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Kevin Smith has announced that his next film will be "Red State"
Kevin Smith's been talking about making his religious fundamentalist-horror film "Red State" for years, and for years he's not been able to scrape the money together to get it made. Earlier this year, he caused a bit of a ruckus by suggesting that he'd take donations through the internet in order to get the film made if it became necessary. Well, it sounds like Smith's going to be able to avoid having to go that route with the film: "Red State" just got the greenlight. What's more is, the film will go before cameras prior to his hockey-comedy "Hit Somebody". No one saw this one coming. Read on for the details, my gentle Examiner readers...
Kevin Smith's "Red State"-- a horror film inspired by those idiots at the Westboro Baptist Church and a film that many people thought would never get made-- has just been given the greenlight. How did this-- the best piece of Kevin Smith news in some time-- happen?
Back on February 17th, the director Tweeted that “the only money it’ll require from [fans] will be at the box office,” a reference to January's situation wherein the director claimed he might fund the movie with fan donations through the internet. That "self-producing studio" idea may still come to pass, but it won't be how "Red State" gets made, apparently. Then, earlier today, Smith Tweeted:
I talk about lots of stuff I wanna do that either happens years later or never happens at all. Happy to report RED STATE is not the latter...First draft was dated 9/5/07. Looks like we start shooting this July. Took nearly three years, but we’re finally gonna roll on RED.”
The director-- who most recently made news by getting booted off a Southwest Airlines flight for being too fat and having a total non-starter at the box office in "Cop Out" -- went on to explain that he's writing his hockey-comedy "Hit Somebody" now and will shoot it right after filming "Red State". If we were gonna get a new Kevin Smith film, I'm glad it was this one.
For those that remain unaware of this "Red State" project, here's how Smith described the film awhile back. See if you can figure out why it took so long to get funding for the film based on the description of the film Smith gives us:
The movie’s called ‘Red State’ and it’s very much about that subject matter, that point of view and that position taken to the absolute extreme. It’s certainly not Phelps himself but it’s very much inspired by a Phelps figure,” revealed Smith. “And to me, too, the notion of using a Phelps-like character as a villain, as horrifying and scary as that guy can be, there’s even something more insidious than him that lurks out there in as much as a public or a government that allows it and that’s the other thing that I’m trying to examine in a big, big way. It’s weird because for a few months I’ve been saying ‘horror movie’ and technically it is, but it’s also not a very traditional horror movie in the sense that people have been asking me, ‘Is it a slasher movie? Is it like the Japanese horror flicks?’ It’d be much easier to just show it to them when I’m done and be like, ‘This is what I meant.’ At which point I’m sure there’ll be people saying, ‘This ain’t a horror movie!’ But to me, it is.
..."definitely a 180 from everything else we've done including 'Zack and Miri' but at the same time, it's not like a splatter film, it's not like slasher balls-to-the-wall gore, it's more unsettling and disturbing type of horror."
..."definitely a 180 from everything else we've done including 'Zack and Miri' but at the same time, it's not like a splatter film, it's not like slasher balls-to-the-wall gore, it's more unsettling and disturbing type of horror."
INTERVIEWED: THE GUYS THAT CREATED THE "BUY RUSH LIMBAUGH A TICKET TO COSTA RICA" WEBSITE-- in which we chat with Patrick and Mike, the two dudes that created ATicketForRush.com, the website that's trying to gather up enough money to buy Rush Limbaugh a plane ticket out of the U.S.
FUNNY VIDEO: HITLER REACTS TO OBAMA'S HEALTH-CARE REFORM PLAN (WITH VIDEO)-- in which the popular internet meme "Hitler reacts to..." takes on the recently-passed Health Care Reform bill. It was funny the first time, and it's almost as funny the 40th time.
AND YOUR HOST FOR THE 2010 MTV MOVIE AWARDS IS...COMEDIAN AZIZ ANSARI (WITH VIDEO)-- in which we learn that "Parks and Rec" star and "Funny People" comedian "Raaaaaandy" will be hosting this year's MTV Movie Awards. Wow: it might actually be worth watching this year.
COMEDY EXAMINER COMMENTARY: MY THOUGHTS ON THAT WHOLE HEALTH-CARE REFORM THINGAMAJIG-- in which the Comedy Examiner opines about something he has no business opining about, and people cry about it in the comments section.
(photos: top-- topnews.in, phelps-- willohroots.files.wordpress.com, bottom--myspace.com)
Comments
this could be quite awesome. I could see a quasi-mashup of Deliverance, Jacob's Ladder, and Touristas being a good angle on this.... other's probably have their own imaginative spin on how Smith will handle such sensitive materials :) gotta love the guys style if nothing else.
Kevin Smith is Awesome, anything that he does is fantastic work as far as I am concerned!
I can't wait for him to make "Hit Somebody" Kevin Smith can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned.
I have loads of fan love for Hit Somebody. I'm not a hockey fan at all, but Smith's passion for the game shared through SModcast & Twitter, the details that have trickled in about Hit Somebody and the overpoweringly awesome Sean William Scott have put this one on my watch list.
I am online, I am a fan, and I'm pretty psyched for Hit Somebody.
Please don't assume there's no fan love for Hit Somebody. Some of us are really looking forward to it.
Great and I'd also like to see a self financing studio take hold will glad to donate and be a fund raiser...
No online love for Hit Somebody? I beg to differ, sir. I can't wait!
You are wrong sir, Hit Somebody has plenty of love
I think i`m anticipating Red State more than Hit Somebody, but I will pay to see both.
Looking forward to red state but hit somebody is probably my most anticipated film in a while
While I'm glad to see KS trying a different professional direction, count me in as also very much looking forward to Hit Somebody.
I am not even a die-hard hockey fan, but Hit Somebody will be great. You can tell that Kevin is really invested into making a good movie out of it. Besides his wife's brown-eye, I don't think he likes anything more than making this the movie people will remember him by. Plus I'm on board for Red State. I am really interested to see what he can do without humor.
I'm more excited for Hit Somebody.
I can't wait for red state OR hit somebody!! there is most definitely fan love out there.
Man, I can't wait for Hit Somebody. I love sports movies... So a sports movie by Kevin Smith is double good!
I wasn't aware that CopOut was a non starter. It covered its cost and then some. Now I have to admit I've liked pretty much all the Kevin Smith movies I've seen but I must also add that Hit Somebody is more up my alley than anything else he's done. I for one am certainly looking forward to it.
I've been waiting for 'Hit Somebody,' and I not any super-fan. I didn't even see Cop Out.
I can't wait for Hit Somebody!
Red State sounds like something outside of the mass production studio norm. Hit Somebody sounds like a 1970's movie some 30-40 years too late. Shame Paul Newman isn't aroudn anymore. Still; Smith can pull it off as long as there aren't too many injokes about hockey that 9/10 won't have a point of reference.
I want KS do really do a film adaptation of Moneky Island the 1980's video game. I think he's one of few that could pull it off.
Just leaving some fan love online.
Hit Somebody will be epic. You, sir, are just plain stupid.
I can't wait for Hit Somebody
i am totally looking forward to hit somebody. it will be refreshing to see a hockey movie done right
Absolutely psyched for Hit Somebody. Who wouldn't love a hockey movie?
What a visionary the author is. In any case, Hit Somebody is going to be awesome and I can't wait for it.
Personally, really looking forward to Hit Somebody, but more than happy to catch Red State first. I will go see anything Kevin Smith directs or writes. As far as Cop Out, enjoyed it a ton, for exactly what it was - lightweight, 80's-style buddy cop film with 2 stars I like, good for some great laughs and a chance to see Smith grow a bit in terms of visuals and editing. And I *love* the Faltermeyer score, as much for the music itself as for the sweet choice and style for this flick.
I got love for HIT SOMEBODY! Lots of movie-goers do. Please get your facts straight, and stop imparting misinformation.
This fan can't wait for Hit Somebody. Everybody loves inspirational sports flicks. Far too few of them involve hockey. And of course, with Kevin Smith, it's bound to have some laughs. Ignore the fact that Mitch Albom is involved and that's a winning combo!
I'm really looking forward to both movies, but I would have preferred to see Hit Somebody come out first. Kevin Smith movies may not be Citizen Kane, but they are always entertaining.
Can't wait for Red State AND Hit Somebody. Lots of love here!
No love for "Hit Sombody"? I can't wait for it!
You should check the pulse of the internet before running off at the mouth. You obviously didn't understand the love Kevin's fans have for him. The script for Hit Somebody hasn't even exist yet and it has more fan love on the internet than you do.
Both projects sound pretty great
You could not be more wrong sir. We hockey fans are dying for a good hockey film in the vein of Slapshot. Maybe you should feel the pulse before you start telling everyone about the beat.
I can't wait for Hit Somebody! I have faith that Smith's love for hockey and his respect for it will bring something magical to the screen.
Also looking forward to Hit Somebody. Get off the Smith-bashawagon. Don't read so many other writers to form your opinions. That's old media. It isn't a boys club anymore.
I'm up for seeing anything Kevin Smith does. I may not like it all - Zac & Miri is the only View Askew film I don't own, nor do I plan to buy it - but I did like Cop Out. Dogma is one of my 3 favorite films, alongside Jaws and Braveheart, and I consider Jersey Girl to be profoundly moving.
I'm also not a horror film fan and haven't been since I was a teenager. The stupid crap that most think of as scary strikes me as either stupid, laughable, or just plain gross. But, I'll give Red State a look because I'm a Kevin Smith fan. As for Hit Somebody, I don't care one little bit about hockey. But, I do care about the human condition and this desire we have to try and chase down our dreams, and from what I gather, that's where he's going with it.
Lastly, I'm in favor of an honest fat guy making a decent living. It gives me hope.
Definitely looking forward to Hit Somebody. I don't have any interest in Red State, but I can't see why it matters to this guy whether or when it's made.
Wow, even in the face of being proven wrong about your take on Hit Somebody, you rationalize it by accusing a multiple poster????? You think the Red State idea is obvious in the reason it hasn't gotten funding yet??? Do you know how all that works, or are you being willfully obdurate???
I like about half of Smith's movies and I take offense to the 'only fans will be interested" approach. Take some time and report without you're misguided and unneeded opinions, or at least give the other view without your obvious disdain.
You really are an idiot.
Sports movies, done well, deliver in the box office- even hockey. Miracle ($65 mil, 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), Slapshot (83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) were both well received, and Smith can deliver on a subject that he knows plenty about (see SModcasts). Rock it out Kevin. I'll be your goon as long as your gentle when you slide it through my five-hole
Just so you know (in case you don't), Kevin Tweeted about this article, encouraging his minions to let you know just how excited they are.
(And lest the flock circle round on me, I am a fan of Mr. Smith--maybe not all his work, but the man himself.)
"(Edit: Apparently, there are quite a few people-- or at least one person who's into posting under different names all within the space of several minutes-- who are excited for "Hit Somebody"; never underestimate the power of a Smith fan)"; kind of a backhanded retraction, don't you think? Have you checked over the IP addresses of your commenters? Or are you just mad about something?
I'm not going to tell you how to do your job, but you've got to be kidding about the no excitement for hit somebody - I've heard nothing BUT excitement for hit somebody.
Hit Somebody could be huge. Slap Shot on Kevin Smith Crack. In other words you can bet your sweet ass people are ready to see this flick!
Suck it, "journalist", sir. I, for one, will see anything Kevin does, even if it's him taking a dump. In my book, there's God, then there's Kevin. So, yes I am super-excited for HIT SOMEBODY.
Wait 'til it drops, sir; you'll see, it'll earn over 100 mil and be a serious game changer. I'll just put this on front street right now and not bury (or is that burry?) the lead and say that this movie will probably outgross AVATAR. It'll at least be the AVATAR of sports movies. Wait, or was that ISHTAR? Screw it, who needs facts or school.
Oh, and yeah, in case you're wondering, sir, I will NEVER fly Southwest. Do you hear me, Southwest? And processed foods and weed are my two best friends.
HIT will rock hard, sir, and Twitter is NOT a marketing platform; even if it is, Kevin would never use it as such.
Consider your rag KA-BLOCKED from my reading from now on.
Here's another vote for looking forward to the release of "Hit Somebody".
What I really wonder, is who died and made you: a) a critic, and b) a writer? If this was in print, your drivel wouldn't be worthy of lining a bird cage.
Yes, I'm a big Smith fan. I'll look forward to anything he creates, and I respect his work very much. Some I've enjoyed more than others, but the one thing damn near every so called "critic" fails to get is one pure, simple fact. Kevin Smith ENTERTAINS people, and does so very, very well.
That's it. He's a normal guy who just happens to have a really extraordinary job, and one in which he succeeds. He may not top the box office and draw the next record breaking crowd, but I have never, ever encountered any of his work that failed to give me a break from reality and entertain me for a while.
I can't say that about any of his peers.
I guess this belongs in the "Comedy Examiner" because Kevin Smith is a very funny man, while you are half a reporter. I live in Australia, haven't seen a hockey movie since Mighty Ducks, and I can't wait for 'Hit Somebody'. Seriously, you spend the article either insulting Smith, or giving him backhanded compliments, I'm really pleased that you didn't write any articles about Smith when the SWA drama was happening, because, let's face it, there was more than enough half assed opinion masquerading as journalism floating around the net during that week or so.
your wrong. i for won, am reel hyped for Hit Sombody. you wouldnt no you're reserch from ur maid up facts. Know way does a critic no what's a good flic. and even if you do, than you hsould just let us fans make up are m;inds rather then bash a movie. you have now rite.
I love comments sections, cause now we can tell you how wrong you are. We support Kevin Smith 100% and we're the ones that matter, cause we actually pay to see his films.
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