NYCC 12: Friday Recap

My first day at NYCC started off a little later than expected due to some more work on http://NJGetOFF.com. After being told to go in the wrong entrance by several different yellow shirts, I finally made my way to the press check-in area on the other end of the convention. It was one tiny little section amidst the exhibitor & professional registration.

I picked up my badge & made my way over to the autographing area since it was in a new spot this year. Once again, there were lines that seemed to go on forever & tables with no wait at all. I liked the individual booths they had last year for some of the people that would stick around the whole weekend, like Brian O’Halloran but I didn’t see any of those this time. After snapping a few (dozen) photos of the autographing area, variant stages & Quidditch match (yes, Quidditch!), I made my way to the show floor.

I was too late for the major panels I hoped to attend, namely Kevin Smith Presents Comic Book Men live, so I decided to just spend a few hours walking the show floor. I hit up every booth I had set out to visit but was disappointed to see a continuing trend from last year had been repeated; very few cinema-related booths. Aside from Legendary, Magnet, IFC Midnight, Glass Eye Pix & of course, Troma, there were no other booths for any film studios. And of all those booths, the only major studio was Legendary although they were also promoting Legendary comics. I did later come across one for the film IRON SKY but After Dark Films & Anchor Bay were sadly missing in action. I always thought it was strange that films that have panels often do not have any booth representing them for the full weekend and that was especially disappointing this year, if only because I want some cool EVIL DEAD swag.

Wandering the show floor, another thing was immediately apparent; this year was even bigger than last. All 4 days were sold out prior to the convention. There was no on-site ticket purchasing & those numbers were well-reflected inside where it was damn near impossible to navigate some of the aisles. This was also reflected in the cell phone dead zone the convention center has become. The costumes were also been impressive this year although there hasn’t been too many that totally blew me away yet. This one did seem pretty out of place though…

I only have one interview lined up for tomorrow & a few panels I would like to attend but I’ll see if I can get a few more surprises to cover. For now, I’ll leave you with a quick message from Lloyd Kaufman about how you can watch hundreds of movies for free!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

Roger Corman & William Shatner To Appear Together At Comic-Con Panel Moderated By Kevin Smith July 14

EPIX will present two living legends together on stage at this year’s Comic-Con to preview their latest EPIX projects: director/producer and Academy Award® recipient Roger Corman and the incomparable actor, writer and director William Shatner. The panel will be held July 14 in San Diego and will be moderated by “Mr. Comic-Con” himself, Kevin Smith. Smith has had two comedy events on the network, most recently in February with his special Kevin Smith: Burn in Hell.

Following the panel on July 14, both William Shatner and Roger Corman will each introduce screenings to their new films at Comic-Con: the EPIX Original Documentary William Shatner’s Get a Life! at 7PM and EPIX Original Movie Roger Corman’s Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader in 3D at 12AM at Reading Cinemas.

“We enjoy working with these two icons and are excited to bring them together with their fans at Comic-Con,” said EPIX CEO Mark Greenberg. “We look forward to premiering both of these EPIX Originals on TV, online, and on devices to reach all their fans nationwide.”

About the EPIX Original Documentary

William Shatner’s Get a Life! – Premiering July 28 at 8pm ET

Based on Shatner’s hugely popular book, this film examines the mystery, longevity and the cultural phenomena of Star Trek and its long-obsessed fans known as “Trekkers.” On the surface, the film is an exploration of strangers who have for years attended conventions which looked foolish and almost laughable to some – but Shatner discovers the many secrets and hidden motives behind these individuals’ compulsion to attend these events. The end result is a film that reveals a fun and touching side of the fanfare surrounding Star Trek, and examines the thrill of what’s happening at these fantasy conventions and the enduring popularity of the film and TV series as Shatner further embraces his role as Captain James T. Kirk and his own impact.

About the EPIX Original Movie

Roger Corman’s Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader in 3D – Premiering August 25 at 10pm ET

In an update to the great genre pictures of the ‘50s, Roger Corman’s first ever 3D film Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader follows a college coed who uses an experimental drug to transform herself into a popular beauty – but at a huge price. Produced by Corman along with his producing partner/wife Julie Corman, the movie stars Jena Sims (The Vampire Diaries), Sean Young (Blade Runner), Treat Williams (Hair, Prince of the City, Everwood), Ryan Merriman (Pretty Little Liars), A.J. Lamas (Leave it to Lamas), Mary Woronov (Eating Raoul), Ted Raimi (Spider-Man), with cameo appearances by Corman himself and director John Landis (An American Werewolf in London, Animal House, The Blues Brothers). Acclaimed visual effects artist Kevin O’Neill (Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, Blade and Piranha 3D) directs.

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/EpixHD.

Disney/Pixar’s BRAVE Announces “Sounds of the Highlands” Original Score and Songs

SOUNDS OF THE HIGHLANDS

Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” Transports Moviegoers to

Ancient Scotland with Oscar®-Nominated Composer Patrick Doyle,

Plus Performers Julie Fowlis and Birdy [with Mumford & Sons]

Disney•Pixar’s epic fantasy adventure “Brave” harnesses the magic of ancient Scotland, weaving the rich natural setting throughout the story and bringing it to life with sophisticated filmmaking and extraordinary performances. But it’s the music of “Brave” that ties it all together, elevating the authenticity with a fresh and contemporary approach to Oscar®-nominated composer Patrick Doyle’s score, as well as two original songs performed by lauded Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. A third original song plays during the film’s epilogue and is performed by UK singing sensation Birdy with British folk rock band Mumford & Sons. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” hits theatres on June 22, 2012. The film’s soundtrack from Walt Disney Records will be available June 19, 2012.

“The music of ‘Brave’ supports the story, bolstering this epic journey with Merida,” said Andrews. “The music really sets the tone for the film and underscores the time period. We wanted to capture this ancient feel of Scotland and the music really adds another layer of authenticity.”

THE SCORE

Scottish-born Patrick Doyle, only the fourth composer to write a score for a Pixar film, used a variety of native Scottish instruments such as bagpipes, solo fiddle, Celtic harps, flutes and the bodhran. To give the score a contemporary and fresh feel he included original bespoke electronic sounds and electronically treated dulcimer and cimbalom. “I employed many classic Scottish dance rhythms such as reels, jigs and strathspeys, which not only serve the action but keep it authentic,” said Doyle. “I particularly loved composing the Gaelic lament ‘Noble Maiden Fair’ with my son Patrick Neil, sung so beautifully by Emma [Thompson] and Peigi [Barker].”

ORIGINAL SONGS

Two new songs performed by acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis are among the film’s musical highlights. “Touch the Sky,” with music by Pixar’s own Alex Mandel and lyrics by Mandel and director Mark Andrews, accompanies Merida’s liberating and exhilarating ride through the forest when she is able to escape the confines of castle life. The song “Into the Open Air,” with music and lyrics by Mandel, is heard later in the film during a special moment between mother and daughter. “If ever we imagined a singing voice for Merida—the beauty, the clarity, the directness and honesty—Julie embodies that and she’s fantastic,” said producer Katherine Sarafian.

Added Fowlis, “It was great to be invited to record and perform on the soundtrack to ‘Brave’ and particularly to sing the songs which represent the feisty, female lead Merida. I so enjoyed the challenge of adding a dimension of acting to my singing in order to bring Merida’s character and inner feelings to life through song.”

“Learn Me Right” is an original song performed by Birdy, whose self-titled album has been awarded Gold and Platinum status in UK and Europe respectively, and the Grammy®-nominated British folk rock group Mumford & Sons, who also wrote, arranged and produced the track. “It’s quite fun doing a song for a movie rather than for an album,” said Marcus Mumford. “We liked the idea of having an orchestra in the background and having a girl like Birdy sing—it’s been quite liberating.” Added Birdy, “I love it because it tells a story. Although it has a lot of emotion, it’s also very upbeat and you want to dance to it, which is why it works so well.”

“‘Learn Me Right’ is an amazing song,” said Sarafian. “I feel something every time I hear it. Mumford & Sons sketched out a piece that would do justice to the culminating moment of the movie, underscoring the emotion, heart and the lessons learned between mother and daughter. They really found that moment of truth in the story we were trying to tell and it takes the movie to a new level at the end.”

The Bravesoundtrack will be available wherever music is sold on June 19, 2012. The track list follows:

1.    “Touch the Sky” Performed by Julie Fowlis

2.    “Into the Open Air” Performed by Julie Fowlis

3.    “Learn Me Right” Performed by Birdy [with Mumford & Sons]

4.    “Fate and Destiny” Score

5.    “The Games” Score

6.    “I Am Merida” Score

7.    “Remember to Smile” Score

8.    “Merida Rides Away” Score

9.    “The Witch’s Cottage” Score

10.  “Song of Mor’du” Performed by Billy Connolly and Cast

11.  “Through the Castle” Score

12.  “Legends Are Lessons” Score

13.  “Show Us the Way” Score

14.  “Mum Goes Wild” Score

15.  “In Her Heart” Score

16.  “Noble Maiden Fair” (A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal) Performed by Emma Thompson and Peigi Barker

17.  “Not Now!” Score

18.  “Get the Key” Score

19.  “We’ve Both Changed” Score

20.  “Merida’s Home” Score

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane), unleashing chaos in the kingdom. When she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters), she is granted an ill-fated wish and the ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her resources—including her mischievous triplet brothers—to undo a beastly curse and discover the meaning of true bravery. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor. Opens on June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Like Brave on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PixarBrave
Follow on Twitter:  @DisneyPixar  #BRAVE
Official Brave Website:  http://disney.com/Brave

 

Kevin Smith Signs Sh*t In NYC

We here at WAMG are massive fans of Kevin Smith. Out of all of us, I’m definitely the biggest. Don’t believe me? Here’s the last article I posted on this site – 37 REASONS (in a row) WHY KEVIN SMITH SHOULD PRESENT STUCK LIKE CHUCK. As the title suggests, it is a list of 37 reasons why the new label created by Smodcast Pictures & Phase 4 Films should release my no-budget directorial debut. While caked in self-promotion, the article is fairly light-hearted and actually does offer some insights into the world of indie film. The day after I posted it, I received an email from Phase 4 requesting a screener. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. I immediately sent a DVD their way and have been playing the waiting game since.

And with that bit of backstory established, we can move on to the meat of the article…

Tuesday March 20th marked the release of Kevin Smith’s new book TOUGH SH*T: LIFE ADVICE FROM A FAT LAZY SLOB WHO DID GOOD. Unlike his previous books, this one is not simply a collection of essays, blog posts or transcribed podcasts. TOUGH SH*T is a funny, inspiring and heartfelt autobiography from a man who is already known for being an open book. And with great books, come great signings. Smith is currently in the midst of a 6-city book tour that started in Ridgewood, New Jersey and ends in Chicago on March 30th. I caught up with him on Wednesday at his second stop, New York City.

I arrived at the Union Square Barnes & Noble around 4:20 pm; an ironic time for those who know Smith. The book signing was set to begin at 7 pm and the line was to start forming at 5. I waited on the line that was waiting to get in line. It was less than 30 seconds before I was in the middle of an insanely geeky but utterly fascinating conversation between the people in front and behind me. A bulk of our time was spent trying to guess from memory every Academy Award Best Picture Winner from THE ARTIST to WINGS. The game expanded as more people joined in. Yes, the people that show up to a Kevin Smith signing are just as nerdy as you assumed.

Eventually the time came for Kevin to take the stage. He started by saying there was a fine line between entertainer and being entertained, then read a tweet that someone in the room had sent out just moments earlier.

Waiting for @thatkevinsmith To speak at b&n in union square… If this sucks at least I can go visit the cats at Petco next door  – @Snowtreds

Kevin then asked the audience if we wanted to do a straightforward book signing or mostly Q & A. We ended up with roughly 90 minutes of Q & A followed by a signing. I did not know there would be a Q & A, nor did I plan to write this article, so I unfortunately did not take any notes. However, here are some poorly paraphrased highlights I do remember:

  • Kevin likes that he doesn’t go the traditional route when making movies & that he doesn’t do what’s usually expected. In other words, he considers himself an “ass man” even when it comes to making movies.
  • Gayle King (“you know, Oprah’s best friend”) loves TOUGH SH*T & read a vulgar passage out loud to Kevin when he was at a morning show taping.
  • JERSEY GIRL will always have a special place in his heart, even if only because George Carlin loved his role & his experience on the film.
  • He doesn’t think his version of Green Hornet would not have translated well on the big screen.
  • Kevin likes to bond with his daughter Harley Quinn through the magic of song. More specifically, the song ‘Joseph Smith American Moses’ from THE BOOK OF MORMON. Their favorite part, “Joseph Smith, don’t f*ck the baby”
  • He also gave a brief rundown of the entire play while re-enacting a few moments. He basically called it the greatest piece of art man has ever created. And yes, it was awesome enough to warrant two bullet points.
  • While drunk on Pink Zinfandel, Kevin got a tattoo of the Mad Hatter because he is “always late.” When showing Scott Mosier afterwards, Scott reminded him that it is actually the White Rabbit who is always late.
  • He would love to see a remake of A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS but he is not the one to make it. Ironically, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS is one of the Best Picture winners that all of us had trouble remembering during our game. Every time he mentioned the movie, our row started laughing.
  • He told a story about the first book signing he was part of at the Union Square Barnes & Noble. It was for John Pierson’s book SPIKE, MIKE, SLACKERS & DYKES. Prior to the signing, Michael Moore was talking about how he thought his career was over after CANADIAN BACON flopped. When Michael Moore was called on stage, the room went wild. Afterwards, Moore told Kevin & John that he thinks he might write a book. He witnessed the rebirth of Michael Moore at that signing.
  • Kevin got a bit teary-eyed when talking about his father & telling a great story about a special way he said good night to his parents. He also talked about how he would get pulled out of school most Wednesdays to go to the movies with his dad. He said these stories were in the book so I’ll leave it at that so you can read them yourself.

After being told time was up, Kevin took 2 more questions before launching into the signing. A B&N employee announced that to save time, everyone would get only 1 picture & 1 non-personalized signature on the book cover. Their timesaving techniques were futile though since Kevin loves chatting with his fans. It was hilarious seeing the look of panic on the employee faces when he took over a minute with just one person. The next went up with a cell phone in hand so Kevin could talk with someone they called. Just before it was my turn to walk over, someone told me that he is taking too long and starting with me they want everyone to keep their encounter brief.

Screw that.

I walked over to Kevin, shook his hand, posed for a picture and he signed my book. I was a mess of nerves until I started speaking and a wave of calmness washed over me. I let him know that 6 years ago he gave me some advice that always stuck with me and is probably the single biggest reason why I even attempted to make my first feature film. He raised his hand as if to give me a high-five. I went for it but instead he caught my hand and held it up like a sign of victory. For a man as verbose as Kevin, he didn’t have to say anything. I’m sure it is a sentiment he hears often but he seemed to genuinely appreciate how much he has inspired me. We then talked a bit about the film, reviews, casting and even touched on my festival experience. I had become THAT guy the people running the event feared most. Finally Kevin asked what my flick was called. I told him STUCK LIKE CHUCK. His eyes widened and he responded, “You’re the cat who did STUCK LIKE CHUCK!”

Holy shit. My jaw-dropped. I could barely give him a positive reply. I felt like Jaimie in JINGLE ALL THE WAY.

“He knows my film”

He said that he heard a little about SLC, mostly on Twitter, and he even saw that 37 Reasons article I posted. I was in complete disbelief. We started discussing the new distribution label and he let me in on how the selection process works. Before I left, I gave him a DVD screener along with some SLC promo materials, just in case. I thanked him again and walked away. At least I think I walked away. I may have floated or skipped. To be honest, I don’t really recall any of the trip from the stage to the front of the store.

It is not often that you get the opportunity to personally thank a celebrity for being a major influence on your life. Then again, most celebrities are not like Kevin Smith. And for those of you out there sick of reading my posts about how Kevin Smith has inspired me, TOUGH SH*T.

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuckJerryCavallaro.com

37 Reasons (in a row) Why Kevin Smith Should Present STUCK LIKE CHUCK

In 2005 I waited over 5 hours on line in Red Bank, NJ to meet Kevin Smith. Not only did he sign my merch but he also spent a good 30 seconds trying to carefully remove a price sticker from my DVD slipcover. It amazed me that he cared about something so insignificant but it also perfectly illustrated just how much he cares about his fans. This actually calmed my nerves enough to work up the courage to ask Kevin for advice. He offered up a nugget of wisdom that changed my life forever.

“Write about stuff that matters to you because it always winds up mattering to someone else. And write cheap.”

Those words have been firmly planted in the back of my head ever since. A few years later I began working on my first feature, a no-budget rom-com about college life called STUCK LIKE CHUCK. It played a few festivals, won some awards and received some rave reviews but never saw an official release. When Phase 4 Films & SModcast Pictures announced the creation of a “Kevin Smith Presents…” distribution label, I knew this was the opportunity I have been waiting for. I submitted SLC the day I read the announcement but with thousands of submissions to sift through, it couldn’t hurt to stand out. So without further ado, I give you the official trailer for STUCK LIKE CHUCK, followed by 37 reasons why Kevin Smith & Phase 4 should release it!

http://vimeo.com/37945194

1. Simply put, SLC wouldn’t exist without Kevin Smith. That is not to say that I wouldn’t still be making movies but my first effort probably would have been much different.

2. While heavily influenced by Kevin Smith, SLC is not some second-rate CLERKS. ripoff. It is also not a film just for fans of Kevin Smith. It stands on its own.

3. That being said, there are enough View Askew references in the film to make a drinking game out of it.

4. $2,500. That was our total production cost and we proudly wear that budget on our sleeve. In a world of million-dollar “indies” we truly are the underdog.

5. I hope to inspire people to get off their ass and make a movie much like Kevin Smith has done for me. This would be a pretty damn good way to start.

6. My favorite part of screening SLC is the Q & A that follows. I am not quite the public speaker that Kevin is but I did get an A in Basic Speech Communications in college.

7. B-movie icon Lloyd Kaufman called SLC “The best two person conversation since Louis Malle’s MY DINNER WITH ANDRE.” This is probably because he has a hilarious cameo in the film but it just may be that this film is actually a modern masterpiece.

8. Speaking of cameos, I cannot officially confirm that Chris Elliott has a brilliant surprise cameo as the world’s worst film professor but why would I even bring it up if it wasn’t true?

9. SLC premiered at the 2009 SINY Film Festival & took home Audience Choice Comedy. Later that year, SLC inspired the creation of the Indie Spirit Award at the Orlando Film Festival. In 2010, the award was renamed the Jerry Cavallaro Indie Spirit Award.

10. I am an open book. I’m willing to reveal anything about myself, especially if it is informative or at least makes for a funny anecdote. My two specialties are stories about how to fail in the industry and how my own insecurity sabotages every chance I get of having sex.

11. Related to #10, I am in fact a virgin and this could possibly get me laid. But probably not.

12. Extremely rare for an indie film with such a low budget, SLC features 3 lead actors who can actually act. Our very own Jocelyn DeBoer has even gone on to become a rising star at UCB & CollegeHumor.

13. Similarly, we have a pretty damn good soundtrack featuring bands like Army of Freshman, Alex Goot, Sail By The Stars and the comedy stylings of Stuckey & Murray. All of the music is cleared & used with full permission of the owners.

14. Close to 8 hours of bonus material already exist for the film including 33 minutes of deleted scenes, a Christmas special & a very unique behind the scenes doc that actually runs longer than the film.

15. In addition to our badass trailer above, a series of promo videos also exist including this infomercial-style teaser:

http://vimeo.com/36677247

16. I’m 23 years old. The same age Kevin Smith broke onto the scene with CLERKS. Coincidence?

17. While the film’s target audience is the 18-35 demographic, the film has done surprisingly well with older crowds. After one particularly strange screening, an elderly woman told me the film was reminiscent of when her husband was “courting” her. In case you were wondering, it never gets less weird watching old people laugh at blowjob jokes.

18. The flick is gender neutral. It has traditional rom-com elements but also a lot of raunchy & geeky humor, which makes for a perfect date movie. I like to refer to it as a chick flick for guys.

19. I am a press whore with a degree in shameless self-promotion and no discernible social life.

20. As much as I love press, the press seems to love SLC a little more. Sites like Latino Review, Hollywood.com, Twitch, Cinematical, FilmSnobbery, Movie Cynics & more have all praised the film

21. SLC nametag stickers & “jackoff sock” door hangers are a huge hit at film festivals and colleges. I also have a custom nametag costume to wear outside of screenings. EVERYONE loves taking pictures with a guy in a dumb costume

22. Unlike most indie comedies, this one is actually funny. No pretentiousness or self-indulgence. The goal is for the audience just to have fun with it.

23. Admit it; STUCK LIKE CHUCK is a damn catchy title.

24. Bobby Bless of MovieCynics.com said, “The film manages to outshine any romantic comedy you’ll see in theaters.” So let’s take it to theaters!

25. I’ve been working the same part time job for over 7 years and this would be a great reason to finally quit.

26. A black and white version exists (and looks pretty damn good) if they decide to push the CLERKS. connection.

27. I had lunch with Bob Hawk once and he said I reminded him of Kevin Smith. He probably doesn’t even remember me but I will never forget that comment.

28. All the money for SLC came out of my own pocket so there are no producers to deal with. I own all the rights.

29. I never expected to make much money on this film. I just want people to see it & this is probably the best chance it has to connect with the right audience.

30. I designed all of the novelty shirts Charlie & Rob wear in the film, which means they can be recreated and sold to adoring fans. Merchandising!

31. Speaking of fans, I have nearly 4,000 loyal Twitter followers and at least 10 of them are not porn spam bots.

32. I finished third at the Netflix Movie Watching World Championship by watching movies for 68 hours 21 minutes 31 seconds straight while in a glass house set up in Times Square. We each got to contribute a movie to the list and my pick was CLERKS.

33. A movie that uses Tina Fey as a metaphor for love & features lines such as “She definitely wants some Charlie inside her brown” deserves to be seen.

34. While the film plays perfectly fine to an audience of one, it is best experienced with a large fun-loving crowd. I’ve always been a proponent of audience interaction. At my favorite screening so far, the audience joked around, yelled at the screen and even sang along to the catchy yet insanely raunchy musical number during the end credits.

35. I’ve been working my whole life for an opportunity like this and you can be damn sure that I will not mess it up.

36. I’m not ashamed to admit that I love JERSEY GIRL. Director’s Cut Blu-Ray please. Yes this is filler but give me a break; how could I end this on 36?

37. Because I’m a filmmaker who still fucks his art in a Denny’s bathroom.

Well there you have it. 37-ish solid reasons why Phase 4 & SModcast Pictures should distribute STUCK LIKE CHUCK. As you can tell from this list, Kevin Smith sort of already presents the film so why not make it official?

Please hit the share buttons below and send this post all over the web. Let’s see if we can get this in front of the right people or even Kevin himself. I promise to keep you all updated every step of the way. And for everyone still reading, thank you greatly for checking out what can only be classified as the most shameless display of self-promotion to ever grace this website. It truly does mean the world to me!

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck –  www.JerryCavallaro.com

EPIX Presents: Kevin Smith “BURN IN HELL” Comedy Special Premiering 2/11 & Contest

An EPIX Original Comedy Event, Premieres February 11

On Demand Preview Spotlights ‘TV Everywhere’
to Drive Subscription and Authentication
Beginning February 3

Writer/Director/Raconteur/Podcaster/Sinner (to some) and proud Jersey boy Kevin Smith returns to EPIX, bringing his unusual multi-talents in a one-man show, Kevin Smith Burn in Hell. The original comedy event premieres February 11 on the EPIX premium network. Additionally, EPIX is reaching out to Kevin Smith fans everywhere with an on demand preview beginning February 3, offering subscribers and non-subscribers an early screening of the entire special. The preview can be viewed via participating affiliated television providers’ EPIX On Demand service and EPIX apps on Xbox 360 and Roku. It will also be available for streaming at EpixHD.com and the “TV Everywhere” portals of affiliated providers.

In the hour and a half special, recorded live at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, Smith conducts a riotous and outrageous Q&A session about the aftermath of his latest film, Red State. Topics include his mishaps and misadventures such as drawing the ire of the entire movie blogger community at the Sundance Film Festival and being followed around the country by the highly devout, and highly angered, Phelps Family.

Smith’s last special for EPIX, Too Fat for Forty which premiered October 2010, tapped his online base of millions of highly engaged fans for an EPIX Live Q & A event on EpixHD.com. “Kevin is tremendously popular with EPIX viewers – his first special continues to be a top performer on the channel, on demand and on EpixHD.com. We’re glad that he’s been a part of EPIX since the beginning and excited to have him back,” said EPIX President and CEO Mark Greenberg.

“The EPIX preview is designed to tap Kevin’s audience appeal to cast a spotlight on ‘TV Everywhere,’ increasing app and online authentications and subscriber acquisition for our affiliated providers,” Greenberg continued.

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/EpixHD

WAMG has a special Kevin Smith giveaway for all you Mallrats. Enter to win either a book or dvd.

OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES.
2. FILL OUT YOUR REAL NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.
3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: What are Smith’s two dogs names?

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

Kevin Smith LIVE In Movie Theaters

Don’t miss Kevin Smith, back on the big screen, with an event like you’ve never seen!

Kevin Smith, independent film pioneer, is coming back to the big screen for a one night event on Thursday, February 2. Broadcast LIVE from the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Kevin Smith: Live From Behind Featuring “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old” will be a unique opportunity for fans all over the country to interact with Kevin Smith, ask him questions and join in on his jokes, laughter and commentary.

Kevin Smith: Live from Behind Featuring “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old,”, comes to movies theaters across the US for a one night in-theater event on Thursday, February 2 at 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p. m. CT / 7:30 p.m. MT / 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. Alaska & Hawaii.

The three-hour event will begin with Smith (Silent Bob) and frequent co-star Jason Mewes (Jay) hosting their highly rated podcast, “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old” followed by a live interactive Q&A with theater audiences across the US. Through this in-theater event, fans will have the opportunity to submit questions for Kevin to answer on event night via Twitter using the hashtag #livefrombehind.

For more details on this event as well as theater and ticket information, visit http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/kevinsmith.aspx

Top Ten Tuesday: 2011 Holiday Movie Geek Gift Guide

Welcome to the 2011 Holiday Movie Geek Gift Guide! What is this? No, it’s not my personal gift wish list made public in hopes that readers will bury me in their affection — although, I wouldn’t be disgusted if you did — no, this is guide to finding that perfect, special gift for the Movie Geek in your life. You know who I mean. We all have at least one friend who obsesses about movies, someone who spouts a movie quote or a director factoid every other breath. What does one buy a person so firmly entrenched in the culture of movies? I hope this guide helps you with your shopping ideas, but don’t expect to find the typical, no brainer ideas — such as gift cards — on this list. Continue reading Top Ten Tuesday: 2011 Holiday Movie Geek Gift Guide

NYCC 2011: Brian O’Halloran Interview

On Saturday I had the pleasure of interviewing actor Brian O’Halloran. He is best known for playing the character of Dante in Kevin Smith’s CLERKS & CLERKS 2. He also recently appeared in BRUTAL MASSACRE and the upcoming CALENDAR GIRL. He was at the New York Comic Con this weekend signing autographs and agreed to an impromptu interview. We talked about the convention, theater, horror films and more. He even offered some great advice for indie filmmakers. After he interview, I ended up hanging around the booth another 15 minutes talking with him and some other fans who stopped by. Check out the full interview below!

Jerry Cavallaro – www.JerryCavallaro.com

Blu Monday: Pirates Arrive in Oompa Loompa Land

Your Weekly Source for the Newest Releases to Blu-Ray Continue reading Blu Monday: Pirates Arrive in Oompa Loompa Land