Thailand’s film censors block ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’

The National Film Board is standing by its decision to ban “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” in Thailand, citing that its explicit sexual content goes against moral principles here.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) initially gave “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” an NC17 rating (banning viewers under 17) for “some graphic sexuality”. However, director Kevin Smith appealed and the film finally got an R with no cuts. The R, or “Restricted” rating, requires viewers under 17 years old to be accompanied by an adult.

Set in the United States, the comedy tells the story of friends embarking on a project to make a porn movie.

‘May encourage copycats’

“The screening of this film may encourage copycats here,” Culture Ministry permanent secretary Vira Rojpojchanarat said yesterday.

The film’s distributor, M Pictures, argued that “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” was a satirical take on contemporary US society and was suitable for viewers aged over 18.

When the National Film Board decided to ban the film during its meeting on Monday, M Pictures appealed and a panel was set up to review the board’s ruling.

After viewing the film, the panel upheld the decision to ban “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” from Thai screens.

Well, we’ve been working on this site for almost 12 years now, and this is the FIRST major banning we can recall – At least in a really long time. It may be time to go fire up the Bluray on this Devils/Flyers/Lost-free evening — it just feels so subversive now…

Kevin’s taken entry two, which comprises of a lot of his twitter posts made in real time during the last two games. You can read the entire thing at the blog site, though here’s Kevin’s intro explaining the move:

Okay, so for those who remotely care about NHL and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I’m blogging on behalf of the NJ Devils for NHL.com.

Or I was.

With zero acrimony whatsoever, and nothing but love for the NHL, I’m here to announce the Devils Playoffs blog will move back here, to SilentBobSpeaks.com. Even though I was able to find a way around swearing in the blog, the NHL site is – understandably – a lot less liberal than my website. So rather than submit multiple drafts of a blog in order to make it more general audience friendly, we’ve decided that maybe it’d be best to move the blog back here, where I can let my hair down more.

No cause for alarm or outrage. S’not a big deal. No reason to be pissed at the NHL or me. This just makes more sense – as sports generally play to family audiences, and I generally play to reprobates and Persons of Interest.

We’re happy to see new content back at SBS. Now, we’d like everyone to say a prayer for our personally beloved Flyers, who are struggling, for a W tomorrow — And of course, cheer along with Kevin and the rest of View Askew as the Devils bring it back to The Rock tomorrow night, with the best-of-7 series tied at 2 games each (with Carolina). A win tomorrow night is key for both the Devils AND the Flyers. Big hockey night this Thursday.

The 64 Kbps stereo copy. (2:02 runtime, 56 MB file size, right-click to save). Or…

Here’s the 24 Kbps mono copy. (2:02 runtime, 21 MB file size, right-click to save).

As always, thanks to Will for his encoding skills — Following this show, Opie went on to attend the New Jersey Devils playoff game at The Rock with Kevin — A game I was lucky enough to be invited to as well, with thanks to Kevin and Ming. What a place!

“Films will be viewed through the lens of auteur theory, since that seems the most appropriate to the director/writer.

This is the second time the course will be taught, and there are, as of this writing, still seats available for this course, although not many.”

We’re awaiting some further details on how one can register for the class – Though we’re guessing a call to the University for more info couldn’t hurt. Sounds like a fun weeklong course, that’s for sure.

Like Pegg and Frost, Jay and Silent Bob refer to each other – well, one of them does – as ‘my hetero-life-mate’. Their double act developed over the course of four previous Smith films, but it was here, in his broadest and most outrageous comedy to date, where they took central stage, showcasing a relationship that was as fucked-up as it was tender. They’re the perfect duo.

Most Bromantic Moment: The whole thing. Theirs isn’t a relationship where an excuse must be contrived for them to have an argument, just so they can reconcile later in an emotional scene with soaring strings. These guys stick with each other through thick, thin and really, awfully, very stupidly thick.

Who’s The Beard? After a fashion, jewel thief Justice (Shannon Elizabeth), who pines after Jay, for some reason we still can’t entirely fathom.

Best of all, Kevin reveals that the official event won’t be announced for sale until Monday the 20th — But TODAY, April 16th, at 11 AM EST, you can start ordering your tickets online exclusively through View Askew. Yep, before the rest of the world knows!!! The Hall is a big place, so plenty of seats are available, but getting to that website this morning will assure you first pick at the best seats in the house. And believe us, you’re gonna want those seats.

No further details about the show are revealed at this point, but Kevin’s promising something very special. We’ve already speculated on what could transpire, but we have a feeling any guests or surprises will be kept top secret until that night. Kevin has also said that the show will NOT be recorded for video, which will allow him to be totally free-wheeling with everything he dishes on. In other words, buckle up and prepare yourself for a candid, no-holds-barred evening of crazy.

Here’s what Kevin had to say in the official announcement post:

HOLY FUCK!!! I’M GONNA PLAY CARNEGIE HALL!!!!!!

This will only ever happen once in my lifetime, and it’s gonna be a serious fucking hoot. Maybe even a holler. This, my friends, will be worth the trip. Promise.

We’ve put together this info page with a link for ticket sales. Please note, however: THE LINK FOR TICKET SALES WILL NOT GO LIVE ‘TIL ELEVEN A.M. THIS MORNING, EST (MEANING TODAY).

Carnegie Hall’s not announcing the show/sales info to the rest of the world (who won’t care anyway) ’til 4/20 (har-har). That means, if you’re so inclined to watch a fat boob (who ironically sports two fat boobs) sweat and swear on the greatest stage in the world, the best seats are up for grabs for the next few days.

I’d be lying if I said this was a dream come true; because what fucking useless pud-knocker with no quantifiable talents would ever dream about playing Carnegie Hall. I’m not Yo Yo Ma; I’m Mo’ Mo’ Devil Dogs.

And yet, here we are.

I hope you can make it. I really do (especially ’cause that place is a fucking barn that I don’t know if I can fill).

We’re absolutely thrilled for Kevin and cannot wait for this event. We hope to see fans from across the world at this one. Just two months away!!! See you there – ALL OF YOU!!!!

SModcast 81: Satan’s Dookie. –

In which our heroes throw their support behind the controversial PreCrime Bureau.

The SMod is super-sized this week, too, running in at a hefty 1:11. Grab it, and enjoy some early week entertainment from Smith and Mosier.

“All those innocent contractors brought in to do the job were killed — casualties of a war they had nothing to do with. All right, look: you’re a roofer, some juicy government contract comes your way. You got a wife and kids, the two-story in suburbia. This is a government contract, which means all sorts of benefits. Along come these left-wing militants that blast everything within a three-mile radius with their lasers. You didn’t ask for that. You have no personal politics. You’re just trying to scrape out a living.” — Randal (Jeff Anderson), on why the destruction of the second Death Star was unfair, in Clerks.

Surf on over to watch the clip.

“It [Role Models] came out the same time as Zack and Miri Make a Porno, which is, to me, a wonderful lead performance from Elizabeth Banks and if you haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend it.”

We’ve been fans of Wain’s work since way back in “The State” days, so very cool to hear that.

• The rarely-seen “Oh What a Lovely Tea Party” documentary, which follows the making of “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back”, will be included in full on the upcoming Bluray release of “Clerks X”. It will also feature all the great stuff from the most recent “Clerks” release, including “Snowball Effect”, the brilliant documentary from Zak & Joey.
• In other Bluray news, Kevin and the cast are currently recording new material (another documentary perhaps?) for a “Chasing Amy” Criterion Bluray, making it sound like this dream will finally become a reality. Kevin has in the past revealed he wanted to repackage all the great Criterion stuff that already existed along with new stuff on top of that.
• On the “Jersey Girl” front, the must-see extended cut of the film is “very possible” for next year, on both DVD and Bluray. We’ve seen the extended version a couple times, and really dig it — It gives a lot more depth to the characters and is our preferred cut. Let’s hope this one comes to pass, as it’s been years since we’ve seen it this way.
• The new comic book project from Kevin and Walt Flanagan will be unveiled at the San Diego Con this July.
• Kevin would one day like to make a hockey-themed film.

Fans are reporting that Kevin once again (as always) brought his A-game, with stories old and new, and more talk of the Walter Gretzky tournament and his admiration. No new details about “A Couple of Dicks”, though it’s going to be a while before that one gets in front of cameras. Fans are also mentioning a dude who asked to get naked on stage last night, whom Kevin apparently allowed to do so. Sounds like another crazy one, which just goes to show, no Kevin Smith show is ever the same, and you never can predict what you’ll be in for. Keep your eyes on our upcoming events calendar, and don’t miss your chance to see Kevin live on stage if he’s near your town.

“I have really gotten into Wayne and Walter in the last six months, I’ve been reading a lot about them and found it really inspiring,” he said.

He went as far as to say he “kind of fell in love in a big, bad way” but not in a romantic sense – like so many people, he found Walter and Wayne to be very inspiring individuals.

Smith said he then felt he may be going through a mid-life crisis because “at 38 I found Gretzky to be an ideal role model” but that his admirations were solidified when he was speaking at Roy Thomson Hall and Bloor Cinema in Toronto and found those present understood his idolization.

…

So far there has been enough fan response on the View Askew message board to form three teams. The teams have been named after hockey jerseys featured in Smith’s films – The Vulgarians, The Leonardo Reapers and the Monroeville Zombies.

…

“Brantford produced Wayne Gretzky, perhaps one of the only viable role models of the last 50 years … the world needs more Wayne Gretzkys and I figure – why wouldn’t another come out of Brantford? So I thought, why not put money into Brantford athletics.”

The tournament, which is a fundraiser event for the Sports Facilities Infrastructure Legacy fund, runs June 5-7, with each ball hockey team guaranteed at least three games at Lions Park Arena.

View Askew has put together their own team (“Puck U.”), featuring Kevin Smith (in goal), Jason Mewes (C), Bryan Johnson, Scott Mosier, Jen Schwalbach, Ming Chen, Jon Gordon, Jim Jackman, Malcolm Ingram, and Walt Flanagan. Talk about an all star View Askew team! Wow!

They’ve also sponsored 2 teams of board members, the Monroeville Zombies and the Leonardo Reapers. A possibility for a third team exists as well, which you can follow on the official thread.

You can also learn more on the official event page for the tournament at View Askew.

The 3rd annual Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament will be hosted in Brantford from June 5 to 7, 2009 at the Ball Hockey International (BHI) venue located at the Steve Brown Sports Complex / Lions Park, 20 Edge Street. Learn more (or start your own team) at the official site for the event.

Watch a video of what last year’s event looked like. If you can make it up there in June for the beautiful Ontario weather, head on up and cheer our teams on!