero flicks ever made). I apologize for my gushing, but I haven’t been this excited over a movie I’m not really involved with since “Batman.” I want this flick out now.

“Spider-Man” does forty one million on opening day, there’s a “Hulk” teaser out, and “Daredevil” is shaping up to be a pimp-and-a-half flick.

Fuck, it’s a great time to be a comic book fan.