Kevin Smith's 'Tusk' Gets A Poster.... Yup, It Is Just As Weird As The Premise For This Movie!!!

Anyone that knows me knows that Kevin Smith is one of my favorite directors of all time. The guy can do no wrong in my book. Hell, I even really like Jersey Girl (Affleck was more of the bomb in this than Phantoms yo... hehehe). I was very disheartened a bunch of years back when smith announced that after filming Cop Out he was pretty down on filmmaking and was contemplating retirement from the movie business as a whole in favor of his newest interest, podcasting. After all, he was tired of the studio grind, tired of dick head actors (he hated working with Bruce Willis on Cop Out) thinking they were better than the writer/director, and really loved the freedom podcasting allowed him. But a funny thing happen on the walk away from behind the camera into the podcasting booth... he ended up becoming inspired to work on new, creative endeavors in filmmaking from topics brought up on his many Smodcasts! He immediately began work on Tusk (a crazy film which you can see the description of after the jump) as well as numerous other projects, and his retirement has been put on hold for a bit. The fruition of his "renaissance" period is about to begin with the release of the trailer for Tusk (which will be launched at SD Comic Con 2014 at Smith's annual pannel) in a few weeks, and we are getting a glimpse into the dark world of Tusk with the first poster... released today via the Internet (typical Kev being Kev). The guy knows how to use the 'Net to his advantage, that is for sure. Tusk opens sometime this fall. Check out the film synopsis & poster for Tusk after the jump...



Synopsis:

When podcaster and journalist Wallace Bryton goes missing in the backwoods of Manitoba while interviewing a mysterious seafarer named Mr. Howe, his best friend and girlfriend team with an ex-cop to look for him.    

Poster:

Ben Affleck Ain't So Bad For Batman: A Rant by Mike CCD

Soooo... the news broke last night that Ben Affleck is going to be Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel 2. This has been the casting choice that has been hanging in the air for a month since Warner Brothers announced that there would be a Batman appearance in the Superman sequel. This is the movie that is to lay the groundwork for the future DC Comics cinematic universe, and by default set up the team for the Justice League movie that WB wants to get to so bad. And it seems that they have tapped Mr. Gigli himself to don the cowl. Now any comic fan worth their weight in salt knows that Bats & Supes are the cornerstones of any future success DC/WB can ever hope to have... and Man of Steel did do quite well ($650 million worldwide so far!)... so is DC finally on the right track after misfires like Green Lantern and Nolan's Batman trilogy coming to end? Could be... but is Affleck the guy to be the Bat for this whole transition? The general consensus is FUCK NO... and most people are shaking their heads in disgust that Big Ben got the role. They think he will suck it up, ruin everything, and set DC/WB is about to lose any traction they FINALLY gained with Man of Steel. But I think this could be a GOOD thing for the whole future DC Cinematic Universe... and I got some points to prove it. Check out after the jump why I don't think Affleck is all that bad as The Dark Knight....

So here it is in a nutshell... Once again the Internet & fan boys everywhere are over reacting. I honestly believe that this would have been the case with just about anyone who would have gotten the role... so check out my reasons why this ain't all that bad of a development:

Matthew Goode wasn't that bad in Watchman, was he???

1) No One Would Have Been Good Enough -

This is just typical Internet/Fan Boy hate in a nutshell. Bash something, and offer up some other casting choice who would have made a much better choice. Forget about the fact that this is just dumb (you don't know what roles an actor/actress has scheduled that could conflict, or if they even want the fucking role in the first place) and counter productive, but it usually goes like this: Affleck is chosen, and some schmuck says "Fuck Affleck.... Josh Brolin would have been a way better choice!" all over the 'Net. But if they would have picked Brolin, the statement would probably go "Fuck Brolin.... Ben Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms and would be a way better choice!". You can't make these fucking cry babies happy no matter what, so don't bother trying....

Academy Awards are still good... right?

2) Affleck Is A Pretty Good Overall Actor:

Listen... before you start talking about the shitty movies Affleck has made (Reindeer Games anyone?), think about how many GOOD movies he has made. He has been in well over 40 films, most of which he was in the starring role. Sure he has some duds like the aforementioned Reindeer Games, Gigli, and Paycheck... but he is also the guy who killed in The Town, all the Kevin Smith movies he has done (especially Chasing Amy), and Shakespeare In Love. And he has the legendary role of Fred O'Bannion in Dazed & Confused in there as well. Not to mention a little movie called Argo, which he DIRECTED AND STARRED IN!!!! This guy is a really good actor, and the fact that he even WANTS to be Batman is pretty cool in its own right. And before you fucks start getting on me for leaving out Daredevil as a shitty movie that Ben has done, just wait... that piece of junk gets its own reason...

A totally different (and much less shitty) movie

3) Yeah, Daredevil Sucked Balls... BUTTTTTTTTTT:

Daredevil is an easy target, mostly because the film most people saw sucked more dicks than Jenna Jameson. Not to mention that this was Affleck starring in a Super Hero movie... and we don't want to see him fuck up another great comic book character. But there is an interesting aside to the whole Daredevil movie that most people don't actually know about... and it makes a world of a difference. Director Mark Steven Johnson may have produced a steaming pile of shit, yet it might not have been his and Afflecks fault completely. The studio was meddling in every aspect of the filming, and they re-cut, re-wrote and required Johnson to do things he did not want to do with the film. This is apparent in the Director's Cut of the film, which has whole sub plots that were left out of the theatrical movie that make it a completely different film. It is also a much more violent cut (it would have been an R rating instead of PG-13) and focused less on the romance between Daredevil & Electra. I have seen it, I own the Blu Ray of the Director's Cut, and it is pretty much WAY BETTER in every way to the theatrical version. So if you only saw the theatrical version, and you think this is proof that Affleck can't do a super hero justice... well, take a look at the Director's Cut and then get back to me....

One of the best podcasts on the 'Net

4) Affleck Has Some Bat-Friends To Fall Back On:

As Ringo pointed out on 'With A Little Help From My Friends', having some good back up could be enough to put you over the top in any certain situation. Affleck may not ring bells for all Bat Fans... but his boy Kevin Smith sure does. Smith is an authority on all things Batman, has written some great Batman comics (Cacophony is nothing short of perfect), and even hosts a weekly podcast called 'Fatman on Batman' where he discusses his obsession with everything Batty. If Ben was ever gonna reach out to his ole buddy Kev and ask a question about anything, this would be the situation to do so. And this is probably the best person that could possibly offer up any advice to Ben on how to play the character. Kevin Smith knows Batman better than anybody in Hollywood... even better than Nolan. Sure, Nolan made three great Batman movies... but Smith is a true fan and can probably help Ben out. Smith also should have probably reached out to Affleck when he was playing Daredevil (which he didn't) and probably won't let his boy down again...

Never Forget

5) Finally... Chances Are DC IS Gonna Fuck This Whole Situation Up Anyway: 

DC Comics & Warner Brothers have had more false starts and miss steps than anyone with so many can't miss properties in their stable. Think about how many things they fucked up: The first set of Batman movie sequels (nipple suits for everyone), Green Lantern (How do you fuck this up?), Constantine (Keanu Reeves as Hellblazer... WTF?), Catwoman (Halle Berry almost killed the comic book movie industry as we know it) and Jonah Hex (what was this piece of shit?). And all of these fuck ups happened AFTER comic book movies became popular and are pretty much can't miss. These people fucked up Superman for Chrissakes... Superman Returns almost made all real comic fans not even want to go see The Dark Knight!!! People should worry much less about Affleck's choice for the role and be much more concerned with things like who writes the movie and how they are gonna twist it all wrong. Lets get it together guys... Marvel is fucking killing you. Try.. that is all I ask.

Applesauce, Bitch!!!!!

So thats that... see, it ain't all bad. Now talk about all this among yourselves and add your comments below so that we can all bitch about it together!!!! Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say... get in there people!!!!

The A to Z Blogger Challenge: Day 26 - Z Is For Zack & Miri Make A Porno

So it all comes to an end... the 2013 A to Z Blogger Challenge comes to a halt! I have turned it up big time in my quest to bring you the hottest woman to star in some of my favorite movies, and the result is 26 classic posts featuring a lot of sexiness. So I figured it would only be right to use one of my all time favorite directors as teh final film... even if it is not his best. Zack & Miri Make A Porno is a hilarious comedy that features one of the greatest man/woman co starring roles that I have ever seen... Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. Banks is a very pretty girl, but it's her comedic chops are what allow her to shine next to the always bright Seth Rogen. And Smith gets back to his small town Jersey sensibilities with this story. It reminds me a lot of his older wok. Plus, Justin Long & Brandon Routh completely steal the movie. One of the greatest cameos I have ever seen. So if you haven't perused the many talented people who have participated in the A to Z Blogger Challenge this year, click here. We will be back next year to get it in once again. For the final set of pictures featuring Elizabeth Banks, click after the jump...

    

Kevin Smith Might Be Retiring From Directing... But That Doesn't Mean He Is Retiring From Everything!!!

As a true teenager of the 90s I am an absolute Kevin Smith fanboy. I make no apologize for that. I have been on board the Jersey Express ever since Clerks, and after seeing his last movie Red State I don't plan on going anywhere. I even enjoy his mis-steps, like Jersey girl (C'mon, it had George Carlin and he is great in everything. Plus a sexy ass Liv Tyler). But when I attended the road show type screening of Red State last year (click here and here for the details of that screening) I was treated to some terrible information by the king himself. Apparently Smith had planned on doing one or two more films and is going to retire. Retire? What the fuck Kev? You are like barely 40. You can't retire. But then he explained a bit more. He said he was going to retire, but from directing only. He would still blog, podcast, and most importantly PRODUCE TV shows and movies. He wanted to help younger, more inexperienced film makers to get their vision out there, and he had the money/power in the business to do just that. It is bittersweet. But then I get information about a new Jay & Silent Bob Cartoon movie coming out and I am super excited. How excited? Check after the break...

I can't fucking wait for this. First of all, I loved the Clerks cartoons from back in the day. Second, Kevin is backing Steven Stark on his first full length directing gig.If you are familair with Smith's Smodcasts than you know Starks work on the Smodimation shorts that litter Smith websites and hundreds of affiliate shows. Third, we get Smith & Mewes doing Jay & silent Bob, and we don't have to see them old. That is so key! I want more of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, sure. But do I want to see thoe guys at over 40 years old doing that schtick? Not really. The cartoon version makes them 20 somethings forever, and that is how I want to remember them. Here is the blog post that smith made announcing the project and then there are two posters  promoting the films release:

 Something filthy this way cums, when the legendary best buds from Jersey return to dispense weed and wisdom IN CARTOON FORM! In April 2013, I’ll be touring the world with another flick – just like I did with RED STATE. But this time, the flick’s an animated movie produced by none other than Mr. Snootch-to-the-motherfuckin-Nootch himself – 

From first-time Director STEVE STARK - the Canadian Animating Genius behind SModimations and the SModCo Cartoon Show! Starring the voice talents of JASON MEWES! RALPH GARMAN! ELIZA DUSHKU! JON LOVITZ! BEN GLEIB! NEIL GAIMAN! The STARS OF THE SMODCAST NETWORK! and lots more surprise guests! More details after the 1st of the year!   

God damn! I said God DAMN! Starks killer animations, production by Smith himself, a crazy voice cast, and a road show type screening experience similiar to what they did with Red State? Yeah, i'm in! Lets go!!! I am sensing a CCD road trip for this one. Here are the posters:

See you guys in April!!!!

Kevin Smith & Walt Flannigan To Take On The Bat One More Time... Yes!!!

Kevin Smith dabbles in comic book writing from time to time, and when he does it the results are usually fantastic. His runs on Daredevil, Green Arrow and the Green Hornet are the stuff of legend. But when DC gave him the opportunity to  write a Batman mini series with his longtime friend and co-worker Walt Flannigan... well, I just thought it was amazing. Batman: Cacophony & Batman: The Widening Gyre were two excellent entries into the Batman mythos and introduced us to a killer new villain in Onomatopoeia. The action in the books jumps off the pages, the drawings by Flannigan are perfect, and that signature Smith dialogue is there... which made these some of my favorite Batman stories ever told. So now Smith has taken to Facebook to announce that he is reuniting with Flannigan to wrap up the whole storyline in Batman: Bellicosity. I for one can't wait to see how this story wraps up. Check out the full text that Smith posted on Facebook and check out the first image, a splashpage featuring Bats & Onomatopoeia after the jump.



Batman: Bellicosity will be released some time near summer of 2013...

Here is the press release:

FAT MAN ON BATMAN!

SPOILERS: This Walt Flanagan splash page showcases the Dark Knight and the unnerving Onomatopoeia 

from ish 1 of the forthcoming conclusion to our New York Times Best-Selling Batman cycle!

A few years back, DC Comics made my dream come true when they let me do a BATMAN comic book 

mini-series with one of my best friends - COMIC BOOK MEN Stash manager, Walt Flanagan.

It started with BATMAN: CACOPHONY...

It continued with BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE...


And in 2013, the blood will run in the final chapter of the battle between Batman and Onomatopoeia ...

BATMAN: BELLICOSITY

Summer, 2013

And here is the splash page;

Check Out The Trailer & Poster For 'Bindlestiffs', The First Movie From Kevin Smith's Smodcast Pictures

When I had the chance to attend Kevin Smith's live tour of Red State it was a bitterweet moment. I love Kevin Smith films, and during the Q & A for that show Kevin confirmed that he would absolutely be finishing up his directing career with "Goon", his upcoming hockey movie. He said that he would stay active in the industry as a producer & a podcaster, but that getting behind the camera was just over for him. That bummed me out... but then I thought about the prospects of Smith as a producer. As a producer Smith could help to get projects greenlit & distributed for up & coming talents. That is what he promised to do with his Smodcast Pictures. So the time has finally come for their first release, and boy does this one look like a jackpot in the vein of Smith himself. 'Bindlestiffs' is the story of three young kids who decided to rebel from their high school lives & hit the rode to try and live out the events of "'The Catcher In The Rye'. The film has received some buzz for taking down the grand prize at 2012 Slamdance Film Festival, and now the full trailer has been released complete with an introduction by Smith himself. Check out the trailer & full poster after the jump...




And here is the poster:

Mall Rats: The Magic Eye Photo Explained...

Mall Rats is one of my all time favorite movies and is the film that clinched Kevin Smith as one of my favorite filmmakers. I loved Clerks, but Mall Rats showed what Smith could do if he was given some money and real sets to make a movie. One of the funniest scenes to take place in the film has to be the schooner scene with the magic painting. Willam can't see the sailboat that is in the picture, and it is a running gag throughout the film until he loses his mind and wrecks the whole stand.... but what if there really was NO SAILBOAT in the picture in the first place? Check out this cool video in which they use use Photoshop to break down the image and show us what really is inside the picture... click after the jump for more.

Geek TV On The Rise

There's a few shows floating around that cater to the nerd inclined. And I don't mean genre fare like The Walking Dead, but more reality style programming featuring personalities and subject matter that tickle that dork fancy. Click after the jump for more on the new Geek TV lineup...




Geek Love 





TLC recently premiered this reality style show chronicling a few lonely hearted nerds looking for love at the New York Comic Con. The romantically challenged are profiled from their homes, through a speed dating session at the Con and finally to an actual date (if a match was found). I had concerns when I first heard about the show that it would just be a huge mockfest and portray the subjects in a negative light but it was surprisingly genuine. While there are certainly self deprecating moments (nobody has a better sense of humor about geeks than geeks) and some sympathetic cases (oh man...that one guy) it pretty much plays the whole ordeal pretty straightforward. There are only two episodes so far, serving as a pilot, currently making the rounds on TLC. So go support the show and hopefully we'll see some more costumed canoodling.


Comic Book Men





Kevin Smith fittingly brings us this new AMC show set in his famous "Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash" comic book store in Red Bank N.J. Not a ton is known about exactly what the show is about. What I can gather from the initial casting call, the brief clips and the other info that has come out, it seems to be about a few grown men, hanging around a comic book store and just shooting the shit. Sounds good to me. We can expect plenty of appearances by Smith himself as well as regular Askewniverse members, Bryan "Steve-Dave" Johnson and Walt Flanagan(dog status unknown). Look for the first of six one hour episodes to premiere February 12th on AMC after The Walking Dead.


Face Off - Season 2





I was gleefully addicted to Season 1 of this straight up reality competition. In general I'm more partial to the skill based competition shows. They can still be garbage of course, but at least the contestants need to possess actual ability and can't just make their way on TV by being a young good looking wannabe actor. Face Off has an incredible amount of skill on display. The contestants manage to create absolutely amazing, living pieces of art under extremely limited conditions. Anyone who has ever been impressed or interested in the make-up process really needs to check this out. You can see a few of the first season episodes on Syfy's site. Season 2 starts January 11th.


Oddities





And finally, while not exactly a "Geek" show per se, it definitely runs on the fringe. This show has been around for a little while but I just discovered it and if you haven't checked it, you need to. It follows the same format somewhat as the 'pawn shop' shows that are currently plentiful, but differs quite a bit. The items themselves are more unique, and the employees aren't trying to rape the customers out of every penny. Taking place in 'Obscura' a curiosity shop in NYC, the show follows the operators and customers buying and selling all manner of batshit crazy stuff. The only thing weirder than the items themselves are the fantastic total weirdos that come wandering in off the street.

Edgar is my personal favorite...





The best thing about these shows (save for maybe one or two of the contestants on Face Off) is that all the people involved are genuinely nice people. They are respectful, intelligent, well adjusted people that don't seem like giant phoney agenda driven assfaces. These archetypes are so few and far between in modern television. It's so refreshing to see.

Go watch these shows.....NOW!

Kevin Smith Gets A Reality Show

Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash

Seems like AMC is going to continue their recent epic success, even though they are heading in a different direction. Known for quality original programing like Breaking Bad, Mad Men and The Walking Dead, it seems they are going in a different direction then usual. Kevin Smith has talked on Twitter and his website about a new reality show he is developing that centers around his comic book store, Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash. Dubbed a "Pawn Stars for Fanboys", the show will focus on the goings on inside the crazy comic book shop and will also feature the store purchasing interesting memorabilia from fanboys & girls. Wow, a reality show that I might actually want to watch.... Hmmmmm.

Interior Shots @ Secret Stash

I like the idea, and if they can have some cool stuff on display then I'm all for it. I have been to Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash in Red Bank, NJ... and all I can say is that the place is epic. It's a huge comic shop that also sells tons of Smith movie-related memorabilia. They have the original full size Bluntmobile from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back right in the middle of the store, as well as a ton of other Smith movie props. One of the coolest things they sell is all the T-shirts that any of the characters in Smith's movies have worn. They have them all... thats where I got my 'Count Cockula' & Moby employee shirts from Clerks 2. Smith also drops off autographed material and mixes it in with the regular stuff for no additional charge. That is so cool. I got a Mallrats movie companion book that was autographed by Smith for LESS THEN COVER PRICE. What other star does cool shit like that? Not many.

The Hemp Knight & Chronic in The Bluntmobile!!!

The reality show will be shooting over this summer and may appear sometime in the Fall 2011/Winter2012 TV cycle, so stay tuned for more details. I for one definitely will be. So will you guys be tuning in for this? Tell us your thoughts about a comic book store based reality show in the comment section below.

"It's ok... I'm taking it back"---- Randall Graves

Check Out Some Pics From The 'Red State' NYC Screening On 3/5

Our good friend and soon to be contributor (fingers crossed... lets go Rob!) Rob Martin was also at the 'Red State' screening and had some really good seats. His camera must be a lot better then mine, because it was much too dark in there for me to get any clear pics. He sent me these today, so I decided to share them with you guys. Hope you enjoy the candid shots. Thanks Rob!

Kevin Smith

The Cast of 'Red State'

LtoR: Smith with wife Jen, Melissa Leo, John Goodman 

Husband & Wife

Dan 'the man' Conner aka Walter aka The Babe aka Mr. John Goodman!

The Director, The Wife, The Oscar Winner, And The Fucking Man!

LtoR: Stephen Root, Ralph Garman, Nick Braun, Michael Angarano, Kerry Bishe

Goodman again!

Smith, Jen, & Leo 

The Marquee

'Red State' On The Marquee...