list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Clerks on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Clerks/91932/default.aspx Title: Clerks
Year: 1994
Director: Kevin Smith
Plot: When Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) is reluctantly put in charge of the Quick Stop market on his day off, he tries, though half-heartedly, to perform his minimum-wage duties as efficiently as possible. This gets tough amidst the on-going fight with his girlfriend, Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti), and his attempt to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, Caitlyn Bree (Lisa Spoonhauer). Meanwhile, his friend and alter ego Randall (Jeff Anderson) is working behind the counter of the adjacent video store -- at least when he feels like it. Randall's unabashed disdain of his place of employment, a long with his self-admitted hatred towards its customers is a sharp contrast to Dante's feeble attempts at the niceties of customer service. Much of the film consists of Randall and Dante's criticism of their customers, their lives, and the world in general. Clerks, filmed in black-and-white on a budget of only $27,000, began the career of writer director Kevin Smith, who would go on to make Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 65
Number of Lists: 90
Number of blog posts: 14
Number of discussion threads: 19
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:24:16 GMTClerks1994Kevin SmithWhen Dante Hicks (<a href="/players/P___200557/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Brian O'Halloran</a>) is reluctantly put in charge of the Quick Stop market on his day off, he tries, though half-heartedly, to perform his minimum-wage duties as efficiently as possible. This gets tough amidst the on-going fight with his girlfriend, Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti), and his attempt to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, Caitlyn Bree (Lisa Spoonhauer). Meanwhile, his friend and alter ego Randall (<a href="/players/P___198624/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Jeff Anderson</a>) is working behind the counter of the adjacent video store -- at least when he feels like it. Randall's unabashed disdain of his place of employment, a long with his self-admitted hatred towards its customers is a sharp contrast to Dante's feeble attempts at the niceties of customer service. Much of the film consists of Randall and Dante's criticism of their customers, their lives, and the world in general. Clerks, filmed in black-and-white on a budget of only $27,000, began the career of writer director <a href="/players/P___111916/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Kevin Smith</a>, who would go on to make <a href=/films/92916/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Mallrats</a> (1995), <a href=/films/110665/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Chasing Amy</a> (1997), <a href=/films/134189/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Dogma</a> (1999), and <a href=/films/196785/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back</a> (2001). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide65Tag Target (>10)9014194http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t67260j73ii.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Clerks/91932/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2009/3/4/40831.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 3/4/2009 8:00:54 PM
Body: Kevin Smith is having title trouble again. After previously dealing with censorship related to the title Zach and Miri Make a Porno, the filmmaker has run into a snag with his next movie, originally called A Couple of Dicks. Warner Bros. has changed the title of the comedy, which will star Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan, to A Couple of Cops, obviously so as not to confuse anyone with the multiple (including the offensive) meanings of “dick.” But this can’t be the end, because nobody in their right mind would distribute a movie with that new title. I’m pretty sure the word “cops” is poisonous. Has there been a single good movie with that word in the title since Buster Keaton’s 1922 short? Singularly, “cop” will occasionally work, such as in Beverly Hills Cop, Super Cop, Cop Land and Kindergarten Cop. But pluralized, I think the best we’ve seen is Cops and Robbersons. Recall that Hollywood Homicide was once titled “Two Cops,” which is quite like Smith’s movie’s name, but better. And maybe the original title cursed it, because the movie flopped. So, unless A Couple of Cops involves fumbling policemen resembling the Keystone Cops, it’s certain that the studio will need to brainstorm a new name quick, if it’s not already too late. Or, if Smith doesn’t really care about this movie, which he didn’t write and is seemingly only directing for the easy money, perhaps he can ultimately take his own name off and let it be an Alan Smithee film. Here are some of the negative responses to the name change from around the web: Vince Mancini at FilmDrunk explains the change: WB had originally acquired the script not realizing “dick” was a double entendre.  Once they found out, they took immediate action, first experimenting with more literal titles such as A Couple of Dicks - Not Penises, This Isn’t That Kind of Movie At All before settling on the newer, shorter name. Kudos to the A.V. Club for referencing the fake Tracey Jordan movie within 30 Rock titled Black Cop White Cop, and noting that once again life is imitating art: “Variety’s report didn’t mention when we can expect Who Dat Ninja or Fat Bitch in theaters.” And kudos to the Fark headline for a great Clerks reference: “Warner Bros changes name of Kevin Smith’s new film to ‘A Couple of Cops’, fearing moviegoers might be offended by ‘A Couple of Dicks’. It’s not like there’s 37 of them.” Also, a great discussion in the Fark comments section references both classic and recent titular uses of “dick”: Dick and The Bank Dick. I also love the headline at The Playlist: “Emasculated: Kevin Smith Loses His ‘Dick’” “So now how will moviegoers know there are dicks in this movie? By seeing Bruce Willis on the poster?” asks Vulture. “I mean, we’re all adults here,” write’s Jessica Barnes at Cinematical, “has it really gotten to the point where even a pun as vanilla as a variation on ‘Private Dicks’ is too much for audiences?” Melanie Addington, of Oxford Film Freak, comments on Barnes’ post: That doesn’t sound like that would help with any sort of marketing plan. At least A Couple of Dicks may scream, hey, fun Kevin Smith film - fans, come see it. But A Couple of Cops? Why does it sound like Paul Blart: Mall Cop Part 2? Blart Teams Up With Another Cop? Funny antics ensue. Sigh. Russ Fischer is a bit harsh with his joke at CHUD.com: “A title more limp than Mickey Rourke after the Oscars.” “Kevin Smith has spent his entire career delivering interesting movies with awesome titles and only a few of us showed up to see them,” writes Josh Tyler, jokingly giving in at Cinema Blend. “Maybe it’s time to give the people what they want, and what the people seem to want is a good nap.” Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:00:54 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com3/4/2009 8:00:54 PMKevin Smith is having title trouble again. After previously dealing with censorship related to the title Zach and Miri Make a Porno, the filmmaker has run into a snag with his next movie, originally called A Couple of Dicks. Warner Bros. has changed the title of the comedy, which will star Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan, to A Couple of Cops, obviously so as not to confuse anyone with the multiple (including the offensive) meanings of “dick.” But this can’t be the end, because nobody in their right mind would distribute a movie with that new title. I’m pretty sure the word “cops” is poisonous. Has there been a single good movie with that word in the title since Buster Keaton’s 1922 short? Singularly, “cop” will occasionally work, such as in Beverly Hills Cop, Super Cop, Cop Land and Kindergarten Cop. But pluralized, I think the best we’ve seen is Cops and Robbersons. Recall that Hollywood Homicide was once titled “Two Cops,” which is quite like Smith’s movie’s name, but better. And maybe the original title cursed it, because the movie flopped. So, unless A Couple of Cops involves fumbling policemen resembling the Keystone Cops, it’s certain that the studio will need to brainstorm a new name quick, if it’s not already too late. Or, if Smith doesn’t really care about this movie, which he didn’t write and is seemingly only directing for the easy money, perhaps he can ultimately take his own name off and let it be an Alan Smithee film. Here are some of the negative responses to the name change from around the web: Vince Mancini at FilmDrunk explains the change: WB had originally acquired the script not realizing “dick” was a double entendre.  Once they found out, they took immediate action, first experimenting with more literal titles such as A Couple of Dicks - Not Penises, This Isn’t That Kind of Movie At All before settling on the newer, shorter name. Kudos to the A.V. Club for referencing the fake Tracey Jordan movie within 30 Rock titled Black Cop White Cop, and noting that once again life is imitating art: “Variety’s report didn’t mention when we can expect Who Dat Ninja or Fat Bitch in theaters.” And kudos to the Fark headline for a great Clerks reference: “Warner Bros changes name of Kevin Smith’s new film to ‘A Couple of Cops’, fearing moviegoers might be offended by ‘A Couple of Dicks’. It’s not like there’s 37 of them.” Also, a great discussion in the Fark comments section references both classic and recent titular uses of “dick”: Dick and The Bank Dick. I also love the headline at The Playlist: “Emasculated: Kevin Smith Loses His ‘Dick’” “So now how will moviegoers know there are dicks in this movie? By seeing Bruce Willis on the poster?” asks Vulture. “I mean, we’re all adults here,” write’s Jessica Barnes at Cinematical, “has it really gotten to the point where even a pun as vanilla as a variation on ‘Private Dicks’ is too much for audiences?” Melanie Addington, of Oxford Film Freak, comments on Barnes’ post: That doesn’t sound like that would help with any sort of marketing plan. At least A Couple of Dicks may scream, hey, fun Kevin Smith film - fans, come see it. But A Couple of Cops? Why does it sound like Paul Blart: Mall Cop Part 2? Blart Teams Up With Another Cop? Funny antics ensue. Sigh. Russ Fischer is a bit harsh with his joke at CHUD.com: “A title more limp than Mickey Rourke after the Oscars.” “Kevin Smith has spent his entire career delivering interesting movies with awesome titles and only a few of us showed up to see them,” writes Josh Tyler, jokingly giving in at Cinema Blend. “Maybe it’s time to give the people what they want, and what the people seem to want is a good nap.” Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Workin_for_the_Weekend_Top_5_Working_Films/190/39904/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 1/26/2009 10:38:13 AM
Body: I was thinking this weekend about how many films I've seen relating to the everyday working experience that I've absolutely loved. There's a ton out there--probably because so many people are a bit disollusioned and lost in their careers. What are your Top 5? I'll start it off with mine: Office Space Anyone who's ever worked in IT or a related field knows the pain of Peter Gibbons all too well. Overworked, underappreciated and just a nameless face in a cubicle. Bonus: I am often compared to Michael Bolton. Clerks I think everyone has friends like Dante and Randall. They didn't really go anywhere after highschool and are still working at the same pizza/video/convenience store, in the same town. They are a bit neurotic, but always fun. Waiting I've never worked in the restaurant industry, but my many friends who have assure me that this film is nearly a documentary. Employee of the Month This is 'Waiting' for anyone who's worked in retail. After working at Hobby Lobby in the warehouse for a few years, I have a deep, deep appreciation for this film. Bonus: we constructed an 'employee lounge' on top of the pallet rack out of boxed Christmas trees just like in the film, years before it came out. Garden State Great film about the post-college career disollusionment (quarter-life crisis).
]]>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:38:13 GMTseelyTop 51/26/2009 10:38:13 AMI was thinking this weekend about how many films I've seen relating to the everyday working experience that I've absolutely loved. There's a ton out there--probably because so many people are a bit disollusioned and lost in their careers. What are your Top 5? I'll start it off with mine: Office Space Anyone who's ever worked in IT or a related field knows the pain of Peter Gibbons all too well. Overworked, underappreciated and just a nameless face in a cubicle. Bonus: I am often compared to Michael Bolton. Clerks I think everyone has friends like Dante and Randall. They didn't really go anywhere after highschool and are still working at the same pizza/video/convenience store, in the same town. They are a bit neurotic, but always fun. Waiting I've never worked in the restaurant industry, but my many friends who have assure me that this film is nearly a documentary. Employee of the Month This is 'Waiting' for anyone who's worked in retail. After working at Hobby Lobby in the warehouse for a few years, I have a deep, deep appreciation for this film. Bonus: we constructed an 'employee lounge' on top of the pallet rack out of boxed Christmas trees just like in the film, years before it came out. Garden State Great film about the post-college career disollusionment (quarter-life crisis). http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2009/1/15/39569.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/15/2009 3:00:55 PM
Body: Each day this week, Christopher Campbell will take a look back at a “classic” film that played the Sundance Film Festival. Today’s installment: Darren Aronofsky’s Pi (1998). Today’s story is a little shorter than the rest in this series, but it’s worth remembering because it involves another instance where one Sundance success directly resulted in the making of a later Sundance success (a la Slacker leading to Clerks). The earlier film in this case was Welcome to the Dollhouse, which Darren Aronofsky saw at the 1996 festival. In Peter Biskind’s book Down and Dirty Pictures, Aronfsky comments on the experience: “I thought it was such a unique, weird film, that it really gave me the courage to go back to New York and just try to throw something together.” That November he was in production on Pi. A little over a year later, the stylish black and white Pi premiered at Sundance. When he submitted the film, Aronofsky thought maybe it could fit into the festival’s midnight program. Instead, it was selected for competition, alongside High Art, Buffalo ‘66, Next Stop Wonderland and Slam, which would win the Grand Jury Prize. Aronofsky would go on to win the Best Director award, but that wasn’t until near the end of the festival. Days beforehand, the filmmaker was given a first impression that Pi might leave Sundance with bupkis. The first screening, an all-industry presentation, did not go so well. Miramax’s Harvey Weinstein apparently refused to see the film. October Films’ Bingham Ray reportedly hated it and walked out. When the movie ended, there was little applause and not one person asked a question during the Q&A. Fortunately, one important person eventually saw Pi and liked it enough to make it a modest hit while also taking Aronofsky’s promising career under his wing: Amir Malin, who’s company Live Entertainment would soon be renamed Artisan Entertainment and would soon explode as one of the most successful independent distributors of the late ‘90s. Below is the first 20 minutes of Pi. The rest of the film can be found on YouTube in segments if you get hooked. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:00:55 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/15/2009 3:00:55 PMEach day this week, Christopher Campbell will take a look back at a “classic” film that played the Sundance Film Festival. Today’s installment: Darren Aronofsky’s Pi (1998). Today’s story is a little shorter than the rest in this series, but it’s worth remembering because it involves another instance where one Sundance success directly resulted in the making of a later Sundance success (a la Slacker leading to Clerks). The earlier film in this case was Welcome to the Dollhouse, which Darren Aronofsky saw at the 1996 festival. In Peter Biskind’s book Down and Dirty Pictures, Aronfsky comments on the experience: “I thought it was such a unique, weird film, that it really gave me the courage to go back to New York and just try to throw something together.” That November he was in production on Pi. A little over a year later, the stylish black and white Pi premiered at Sundance. When he submitted the film, Aronofsky thought maybe it could fit into the festival’s midnight program. Instead, it was selected for competition, alongside High Art, Buffalo ‘66, Next Stop Wonderland and Slam, which would win the Grand Jury Prize. Aronofsky would go on to win the Best Director award, but that wasn’t until near the end of the festival. Days beforehand, the filmmaker was given a first impression that Pi might leave Sundance with bupkis. The first screening, an all-industry presentation, did not go so well. Miramax’s Harvey Weinstein apparently refused to see the film. October Films’ Bingham Ray reportedly hated it and walked out. When the movie ended, there was little applause and not one person asked a question during the Q&A. Fortunately, one important person eventually saw Pi and liked it enough to make it a modest hit while also taking Aronofsky’s promising career under his wing: Amir Malin, who’s company Live Entertainment would soon be renamed Artisan Entertainment and would soon explode as one of the most successful independent distributors of the late ‘90s. Below is the first 20 minutes of Pi. The rest of the film can be found on YouTube in segments if you get hooked. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2009/1/13/39490.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/13/2009 7:00:55 PM
Body: Each day this week, Christopher Campbell will take a look back at a “classic” film that played the Sundance Film Festival. Today’s installment: Kevin Smith’s Clerks (1994). It’s only fitting to follow yesterday’s post on Slacker with the Sundance story of Clerks, since Kevin Smith was directly influenced by Richard Linklater’s film. And like Linklater, Smith nearly didn’t go to Sundance with his breakthrough indie, although in his case it was initially a matter of choice rather than rejection. According to Peter Biskind’s book Down and Dirty Pictures, Smith says about the decision, “We never even thought about Sundance. That was not a festival that we were meant for.” Instead, Smith and producer Scott Mosier figured their best bet was at the 1993 Independent Feature Film Market in NYC, where they disappointingly screened Clerks to an audience of only a few people. Incidentally, they might have had at least one additional significant viewer had Mosier not told Miramax acquisitions man Mark Tusk that his film was “not a Disney movie.” Of course, it’s not likely that Miramax would have picked up Clerks even with Tusk in attendance at that screening. Fortunately, as noted in John Pierson’s book Spike, Mike Slackers and Dykes and elsewhere, Sundance advisory committee member Bob Hawk did see the film at that IFFM showing, and he tirelessly fought to have it selected for the upcoming festival. So, in a way, Smith became a Sundance alum by accident. As for Miramax’s acquisition, that’s another great story. After the original rejection of Tusk at IFFM, Miramax had a few more chances to see Clerks. The first was through a tape sent to Tusk, through which he became a fan; then came a 16mm screening at the Tribeca Film Center in which Harvey Weinstein reportedly left after 15 minutes. It took the magic of Sundance, however, to get the film and the distributor to fully connect. Clerks became a hit partly on the basis of Smith’s story and his ability to entertain during the Q&As. By the end of the festival, Weinstein, who had made a surprise return to Park City that year, and who had been rumored to have left Sundance early, was reluctantly convinced by Tusk to attend the last screening and stay at least until the “blowjob stuff.” This time, apparently, Weinstein loved it. And when he met Smith afterward, he reportedly said something along the lines of, “Great fuckin’ movie, I want to put a fuckin’ soundtrack on it, and put it in the fuckin’ multiplexes.” It’s possible that Clerks is funny enough to have acquired fans on its own merits, as it appealed to Tusk upon his first viewing. But sometimes it takes the crowds of Sundance to show just how popular a film can be with a real audience. The subsequent buzz combined with the marketing of Smith as a personality and a filmmaker with an interesting story helped get Clerks a distribution deal, and it’s worked somewhat for others since, if only on smaller scale. Below is the NSFW scene from Clerks that Tusk promised Weinstein he’d enjoy. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:55 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/13/2009 7:00:55 PMEach day this week, Christopher Campbell will take a look back at a “classic” film that played the Sundance Film Festival. Today’s installment: Kevin Smith’s Clerks (1994). It’s only fitting to follow yesterday’s post on Slacker with the Sundance story of Clerks, since Kevin Smith was directly influenced by Richard Linklater’s film. And like Linklater, Smith nearly didn’t go to Sundance with his breakthrough indie, although in his case it was initially a matter of choice rather than rejection. According to Peter Biskind’s book Down and Dirty Pictures, Smith says about the decision, “We never even thought about Sundance. That was not a festival that we were meant for.” Instead, Smith and producer Scott Mosier figured their best bet was at the 1993 Independent Feature Film Market in NYC, where they disappointingly screened Clerks to an audience of only a few people. Incidentally, they might have had at least one additional significant viewer had Mosier not told Miramax acquisitions man Mark Tusk that his film was “not a Disney movie.” Of course, it’s not likely that Miramax would have picked up Clerks even with Tusk in attendance at that screening. Fortunately, as noted in John Pierson’s book Spike, Mike Slackers and Dykes and elsewhere, Sundance advisory committee member Bob Hawk did see the film at that IFFM showing, and he tirelessly fought to have it selected for the upcoming festival. So, in a way, Smith became a Sundance alum by accident. As for Miramax’s acquisition, that’s another great story. After the original rejection of Tusk at IFFM, Miramax had a few more chances to see Clerks. The first was through a tape sent to Tusk, through which he became a fan; then came a 16mm screening at the Tribeca Film Center in which Harvey Weinstein reportedly left after 15 minutes. It took the magic of Sundance, however, to get the film and the distributor to fully connect. Clerks became a hit partly on the basis of Smith’s story and his ability to entertain during the Q&As. By the end of the festival, Weinstein, who had made a surprise return to Park City that year, and who had been rumored to have left Sundance early, was reluctantly convinced by Tusk to attend the last screening and stay at least until the “blowjob stuff.” This time, apparently, Weinstein loved it. And when he met Smith afterward, he reportedly said something along the lines of, “Great fuckin’ movie, I want to put a fuckin’ soundtrack on it, and put it in the fuckin’ multiplexes.” It’s possible that Clerks is funny enough to have acquired fans on its own merits, as it appealed to Tusk upon his first viewing. But sometimes it takes the crowds of Sundance to show just how popular a film can be with a real audience. The subsequent buzz combined with the marketing of Smith as a personality and a filmmaker with an interesting story helped get Clerks a distribution deal, and it’s worked somewhat for others since, if only on smaller scale. Below is the NSFW scene from Clerks that Tusk promised Weinstein he’d enjoy. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2008/11/7/37099.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 11/7/2008 10:01:28 PM
Body: I decided, prior to the release of Zack and Miri Make a Porno (which I’ve yet to see) to watch a few Kevin Smith flicks. But instead of doing them in the usual order (chronological by release) I decided to just watch both Clerks and Clerks 2 and then, because I had just been talking about it with FilmCouch’s Paul Moore, Mallrats. Can’t say as I got much new out of them, though this was also, I think, the first time I’d watched both Clerks movies back-to-back for some reason.        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:01:28 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog11/7/2008 10:01:28 PMI decided, prior to the release of Zack and Miri Make a Porno (which I’ve yet to see) to watch a few Kevin Smith flicks. But instead of doing them in the usual order (chronological by release) I decided to just watch both Clerks and Clerks 2 and then, because I had just been talking about it with FilmCouch’s Paul Moore, Mallrats. Can’t say as I got much new out of them, though this was also, I think, the first time I’d watched both Clerks movies back-to-back for some reason.        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk http://www.spout.com/blogs/usesoap/archive/2008/11/3/36920.aspx Post By: usesoap
Post To: usesoap Blog
Post Date: 11/3/2008 9:43:48 PM
Body: Kevin Smith has a right to be pretty bitter right now. For years, he's been blending raunch and romance with equal measure, to middling box office results. From his grungy little breakthrough, “Clerks,” in 1994, to the polished “Chasing Amy” to the not-as-bad-as-it's-rumored-to-be “Jersey Girl,” Smith has never shied from the messy sexual side of relationships in dialogue that some of the closest couples dare not discuss. Meanwhile, writer/director Judd Apatow snuck into the kingdom and stole the crown, basically covering the very same turf in films such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Yet again, sex and sentimentality collide with generally hilarious, heartfelt results in his latest “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” which takes the standard romantic comedy and tarts it up with g-strings, thigh highs and body glitter. Apatow mainstay Seth Rogan plays Zack and “W.'s” Elizabeth Banks is his platonic roommate Miri, two 20-something slackers who are reminded at their 10-year high school reunion just how little they have to offer the world a decade after their departure. And if the hysterical humiliations they suffer during the reunion don't drive the point home to them, then the return to their dingy Monroeville, Pennsylvania apartment – where the heat, electricity and water have just been shut off – should do the trick. In an act of desperation they embark on the eponymous mission (in a plot very similar to last year's Jeff Bridges film, “The Amateurs”) in order to cough up the cash needed to keep them off the streets. As typical of a Kevin Smith comedy, the film comes from a very personal place and it's not long before the smut is swept up in sentimentality. Just as “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” was really a travelogue of his brush with mainstream Hollywood, “Zack and Miri” (as it's been advertised for our prurient television audiences) is Smith's love letter to making movies. It just happens that the movies in this feature typically end with a money shot. But just as Smith assembled the cast of “Clerks” with his pals from his Jersey neighborhood, Zack and Miri enlist a number of participants from their inner circle to help bring their bump-and-grind opus to life. Included in the cast are Smith standbys Jason Mewes (who boldly pulls a full monty and who always brings the funny) and original “Clerk” Jeff Anderson. Smith also has the smarts to include scene-stealing “Office” mate Craig Robinson, rehabbed porn princess Traci Lords and Katie Morgan, who you may remember from such memorable turns in “Big Bottom Sadie,” “Whore of the Rings” and “Busty Beauties 20” (and about 200 other similarly titled films...if you care to “research” them). Smith also nabbed Justin Long, another go-to laugh-getter, whose cameo in the film will forever erase any annoying Mac ad image you may have of him. It will come as little surprise that our two leads become romantically involved when called upon to perform their climactic scene (meant in every sense of the word). And the final act of the film deals with the awkwardness that can follow that moment where friends decide to take their relationship one step further (normally, though, it's not done in front of a handful of onlookers and a rolling video camera... unless you're a Hilton). And this is where Smith – and Apatow, and John Hughes, for that matter – typically falter. For the male leads, there are plenty of bulls-eye masculine observations, while leaving the women with very little room to move outside their scripted confines. It's not that Banks does not try, she radiates much the same way Rosario Dawson did in “Clerks II.” But Smith's more comfortable giving his gals equally foul-mouthed dialogue that makes them “just one of the guys,” and then turning them into jealous emotional Jello when more complex matters arise. The entire plot itself is based nowhere close to reality, even given the current Warhol-intuited “15 minutes of fame” culture in which we live, and Miri just seems way too together to fall for such a slovenly mess such as Zack, much less agree to let herself be filmed having sex with him to be mass marketed. And honestly, with porn so easily accessible online, do they really think their little homegrown DVD is going to be their financial salvation? But those minor grievances aside, “Zack and Miri” has just enough cheer to overcome its more flaccid moments. And if he can enlist a female writer for his next feature that could solidify his lady characters of his next film, Smith may be able to not only satisfy his audience throughout, but also provide them with, appropriately, a happy ending.
]]>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:43:48 GMTusesoapusesoap Blog11/3/2008 9:43:48 PMKevin Smith has a right to be pretty bitter right now. For years, he's been blending raunch and romance with equal measure, to middling box office results. From his grungy little breakthrough, &ldquo;Clerks,&rdquo; in 1994, to the polished &ldquo;Chasing Amy&rdquo; to the not-as-bad-as-it's-rumored-to-be &ldquo;Jersey Girl,&rdquo; Smith has never shied from the messy sexual side of relationships in dialogue that some of the closest couples dare not discuss. Meanwhile, writer/director Judd Apatow snuck into the kingdom and stole the crown, basically covering the very same turf in films such as &ldquo;The 40-Year-Old Virgin,&rdquo; &ldquo;Knocked Up&rdquo; and &ldquo;Forgetting Sarah Marshall.&rdquo; Yet again, sex and sentimentality collide with generally hilarious, heartfelt results in his latest &ldquo;Zack and Miri Make a Porno,&rdquo; which takes the standard romantic comedy and tarts it up with g-strings, thigh highs and body glitter. Apatow mainstay Seth Rogan plays Zack and &ldquo;W.'s&rdquo; Elizabeth Banks is his platonic roommate Miri, two 20-something slackers who are reminded at their 10-year high school reunion just how little they have to offer the world a decade after their departure. And if the hysterical humiliations they suffer during the reunion don't drive the point home to them, then the return to their dingy Monroeville, Pennsylvania apartment &ndash; where the heat, electricity and water have just been shut off &ndash; should do the trick. In an act of desperation they embark on the eponymous mission (in a plot very similar to last year's Jeff Bridges film, &ldquo;The Amateurs&rdquo;) in order to cough up the cash needed to keep them off the streets. As typical of a Kevin Smith comedy, the film comes from a very personal place and it's not long before the smut is swept up in sentimentality. Just as &ldquo;Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back&rdquo; was really a travelogue of his brush with mainstream Hollywood, &ldquo;Zack and Miri&rdquo; (as it's been advertised for our prurient television audiences) is Smith's love letter to making movies. It just happens that the movies in this feature typically end with a money shot. But just as Smith assembled the cast of &ldquo;Clerks&rdquo; with his pals from his Jersey neighborhood, Zack and Miri enlist a number of participants from their inner circle to help bring their bump-and-grind opus to life. Included in the cast are Smith standbys Jason Mewes (who boldly pulls a full monty and who always brings the funny) and original &ldquo;Clerk&rdquo; Jeff Anderson. Smith also has the smarts to include scene-stealing &ldquo;Office&rdquo; mate Craig Robinson, rehabbed porn princess Traci Lords and Katie Morgan, who you may remember from such memorable turns in &ldquo;Big Bottom Sadie,&rdquo; &ldquo;Whore of the Rings&rdquo; and &ldquo;Busty Beauties 20&rdquo; (and about 200 other similarly titled films...if you care to &ldquo;research&rdquo; them). Smith also nabbed Justin Long, another go-to laugh-getter, whose cameo in the film will forever erase any annoying Mac ad image you may have of him. It will come as little surprise that our two leads become romantically involved when called upon to perform their climactic scene (meant in every sense of the word). And the final act of the film deals with the awkwardness that can follow that moment where friends decide to take their relationship one step further (normally, though, it's not done in front of a handful of onlookers and a rolling video camera... unless you're a Hilton). And this is where Smith &ndash; and Apatow, and John Hughes, for that matter &ndash; typically falter. For the male leads, there are plenty of bulls-eye masculine observations, while leaving the women with very little room to move outside their scripted confines. It's not that Banks does not try, she radiates much the same way Rosario Dawson did in &ldquo;Clerks II.&rdquo; But Smith's more comfortable giving his gals equally foul-mouthed dialogue that makes them &ldquo;just one of the guys,&rdquo; and then turning them into jealous emotional Jello when more complex matters arise. The entire plot itself is based nowhere close to reality, even given the current Warhol-intuited &ldquo;15 minutes of fame&rdquo; culture in which we live, and Miri just seems way too together to fall for such a slovenly mess such as Zack, much less agree to let herself be filmed having sex with him to be mass marketed. And honestly, with porn so easily accessible online, do they really think their little homegrown DVD is going to be their financial salvation? But those minor grievances aside, &ldquo;Zack and Miri&rdquo; has just enough cheer to overcome its more flaccid moments. And if he can enlist a female writer for his next feature that could solidify his lady characters of his next film, Smith may be able to not only satisfy his audience throughout, but also provide them with, appropriately, a happy ending. http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_Recast_GARDEN_STATE_2004/563/36583/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 10/22/2008 2:36:05 PM
Body: I think I'm up for this one. 'Garden State' always made me think of the 80's Brat Pack films, especially St. Elmo's Fire. Therefore, in honor of that great time in history, I submit to you: Brat Pack Garden State, written and directed by John Hughes -Andrew Largeman: John Cusack (think 'Say Anything' but a few years older) -Gideon Largeman: Peter Falk -Aunt Sylvia Largeman: Miriam Flynn -Sam: Juliette Lewis (she had that mysterious/intriguing aura about her)* *I need to ammend this. Juliette Lewis, although clearly good for the role, would have been about 10 at this time. I originally was going to use Ally Sheedy, and I think I'm going to have to go back to her. I think she'd be just as good, honestly. -Olivia: Beverly d'Angelo -Titembay: Gedde Watanabe (he would probably be called 'Wang Chung' or something stereotypical, instead of 'Titembay' in keeping with his being Asian) -Mark: Judd Nelson, of course. -Dave: Andrew McCarthy -Doorman/Diego: John Candy (a departure from the original vision, but I think he would have been hilarious) Bonus Alternate: Slick Rick (80's rapper w/ double bonus eyepatch) -Carol: Amy Madigan -Tim: Anthony Michael Hall, naturally. Bonus Cameos: -Kelly: Molly Ringwald (its obvious) -Receptionist: Edie McClurg (only role she ever plays it seems) [quote user="SkyPilot"] Let's recast Garden State (2004) in honor of Kevin Smith. I know what you're thinking: why would we recast a Zach Braff movie in honor of Kevin Smith? Let me explain...Smith became famous for his "New Jersey series," which includes the cult classics Clerks (1994), Mallrats (1995), and Chasing Amy (1997). As you may know, New Jersey is known as "the Garden State." So yeah, the connection's a stretch. If you want to recast a Kevin Smith movie, have at it. Spout will give away two prizes, one for the best Garden State recast and one for the best Kevin Smith movie recast. Are you guys excited for Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno (10/31)? To be honest, I've never liked Kevin Smith. I really like Seth Rogen though, so I might end up seeing it. GARDEN STATE Zach Braff ... Andrew Largeman Natalie Portman ... Sam Peter Sarsgaard ... Mark (the gravedigger) Armando Riesco ... (the flaming arrow archer Ian Holm ... Gideon Largeman Jean Smart ... Carol Method Man ... Diego Ann Dowd ... Olivia Ato Essandoh ... Titembay Jackie Hoffman ... Aunt Sylvia Largema Jim Parsons ... Tim Denis O'Hare ... Albert [/quote]
]]>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:36:05 GMTseelyFilmgaming10/22/2008 2:36:05 PMI think I'm up for this one. 'Garden State' always made me think of the 80's Brat Pack films, especially St. Elmo's Fire. Therefore, in honor of that great time in history, I submit to you: Brat Pack Garden State, written and directed by John Hughes -Andrew Largeman: John Cusack (think 'Say Anything' but a few years older) -Gideon Largeman: Peter Falk -Aunt Sylvia Largeman: Miriam Flynn -Sam: Juliette Lewis (she had that mysterious/intriguing aura about her)* *I need to ammend this. Juliette Lewis, although clearly good for the role, would have been about 10 at this time. I originally was going to use Ally Sheedy, and I think I'm going to have to go back to her. I think she'd be just as good, honestly. -Olivia: Beverly d'Angelo -Titembay: Gedde Watanabe (he would probably be called 'Wang Chung' or something stereotypical, instead of 'Titembay' in keeping with his being Asian) -Mark: Judd Nelson, of course. -Dave: Andrew McCarthy -Doorman/Diego: John Candy (a departure from the original vision, but I think he would have been hilarious) Bonus Alternate: Slick Rick (80's rapper w/ double bonus eyepatch) -Carol: Amy Madigan -Tim: Anthony Michael Hall, naturally. Bonus Cameos: -Kelly: Molly Ringwald (its obvious) -Receptionist: Edie McClurg (only role she ever plays it seems) [quote user="SkyPilot"] Let's recast Garden State (2004) in honor of Kevin Smith. I know what you're thinking: why would we recast a Zach Braff movie in honor of Kevin Smith? Let me explain...Smith became famous for his "New Jersey series," which includes the cult classics Clerks (1994), Mallrats (1995), and Chasing Amy (1997). As you may know, New Jersey is known as "the Garden State." So yeah, the connection's a stretch. If you want to recast a Kevin Smith movie, have at it. Spout will give away two prizes, one for the best Garden State recast and one for the best Kevin Smith movie recast. Are you guys excited for Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno (10/31)? To be honest, I've never liked Kevin Smith. I really like Seth Rogen though, so I might end up seeing it. GARDEN STATE Zach Braff ... Andrew Largeman Natalie Portman ... Sam Peter Sarsgaard ... Mark (the gravedigger) Armando Riesco ... (the flaming arrow archer Ian Holm ... Gideon Largeman Jean Smart ... Carol Method Man ... Diego Ann Dowd ... Olivia Ato Essandoh ... Titembay Jackie Hoffman ... Aunt Sylvia Largema Jim Parsons ... Tim Denis O'Hare ... Albert [/quote] http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Recast_GARDEN_STATE_2004/563/36461/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 10/17/2008 3:52:51 PM
Body: Let's recast Garden State (2004) in honor of Kevin Smith. I know what you're thinking: why would we recast a Zach Braff movie in honor of Kevin Smith? Let me explain...Smith became famous for his "New Jersey series," which includes the cult classics Clerks (1994), Mallrats (1995), and Chasing Amy (1997). As you may know, New Jersey is known as "the Garden State." So yeah, the connection's a stretch. If you want to recast a Kevin Smith movie, have at it. Spout will give away two prizes, one for the best Garden State recast and one for the best Kevin Smith movie recast. Are you guys excited for Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno (10/31)? To be honest, I've never liked Kevin Smith. I really like Seth Rogen though, so I might end up seeing it. GARDEN STATE Zach Braff ... Andrew Largeman Natalie Portman ... Sam Peter Sarsgaard ... Mark (the gravedigger) Armando Riesco ... Jesse (the flaming arrow archer) Ian Holm ... Gideon Largeman Jean Smart ... Carol Method Man ... Diego Ann Dowd ... Olivia Ato Essandoh ... Titembay Jackie Hoffman ... Aunt Sylvia Largema Jim Parsons ... Tim Denis O'Hare ... Albert
]]>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:52:51 GMTSkyPilotFilmgaming10/17/2008 3:52:51 PMLet's recast Garden State (2004) in honor of Kevin Smith. I know what you're thinking: why would we recast a Zach Braff movie in honor of Kevin Smith? Let me explain...Smith became famous for his "New Jersey series," which includes the cult classics Clerks (1994), Mallrats (1995), and Chasing Amy (1997). As you may know, New Jersey is known as "the Garden State." So yeah, the connection's a stretch. If you want to recast a Kevin Smith movie, have at it. Spout will give away two prizes, one for the best Garden State recast and one for the best Kevin Smith movie recast. Are you guys excited for Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno (10/31)? To be honest, I've never liked Kevin Smith. I really like Seth Rogen though, so I might end up seeing it. GARDEN STATE Zach Braff ... Andrew Largeman Natalie Portman ... Sam Peter Sarsgaard ... Mark (the gravedigger) Armando Riesco ... Jesse (the flaming arrow archer) Ian Holm ... Gideon Largeman Jean Smart ... Carol Method Man ... Diego Ann Dowd ... Olivia Ato Essandoh ... Titembay Jackie Hoffman ... Aunt Sylvia Largema Jim Parsons ... Tim Denis O'Hare ... Albert http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_films_from_your_childhood/190/36348/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: filmgal81
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 10/15/2008 9:36:18 AM
Body: There are so many to choose from! So many that shaped who I am and that I enjoyed ( some of them I still do). So, in no particular order, here are my Top5: 1) Annie starring Albert Finney, and the ever brillant Carol Burnett. It never ceases to amaze me just how optimistic I used to be. 2) The Christmas Toy - this a Jim Henson film and was one of my favorite Christmas movies when I was a kid (along with Mickey's Christmas Carol). It is the story of a magic playroom that comes to life when no one's around. One of the toys, Rugby Tiger, tried to figure out how to put himself inside that year's Christmas toy box so the little girl that owned him won't have a new favorite toy for Christmas. He wanted to continue to be special in her eyes, which leads to some comedic and poignant results ending with the whole toy room learning about the spirit of Christmas. 3) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- the Johnny Depp/ Tim Burton version was complete crap, I'm sorry to say, in comparison with this version. Gene Wilder was prefect for this role, lending just the right amount of dark humor to the very mysterious and benevolent candyman. My favorite scene was when he would warn Charlie, who now owns his chocolate factory, to remember what happened to the boy who suddenly got everything he asked for. Charlie, looking worried, asked what happened. Wonka smiles and says " He lived ahppily ever after." Priceless. 4) The Parent Trap- I was a bit of a Haley Mills freak. I was a big fan of Pollyanna too. 5) Beaches- Barbara Hershey, Bette Midler. For the life of me, I couldn't tell you why I loved it so much. [quote user="josephkuzma"] Obviously this one will span many an era depending on how old you are. I'm not going to ask for a certain type of film either. [/quote]
]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:36:18 GMTfilmgal81Top 510/15/2008 9:36:18 AMThere are so many to choose from! So many that shaped who I am and that I enjoyed ( some of them I still do). So, in no particular order, here are my Top5: 1) Annie starring Albert Finney, and the ever brillant Carol Burnett. It never ceases to amaze me just how optimistic I used to be. 2) The Christmas Toy - this a Jim Henson film and was one of my favorite Christmas movies when I was a kid (along with Mickey's Christmas Carol). It is the story of a magic playroom that comes to life when no one's around. One of the toys, Rugby Tiger, tried to figure out how to put himself inside that year's Christmas toy box so the little girl that owned him won't have a new favorite toy for Christmas. He wanted to continue to be special in her eyes, which leads to some comedic and poignant results ending with the whole toy room learning about the spirit of Christmas. 3) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- the Johnny Depp/ Tim Burton version was complete crap, I'm sorry to say, in comparison with this version. Gene Wilder was prefect for this role, lending just the right amount of dark humor to the very mysterious and benevolent candyman. My favorite scene was when he would warn Charlie, who now owns his chocolate factory, to remember what happened to the boy who suddenly got everything he asked for. Charlie, looking worried, asked what happened. Wonka smiles and says " He lived ahppily ever after." Priceless. 4) The Parent Trap- I was a bit of a Haley Mills freak. I was a big fan of Pollyanna too. 5) Beaches- Barbara Hershey, Bette Midler. For the life of me, I couldn't tell you why I loved it so much. [quote user="josephkuzma"] Obviously this one will span many an era depending on how old you are. I'm not going to ask for a certain type of film either. [/quote] http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_October_13_Just_One_Day/625/36297/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 10/14/2008 2:55:59 PM
Body: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - one of the best action/thriller/comedy movies ever made. A lot of it takes place in almost real time. 12 Angry Men - another one that's almost in real time, so certainly within a day. Magnolia - the EPIC of one day films. Clerks. - he was supposed to have that day off High Noon - also almost real time Kids - I think this was just one day. It feels like it. Rope - real time My Dinner with Andre - real time Most movies based on classical theater will take place within 24 hours since this was one of the ancient restriction of good theatre. Time, space, and subject were all supposed to be remain the same. More Linklater films - Before Sunrise / Before Sunset / Slacker These come up under one night I think Night of the Living Dead Goonies Die Hard Escape from New York Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
]]>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:55:59 GMTRisseladaWeekly Theme10/14/2008 2:55:59 PMThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three - one of the best action/thriller/comedy movies ever made. A lot of it takes place in almost real time. 12 Angry Men - another one that's almost in real time, so certainly within a day. Magnolia - the EPIC of one day films. Clerks. - he was supposed to have that day off High Noon - also almost real time Kids - I think this was just one day. It feels like it. Rope - real time My Dinner with Andre - real time Most movies based on classical theater will take place within 24 hours since this was one of the ancient restriction of good theatre. Time, space, and subject were all supposed to be remain the same. More Linklater films - Before Sunrise / Before Sunset / Slacker These come up under one night I think Night of the Living Dead Goonies Die Hard Escape from New York Harold &amp; Kumar Go to White Castle http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspxfunny
Number of films tagged: 607

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]]>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:46:10 GMT607316940Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/comedy/MemberTagFilms.aspxcomedy
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]]>Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:22:28 GMT492859Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Sundance/MemberTagFilms.aspxSundance
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