• Howdy folks…Well, we’ve survived the first night of festivities here in Eatontown, New Jersey. Lots of folks from all around the world were downstairs at the Holiday Inn last night as the View Askew group basically took over, much to the restaraunt workers’ chagrin. There were a TON of great people down there, and some celebs even showed up as the night went on (though you’ll hafta wait for our massive Vulgarthon 2K update for all those details). We’ve got no idea how late the party went, but things were still going pretty strong around 11:30 PM when the hotel folks asked us to move into one area of the bar to try and calm things down. There were at LEAST 100 people downstairs at the Holiday Inn last night. Thanks to all the folks who stopped up to say hello and that they appreciated the website. It’s always nice to meet everyone and hear that the website’s helpful and fun to visit.

Special shoutouts to the following folks who were kind enough to give me a piece of paper with their names scrawled on it that I stuffed in my back pocket so I didn’t forget them: Stroker (who bought these webmasters a pitcher of beer, muchas gracias), Hungry Joe, Omega, and a group of crazy kilt wearing guys who drove something like 42 hours from Calgary – Matt Bird, Mike MacKillop, Kevin Jones & Xay. We know there are TONS more of you down there….John from Video ETA…Paul from the UK…And there’s tons more. Hopefully that list will grow even more today.

Anyway, no reason to go into much more detail than that, this and more all in our V2K update after the event. See you next update, folks!

• Hey folks, it’s 5 PM and it looks like the hotel’s got a local access number for the Internet provider, so it’s all good. They charge 50 cents a call, so we won’t be checking in constantly, but it’s nice to see we’ve got access. Looks like the restaraunt/bar downstairs is very nice, we’ll probably head down there for a couple beers and spot of dinner sometime soon. The Holiday Inn’s got a nice setup here, here’s a shot of the room. Not too shabby. We’ll be back with more as the big Vulgarthon event continues!

• Well the time has come, folks. It’s late Sunday morning and we’re hitting the trail for Red Bank, New Jersey. Did everyone turn those clocks back last night? Gotta love that extra hour of sleep! If the event runs as late tomorrow as it did the last time, though, you’ll want to turn the clocks back a few more hours, for sure. Everything’s going just as planned though, and it looks like we’ll have a nice sunny (cold) day for tomorrow’s event. Rememeber, you can pick up your tickets at the Stash today and tomorrow…Don’t forget those IDs.

We’ll be arriving in Red Bank sometime around 5 PM or so, we gather. It’s a COLD one out there today (probably the coldest day so far this Fall) so dress warmly. We’re looking forward to getting the chance to meet all of you, so be sure to come up and introduce yourself, or at least say hi. A sidenote: Our Vulgarthon 2000 Wrapup Page will begin construction as soon as the journey begins, as we’ll be keeping a journal of the entire experience from start to finish.

More from Red Bank soon…So stay tuned!

• Kevin chalked up another amazing appearance yesterday at the Willowbrook Mall’s Suncoast Pictures store. Rumor has the line stretching well through the entire mall, just for a chance to meet and greet Kev (and special guest Jay Mewes). Kev and Jay took the time to chat with everyone and allow them to get up to TWELVE THINGS signed (wow, their hands must be killing them today). Items were all personalized to avoid eBay sales, and rightfully so, we might add. Here’s some shots from the event courtesy our scooper — Wow, check out that line.

• There wasn’t going to be one of these today as the Vulgarthon piece below seemed enough rambling for you to stomach, but we had to come back anyway as we forgot to mention the new Psycomic column today (see story below) AND to give you a quick warning: Don’t see Blair Witch 2.

Many reviews and warnings have been around telling you to save your money, though we didn’t listen, and should have. Hell, alot of you won’t listen to this either, but, considering most View Askew fans are film fans in general, this seemed a good place to warn ya. Don’t go in expecting anything scary or even disturbing, not even any cheap scares or good, violent death or visual effects. The sad thing is that they had all the makings of a good flick here and the trailer promised some big creepy stuff, hell, maybe even an “Evil Dead” for the next generation, but instead it was a bigtime fizzle. Nothing in this film will have folks walking out of the theater chatting about it, it’s very word-of-mouthless and, in the end, flat out boring. Creative concept, POOR execution, BAD script. Bad movie, bad. Save your cash. Please. Or, if you saw the flick and for some strange reason liked it, please leave your talkback comments. Or even support our hate for it. Thank you.

• Thanks to all of you who wrote in to remind us to plug today’s column, which we almost forgot to post. Remember, these things are updated EVERY Friday (we’re talking to ourselves there). At any rate, Kevin continues discussing his thoughts about their first day of meetings on the west coast today, as well as the reasons why View Askew gets to pretty much write their own ticket and make the movies they want. Here’s a taste:

Surf on over to Psycomic’s “Developing The Monkey” feature to read this week’s and all the archived columns!

• With just 3 days between us and the event, we thought we’d check back in with some more information and news about the event that’s going into the View Askew history books this Monday, Vulgarthon 2000. Read on for information on time tables, ticket pickups, weather reports, and more:

• Weather: After some very mild days here on the east coast, things are turning cooler this weekend. Current reports have Partly Sunny days in Red Bank this Sunday and Monday, however, high temperatures are predicted only in the upper 50’s, and lows near freezing (34 degrees). While the event IS an indoor one, you’ll be waiting outside in line to get in on Monday morning AND likely driving or walking somewhere to eat and during short breaks. Our suggestion? Layers, baby, layers. Wear a t-shirt or something underneath a sweater, sweatshirt, or a jacket. Have something that you can take on or off during the event, and it should be just fine. No rain is in the forecast anywhere, so we should have some nice (albeit cold) days ahead.
• Our plans: We’ll be chronicling the entire event as we’ve done in the past (see our ON LOCATION section for details on past trips). We’re heading from Harrisburg, PA into New Jersey on Sunday afternoon, and plan to arrive at the Holiday Inn late in the afternoon or early evening. Look for us downstairs in the hotel where the rest of the folks are on Sunday night. We’ll also be around during the ‘thon all day as well. Please come up and say hello, it’s always a pleasure to meet our readers at these events. And hey, if you INSIST on buying us some drinks, we’re not ones to refuse!

  We’re also hoping to have some live updates either before, during, or after the event depending on the hookups and equipment we have access to. Those of you that aren’t attending can expect to find all the latest news and happenings from Vulgarthon right here at News Askew.

• Ticket pickup: Vincent posted a message yesterday asking that attendees pick up their tickets in the Stash ONLY on Sunday or Monday, NOT on Friday or Saturday as previously announced. This will allow Walt to tend to the store full time on Friday and Saturday. So, feel free to stop by the Stash to pick up all the swag you want if you get into town early, but don’t try and get your tickets until Sunday or Monday. Remember, YOU NEED ID TO GET YOUR TICKETS! Don’t forget it.
• Behavior: This should go without saying, but PLEASE remember that you’re representing View Askew by being in town. Folks in town and at the hotel have always associated fans as being very considerate and well-behaved. This year should be no exception. We know everyone’s planning to party it up before and after the event, hell, we’re right there with ya, but remember that we’re not the ONLY guests in our hotels and we don’t run the town while we’re there. We just need to remember that we’re guests for the weekend. And, most important of all: Don’t any of you drink and get in your cars and drive anywhere. Be safe, be smart, and have a great time.

• What’s the deal with “Employees”? Seems the filmmakers will be attending Vulgarthon and may get their forum and a chance to explain what it’s all about. Here’s an exclusive letter from Scott Kramer that we received today:

So that’s the deal, folks. Those of you attending Vulgarthon may get the answers to all your questions! Stay tuned.

• Maxim magazine, a very fun “magazine for men”, has nominated the Golgathon from Dogma as “Worthiest Robot or Monster In A Film” this year. It’s part of their annual awards feature. The monster is up against Godzilla in Godzilla 2000, Darth Maul (SW-TPM), Kevin Bacon (Hollow Man) and Bette Midler. Damn scary.
• Ethan Suplee, co-starring in Disney’s football pic “Remember the Titans,” has been added to the cast of DreamWorks’ sci-fi comedy “Evolution.” Suplee, who re-teamed with “Titans” co-star Denzel Washington for “John Q,” will next appear in “Blow.”

• That’s right folks, just four days away until the biggest View Askew party in the land happens, Vulgarthon 2000. The gang over at the official V2K website have been doing a fantastic job at keeping all the news organized, as well as posting a pre and post event suggested schedule, so be sure and surf over there if you’re wondering what a lot of guests are going to be up to before and after the show.

Latest rumor has Jason Lee in attendance at the thon, as he said it was his intention to show up, which would be way cool. With Lee on board, we’re expecting the guest list to be very similar to the first Vulgarthon, with actors Lee, Mewes, O’Halloran, and Smith on board, and film directors Kevin Smith (of course), Vincent Pereira, Brian Lynch, Malcolm Ingram, & Bryan Johnson on hand to discuss their films with everyone.

Remember folks, bring your IDs with you when you pick up those tickets, they are REQUIRED. Your ticket number determines which theater you’re sitting in, so if you want to swap tix with others to be able to sit with your friends, you’ll hafta do that AFTER you pick them up, so it’d be good idea to take care of that over the weekend, NOT last minute on Monday.

We’ll have more Vulgarthon news, reminders, and information as the week winds down.