Smith completed the first six issues and will begin writing another batch of six. “We’re breaking it up into a volume 1, volume 2 kind of thing,” Smith continued. “So the first six issues happen, then there’s a break, and then the next six issues happen, but I don’t know. DC’ll probably ultimately wind up going, ‘Why don’t we just make it two separate miniseries? 1-6 is one thing, and call the next one something else.’ So we may do that. I don’t know, but I know we’re going to stop at six for the time being and take a little break. Then whether or not the next issue is 7 or a new number 1 for a volume 2 miniseries remains to be seen.”

Keeping the audience entertained between sets was Jason Mewes — famous for playing Jay, a pot dealer in the Jay and Silent Bob flicks.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s been great,” said Mewes, between signing autographs for a huge lineup of fans. “(There are) a lot of cool bands (and) a lot of cool people here.”

Between acts, Mewes dutifully told the crowd to “drink water, be safe, recycle and Jesus loves you.”

“…there are more than a few stand out scenes, although my personal favourite is Ollie’s conversation with Will Smith. The scene is seamless and so well written when it could really have turned into a giant joke.

Like most movies with children included in the cast, it does sometimes fall into its own sugary sweetness and you can’t help but notice the influence of the late, great John Hughes’ She’s Having a Baby running throughout. Both director/writers were influenced by their own families.

As this genre of movie goes, you could, in fact, do a lot worse and if the critics put you off watching this movie first time round then take a look at it when it’s next on TV. And if you haven’t watched it in a while, wait until the next rainy afternoon and put it in your DVD player, you’ll feel better after.

This is one of those flicks we hope that many folks, including critics, take a look at again with a lot of the Bennifer stuff now in the distance. And we’re really hopeful that many of you can one day see Kevin’s extended cut of the film, which we feel gives it an even stronger emotional connection and impact with the viewer. Kevin’s stated it’s a possibility for an eventual special edition Bluray, so keep your fingers crossed.

Dogma (1999)

Being an angel is a cushy job. You mooch around Heaven, taking time out to fluff your feathers, attend celestial choir practice and pose for the odd Renaissance painting. Unless, of course, like Loki and Bartleby, you get the Almighty heave-ho and find yourself exiled to Wisconsin. The smart-mouthed seraphs don’t take rejection lying down, though. Exploiting a Biblical loophole, they set off on a cunning quest for forgiveness that threatens to invalidate God. Considering God turns out to be Alanis Morissette, their failure is ours too.

Angelic retribution level (out of 10): 7

Chances against massed armies of Heaven: High. Well, one of them’s the Angel of Death and the other’s Jason Bourne.

You just know Jason Lee’s stash has some serious classics hidden in there. Plus, this is the collection that stated the rules we all try to follow: “Touch not, lest ye be touched.”

…Chasing Amy is a movie that totally fits its time. Released in 1997 it takes a honest look at relationships and how people define themselves not so much by being heterosexual or homosexual but by being honest and falling in love with the person rather than the gender of that person. Of course everybody has a preference, but you are not chained to that decision. That’s the moral at work here.

…

The glue that holds it all together though is Smith’s script which starts off more in a comedic vein and then reveals itself to be this honest romantic story. Friends, background and timing can all affect who we fall in love with but not everybody gets a happy ending, and that is the beauty of this script. Life does move on when a relationship ends and even while you are in it, it’s not all roses and romance. Smith manages to find that balance of honesty and comedy while keeping in his trademark in-jokes.

…On the other hand, my appearance on Kevin Smith’s list of the five coolest people I’ve met at the San Diego Comic-Con put me in mind of the time I encountered Kevin Smith. It was round the back of the San Diego Convention Centre, near the loading bay. I was on my way to a panel when a gentleman with a kerchief-mask covering his lower face, holding a brace of pistols and wearing a rakish tricorn hat leapt out and demanded my wallet, and to dance a measure with my female companions. Obviously, I was having none of it, and with a cry of “Never, miscreant!” I stumbled into the fray. During our struggle the kerchief-mask slipped and I was shocked to see that our attacker was in fact director, writer and raconteur Kevin Smith himself. He fled, dropping my wallet and also several of the original Graphitti Buddy Christ and Jay & Silent Bob toys.

I can only presume that Mr Smith’s description of me in EW as “a sweetheart” was due to the fact that I did not turn him in that day to the San Diego magistrates that day to be hanged and gibbeted as a common highwayman or footpad.

Dogma

When Kevin Smith’s Dogma script hit the net in ’98, the mix of profound and profanity sent the powerful Catholic League into overdrive, especially given that their favourite target Disney was distributing. The subsequent furore forced the Mouse House to dump the movie and even saw Smith receive death threats.

In response, Smith anonymously joined the small group protesting his movie outside his local cinema, even doing an ‘in character’ interview with a news team. This is an act arguably funnier than anything in to the worthy-if-hit-and-miss loveletter to his Catholic faith. Still, any movie that has people explode upon hearing the voice of Alanis Morissette must have its heart in the right place.

Lee’s got at least one more official interview segment on the way, plus some possible outtakes. YouTube has spotlighted the interview clips in 23 countries, and the videos continue to score record traffic. We can’t recommend this great interview enough, one of our faves of Kevin’s career.

“The fake blood is still a little sticky after all these years, and it’s rendered the fabric quite hard and stiff–it’s almost like a hard plastic plate attached to the fabric. Must have been uncomfortable to wear.”

The film: Quickstop employee Dante (Brian O’Halloran) wasn’t supposed to be at work today. Pissed off and with his girlfriend on his case, he just needs to make it through the day.

Passing time with Randal (Jeff Anderson), the clerk from the adjacent video store, they discuss movies, deal with annoying customers, and play hockey on the roof.

Why It ought to be a musical: It’s one for the college crowd, a cult hit from the word go.

No locations to worry about, and Dante and Randall’s profane, scattershot dialogue would translate perfectly to the stage.

Music & lyrics by… Bruce Springsteen and Kevin Smith. New Jersey’s finest together at last.

Hit songs: ‘I’m Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today’, ‘Down At The Nudie Booth’, ‘I Can Do Without The People In The Video Store’, ‘Happy Scrappy Hero Pup’, ‘I Don’t Care If She’s My Cousin’, ‘Best Of Both Worlds’, ‘I’m Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today (Reprise)’.

Producer’s notes: Stage the production in black and white for authenticity.

Heck ya — We’d go.