Silent Bob Strikes Back with Two New Films

Kevin Smith is a busy man. The not so well known writer and director of cult classics like Clerks and the new CW show, Reaper, is currently working on a new film titled Zack and Miri Make a Porno. The film, which features actors such as Seth Rogen (Knocked Up), and former porn star Traci Lords, as well as fan favorites Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson, is expected to have its first screening in April. By this same time, Smith expects his first attempt at horror, Red State, to be underway as well.

Kevin is best known for his recurring role as an overweight, high tops and black trenchcoat clad slacker of few words, Silent Bob. Silent Bob's character has appeared in most of Kevin's films, and he and his partner Jay (Jason Mewes) many times steal the show, upstaging well known Hollywood names like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, despite not playing lead roles.

Kevin's success is quite an accomplishment for someone who never finished college. In fact, it was shortly after he dropped out of film school, that he and his buddy Scott Mossier came up with the idea for Clerks. Kevin reportedly worked in the Quik Stop convenience store by day, and filmed there by night. Two weeks and $25,000 later, Clerks was complete, and Jay and Silent Bob were born.

Kevin has also dabbled in comic books, and owns Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, a comic book store located in his home state of New Jersey. He has authored two books, and his most recent work, an autobiography entitled My Boring-Ass Life, reached #32 on the New York Times bestseller list. Many excerpts from this work are also posted on his online diary available on www.viewaskew.com . Users can also listen to smodcasts, Kevin's version of podcasts, on the site.

Kevin's work is unapologetic, often times barely squeaking by wih an R rating, and many times the source of harsh criticism. Smith's 1999 film Dogma, in which Ben Affleck and Matt Damon play fallen angels, received scathing reviews for its unique perspective on faith. Contributing to the controversy was the fact that in the film, Alanis Morissette played a female God. But viewers have come to love his quirky style and characters who represent the working-class, in professions like convenience store clerks, home improvement store workers , and fast food servers.

Kevin is responsible for writing, directing and often times acting in the following films:

Clerks (1994) -- Jay and Silent Bob are born in this artsy, black and white film where Dante and Randal are charged with running the Quik Stop on what was supposed to be Dante's off day.

Mallrats (1995) -- Jay and Silent Bob are back, helping create diversions in the hopes of ruining a live show at a mall, and helping Brodie win back his girlfriend. Ben Affleck makes an appearance as the perfect retail employee/rebound guy, who tries to woo Shannon Doherty when she dumps her boyfriend T.S.

Chasing Amy (1997) -- Ben Affleck is a comic book writer in love with a girl comic book writer who happens to be a lesbian, in this romantic drama that actually received high marks from critics. Lead actress Joey Lauren Adams was nominated for a Golden Globe, and Kevin Smith received the Independent Spirit Award for best screenplay.

Dogma (1999) -- Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are fallen angels trying to make it back into Heaven. The crusader trying to stop them and save the world is an abortion clinic worker. Alanis Morissette, George Carlin, Chris Rock, Alan Rickman and Salma Hayek make up part of the all-star cast.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) -- The first film where the slackers extraordinaire play the lead roles. Jay and Silent Bob take off on a road trip from New Jersey to Hollywood to protest the movie release of Bluntman and Chronic, two comic book heroes fashioned after Jay and Bob. They engage the help of three female diamond thieves posing as animal activists along the way, and manage to free an orangutan from an animal testing site.

Jersey Girl (2004) -- What was slated to be another Bennifer movie fell flat when Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez split. The romantic comedy finds Affleck, a successful New York publicist losing his wife, (Lopez), losing his job, and becoming an unemployed single dad forced to move back in with his own dad, played by George Carlin.

Clerks II (2006) -- The Quik Stop burned down, and Dante and Randal now find themselves flipping burgers at Mooby's. Dante is engaged, much to Randal's dismay, but the relationship soon becomes complicated when Dante falls for their boss. This time in color, this installation of Clerks is the most off-color comedy of Smith's career. Smith admits being shocked when the film received an R rating, largely in part to a particular scene involving a donkey and an over-age, overweight, leather clad male stripper set to Samantha Fox's 80's hit "Naughty Girls Need Love Too."

For more information on Kevin Smith and his work, you can visit the following:
www.viewaskew.com
www.myspace.com/therealkevinsmith
www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Smith/6985046929