AIR CANADA FCKS ME! EDMONTON GIG CANCELLED!

Fucking Air Canada locked me out of my fucking flight even though I was in the terminal at 9:48 for an 11:05 flight! After waiting in a line for fifteen minutes, with no announcement that they were closing my Edmonton flight, I get to the desk, where I’m told it’s too late: I’m locked out of the flight. And when I’m like “I’ll ditch my luggage. Can’t I just get my boarding pass so I can get on that plane?” I’m told “No. They won’t let me ticket you. The flight’s closed.”

And there were still 20 minutes to go before they even started boarding, and 50 MINUTES before the flight even took off!

I’m sorry: I fucking hate Air Canada.

After all that time wasted at the Air Canada desk, desperately trying to get someone to do the right thing, I ran around from airlines to airlines (fat sweaty man, two cumbersome bags) trying to get to Edmonton before 7pm. The best anyone could do was get me there by 10-ish. I offered to start the Q&A then, but understandably, the folks running the gig felt that by the time I got through customs and hauled ass from the airport, we were looking at a close to 11 o’clock start time.

So the gig’s been called off.

Makeup date has already been chosen: Wednesday, OCTOBER 8TH.

My apologies folks. My bags were packed the night before, and I left for the airport with more than enough time. I was in the terminal with time to spare before the cut-off (and, I mean, a full hour they cut that shit off at? Jesus…), and still, I wasn’t allowed on the plane. I offered to ditch my luggage, and still I wasn’t allowed on the plane. Air Canada can suck it.

NO SHOW TONIGHT. Q&A’S BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 8TH.

Calgarians: this won’t effect your show on Tuesday. Rest assured, I WILL BOOK UNDER A DIFFERENT AIRLINES and make sure I’m there, in Calgary, with time to spare.

And there ya have it, folks — More news later, we just wanted to get this out there ASAP for those of you who don’t follow the blog sites regularly, especially if you are ticketed for tonight’s gig. We assume calling the venue will get you any details on the new date, or refund info if you can’t make it – Typically you’ll be issued a new ticket or your current ticket will work on the 8th, but we can’t say for certain how they’ll handle it (but don’t take it out on them, strictly the airline’s fault this time, nothing to to with Kev or the venue).

Ron’s also got fresh stock of those coveted Zombies jerseys, stickers, and more. Stop into Stash West, the coolest comic book and swag store inside the coolest DVD and media store in all the land. If you’re local make it your only stop for all your media needs.

Not in the area? Hit up the Secret Stash website for all the latest goodies. In addition to the stuff we mentioned above, they’re also taking pre-orders for SIGNNED “Threevening” DVDs, signed “Zack And Miri Make a Porno” theatrical posters, and more. We want this stuff bad, so we’re sure that you do as well. Look for some fantastic sales there AND inside Laser Blazer as well. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner. Happy shopping.

Popgrind caught wind of the news and erroneously reported that MGM wanted to drop the movie and all association with it, sort of a one-way yanking. Very one sided and just not true. Plus, they said we’re BLOGGING it here. Bloggers? Us? Nah! How dare they. We’re an official news site, darn it!

Clearing this up, The Business Sheet runs a piece titled “Did Harvey Weinstein Order A Hit On MGM’s Logo?”, citing our quote along with a humorous photo of Harvey on the phone (calling in the “hit”, we guess). Funny. They have since updated their story with a clarification though, which we’ll run here:

UPDATE: According to an MGM spokesman, who just called us, the studio’s distribution deal with the Weinstein Company will expire at the end of 2008. So, as part of the process of winding down the deal, MGM took all remaining Weinstein Company titles for the year off of their release schedule, including Zack and Miri, and returned the films to Harvey’s headquarters. This move is consistent with MGM’s effort to re-establish itself as a full-fledged studio that produces and distributes its own films.

Other sites are simply picking up news of the split today. Variety (via Mania) runs the piece once again citing “Zack And Miri” along with another flick we’re looking forward to, “The Road”. If nothing else, this gives us even MORE press and continues to fulfill the prophecy that every View Askew release comes with some sort of controversial news story sometime before it hits theaters.

Hopefully this sets everything straight and explains the departure of the two companies. We of course speak for all when we wish MGM well, and of course look forward to The Weinstein Co’s great success when “Zack And Miri” storm the box office next month.

On the “Watchmen” front, Kevin reveals that the entire Dr. Manhattan book was translated perfectly and fully intact (panel for panel!), and that the film features “one big change and two small changes”. Also, more kudos for Jackie Earl Haley as Rorschach, in a role that we think will steal the show.

On the “Zack And Miri” front, it’s familiar territory for our regular readers, with a few words on the NC-17, Rogen’s casting, and the nudity. This one’s worth a read, so click and enjoy, and then shed a tear when you realize it’s still a month ’til “Zack and Miri”, and over half a year until “Watchmen”!

Then, on Monday, September 29th, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” will make its Edmonton premiere at their International Film Festival. Given that the man is already in town for the Q&A, we’re guessing he might show up to present the flick to the audience. He’ll still be in Canada for…

Another “Evening With” Q&A appearance in Calgary!

He’ll be at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. A Canadian trifecta of big events! If you’re in the region, go to one, two, or heck, why not hit ALL THREE? We look forward to hearing from some of you lucky attendees.

Did ya miss it? Trailer Addict caught a capture of it and posted it for the web world to see. Enjoy. We think it’s a fantastic ad and should drum up some nice business for opening weekend and beyond. Opening weekend is key important, but good word of mouth is what makes View Askew box office records. Let’s do it.

In case ya missed the GREEN band trailer, IGN has both up on their site as well.

Of particular interest, Kevin does mention that the long in planning “Ranger Danger” may no longer be made, with the new Sci-Fi comedy sort of a replacement. This makes sense to us, as we’ve heard Kevin say many times in the past he’ll take a completed script and borrow ideas from it for other projects. We’re guessing this new idea is a totally different film, but that he may have borrowed some of those “Ranger Danger” sequences or nuances to help shape this one.

With “Red State” very close to finding all the funding needed, we’re still hopeful to see THAT as the total 180 degree follow-up to “Zack And Miri Make a Porno” — Then, it’d be way cool to see Seth Rogen and other big names return to star in this unnamed sci-fi comedy. Of course, News Askew will be there, every step of the way, as the project develops.