Kevin Smith has been quite the talking point in the last year. He’s taken on film critics and airlines, and I’m not sure either stance has won him new fans. Hell, Cop Out didn’t even win him the mainstream audience it was supposed to. Instead, it seems his legion of followers has merely entrenched themselves, while the critical community dismisses him.
Can he come back? Or is he destined to simply rant away on SModcast to those that will listen, duck into Hall H every year in San Diego, and make movies no one but his fans see?
I submit to the jury the teaser trailer for Red State, which premiered (where else) on SModcast.
It certainly doesn’t look like the typical Smith film. But it does look like a lot of the grimy hick horror movies we’ve seen in the past few years. And really, is there an easier target than the Bible belt? There’s a whiff of pandering there.
On the other hand, the cast is good, and even if the topic is pandering, there’s potential there.
I give it up to the defendant.
31 comments
Apathy! Unbridled ennui.
I can't believe I'm saying this but that was a pretty cool trailer.
Visually, it doesn't LOOK like a Kevin Smith film, so at least (judging by the trailer at least) it has that going for it. It sort of has that Platinum Dunes Texas Chainsaw Massacre appearance to it, and whether you like that sort of thing or not, it's still a step up for Smith. Still not sure about the film itself yet, as I've really soured on Smith's movies over the years, but at least this seems like a step in the right/opposite direction.
It's kind of sad when Kevin Smith mentions how hands off he was in directing this one and how much better it looks than his previous work.
Pandering? To who? The majority of America is every bit as hyper-Christian as the Bible Belt. Sure, he's angling it towards the south in particular, but he's basically slapping the majority of the country in the face; it's easy to lose sight of that fact if you're a New Yorker or an Angelino, but it's ballsy. It's NOT an easy target, clearly, because few people have the balls to face them aggressively. They're considered too illogical, too scary for most. People try to go after them with logic, and fail because they will always come back with lies and hatred.
I'm curious to see if this movie just ends up being bat shit crazy, or if it is something that can legitimately stir up controversy? The guns make me think it will be more on the crazy side, but then again Dogma did a fine job of pissing some people off.
Wow, pretty effective trailer. This might be the first Smith movie I'll actually watch since….Clerks?
Huh. Intriguing.
The last time I liked a Smith movie was DOGMA. This one seems to be chumming the same controversial waters, which I think is a good thing. And obviously the visuals look better than we have any right to expect from Smith. So what the hell, I'll be optimistic about RED STATE for now.
Wow, looks like he's finally let his DoP and editor off the hook. No more medium two-shot (I hope).
It's fine to keep them on the hook, incidentally, if you're a great stylist like Scott, Fincher and so on. Everyone else should just crew smart and be what they are.
This was off my radar too, until I heard the cast list. Now I'm even more interested.
This looks… awesome?
This looks great, I'm going to give it a shot before I fully judge though.
Looks horrible. Who will go see this besides his moron fans?
I am excited about this film. However, I am awfully tired of this being how the "bible belt" is portrayed in films. Anyone who has spent any real time in the southern states realizes that these extremeist cult members are the exception to the rule and in no way represent the average christian who just wants to live their life.
It's good to see Smith step outside of his familiar comfort zone for a change; I do think he has some real filmmaking skill, he's just been taking the easy (or sometimes misguided) route instead. His last few films have been increasingly terrible, but on Smodcast and other venues, Smith himself remains a very very funny and likable guy.
Looks like The Crazies but with southern Christians. Maybe that's the point. Interesting to see how the film turns out. I'm a Kevin Smith fan, and while I refuse to recognize cop out exists, he is talented, so I'll withhold judgment till the movie comes out.
Color me shocked but I thought that was an effective trailer.
@Noah
"the average christian who just wants to live their life."
Doesn't sound like an interesting antagonist. Now go back to sleeping with your cousin.
Can't wait to see this, not just because I like Kevin Smith, but because it looks so intriguing. Michael Parks is an acting God, so happy to see him in a real role!
Love what I see of the cast so far, and it looks kinda spooky. Effective trailer.
Meh. Sick of this red state/redneck villainy in film lately. It's so much of a trope that another film has already been made spoofing this kind of thing: "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil."
Good luck Smith. Looks like you've been beat at inappropriate and irreverant comedy by folks from the red states (Jody Hill et al).
#13, how kind of you, to wait until you actually see a film before you make a judgment. The fact that you need to actually make this distinction is sad.
Sick! A new Stephen Root movie!!!
That looks pretty awesome. Genuine chill at the end there. #@15: But it's where they breed isn't it. Haven't seen many gangs of righteous every-day Christians running Phelps and Co out of town and away from the funerals of soldiers. These nutbags come from you, own it. Jesus would be all over that shit.
Terrific trailer; effective with a good hook and paints a mood rather than give away the entire story. Cautiously optimistic.
Pfft. Whatever.
Religious American Southerners are more threatening than, I don't know, crazy Islamic fundamentalists who still stone women and execute gays? Really?
#25 says, "Haven't seen many gangs of righteous every-day Christians running Phelps and Co out of town and away from the funerals of soldiers. These nutbags come from you, own it. Jesus would be all over that shit."
There has been all sorts and kinds of opposition to Phelps by Christians and others, but you apparently haven't paid any attention. It's the law that keeps it in check – Phelps, a lawyer, makes all his money from lawsuits and countersuits. There was an entire town that cordoned itself off with people to keep Phelps out, but otherwise there are few legal ways to stop him (that pesky Constitution and all). In any case, the (Biblically) Christian way wouldn't be to run him off violently but to turn the other cheek, I would expect, which is what the funeralgoers are forced to do.
Also, most of those funerals? OF CHRISTIANS. Own that.
Oooh, going after Christians, how brave and daring. Go after Muslims you fat fuck. I love how all these brave hollywood assholes attack a group that they know wont react with violence. I am sadly a fan of Smith, but grow some balls you shit.
"It's NOT an easy target, clearly, because few people have the balls to face them aggressively." Are you frakking kidding? they're the easiest and most overused target in the book.
They're 'overused' because THEY WON'T STAY THE FUCK AWAY
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