What could have been a mournful memorial instead became a hilarious and engaging evening. Kevin Smith, noted director and Southwest Airlines enemy, was ecstatic at getting the opportunity to host the panel; his enthusiasm heralded not only the appreciation of a great director, but also the celebration of an iconic film beloved by millions of teenagers.

“I wish I could go in a time machine and tell my 14-year-old self that I was going to be on stage right now,” Smith said to introduce the panel. “And he would say to me, ‘How the f– did you get so fat? You’re hosting ‘The Breakfast Club’? Did you eat the breakfast club?'”

Continuing seriously, he added: “John had his own Hughes-iverse. I wanted to do the same with my films.”

Jason Mewes (Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Clerks, Chasing Amy) and Samantha Lockwood (Lords of Dogtown, TV’s CSI: NY) are Nate and Kate, a newly engaged couple whose search for the perfect wedding rings catapult them into a scenario that that may end their relationship–and lives! After they witness a jewelry store heist gone awry in a hail of gunfire from rival hoods, they hit the road, unaware that they are now targets of a hit ordered by mob boss Crazy Joe, played by Danny Trejo (Spy Kids, From Dusk Till Dawn and the upcoming Machete). Meanwhile, the Smith Brothers (Nic Nac of Van Wilder: Freshman Year and Mike Hatton of Fairway to Heaven), stranded on their way to work after a series of misfortunes, manage to get a ride from Nate and Kate. As the evening unfolds, everyone quickly discovers that their lives are strangely connected in a night of intrigue, plot twists, a desert militia and a heavy dose of action and comedy!

The Clerks OST was definitive in that it literally sums up everything about 90s young adult derision and its impact on society, complementing attitude with amplitude and allowing room for both witty quotations and suitable background audio. There are obvious moments where a song makes the scene, such as the quintessential opening credits featuring Clerks by New Jersey alt rock outfit Love Among Freaks. The band was local to Smith and he approached them to do music for his film; the movie unwittingly became a vehicle for Love Among Freaks as they also performed the soundtrack inclusion Berserker and reappeared on the soundtrack to Chasing Amy, but unfortunately the group only released one full studio album before dissipating into nostalgic bliss.

Other pivotal moments that are boosted by their musical companions include: the introduction of Jay & Silent Bob receiving the Girls Against Boys treatment with Kill The Sex Player a stoner rock tune (how appropriate) with plenty of fuzz and bass along for the ride; Jay attempting a white boy break dance routine to the sound of Stabbing Westwards Violent Mood Swings [Thread Mix]; the Randal and Dante discussion of contractors killed on an exploding Death Star (one of two primary Star Wars conversations) is enhanced by Bash & Pops Making Me Sick; the entrance of Randal Graves is accented by Alice In Chains bluesy Got Me Wrong before he exits at the end credits to Soul Asylums Cant Even Tell.

“It’ll be fun; it’s sort of like Kevin’s ‘Night With’ that he’s doing and they filmed one of for HBO, but Kevin can go for five or six hours or longer because he’s been doing them for years. I’m building up to that [laughing]; I can go for about three hours and while his stories are about fifteen or twenty minutes long, mine are about three to six minutes but I’ll pull my balls out and he won’t.

Has Mewes thrown down the gauntlet? Catch him live…if you dare. For more Jay press, check out a similar blurb at Pulse Niagara.

The Storyteller – Kevin Smith

You may not like the films of Kevin Smith, but after watching this clip you can’t tell me that this guy doesn’t know how to tell an entertaining story. Listening to Smith talk about movies is like having a conversation with one of your friends, and there are very few people who can connect with their audience like that. Granted, his critiques aren’t always the most ‘highbrow’, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t accurate — and more importantly, pretty damn funny.

Surf over and watch the video, where Kev talks Superman Returns and Star Trek during an “Evening With”.

A group of kids encounters a crazed preacher (based on Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church) who gives a whole new meaning to the term “extreme fundamentalism.”

Just in from Kev’s twitter. He says: ” If I didn’t write it, it’s not official. And I never wrote that.”

“Red State” begins filming on September 22nd.

ESTIMATED BUDGET: $27,000

Though officially Clerks only pulled in $3 million or so at the box office, its legacy is undeniable. In order to make the film in the first place, Kevin Smith sold most of his comic book collection, maxed out his credit cards, dipped into college funds, and spent the insurance money he’d been awarded when he lost his car in a flood. Long story short, if it had flopped, he would have been in a whole lot of trouble. The film eventually found an audience, spawned sequels, an animated series, and most importantly, launched the nearly fifteen-year career of Kevin Smith. Empire magazine even named it “one of the 500 greatest movies of all time” in 2008.

We’re in the home stretch of the biggest superhero launch of the year as Dynamite continues to proudly present Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet! The dark forces that took the life of the original Green Hornet now set their sights on young Britt Reid Jr as he takes up his father’s war on crime. With the help of the Kato family Britt begins to grow into his role as hero. But a larger, more sinister game is afoot, one that could cost our new Green Hornet not only his life, but the lives of everyone in Century City.From the unproduced screenplay by fan-favorite Kevin Smith, featuring the careful had of Phil Hester and artist Jonathan Lau! And check out that strong of all-star covers!

The Stash will have signed copies for ya, or of course, you can always pick up a reader copy at your local shop/retailer, then do like we do — Get a spare signed copy for safe keeping.

While the book represents Kevin’s vision for the Hornet on the big screen, you can now also see how Columbia Pictures decided to go with their version — The first two official promo images were released yesterday, quickly followed by the film’s official trailer today. We love Rogen, but we’re also stoked to see how Christoph Waltz takes on the role of the baddie.

Synopsis:

A night-shift paramedic gets a lot more than he bargained for during a routine rescue in “Bitten,” a gruesome thriller. Jack is a good-hearted, hard-working EMT, so when he finds a young woman named Danika on death’s door who refuses to go to the hospital, Jack decides to take her home and nurse her back to health. As her condition improves, Jack begins to fall in love with the mystery girl. But something is not quite right-and it’s not just his fear of commitment. As secrets begin to unfold, Jack learns that Danika is a vampire who has more skeletons in her closet than he could have ever imagined. And if he isn’t careful, he could be the next.

The delicious spine-chiller and Syfy premiere stars Jason Mewes (“Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” “Clerks II”) and Erica Cox (“American Pie Presents Beta House”). A horrifying love story that doesn’t promise a happy ending, the “Bitten” DVD features never-before-seen, too-hot-for-television footage.