• The very reliable VideoETA has hit us today with a surprise — Confirmation of a slightly earlier Clerks II video/DVD release than planned – November 28, 2006! We don’t have details on the specs for the disc yet, so there’s no telling if this will be a movie-only version with the spectacular special edition to follow, or yet another in the long line of jam-packed View Askew SE DVDs. Kevin’s been known to have the SE’s ready day and date, so chances are we’ll catch a commentary track, some Train Wrecks, and lots more when the final specs on this one arrive. We’ll let you know more as we hear it, until then, mark the calendar. We’re expecting big signing events at the Stashes, signed copies available to order, and lots more this Fall.

• Many folks were looking for the Clerks II comic “Tales From The Clerks” collection that was originally slated for this summer – Kevin now reveals that the final touches are still being put on the book and that no official release date has yet been announced. However, he ALSO confirms this will contain EVERY View Askew comic ever released (which is freaking FANTASTIC) plus be the only place to catch the new comic which bridges some lost time in the world of “Clerks”. This is a must-buy, folks, for every fan, so we’ll be on top of it and certainly let you know when we have a new confirmed date. This is certainly one to watch for.

• This makes more sense — The ads proclaiming that the “Evening With” collection, which will take the new Evening Harder and pair it with the original set, had advertised THREE DISCS, which baffled many — New ads and sites now have the set confirmed to be FOUR discs, which makes a lot more sense (2 discs for each session). Australian websites EzyDVD and JBHiFi both report the disc arriving in their neck of the woods on Wednesday, October 25th, slightly earlier than we’re seeing it stateside. Hey, it’s a good time to be an Australian.

• Kevin confirms with Fangoria Magazine that he was indeed slated to record a commentary track for the horror classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2. Unfortuntaely, the Clerks II press blitz just got in the way. Kevin remained tight-lipped on his plans for his new foray into the horror genre.
• The latest issue of UK magazine Total Film gives Clerks II a perfect rating of FIVE STARS!!! If anyone has scans, hook us up.
• Looks like those “Southland Tales” comments we posted were, as they sometimes are, taken out of context by the press. Richard Kelly has come forth to say that “been finishing a shorter cut” of the movie, and that it’s “in better shape than ever.” This is encouraging news indeed! Let’s hope Kev’s part remains. The second graphic novel of The Prequel Saga, “Southland Tales – Book II: Fingerprints, will be released on September 13th. Book III will likely come out in mid-October. The film represents chapter IV-VI. Check out the Myspace page for the flick HERE. We can’t wait to see this one for ourselves.
• This fun article on bad CGI usage in films brings up Kevin a couple times (in a positive way, of course, like when they talk about his mockery of the Wild, Wild West spider).
• Wanna see that way cool Earl bobblehead that they’re giving away FREE at the Hagerstown, MD Suns ballgames on Sunday? Peep it HERE. A rare collector’s item for Lee/Earl fans for sure.
• Jason Mewes will be staring as “Jason” in the upcoming picture “Jason & Ross”, along side Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls, Hometown Legend, Bully). For more information, go to their Myspace page.

• More news from Kevin regarding that much-deserved Edinburgh Film Festival Award win. Timeout London reports that Clerks II took a whopping 78% of the audience vote! It wasn’t even CLOSE! Nice job, Edinburgh. You folks have fantastic taste.

Want to check out more coverage of this fantastic news? See the following stories:

We again extend our congrats to all involved with Clerks II on this great honor. Not only did the film win, it EASILY won. Thanks to Edinburgh, and thanks to all who have discovered the joy that is Clerks II.

• We announced the November 7th release of “Evening Harder” back on August 17th — Now today we have more details on the set from IGN and DVDTown.

Extras will include: a “Toronto: Limo Ride featurette in which Kevin Smith hits the streets of Toronto, determined to answer the all-important question, ‘What is Canadian cuisine?’” and a “London: Man on the Street featurette where Smith sidekick Jason Mewes tries out various pick-up lines on the ladies in London.” And don’t forget, of course, those 236 joyful minutes of Q&A bliss with the man himself. We’ll let you know when pre-orders are up at the Stash, and we imagine there will be many a signing party to be had and much more as we roll into Fall. Stay tuned.

• Empire Magazine has always been very kind to View Askew, and the Clerks II press they’ve got in the latest issue is no exception. Click above for beautiful scans of the coverage of the film, including a FOUR STAR REVIEW to kick things off. Then, move on for an outstanding article covering the film’s production, a piece on the lovely Rosario Dawson, and more. Clerks II takes over UK screens on September 22nd, 2006. Enjoy the articles, as we always love the wonderful work that Empire does with View Askew.

• You know what, we love this and we’re close enough that we might just have to drive in — The Hagerstown, Maryland baseball team The Suns are giving away “My Name Is Earl” bobbleheads to the first 1,000 fans at the games this Sunday! We’re not sure if these are exclusive to the game or just something that’s available to the general public, but it’s intriguing. They’re also holding an Earl look-alike contest at that very game, which sounds like a blast — A great way to spend the weekend — And we’re still upset about missing that all you can eat Chick-Fil-A thing on Monday. Go Suns!
• Our pal Ben Affleck is getting some RAVE early reviews for his turn Hollywoodland, a good sign of a fantastic performance. Check out this posting from Aint It Cool News where the reviewer really takes his hat off to the guy. Check out a bit of it:

• Call us crazy, but we’re still stoked for the release of Damon and Affleck’s third Project Greenlight attempt, “Feast”. We love horror and this looks like good, bloody, cheesy fun, with a great cast including our own Jay Mewes. If anyone’s got an early screener, hook us up! In the meantime, Fangoria has posted this brand new trailer which seems to change the origins of the creatures in the film (according to the opening titles, anyway).
• Dark Horizons and the IMDB both report bad news for Richard Kelly’s “Southland Tales”, in which Kevin plays a small role. Seems that the studio is sort of butchering his film, forcing MAJOR cuts and edits given the poor reception at Cannes. We say let the dude make the flick he wants and release it that way, as we’d like to see this one the way it was intended, not some crazy re-edit. Check thit out:

• Could this be a Clerks II postcard reference from the postcard secret website? We’re still not sure. Ponder it over and we’ll see ya next time…

• Here’s one fan’s summary of some recent Q&A items from Kevin’s Aussie visit:

• A bit more Aussie news — This one from “New Weekly”, a gossip mag over there. The simple scan compares the first Clerks to its sequel.
• We have another Clerks II release date for you today — France will get the film on January 10, 2007, sources say. We’re not sure what the reason for the delay is, but we’re hopeful that our French fans can wait a few more months before enjoying the film on the big screen.
• Some folks are catching the Jason Mewes/Paris Hilton flick “Bottoms Up” on DVD at WalMart for $5.50. If you’ve been waiting to see the flick to see Mewes in a non Askew role, this could be your ticket in.
• The Outside Groove (a Nascar-based news spoof site) make a reference to Mallrats on the 8.26 post.
• And finally, an absolutely bizarre one that took forever to download – Some “outtakes” from an anime show called “Berserk” use the “Berserker” line around the 9:10 mark (near the end). Not safe for work. Strange, too.

• Clerks II has won the Audience Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, beating “Little Miss Sunshine” as well as other homegrown films (which normally prosper). Much congrats goes to Kevin and all the cast and crew, once again proving just what a crowd pleaser this movie really is. Here’s the story

Discuss this great news at the View Askew WWWBoard!