comment #1

Paul says ...

Was Harry Knowles unavailable? Why bring another fat, hairy, narcissistic bastard into the mix?

comment #2

Anonymous says ...

Should be fun. Smith is much better at talking about films than writing and directing them. Then again, I fear he will be afraid to criticize his "peers." He used to -- remember him ragging on guys like PTA and M. Night before he, you know, made Jersey Girl? After that disaster, he stopped ragging on anyone with a camera. Smart move. But it will probably make for bad tv this weekend.

comment #3

jesse says ...

Typically, an episode of Ebert & Roeper airs on Saturday or Sunday, and they review movies that have been released that past Friday. However, more often in the past few years, they sometimes do "early reviews" that air a week or two before the movie is released (these are almost always movies that receive two thumbs up; I imagine that is part of the deal that allows them to do nationally televised reviews before the movie is out).

So I, too, am confused about what date Smith means -- and about the mix of movies coming out 7/28 and 8/4. Maybe he's actually taping two episodes, one for the weekend of 7/28 and another for the weekend of 8/4.

But it sounds like he hasn't done the taping yet, and he'd have to soon to cover those movies at the usual time. So maybe they're going to run some catch-up; the last few weeks E&R has been "new" but clip-heavy. They obviously taped a few segments before Ebert fell ill, and are sort of padding them out throughout July (last weekend, for example, they did a new review of "Clerks 2," but every other movie they covered had already been mentioned on a previous episode; it's not unusual for them to mention one of those "early reviews" again on weekend-of-opening, but a whole show of it is usually reserved for weekends where practically nothing is coming out). So I wouldn't be surprised if they run reviews of a few 7/28 movies on 8/4, just to cover them at all.

comment #4

BL says ...

Damn, Roger Ebert was supposedly on death's door a few weeks ago, are they going to film the interview in a hospital room?

comment #5

J says ...

It's been on hiatus since Ebert's health problems. There just playing catch up with Miami Vice.

comment #6

Mr Big says ...

After Siskel died in 1999, Martin Scorsese sat with Ebert on his show in early 2000 to sound off on their 10 favorite films of the 1990s. It ended up being much more intruiging than watching any professional critic. We actually got to see how an artist observes other art.

Although Quentin Tarantino would probably be the right call as a filmmaker fill-in host (he's got a better sense of cinema than 95% of professional critics, including Ebert himself) Smith should be a gas, gas, gas on the aisle. Let's pray to god he hates at least one of the selected films with all the articulate bile in his heart...

Smith: Which did you like better? Barnyard or Ant Bully?
Roeper: Barnyard.
Smith: Bullshit! Ant Bully had the better ending. All Barnyard had was a bunch of fucking muppets!

comment #7

Arran says ...

Personally I'd be rather interested in the chemistry between the two, given that Roeper utterly slated Jersey Girl (but then, who didn't), and Kevin has called him "fake Siskel" and, indeed, "Assface"...

comment #8

Anonymous says ...

Mr Big wrote:

"Although Quentin Tarantino would probably be the right call as a filmmaker fill-in host (he's got a better sense of cinema than 95% of professional critics, including Ebert himself)"

I like Tarantino too, but a "better sense of cinema?" Seriously? Maybe if they were only reviewing kung fu and blaxploitation pictures.

comment #9

Anonymous says ...

I look forward to the writer/director of "Jersey Girl" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" ripping on Michael Mann.

comment #10

Arran says ...

The above quotes are purely from memory by the way...can't recall when or where Kev said them. Hope I got them right...

comment #11

mike says ...

When Siskel died in 1999, they had a rotating seat for numerous critics until they found Roeper, and I remember AICN grand poo-bah Harry Knowles in the seat. I remember it being interesting, but not all that great.

I think Smith will do a great job. I think he always does, though, so that makes me a little biased.

And when he rips into other filmmakers, it's ussually because they made a self-indulgent waste of his time. (Which Magnolia is, but he said that shit about PT Anderson 7 years ago, it might be time to let it go).

Sure, Kevin's films are filled with his friends, but he at least will a) fully admit it; and b) he'll at least keep it just over 90 minutes.

And Clerks 2 is one of the better films I've seen all year. That last shot was quite good.

That being said, I really hope Ebert comes back soon. I trust him and Wells. No one else.

comment #12

Arran says ...

Am I allowed to be a fan of both Magnolia and Kevin? Just checking.

comment #13

craptastic says ...

It'll be on this Sunday...

comment #14

Paul says ...

"And when he rips into other filmmakers, it's ussually because they made a self-indulgent waste of his time."

So why does he get all sensitive when people talk shit about his self-indulgent wastes of OUR time?

comment #15

Kevin Smith says ...

Paul wrote: "Was Harry Knowles unavailable? Why bring another fat, hairy, narcissistic bastard into the mix?"

I believe that's my cue (though "narcissistic" is a new one to me)...

Yes, I was originally slated to review the flicks I'd listed, but due to a scheduling change, I'll be reviewing "World Trade Center", "Little Miss Sunshine", "Scoop", "Accepted", and "Step Up" instead.

Paul also wrote "So why does he get all sensitive when people talk shit about his self-indulgent wastes of OUR time?"

So much love at the HE forums. So much love...

comment #16

Mr Big says ...

Don't think for a second that a man who ONLY likes blaxploitation and kung fu movies could have made Pulp Fiction, the most important American film of the last 15 years.

comment #17

mike says ...

Kevin,

I've been lovin you since day one. In that hetero lifemate kind of way. I find it really funny that people aer still giving you shit because you didn't like Magnolia.
(It's just not that good a flick. I'm not even gonna apologize for it)

comment #18

Eric says ...

Good luck, Kevin. Who knows? Might be a whole new career for you. I can think of worse gigs.

comment #19

zevonfan says ...

Did you expect love here, Kevin? This place has about as much love as a shemale whorehouse. Just a bunch of guys flailing away because it sorta feels good and they can pretend for a few minutes it's something it's not---and at the end of the day all you have is worth a fistful of santorum.

Pulp Fiction the best American film of the last 15 years? I'm just not sure about that. If you said the last twenty years, it would clearly fall short of Picasso Trigger.

comment #20

Marc Edward Heuck says ...

I don't know if you're still reading this thread, Kevin, but I'm excited about seeing you in the balcony doing some reviews. When I interviewed you at the Nuart's 10th Anniversary screening of CLERKS, you demonstrated an enormous intelligence and a wider scope of film knowledge than many people expect you to have or give you credit for. Frankly, I'm sorry that we didn't get the thing taped because it would have been an eye-opener for so many people if they could watch it and listen to what you said. So getting you on camera with this varied slate of movies will be the next best thing.
Oh, now that you've done the ROAD HOUSE commentary, how about switching gears and maybe offering your services on Hal Hartley's TRUST? I suspect that Paramount would be more willing to finally put that out on DVD if they could boast a Kevin Smith commentary track, and it would be really interesting to hear you analyze one of your direct influences.

comment #21

mike says ...

Pulp Fiction is the most important American film in the last 15 years?

I think you may be forgetting about a little movie called John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars.

Some people...

comment #22

Arran says ...

Well said mike, but I believe YOU are forgetting a little film called Gummo. The boredom, the nausea it induces, the banality, the unrelenting, repellent pointlessness of the whole exercise...what's not to love? And Ghosts of Mars didn't have a guy pimping out his mentally handicapped sister, did it? I rest my case.

comment #23

Anonymous says ...

What happened to MIAMI VICE? Did Kevin say something mean about Michael Mann's calves and get banned from the screening?

comment #24

Gabriel says ...

Does Kevin Smith ever let someone talk about him without responding to them?

comment #25

Kevin Smith says ...

Gabriel wrote "Does Kevin Smith ever let someone talk about him without responding to them?"

Yes, as a matter of...

Shit.

comment #26

Kevin Smith says ...

NoName wrote "What happened to MIAMI VICE? Did Kevin say something mean about Michael Mann's calves and get banned from the screening?"

Yowza! I've been pwned!

"Vice" as well as "Talladega" and all the other flicks are being reviewed by a different guest critic, whose identity - seeing as it hasn't been announced yet - I can't divulge here.

comment #27

Kevin Smith says ...

Marc wrote "I don't know if you're still reading this thread, Kevin, but I'm excited about seeing you in the balcony doing some reviews. When I interviewed you at the Nuart's 10th Anniversary screening of CLERKS, you demonstrated an enormous intelligence and a wider scope of film knowledge than many people expect you to have or give you credit for."

Dude, shhhhhh! You're gonna ruin my street cred.

Very kind words, though. Many thanks.

Marc also wrote "Oh, now that you've done the ROAD HOUSE commentary, how about switching gears and maybe offering your services on Hal Hartley's TRUST?"

Fuck, would I love to do that. I just watched that flick again recently, and it still holds up.

comment #28

mike says ...

Sadly Aaren, i don;t recall a guy pimping out his mentally handicapped sister. But it could be on the deleted scenes. Along with more shots of Pam Grier;s head on a pike, held by Marilyn Manson.

Greatest movie of our times.

And I gotta ask Kevin (and prove my internet ignorance) what the hell is pwned?
and has anyone at a Q&A stood up in the middle and said "Never in my __ years of Q&As have I been so offended. this is the worst Q&A I have ever fucking seen in my life." ?
but from one Jersey guy to another, good luck on the Ebert show. I have a feeling you'll kick ass.

comment #29

Daniel Zelter says ...

Mr. Big:
>Although Quentin Tarantino would probably be the >right call as a filmmaker fill-in host (he's got a >better sense of cinema than 95% of professional >critics,

Yes, most critics can't all be high school drop-outs who spend their lives in video stores and porno theaters...

>Don't think for a second that a man who ONLY >likes blaxploitation and kung fu movies could >have made Pulp Fiction, the most important >American film of the last 15 years.

Call me crazy, but I don't see the importance in gangster junkies who dance and repeatedly use the phrase "mutherfucker" while discussing stupid tv shows...Plus it's a remake(Ooh, I mean "homage") of Band of Outsiders, which was a better film.

Marc: I'm actually surprised he hasn't done commentaries for the John Hughes films.

comment #30

Ross says ...

The last few episodes of Ebert & Roeper have been kind of sad with all the recaps, knowing that Ebert is suffering. I'm glad they're bringing Smith in. I think he should have some intersting things to say. At least I know there'll be some laughs in there.

By the way Kevin, I saw Clerks II last night, and I've got to say I really enjoyed it. (And I'm not just kissing ass to the famous poster.) It had a lot of laughs, but I enjoyed it for the heart even more. The message of "being happy with who you are" left me with a really wonderful feeling at the end. I walked out with a nice hop in my step that I haven't had in the theater all year long. And I think that's saying something from a film I didn't expect much more than a bunch of dick/pussy and Star Wars jokes.

comment #31

CDS says ...

Kev,
at first I thought you wrote "Yowza! I've been pozzed!"

but anyways...
what next for KSmith moviemaking wise...
guest spot on Entourage?
Mallrats 2?
A gay themed pirate musical...Bareback Mutiny, staring Will Farrell as Captain Goulet?

Congrats on Clerks 2, pretty funny...paid for it then snuck into Lady in the Water.
Later
CharlieDontSurf

comment #32

Mr Big says ...

So now I have to ask, Daniel Zelter... what film would you say critics would name "the most important American film of the past 15 years"? (if say they were all to be prompted with the question this week) Really. I'm curious.

Sounds like you're more of a "Shawshank" kinda guy. Which is just fine.

comment #33

Daniel Zelter says ...

I like Shawshank, but I'd probably say Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy, though most would argue Groundhog Day.

comment #34

Goulet says ...

I just bought ROAD HOUSE! The movie itself is hilarious enough, but the Smith/Mosier commentary is priceless.

Can't wait to see the ROEPER/SMITH show.

comment #35

Balls Kreuger says ...

Just think... Roger Ebert probably has a string of drool hanging from his chapped lips RIGHT NOW.

comment #36

Anonymous says ...

I'm finding myself in the odd position of decrying Pulp Fiction, a movie that I adore (and I like most of Tarantino's other work quite a bit too). Trying to name the "most important" film of the last 15 years is a arbitrary and pointless task (which wouldn't stop me from doing it). If by important, you mean influential, Pulp Fiction certainly takes the cake. In terms of tone, theme, and style though, I can think of plenty of recent movies that are far more substantial. The New World, In the Mood for Love, Yi Yi, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Eyes Wide Shut, Talk to Her, and The 25th Hour had a lot more to say, and I think that Out of Sight, Election, Mulholland Drive, The Royal Tennenbaums, Memento, and High Fidelity were more fun.

The fact that Pulp Fiction was very influential and entertaining doesn't imply that Quentin Tarantino has a better "sense of cinema than 95% of professional critics" though. A good critic has not only a breadth of knowledge about the history of cinema, but an eye for visual artistry, a desire to be challenged, a sense of literary style, and some insight into the human condition (ugh).

It would also help Tarantino's cause if he didn't pepper every sentence he spoke with "it's like," "you know," and "okay."

comment #37

NYCBusybody says ...

I have to vote for "Clerks" as the most important and influential film of the past 93 years.

Job, Kevin. I want a job.

comment #38

rk says ...

Hey Kev:

How about dressing up for this gig?

We know you're heavy. You dont need oversized jerseys to cover up your girth!

comment #39

Jean says ...

Don't y'all just love how some people can whine about K.S. ripping on how bad some films are, while they rip about how bad his films are.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

Considering that, for most people reading this, the closest they've gotten to being involved in the film industry is posting comments on J.W.'s website.

Kevin: don't let 'em bring you down. You go, girl.

comment #40

Paul says ...

I'm looking VERY forward to Kevin's tenure as a movie critic - whether I agree with him or like his movies doesn't matter - what matters is that he's fiercely intelligent, incredibly articulate and wonderfully entertaining, with absolutely no sense of self-importance. Those qualities alone make him a better critic than most.

Oh,is this just a one-time gig?

comment #41

moises says ...

To the Jersey Girl haters:

Did you actually watch the movie? I assume not.

Just curious...

comment #42

craptastic says ...

Harry Knowles was BANNED from Ebert's show after he got fooled into posting a fake list of the winners from the Oscars a day before. No one remembers that?

comment #43

Mike Schaefer says ...

I'm surprised no one's posted this already:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/50858

comment #44

Dave Poland says ...

Maybe if Kevin spent as much time and effort coming up with witty one liners and retorts as directing/writing his movies he would be better off career wise.

I think he'll be good on the show. Anything that keeps him away from a script, directors chair and that keeps Jay out of work I'm all for it.

comment #45

Eric says ...

"To the Jersey Girl haters:

Did you actually watch the movie? I assume not.

Just curious..."

Yes, I did. And I will never get those two hours back.

I kept thinking it was the kind of flick the guys in Clerks would have made fun of.

comment #46

craptastic says ...

Gotta love the onion! Anyone ever read his Superman script? Its TERRIBLE.

Plus, he's a two-faced bastard.

I saw him showing Clerks at the Boston Film Fest years ago and was BASHING Natural Born Killers. The guy then gets a meeting with Oliver Stone and is practially BLOWING both him AND NBK.

Tries to come off as an everyman but this guy is every bit as slimy as the Suit sitting next to him.

comment #47

Put on some pants, you're a grown man says ...

Come on, take it easy on Kev. He wrote that Superman script in a week. Brags about it in fact.

Why? I have no idea.

comment #48

Daniel Zelter says ...

I'm guessing Singer wrote his script in a day.