I haven't decided if I'm very jazzed about this or not:
More details on the "Clerks" sequel were released on the weekend when Kevin Smith told the Associated Press that he's begun work on the film which will be entitled "The Passion of the Clerks".
The original $27,000 movie chronicled the adventures of Dante and Randal, two guys who talk about life, death, sex and movies while working at neighboring stores. The sequel will pick up events ten years on and shooting is scheduled to begin in January with Miramax distributing the film.
"It's about what happens when that lazy, 20-something malaise lasts into your 30s. Those dudes are kind of still mired, not in that same exact situation, but in a place where it's time to actually grow up and do something more than just sit around and dissect pop culture and talk about sex. It's: What happened to these dudes?" says Smith.
No offense, Kev, but the dissecting pop culture part was what appealed to me in the first place (it sure as hell wasn't the acting). Any time Smith gets serious - witness Chasing Amy or Dogma - the results are less than satisfying.
In short, it sounds like we won't be enjoying the same brand of humor that made Clerks: The Animated Series such a ratings success.
The "Clerks" sequel has moved to the top of his to-do list, making it quite likely he'll no longer direct "The Green Hornet" adaptation. Both the original "Clerks" main stars Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson are signed on, and Jason Mewes, will return as stoner Jay, the "hetero life-mate" of Smith's stoic Silent Bob.
I liked Clerks, probably more than any of his subsequent movies (the first half of Chasing Amy comes close). One was able to forgive the stiff performances and poor direction because - come on - the guy made it for $27,000. His later films have generally left me cold, however. Jersey Girl must have done more harm to Smith's cred than previously reported, if he's reversing his "No more Jay and Silent Bob" pledge so quickly.
As long as Alanis Morrissette isn't in it, we won't have any problems.
You thought Dogma was serious, Pete? I disagree to the Nth degree. I thought it was hilarious.
Now, if you want to talk about Smith's "serious" films, lets talk about 'Vulgar.' That was a twisted, unfunny, I-think-I'll-turn-this-off-before-it's-over kind of film.
According to various net.sources (so they must be true), Kevin Smith held off on doing any more "View Askew-Universe" movies until Jason "Jay" Mewes got off drugs.
Haven't seen Jersey Girl, but it's somewhere in the high 200s on my netflix queue.
Ah, the Kevin Smith oeuvre...
I think Dogma is extremely funny, mainly because Smith knows enough about religion to make fun of it intelligently. Dogma was a bit, mmm, wordy, but I still think it's something special...in spite of Alanis.
And Clerks? One word: berserker!
Dogma had a few great moments (the bit between Metatron and Bethany at the lake was darn powerful), but Kevin needed to take another whack at the screenplay. IMHO, he had too many things to say about religion, and needed to streamline things. We didn't need Chris Rock and Salma Hayek both providing exposition, usually killing the flow. While Salma's dance number was, ahem, bouncy, Smith should have cut her character and let Rufus do all the exposition.
I'll have to side with Rick on a few points. Smith obviously had something he really wanted to say in Dogma, he just needed a better editor. The film grinds to a halt every time one of his characters expound on Smith's religious beliefs. There also wasn't any reason for Salma Hayek's character - though she's infinitely preferable to Chris Rock - except to provide a suitable background for the high-larious "shit demon" scene.
What really ruined the film for me was Linda Fiorentino. I don't know if she was pissed that no one wanted to make Jade 2, or if she felt the material was beneath her, of if she's just a shit actress, but her pissy, phoned-in performance torpedoes the whole effort. Who knew the Last Scion would be such a bitch?
"....what happens when that lazy, 20-something malaise lasts into your 30s"
One thing that happens is, watching a movie about it would make you want to hurl yourself from a tall bridge.
But then, I'm the one denying reality and suppressin' rage...
I liked Jersey Girl. I will put up with mockery about this.