Kevin Smith Worming His Way Back Into Our Good Graces?

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (25)

After the disastrously unfunny Cop Out and the subsequent hullabaloo Kevin Smith started with critics of his movie, he’s been fairly quiet where it concerns critical reception of Cop Out (save for a couple of passive aggressive tweets when Cop Out came out on DVD and debuted at number one on the rental and sales charts. Seriously, though, Mr. Smith: You should know more than anyone not to equate popularity with quality). He probably would never admit it, but my guess is that the critical reception to Cop Out probably hurt the guy’s feelings (and pride) a little, what with the critical community mostly backing him for all these years. You have to wonder if that $50 million movie was worth the hit to his indie reputation. I won’t speak for Mr. Smith, but I think the defensive posturing he took with regard to the critical reception of Cop Out spoke louder than his Tweets. Honestly, I think he’s much more comfortable in the independent world, where he’s allowed to inject a little thoughtfulness into his crassness.

But what do I know?

But if he is trying to get back in our good graces, he couldn’t have done much better than casting Melissa Leo (Frozen River, “Treme”) in his upcoming low-budget horror film, Red State, which envisions a Fred Phelps type as a horror movie villain. And in addition to bashing Mr. Phelps, Kevin also gets bonus points for casting Stephen Root, who should be cast in every film ever made and lots of movies that never are. The Wrap also reports that Dermot Mulroney, Kyle Gallner, Michael Angarano are also on board. I have nothing against any of those guys, except maybe Gallner, who is kind of a one-note horror movie victim (Nightmare on Elm Street, Haunting in Connecticut). But then again, I’ll always reserve a little hate in my heart for Beaver Casablancas for what he did to Veronica Mars. That bastard.

Anyway, it’s a very positive beginning to what we can all hope is a return to Kevin Smith form, or at least for those of us who like Kevin Smiths’ form.

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Comments

Our "good graces" will have to be awfully wide...

Posted by: Todd at August 4, 2010 10:37 AM

"Anyway, it’s a very positive beginning to what we can all hope is a return to Kevin Smith form, or at least for those of us who like Kevin Smiths’ form."

___________________

Yeah, who here likes the form of Fatass Blowhard?

Posted by: Kballs at August 4, 2010 10:41 AM

Really? He got smug about DVD rentals for that dreck?

All I have to say to that is, "Ooh, Navy SEALS!"

Posted by: Melodie at August 4, 2010 10:46 AM

Stephen Root, who should be cast in every film ever made and lots of movies that never are.

Truer words were never spoken.

Posted by: mswas at August 4, 2010 10:49 AM

Sorry, but in my alternate universe there is no Kevin Smith film titled Cop Out

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at August 4, 2010 10:52 AM

Yeah, who here likes the form of Fatass Blowhard?

Every time I look in a mirror.

Posted by: twig at August 4, 2010 10:58 AM

I never understood why Smith would take a film to direct and not write. That seems to play AGAINST his strengths. He'd be better off turning over one of his scripts to someone who knows how to lens a camera or, y'know, block a scene. His defense of Cop Out was misplaced from the word "Go."

Posted by: Tom Brazelton at August 4, 2010 11:06 AM

I did like the article about him buying Ben Affleck's old house, complete with panic room.

"I bought Ben Affleck's house in 2003. But when we first came out here two years before, he was having a BBQ with a bunch of people – he was very proud, showing off the house. Rightfully so, it’s a gorgeous house. I’ve constantly benefited from Ben Affleck’s excellent taste. So he’s showing us around and says, 'I can’t wait to show you this, when I was building this, I knew you’d love it. Come with me to my bedroom.'

Naturally I thought, 'I’m finally going to have sex with Ben Affleck [laughs] Excellent."

Posted by: twig at August 4, 2010 11:15 AM

...at least for those of us who like Kevin Smiths’ form.

Hells yes I like Kevin Smith's form. Slap that belly and ride the wave all the way to Pleasure Town. BAM!

Posted by: Pinky McLadybits at August 4, 2010 11:31 AM

I will never stop liking Kevin Smith. Clerks perfectly sums up the experience of working in the service industry. "This job would be great if it wasn't for the fucking customers." I quote that to myself pretty much daily.