Stardust, pleasant dreams

Wow, I just saw a great film that just wasn't pushed by its studio. Granted, Paramount had a ton of marketing push behind Transformers all summer, but they could have, and should have, put some real marketing dollars behind Stardust. A little research shows this was the little fantasy movie that could. Its been out since August 10 and been in the top 10 each week since release (numbers aren't in this week yet).

It's a fairy tale, pure and simple, but a wonderful one that entranced me, my wife, and my children. If you are a fan of The Princess Bride, you'll love this film. It has the same irreverence while still being true to everything that makes people smile at the thought of their favorite fairy tale.

Where do I start? This movie had production value out the wazoo. I mean, the costumes alone were not only unique for each character, but the fabrics were custom made for at least seven of them. Elaborate sets, visual effects, costumes...

...And the cast! Ian McKellen, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Ricky Gervis...

Dare I mention the story was originally written by Neil Gaiman? How about this, the first line from the book: "There was once a young man who wished to gain his Heart's Desire." or this, the first line from the movie: "A philosopher once asked, "Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?" Pointless, really...”Do the stars gaze back?" Now *that's* a question."

Both really summarize the movie.

See this movie on the big screen, while you still have a chance... and then buy the DVD.

Wow, I just pimped someone else's movie. I don't do that often and, frankly, its the only film from this summer of block busters that I've done this for. Even Transformers...

Who wants to act when you can direct?

Kevin, sir, looks like your boy, Ben Affleck is jumping into the directing arena with both feet. In fact in the August 24th issue of Entertainment Weekly he gave a brief interview (OK, not so recent, I'm behind in my reading) saying that if his current movie is accepted well he'll stick with Directing and just be in the kinds of movies he wants to do which mostly aren't "giant studio movies".

Sounds like a man right after your own heart, Mr. Smith.

So, here's the deal. Remember when I said I had a screenplay your wife, Jennifer Schwalbach, not only could produce but is the type of movie that she said, in one of your recent Smodcasts, she always wanted to see and would remind her of Alias and the reason she fell in love with that series. You know, the one with this synopsis:

A strong, take no prisoners, female action movie with humor and heart. A story about a widowed soccer mom who, struggling to make ends meet, turns to the only line of work she has ever been any good at: contract killing. Then top it all off with the fact that her deceased ex-husband turns out to be not-quite-so, kidnaps their daughter, and forces mom to fight for the daughter's life.

Well, you can have the man you said you'd always work with, Ben, direct. And then the Bob or Harvey Weinstein can back the film. And all this can be done while you're working on Red State or Zack and Miri (whichever ends up first).

Come on Ben, Kevin, Jen, give a poor fat writer a break and drop him a line.

Big Feet, Little Shoes in the can

Well, its video, so there's no can, just computer, but you get the idea. This short was a blast to do and, if it represents well, we're looking at turning this into a regular web-series.

As I mentioned before, its a slacker version of the X-Files. In this case, Craig Lutz and Bill Balls embark on a career as Paranormal Investigators when they lose their day jobs (see picture at left).

First task? "I give you Sasquatch!" exclaims Bill. But, of course, things don't work out quite as planned... or do they?

Maybe I'll send in to the ViewAskew Film Festival: Movies Askew... wait, you haven't annouced one for 2007, just 2006's competition. Oh well, you'll just have to catch it at a film festival near you... until we release it on the web that is.

Four Days to Shooting and...

Kevin, sir, I'm four days to principal photography on a contest short and I'm still missing a location and actress.

It's my bad, I'm hurrying this production along because I'm working on another film at the end of this month and the deadline is mid October. Won't have time otherwise.

This is a little like your Reaper, at least in as much as its about Slackers: the Slacker version of the X-files.

If it plays well we plan on serializing this one short into a web-series. Future episodes might have them tracking down a Chupacabra, busting ghosts, or uncovering a time machine (like you seem to have in your last blog post, getting to visit Sunday twice).

Well, back to the grind...

Wisdom teeth and unwise decisions

Kevin, sir, I had my wisdom teeth yanked out of my skull this week. OK, I only have 1/2 my wisdom teeth yanked out of my skull. The pain is gone. In fact, there was more pain before they were yanked than since. Just laid me up for a day or so and I haven't eaten solid food in two days. Going to do burritos today though come hell or high water. Just might take me a while to do it.

Speaking of unwise decisions (I wasn't? Well, I am now), what's with business distancing themselves from celebrities. Everyone by now has heard of Owen Wilson's suicide attempt this past week. I won't get into it. What I have to say is about the love and support he's been given... not.

Owen Wilson's name was being used by Vespa USA as an endorsement for their scooters. As for today (Aug 31, 2007) they have removed his name. Is this just bad timing? Did Owen just asked to be taken off the endorsement list and they just happen to get around to it this week? Yeah, sure, that's it.

Before:

After:

Kick a guy while he's down, why don'cha? I'd think it would be a better PR move to say they hoped he got better soon or were behind him during this troubling time in his life or, frankly, just ignore it, than to openly remove him from product marketing.

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Kevin you're doing Battlestar Galactica?

I just read the interview over at AOL and can't believe this: Kevin Smith is doing Battlestar Galactica. You're getting lined up with another great sci-fi television show. First you started Reaper, then Heroes, and now BSG.

BSG is simply amazing television. I can't wait for the season to restart. I've got some friends working on the visual effects for BSG (don't ask, I can't tell you anything about the upcoming season). It will be interesting to see what you bring to the show even if it is only one episode.

Well, without further ado here's part of the interview:

Will we see you doing more TV?

I know that I'm going to go up and direct an episode of 'Battlestar Galactica,' which I'm kind of stoked about. It's cool, but it is scary because it is like, "What the f---? I can't bring anything to that show." That show is genius and they have a very distinctive visual style.

But you are safe as a kitten. If you go in there and say, "I'm going to shoot everything in one big master shot," they'll go, "No you're not, because that is not what we do on 'Battlestar Galactica.'" I guess it is more about performance-oriented stuff, but at the same time that cast is top notch. How do you f----- direct Mary McDonnell?

I'm bummed that she didn't get an Emmy nod.

That whole cast is so spectacular and the fact that they haven't been singled
out is just bizarre. At the same time they finally got some writing nods, which
was good.

This is the final season of 'Battlestar,' so it is extra cool that you
get to direct one.

It's cool as someone who is a big fan and a supporter of the show to get up there and do one before they are all done. When I was up there shooting 'Reaper,' we shot on the same lot as ['Galactica'] and even though they weren't in production, our production designer was a production designer on 'Battlestar Galactica' so the dude was able to get me on the sets and show me everything. I walked around the Galactica [ship] and whatnot. But now to go back in a different capacity is more nerve-wracking. it is more fun to just walk around and be like, "Holy shit, that's the colonial viper." Then it is to be like," Alright, how are we going to shoot this colonial viper scene?"

Did they tell you anything about your episode?

Not yet. That was the first thing I asked, "Hey man, can I get a script?" and they are like, "It's not ready yet." I'm just hoping to be able to see some stuff in advance. If they'll show me every episode up until that point that would be incredibly helpful for my episode, but more incredibly helpful for me as a fan.

No mushy-gushy stuff.

Kevin Smith, sir, I had an interesting conversation with my daughter last night. She's eight, just like Harley. In fact they were born less than two months apart.

Anyway, the conversation went like this:

"Daddy, when Hollywood discovers you only make movies I can watch. Nothing scary and no mushy-gushy stuff. If you need ideas you can come to me."

I like the fact she used the word when, not if. That means it's going to happen, sir. My little girl is watching out for me.

Of course I have always taken this type of advice. While I don't write children's stories, per se, I try to keep it family oriented without being juvenile. Stuff the adults will enjoy but not quickly throw their hands over their children's ears or eyes, PG or PG-13 stuff. Maybe even a G rating or two (although that seems to be the death of a film these days unless its animated).

Well, my baby girl is watching out for her Daddy just like I'm sure yours looks out for you.