- Well, we’ve not got it officially in writing. Searching for the term “Miri” over at the official MPAA website and their rating site reveals that “Zack And Miri Make a Porno” is currently “pending appeal”, but as of right now:
Rating Reason: Rated NC-17 for some graphic sexuality.
Of course, we’ve known of this or a while, given a few statements from Seth Rogen and Kevin himself, but this tells us that the MPAA did indeed grant the film this rating. “Pending appeal” tells us that the film’s producers have taken the “Clerks” route and have the MPAA taking a closer look, likely without any cuts, in the hopes they’ll be re-assigned an “R”. This isn’t new territory for View Askew, though the first scuffle in some time, as “Clerks II” surprisingly went through the ratings system with an “R” and no objections last time around, with Kevin very vocally expecting otherwise. A verbally graphic “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back” scene with hookers was excised but eventually made it to DVD.
Fans who have seen the film in screenings tell us that while it does push the envelope, they can’t see why the harsh rating is being given. Here’s hoping that the film can get re-rated to “R” as it stands, or, if any changes are needed, they can be such a few slight frames that we won’t miss anything essential. Either way, we know we’ll get to see it all (probably much more) on DVD, and are sure the final theatrical product will be a blast regardless of the rating. Our money’s on an “R”, likely without cuts, if the guys can put up a good enough fight — With all the Apatow gang’s been getting away from lately in their flicks, we’re thinking this one will make it by as well.
Stick with News Askew as we continue coverage on this one.
MPAA Circling NC-17 For “Porno”…
View Askew NewsBites
- More from O’Halloran’s folks – He won’t be attending the “Brutal Massacre: A Comedy” screening we mentioned in Texas, but he WILL be doing some radio interviews next week. Here’s the Tuesday morning (July 22nd) schedule for those of you in these areas:
ST. LOUIS: KMOX-AM (JOHN CARNEY SHOW)
BOSTON: WDIS-AM (TALK OF THE TOWN)
WASH D.C.: WJFK-FM (BDK MOVIE SHOW & THE JUNKIES)
SEATTLE: KIX-FM (THE LUCEMAN)
PHOENIX: KDKB-FM (J.R. & MARY)
NATIONAL: (MANCOW)
BALTIMORE: WWMX-FM BALTIMORE
NATIONAL: (DAYBREAK USA)
CHICAGO: WBIG-FM (BIG WAKE-UP CALL)
Finally, he’ll wrap up the week and co-host the show on Fangoria Radio next Friday, July 25th from 10pm to 1 am. Tune in and learn what Bri’s been up to. - The Fuse channel ran a program titled “High in the 90’s” today, hosted by Jason Mewes. We didn’t catch it, but watch your listings for a re-airing. We’ll let you know if we hear of any future dates/times.
Auctions Askew – Back For TWO MONTHS!
- Auctions Askew, the only website in the world where you can own authentic, one of a kind (or close to it) props used in all of View Askew’s films. Own a piece of View Askew history and display it proudly, making your friends and family insanely jealous. This stuff is always so cool we wish we could just buy it all right up. But we can’t. That’s where you come in. All you do is put in a bid, and hope that others don’t bid higher than you do. The stuff goes to the highest bidder at the end of each bidding period. Most of this stuff won’t ever be back (since there’s only one of it, usually), so make sure you bid enough to nab it. Or live in regret!
This week, there’s quite a range of items. Screen used Mooby meal items, which we saw in person on the Clerks II set and can attest are quite nifty and impressive to show off. And the official Mooby’s flag seen in the film (our favorite this week). The cow tipper poster would look hilarious in your rec room at home, ready for framing! And, of course, that VERY rare and cool Brodie sign, which we’re betting will be the big ticket item of the bunch. For beautiful, full color large photos, descriptions, and to make a bid, visit Auctions Askew. Watch it though, one of these weeks we’re just not going to be able to resist bidding on something for ourselves. It’s great to see these icons making their way into the hands of the fans, though, so enjoy.
We hear that Auctions Askew will return once a week with new items for the next TWO MONTHS! Good news if you’re waiting for that something special. Over the next two months, we’ll offer up props dating from “Chasing Amy” all the way to the present. Don’t miss your chance to own a part of View Askew. Visit Auctions Askew and register to bid today. Good luck to all!
View Askew NewsBites
- The great /film announces that Kevin will do a LIVE review of the already record-breaking “The Dark Knight” on their live webcast, called /Filmcast. You can catch it at their Live website this Monday at 10 PM EST / 7 PM PST. You can watch and participate in a live chat there during the broadcast. The guys are hoping to ask Kevin some questions about “Zack & Miri Make a Porno” as well, so it’s well worth tuning in. See ya there.
- Seth Rogen continues to break new barriers of coolness with an episode of animated powerhouse “The Simpsons” next season in which he wrote and will star. Aint It Cool News got the scoop:
The “Simpsons” episode written by Seth Rogan logline: Comic Book Guy creates a super hero, it’s turned into feature film, Homer plays the hero. Seth plays his personal trainer. Homer gets into great shape, but then the movie is over and he can’t afford the personal trainer anymore and his life becomes hell.
And of course, we’ll be there. But with “The Simpsons”, that’s a given. Now if only we lived close enough to Universal Studios to try out that new ride… - Variety reports that Hungary’s TV2 has already acquired first run rights to (eventually) broadcast “Zack And Miri Make a Porno” on their channel – And this before it’s even hit theaters! That’s smart business right there.
- Here’s that info we promised on the Texas screening of Brian O’Halloran’s “Brutal Massacre: A Comedy” – It’s happening at 6:30 PM on Sunday, July 20th.and the Granada Theater in Dallas. Call 214-824-9933 for tickets and info. Purchase tix prior to the 20th and save $2.50 on each. No word on which cast or crew will be at this showing, at the moment.
- And finally today, for those of you “Clerks” fans wondering what the average jizz mopper makes these days, seems that upcoming video game Postal III is bringing this trade back into the spotlight. Man, those guys at Running With Scissors are nuts. We’ll see ya next time…
The “Spaced” Signing And Arclight Q&A Is Coming!
- With just a little over a week away until what we think is the coolest event EVER at Laser Blazer and the Secret Stash, the signing of the fantastic new “Spaced” DVD with Kevin and the show’s cast and crew, we want to remind you — GET THERE EARLY. We expect a massive turnout for this event. Not only that, for those of you looking for a Kevin Smith autograph in person, and coming in for the San Diego Con, this may be YOUR ONLY CHANCE! Last year, Kevin’s busy schedule had him at so many panels, there was not time for a formal signing. So, we strongly urge you to line up at Laser Blazer and the Stash, get that fantastic “Spaced” DVD, and meet Kevin and the crew on the 23rd next week. Then, write us to rub it in and make us even more jealous. We look forward to hearing from you — Get there early and have a fantastic day, and be sure to give yourself extra time to walk around the coolest DVD, comic, and fanboy store in the country.
Not yet been introduced to the awesomeness that is “Spaced”? We got ya covered. To celebrate the release, BBC AMERICA presents ‘Lost in Spaced Sunday,’ six back-to-back episodes picked by the hit comedy series’ creator-stars Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes and director Edgar Wright airing on Sunday, July 20, 3 pm ET/ 12 pm PT on BBC AMERICA. BBC AMERICA will also once again run the entire series with back-to-back episodes starting on Monday, July 21 at 3am ET/12am PT.
On Wednesday, following the signing at Stash/Laser Blazer, the great Arclight Hollywood theater will host a special 3-episode screening event of the show, immediately followed by a Q&A with Simon, Jessica and Edgar. The Q&A following the event will be moderated by Kevin himself. Visit the official Facebook page for details.
Check out a trailer for the dvd relase below :
View Askew NewsBites
- More on Rogen and improv in “Zack And Make Make a Porno” via MTV Movie News this week, where Rogen again gives a few hints on what we’ll expect as far as written dialogue vs. the made up stuff in the film this Fall:
“I told [Smith] I’m not going to change everything, but if everyone just knows they can change things, I find that it makes all the actors seem more real, like it’s actually a conversation that’s happening,” Rogen remembered of his early discussions with the man whose screenplays have been nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards. “So, he was actually not strict at all with the dialogue. We improvised a lot, we changed the words around, and [he hired] guys like Craig Robinson, who is an amazing improviser.”
Now, as long as the MPAA gives “Zack and Miri” an R rating, Rogen claims that audiences will find a new voice from Smith come October 31st. “I’ve seen the movie, and there’s a lot of improvised stuff in it, and it gives it that less-stilted feel. It feels more like a naturalistic movie,” he explained. “[In some comedies] you can just see the guy behind the keyboard writing it, you feel as though you see the guys reading it and memorizing it, and I don’t like that all…If it’s a movie that’s supposed to be real and take place in the real world, I need to feel like the characters are actually having these conversations.” - Brian O’Halloran will be appearing at J&R Music World (23 Park Row, New York, NY) on July 22, 2008 (this Tuesday) to promote the release of the hilarious comedy “Brutal Massacre”, greeting fans and signing autographs from 1pm – 2pm. Stop in and say hi to a View Askew legend and one of the nicest guys in the biz we’ve ever met.
- Kevin will be recieving an award at the Downbeach Film Festival in New Jersey on August 9, 2008. Stop on by beautiful Margate and show your support for New Jersey filmmakers, including our scooper, whose “Jerome Bixby’s The Man From Earth” and “iMurders” will be playing at the show. Details at the official website.
- One of our astute scoopers caught Kevin and Walt at the NYC premiere for “The Dark Knight” earlier this week – So that’s twice for Kev now on the flick within a week or so — He must like it as much as the other reviewers we’ve been reading. Man, we can’t wait to check this one out.
- In a recent press release, the Weinstein Co. announced picking up rights to a BUNCH of upcoming titles — Among them, “6 Billion Dollar Man”. We’re assuming this is the comedic retooling of “6 Million Dollar Man”, a script Kevin wrote WAY back when. Since we always like to keep tabs on projects to which Kevin was once attached, we’ll keep an eye on it for ya.
ViewAskew Newsbites
- We’ve been talking a lot about that Best Buy Mooby Clerks II box set that’s showing up in a few select locations — We’ve just learned that Stash West/Laser Blazer has some in stock in the store! Pick them up while ya can, as this is a fantastic item to bring with you for Kevin to autograph at the big signing event later this month.
- Kevin once again made insanely popular quiz show “Jeopardy!” late this week, as an $800 answer in a category called ‘Mere Smiths’:
This director of “Clerks” played Warlock in “Live Free or Die Hard”.
Returning champ Aaron got it right, answering of course, “Who is Kevin Smith?”. - Rotten Tomatoes list a familiar duo in their list of “The 10 Best Superhero Hookups” :
10. Bluntman & Chronic
As seen in: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Like their “real-life” counterparts Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), these superhero buddies live by their own version of the force: a shared love for Mary Jane. Wielding their bluntsabers side by side, Bluntman and his loyal sidekick Chronic spring from the pages of Banky and Holden’s comic in Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy, then get the Hollywood treatment in their film-within-a-film in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. With A-list schmucks Jason Biggs and James Van Der Beek set to ruin the duo’s good name, Jay and Silent Bob arrive just in time to film a pivotal fight against the evil Cocknocker (Mark Hamill) with a cry of “Snootchie bootchies!” Just remember, they’re not gay; they’re (super) hetero life partners. Man love can be a beautiful thing. - Just a bit more info on that Spike panel in San Diego later this month — We mentioned the time change of 4:45 to 5:45 on Thursday the 24th, but not the bigger room. That’s gonna be Ballroom 20. As always, check with the Con when you arrive to be certain. Kevin will be a participant in Spike TV’s “Scream Like a Girl” panel.
- Finally today, blogger James Hibbard expresses his jealousy over Kevin’s hosting the upcoming “Battlestar Galactica” panel at the San Diego Con, writing: “This could push the typically packed venue into fire marshal-shutdown level of geek engagement.”. You’re not kidding. Between an in-person stint with “Spaced” geniuses Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Jessica Hynes, followed by a sit-down panel with stars and creators of the best show on televsion right now, we’re insanely jealous ourselves. It’s gonna be some July. If you’re on the west coast, or plan to be there soon, the end of a July sure is a good time to be there. More on Kevin’s stint for “Galactica” via Galactica Sitrep
News Askew – Now Improved For iPhone!
- With the arrival of Apple’s fancy new iPhone 3G this Friday, we thought we’d celebrate with a gift to our users on these wonderful devices. So, we’re proud to announce a new feature, which delivers a totally new view of News Askew (optionally) to your iPhone and iPod Touch. Now, we DID design the site to display fine as-is on these devices, as many of you have been using yours to view us already. And that option remains. However, the next time you refresh News Askew, you’re likely to see this new view. It’s a work in progress, just out of the box, so we’ve got image customization planned and a lot more. But, with the addition of the 3G network, it should be FAST. And good news for those of you (like me, for now) sticking with your first generation iPhone – It’ll be a LOT faster for you on the Edge internet network as well. COOL, right?
Check it out and let us know what you think. More updates and features on the way, of course. The iPhone is probably the coolest mobile device of all-time, so we want to do something special here to support it. If you have issues or don’t dig the look, simply look to the bottom of the page to switch back to the mini-mobile News Askew you’ve grown to know and love.
Now if we could only convince Apple or AT&T to thank us by sending us a couple of those fancy new 3G phones, it’d sure save us a lot of time waiting in line this Friday…
ViewAskew Newsbites
- San Diego Con Panel Update! We’ve just received word from the Spike TV people that Thursday’s panel, ‘Scream’ Like a Girl, is now confirmed for 4:45 p.m. to 5:45. They’re moving to a bigger room as they’re expecting quite a crowd for this one. As always, when you get to the Con in a couple weeks, double check the time and place of where you want to go, as there are sometimes last-minute moves. Man, do we need to get to San Diego’s Con one of these years.
- We’re told that Clerks II Mooby box is indeed popping up at a few other Best Buy locations in the country — So look around, as $12.99 for that collector’s item is a steal — A great item for Kevin and crew to sign, and also something (as far as we know, at least) that remains a Best Buy exclusive, so you can’t get it anywhere else. Worth picking up even for those of you already with the disc. The website also has limited copies. My meal is upstairs in the shrink wrap, of course — Gotta keep it collectible!
- And hey, while you’re online shopping, don’t forget to check out the latest Stash items, including that Monroeville Jersey that we’re hearing is selling as fast as they can be made, so BUY SOON – Don’t wait. Also, visit the sponsor that makes SModcast possible, ThinkGeek, a website which go much great stuff you’ll want one of everything — They’ve had items on our Christmas lists for years. Thanks, ThinkGeek!
- The cast of “My Name Is Earl” participated on last night’s edition of “Celebrity Family Feud” — They did things a bit different for the show, though, actually staying IN CHARACTER unlike other celebs who have been, well, themselves. It of course made for some hilarious moments (particularly the introductions). Earl and friends faced some of Camden County’s most memorable, led by the great Tim Stack. Unfortunately, we didn’t see Lee and Ethan get a ton of lines or camera time, but that’s game shows for ya. Miss it? Watch it now for FREE on Hulu!
Voting Is Nearly Over – HELP MING OUT!
- The voting for the baseball league logo that View Askew web-god Ming designed is nearly over and the race is SO CLOSE — We urge you to take a second to vote right now (or urge your pals, family, etc to do the same). For all Ming does for us, we can certainly show him our web support!
You can click here and cast your vote for OPTION 1 directly!
For the full story of what this is all about and a look at Ming’s beautiful logo, click here.