Matthew (Columbus,OH): Hey Bill are you a fan of Kevin Smith? He just announced his new movie will star Seth Rogen (quickly becoming a huge comedy star) and Elizabeth Banks (a very underrated and good looking actress). The best part is the title “Zach and Miri Make a Porno.” Can this movie go wrong?

Bill Simmons: (3:36 PM ET ) On paper, I like everything in that paragraph. I do like Kevin Smith – his movies always have just enough going on in them that you never feel like you wasted 90 minutes of your life. He’s on my short list of “Podcast Guests I want To Get,” along with Larry David and Hank Steinbrenner.

With the release, of course, comes the press. As this isn’t a View Askew production, we won’t be covering every single tiny news item, but just some major stuff — And of course, anything where Kevin’s name comes up. Like this Wired interview for example, where Kelly credits Kevin for his help in getting the prequel comics for the film out there:

Wired: You also penned a bunch of comic books that give backstory on the film…

Kelly: Kevin Smith helped publish them. There’s going to be a bound collection — like a graphic novel — available in bookstores soon.

Also, the official film soundtrack was released earlier this week. It’s a sick soundtrack that features unreleased songs from Moby and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. A complete track listing can be found at Amazon or the Milan Records site. We’re stoked to hear that Moby score in the film.

See “Southland Tales” next week for a unique experience at the theater AND to support Richard Kelly, a longtime friend and fan of View Askew. And of course…Don’t forget, Kevin’s in it!

SModcast 36: I’ll Stop the World and Melt with Mewes –

In which a pair of relics from mid-90’s pop culture talk about getting old and boring, examine the conditions under which sexual congress with the breathing challenged might be acceptable, discuss the alternative brances of a family tree, and take “Paper or plastic?”to a whole new level.

Note – SModcasts that have started airing on XM during the weekends have, for some reason, had some or all of the music contained in them removed. We assume this may be a rights issue. Next episode brings us SModcast #37, which we can’t help but think will have some sort of significance and surprises.

May be temporary, may be permanent. Either way, I’ve still got three quarters of a script done (we weren’t gonna be shooting ’til March), so if they decide game on at a later date, I’ll be ready.

We’re betting the story will see the light of day, eventually, somehow. Even if it’s only in a NBC-funded comic form. We’ll keep you posted on the project, of course.

Alanis plays Sylvia, first seen in one of Nick’s (Jonathan Scarfe) visions as a glamorous, phenomenal singer, who shows up in real life as an ordinary woman looking for a secretarial job. Recently declared in remission from lymphoma—which has puzzled her doctors, who thought it would be fatal—Sylvia gets a job at Nick’s record label as a secretary, where her spirituality and visions soon make her a soul-mate with Nick.

Commenting of her first dramatic lead role, as a mysterious woman with prophetic visions and a beautiful singing voice, Alanis says, “I am a big fan of Philip K. Dick’s poetic and expansively imaginative books. I feel blessed to portray Sylvia, and to be part of this story being told in film.”

We wish her luck and hope to see her back in a Smith film one of these days, as well.

Affleck’s directorial debut hits theaters today, and it’s getting killer reviews.

This flick is a Goddamned must-see, folks. I’ve seen it three times and it’s awesome; a total awards contender, too.

Peep the trailer here. Then go check out the actual flick. You won’t regret it.

Yes, that’s an amazing 92% fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes at presstime. WOW. One of the best reviewed of the year, folks. See it on the big screen and tell your friends. Support Ben, a longtime friend of View Askew. And big congrats to him on this one. We don’t think a first time director has ever scored this high.

Here’s a few random passages from here, and our interpretation of possible hints that lie within:

“I spend most of day buried in my office, writing the second draft of “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” Even with the new stuff, I wind up taking the page count down to 110.” [NA: Sounds like we’re getting close to a good running time! Won’t be long til the scripts final now.]

“I wake up and do a radio tour for the book and “Reaper”, doing about ten or fifteen radio stations around the country.” [NA: If anyone has any audio captures of these interviews, let us know.]

“…I finally get to see “Spider-Man 3? – a movie in which many people cry, sing, and dance.” [NA: Sounds about right to us – nice assessment.]

“…I head home, talking to Carla about “Zack and Miri” casting en route.” [NA: We can’t wait until some of this casting is finally revealed. They’re doing a fantastic job keeping it under wraps!]

“…I shower and head to lunch with Dawn Ostroff, head of the CW, at Ca Del Sole.” [NA: More Reaper on the way, or perhaps another directing stint for another show?]

As always, the full story is available free, 24/7 via MySpace and Silent Bob Speaks! We’ll pick through the next blog entry with more observations, of course. Until then…