- An IMDB page has been created for Kevin’s untitled comedy set to film next year, possibly starring Rosario Dawson. It’s only available to premium, paying members, referring to the film now as the “Untitled Kevin Smith Minnesota Project”.
- Malcolm Ingram was interviewed on Resonance FM 104.4FM in London last week, and it’s now available via an online podcast. In the segment, he talks about “Small Town Gay Bar”, “Drawing Flies”, meeting Kevin Smith and his next project, which is called “Meridian”. Check it out by listening to the Podcast titled “How Gay is the Screen” Part 2. The MP3 is around 28 megs in size and is a slow download, so be patient!
- Catch an obscure reference to a Clerks line in the caption winner of this contest over at JoBlo. Look for the photo towards the bottom of the page (above the comments).
- The Sports Gone South blog references View Askew in a couple recent entires — The Flying Car and the rooftop hockey game in Clerks.
- And finally today, in the YouTube video of the day, we got some good chuckles out of “Clerks (mixed with) Peanuts”. Enjoy and we’ll see you next time.
Let The “Red State” Controversy BEGIN!
- Just a bit more “Red State” controversy to start off the day — Because, after all, what IS a View Askew film WITHOUT it? It looks like Kevin responded to a blog post over at The Pitch, local to Topeka’s “Westboro Baptist Church”. Shirley Phelps has already even submitted a response to the news of the idea as well. We’ll have to see where this one goes, though it’s already obvious, “Red State” will NOT be the first Kevin Smith film to avoid the news/press months before it hits screens. The more we read this kind of stuff, the more we can’t help but think what a fantastic idea for a film this is. We can’t wait.
View Askew NewsBites™
- indieWIRE runs a blurb on Kevin’s appearance at the “Hot Fuzz” premiere in NYC earlier this week :
Meanwhile, the next night a whole different crowd of moviegoers made their way to Lincoln Center. The occasion was the New York premiere of Edgar Wright’s “Hot Fuzz” at the Walter Reade Theater. The Film Comment Selects event from the Film Society of Lincoln Center hosted Wright, writer and actor Simon Pegg and actor Nick Frost and featured a post-screening Q & A with Kevin Smith. In the theater’s lobby art gallery prior to the screening, Focus Features CEO James Schamus and president Andrew Karpen greeted well-wishers on the sidelines, but the “Shaun of the Dead” trio were the main attraction, mixing casually with guests and chatting about the new movie.
Already a big hit in Britain, the comedy is the story of a London cop reassigned to work in a small village where a series of accidents reveals a dark side of the seemingly idyllic setting. Chatting with indieWIRE at the Lincoln Center reception, “Hot Fuzz” co-writer and star Pegg was enthused after a promotional tour for the film that has taken them all around the U.S., including a stop in Austin for a “Hott Fuzztival” at the famed Alamo Drafthouse. Calling himself a movie geek, Pegg said he was thrilled to meet so many diehard fans around the country, especially when they greeted the new film with a standing ovation. Next up, Pegg is working on a project with Frost, while Wright tackles other material, but the trio intend to work together again.
Now that Grindhouse has come, this is the one we’ve been waiting for, until Spidey 3 next month. It’s a great time to be at the movies!
- Remember that horror flick that Mewes was promoting at the cons a while back? Coming Soon reports that 6 minutes of “The Tripper” is now available for immediate viewing! Mewes stars in this horror comedy, written and produced by David Arquette. From their story:
Written by Arquette (with a polish by Darkness Falls’ Joe Harris), the film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Jaime King (Sin City), Lucas Haas (Mars Attacks!), Jason Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back), Paul Reubens (Pee Wee’s Big Adventure), Stephen Heath, Thomas Jane (The Punisher), Paz de La Huerta, Balthazar Getty (Feast) and Chris Nelson (Kill Bill).
It’s Dazed and Confused filtered through some of history’s goriest ’80s slice-and-dice epics when a handful of 20-somethings venture into the woods for an annual Freedom Festival. This year, though, they become the target of a hippy-killing axe murderer with a striking resemblance to Ronald Reagan.
No Mewes in this clip, as it looks to be from early in the film — Stick with it though as the biggest “action” is in the end. “The Tripper” hits theaters on April 20th.
- Target stores currently have a special IFC area in their DVD section, where they’re selling “The Henry Rollins Show Season 1:3-Disc Set” for a mere $19.99. This set has all the episodes from season 1, including episode 17, where Kevin’s the guest. It has a sticker that says “Target Exclusive”, so it looks like you can’t get it anywhere else. And certainly not at that price.
- Several mentions of View Askew characters appear in Film 411’s latest discussion on their Top 5 Movie Sidekicks.
- And yep, you guessed it, a couple more of those Cottan and Sand links to finish up today — Two View Askew spots are taken up in the “10 of the Strangest (non porn) Sex Scenes” list , and you’ll also find their tribute to the incomparable Brodie HERE. Enjoy the weekend!
View Askew NewsBites™
- Scooper “Billy” was lucky enough to attend a screening of the great “Hot Fuzz” in Lincoln Center earlier this week, only to be surprised to spot Kevin Smith himself a few seats away. Kev ended up doing the Q&A with Edgar Wright, Nick Frost, and Simon Pegg. Everyone even stick around afterwards for a little while to sign stuff and take pics (some of which you see here). Certainly was a great night to be in NYC!
- Kevin’s quoted in this article discussing the Weinstein’s battle to re-establish themselves as a new company:
Another such kink occurred when the director Kevin Smith, the director of films like “Clerks” and one of the Weinsteins’ showcase talent relationships, first delayed, then dropped out of the coming “Fletch Won” in a dispute over casting. It became another Weinstein Company film to falter on the way to the screen.
The film, set for release this year, was taken over by Bill Lawrence, the writer and producer of the “Scrubs” television series.
Mr. Smith, whose “Clerks II” became one of the Weinstein success stories when it took in about $24 million at the domestic box office last year, said he expected to work with the brothers on a pair of coming films.
“It really feels like the long, sharp knives are coming out,” Mr. Smith said, speaking on Wednesday of the shock that accompanied the failure of “Grindhouse.” “Everybody’s entitled to an off year.”
Let us just take the opportunity to URGE you all to see “Grindhouse” if you’ve missed it — Just a one-of-a-kind experience in theaters that you’ll likely never get the chance see again. GO GO GO!
- Seems that Cotton and Sand website likes to mention View Askew quite a bit in their lists of 10 — Salma Hayek hits the list of 10 best A-List actress as strippers for her “Dogma” stripper scene (as well as that memorable “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn” one too. You’ll also find a couple of familiar faces on this list of the Top 10 Greatest Film Potheads. Clips of everything are included in their lists, which we think is a nifty touch.
- And finally today, we asked, and received REALLY fast — Here’s a shot of that Jay & Bob cartoon that appears at the Sea World caricature booth. Thanks to Ryan! ‘Til next time…
Scriptwriter’s Showcase: Want A Discount?
- We announced this yesterday, so scroll down for full info — Kevin will be making that keynote Q&A at the Scriptwriters Showcase (running April 20-22 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel), and we’ve now got a deal for ya. Readers of this site who book a package and use discount code “37” will receive a special 10% discount off of any order. Not bad!
The Keynote Q&A with Kevin happens on Friday, April 20th, at 7pm. The entire showcase sounds worthy of attendance, whether you’re a working scriptwriter, someone looking to break into the biz, or even just curious of how the process works. And it’s in a great part of town, too. Get your tix before they’re sold out, seats are very limited.
View Askew NewsBites™
- We ran this a couple weeks ago but just a reminder from Malcolm – His compelling documentary “Small Town, Gay Bar” holds one of its last-ever screenings on April 18th at the Egyptian in Hollywood, CA as part of OutFest. Kevin and Malc will be on hand for a Q&A as well.
- Don’t forget: Kevin Smith FanFest happens this Saturday, April 14th! Special guest Scott Schiaffo will be in attendance. Free goodies for the first group through the door. Check the Myspace page and the blog for more info. With this cold, crummy April we’re experiencing here in the east, the indoor event is the perfect place to spend your Saturday.
- Empire Magazine writes a small article about Kevin’s recent UK appearances. Here’s a taste:
The horror is likely to be the hardest for him to write. “It’ll be interesting to see how it works, because I’m used to filling out my scripts with jokes. There’ll be humour in it, but you can’t really have a lot of dialogue in a horror movie; it kind-of defeats the purpose.”
Among the other titbits that circulated; Smith’s just finished work in the edit suite on a new TV pilot called Reaper, his first time directing someone else’s material, Mallrats is coming to HD-DVD pretty soon and British porn is expensive – he latter perhaps revealing more about Smith’s taste in hotel entertainment than his career as a filmmaker.
- If any fans are visiting Sea World of San Diego, we hear that Jay & Bob are featured in an area where they do caricatures called “Funny Faces”. Right in the middle of the wall is a drawing of Jay and Bob riding on the back of Shamu. If you stop by, take a photo for us!
- An online game called “Famousr” asks users to pick which celebrity the general public has deemed “more famous”. It’s addictive (I went on a 15 in a row streak earlier today). One of the questions asked who was more famous: “Kevin Smith or Alicia Silverstone”. The answer? Kevin of course! After playing a while, he beat Dennis Miller, too. Have fun playing, and we’ll see ya next time.
Kevin @ Scriptwriter’s Showcase: April 20th!
- Kevin’s will be making an appearance at the Scriptwriters Showcase on April 20th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. He’ll be their keynote speaker (taking on Q&A for most of the session). It’s being held at the Sheraton Universal in Hollywood, California (a nice place — We crashed there while visiting the “Jay and Bob” set way back when). Tickets to this year’s Showcase are sold in packages (no individual tickets for Kevin’s appearance). A one-day pass costs you $99, with different levels going from there. The entire event is accepting just 999 people, and we expect the budding screenwriters to fill those seats WAY fast. If you’re on the fence, we’re gonna suggest you BOOK NOW.
Tons of information as well as ticket ordering can be found at the official site. As a sidenote, the writer/director of the underappreciated “Sorority Boys” is scheduled to be there — A great bonus if you ask us.
View Askew NewsBite™
- Man, have the SModcasts been flying by for you as much as they have for us? Damn those guys are good. In case you missed this week’s, check below for the download. More great stuff from Kevin and Scott. If you’re missing Kevin’s brutally frank diary entries online, the stuff coming up here is certainly a great replacement. There’s a long discussion about dogs in heat that’s so over the line, you just gotta love the freedom that the net provides. Check out SModcast, easily the best free entertainment you’re gonna find anywhere.
- Coming Soon jumps on the “Red State” bandwagon with their story (though they incorrectly order the films, “Red State” should be filming BEFORE the next comedy). They’ve also got a tidbit on that cool Green Arrow flick which links to a much larger story on the project over at Wizard.
- Check our scooper Tom’s new license plate. Now there’s a fan, ‘eh?
- Mallrats scores a mention in an MSN article today about curfews to curb real-life Mall rats. The full story (sans tagline) can be found HERE.
- Cotton And Sand ranks two of Kevin’s movies in their list of 10 of the strangest (non-porn) sex scenes. Kaitlin and the Dead Guy from Clerks ranks 9th, and the Interspecies Erotica from Clerks II clocks in at number two.
- Back when we ran down a list of cool happenings in media earlier this month, we neglected to mention the return of the great Mike Allred’s comic “Madman”. Mike makes a memorable cameo in Chasing Amy, and his Bluntman & Chronic art is of course featured as well. We’ll see ya next time! Thanks for stopping on by today.
This Week’s SModcast Is HERE!
- Kevin lets us know via the blogs that the new SModcast has arrived, and is now available exclusively and free at View Askew’s awesome entertainment portal, Quick Stop Entertainment. Once again, Kevin and Scott dish on current events as well as some of the most random stuff you could ever imagine in the weekly edition, now up to episode number NINE. Here’s the rundown:
In which our heroes pitch Canada on a new national slogan, suck off “Grindhouse”, predict a world gone mad in which the deaf prey on the blind, figure out that “Planet of the Apes” was more than an hour long, delve further into Scott’s home(s) and garden, revisit the skittish Wolfie, tell a tale of cross-breed passion betwixt a giant Yellow Lab and a miniature Dachshund, define the human cassolette, reveal dental hygiene as foreplay in the Smith household, pinpoint the time of day they’re more likely to couple, brainstorm an exercise regiment that’s predicated on murder, and find themselves troubled by the notion of fun.
Download this and all episodes RIGHT HERE. And if you’ve yet to subscribe, you’ll find info there on how to do that, too. We love SModcast. We think you will too. If you’re not a regular listener, now’s as good a time as any to get on board. We’re certain that you’ll be hooked.
View Askew NewsBites™
- The IMDB page for Kevin’s upcoming horror/thrilled has now changed the name to “Red State”. The “Red State” news hasn’t taken long to spread, either. Both horror fansite CHUD and Film Threat have also posted articles on the Rotten Tomatoes story that broke over the weekend.
- Could the Green Arrow be coming to the big screen? Just weeks after he and Warners split over “The Flash” project due to very different takes on the material, David Goyer sold the studio on a new idea, reports Wizard Universe.
“Super Max” is Goyer’s take on supervillain incarceration in the DC Universe. Revolving around a wrongly convicted Green Arrow being whisked away to the super max prison for out-of-control heroes and villains, the man is forced to face a number of inmates he put there.
Goyer likens the film to “Alcatraz” – “He has to team up with, in some cases, some of the very same villains he is responsible for incarcerating in order to get out and clear his name. Of course, tons of people try to kill him while he’s in there. We’ve populated the prison with all sorts of B and C villains from the DC Universe…but they’re all going to be there under their human names and no one is wearing a costume, but there will be a lot of characters with powers and things like that.”
Goyer, developing the project with writer Justin Marx, says the Green Arrow will only make a small appearance in costume – “He’s Green Arrow for the first 10 minutes of the movie, and then he’s arrested and his secret identity is revealed”.
Sounds like a cool flick to us – We’ll let you know if it gets off the ground. We’d sure love to see Kevin’s writing take on such a project.
- Dawn Ostroff, president of the CW network, cites “Reaper” (and Kevin’s involvement) as one of the projects the network is most excited about in a recent interview.
- A veiled reference to Dogma appeared on this blogging site over the weekend. A screenshot is above.