ROTTEN TOMATOES: RT-UK Exclusive: Kevin Smith's Horror Project Revealed Comments

RT-UK Exclusive: Kevin Smith's Horror Project Revealed

by Joe Utichi | April 06, 2007

Summary

Rotten Tomatoes UK can exclusively reveal that Kevin Smith's next project - a horror movie - is called "Red State". Up until now Smith has revealed little about the film other than the fact it's a horror movie and it'll be decidedly less joke-y than his back-catalogue. But, in addition to the title, Smith was keen to give us a head's up on the plot of the film. Back to Article

(1-50 of 50 posts) | Reply

FILMCZY writes:
on Apr 06 2007 11:14 AM

You mean "Mallrats" WASN'T a horror movie?

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Zap Rowsdower writes:
on Apr 06 2007 11:27 AM

This sounds like Jersey Girl 2.

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WeaponAndy writes:
on Apr 06 2007 11:29 AM

It sounds interesting enough. Kevin Smith loves his movies, so, we'll see.

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Scarborough Fair writes:
on Apr 06 2007 11:39 AM

I have to agree here, kevin smith is ok and all, but other than chasing amy i can't really think of a film of his i like? at all?

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Jen Yamato writes:
on Apr 06 2007 11:48 AM

Seriously? You guys are insane. Kevin Smith is awesome, funny, self deprecating and self aware. And his films (ok, i haven't seen JG) are supremely watchable and entertaining. What directors in the same milieu do you like better?

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dagreenman18 writes:
on Apr 06 2007 12:09 PM

I like where "Red State" is going. I've actually seen the BBC2 special in question, and Phelps scares the shit out of me. He makes me think"What if people like this monster actually had power? How quickly will it destroy this country?". And that is scarier than any chainsaw wielding killer.

(Reply to this)

Now it's dark writes:
on Apr 06 2007 12:09 PM

In reply to this comment (#860492)
There are lots of indie/comedy directors out there who are as good or better. Terry Zwigoff, Todd Solondz, or the Coen Brothers are a few. Only they don't need to promote themselves as a celebrity. I seriously wonder if Smith has ever turned down a gig or interview. But that's what works for him, so whatever.

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lavatory love machine writes:
on Apr 06 2007 12:18 PM

I like kevin smith and all, but this horror thing bothers me

it is like they gave up on making scary movies, meaning movies that can actually make you want to turn the light on if you are watching it at night, and filmmakers only try to make horror movie, meaning bloddy, disgusting, sick and sadisctic, but not scary at all

I remember that scene on the shinning with the guy on the teddy bear outfit giving a blowjob to the guy on the tux, that was more scary than all the horror movies of the last ten year put together

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ThatKevinSmith writes:
on Apr 06 2007 01:37 PM

In reply to this comment (#860495)
"it is like they gave up on making scary movies, meaning movies that can actually make you want to turn the light on if you are watching it at night, and filmmakers only try to make horror movie, meaning bloddy, disgusting, sick and sadisctic, but not scary at all"

Did you read the piece above, sir? That's exactly what I'm NOT doing.

"I remember that scene on the shinning with the guy on the teddy bear outfit giving a blowjob to the guy on the tux, that was more scary than all the horror movies of the last ten year put together"

See - THIS is what I'm going for. Bu we'll see if I achieve it. More than likely, I'll just f*ck it up.

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Mikeal420 writes:
on Apr 06 2007 01:58 PM

In reply to this comment (#860496)
If a fake Kevin Smith can say f*ck, I should be alowed to repeat Jay's song from the opening of "Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back"

On second thought, I love this site too much to be booted.

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ThatKevinSmith writes:
on Apr 06 2007 02:10 PM

In reply to this comment (#860498)
"If a fake Kevin Smith can say *****, I should be alowed to repeat Jay's song from the opening of "Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back"

Sorry - forgot about the non-cursing thing. It's been corrected.

But as for being a fake Kevin Smith...

http://viewaskew.com/theboard/viewtopic.php?p=2113969#2113969

(Reply to this)

jake stephans writes:
on Apr 06 2007 02:24 PM

horror flicks need a serious re-working... i hope you can shake it up. there's a lot of hate around here... feels like high school

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Mudhole writes:
on Apr 06 2007 02:29 PM

Kevin -- I'm a film school grad and I'm almost through with my masters in film . I need a job. Willing to relocate. Willing to fellate you if necessary (or even if just allowed). Will accept a starting salary of $0. Let me know.

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Joe Utichi writes:
on Apr 06 2007 02:33 PM

It's definitely that Kevin Smith. Welcome back to the boards, sir, and thanks for a kickass chat today.

As for me, Red State sounds like the sort of horror film I've been wanting for since The Shining. The Descent came pretty close, and I've gotta say I kind-of dig the horror porn flicks of late as a bit of fun, but damnit I want to be scared in the cinema again. I miss it. Best of luck with the write, sir, and I look forward to hearing more.

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Jen Yamato writes:
on Apr 06 2007 02:43 PM

[b]Holy Crap[/b]
Wikipedia Fred Phelps and see why Smith's idea of a Phelps-based horror flick is truly, appropriately frightening.

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MarkMortimer writes:
on Apr 06 2007 02:58 PM

Never heard of him, heard of a few of his films and they didn't appeal to me, so I'm not interested in what he's doing next, but interested enough to show disinterest :)

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the prophet writes:
on Apr 06 2007 03:28 PM

I�ve never really been a Kevin Smith fan (although I do love and often quote the line �it�ll make House party look like House party 2�) so I guess it comes as no surprise that I�m not really wild about this movie. Phelps is certainly a scary guy, and his theatrics and rhetoric at funerals is insulting, but turning his life into a horror movie called �Red State� just seems like a cheap shot at conservatives and Republicans, especially when you consider that the title is essentially equating homophobia and turning religion into an ideology with being a conservative. Unless this movie is to some degree satirical my guess is its going to turn Phelps into a flat character and come across as preachy in the process. The thing that makes Phelps Scary in real life is that on the one hand he can have a family yet on the other hand he can treat everyone else including total strangers who are grieving like crap. He�s completely removed all ideas of forgiveness and hope from Christianity and turned it into weapon for blaming and punishing others. It would seem to me that the best way to get this across would simply be to make a documentary about him. Furthermore, he needs to realize he'll never top the modern political/horror classic "Uncle Sam".

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Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 06 2007 04:08 PM

OK Kevin, I'll ask the question that's on every View Eskew fans mind. Now that Lee is a bigshot over at NBC, when is the made for TV Mallrats sequel gonna get made? My piss poor attempts at humor aside, I loved Mallrats. I know it's probably not the most technically sound or groundbreaking movie you've done, but every time Jay hits LaFours over the head with the baseball bat and delivers the Superman II line I'm useless for about 15 minutes laughing. Don't let the haters get you down.

Ass kissingly yours,

bigbbrother

(Reply to this)

lavatory love machine writes:
on Apr 06 2007 04:11 PM

In reply to this comment (#860496)
Hi, Kevin

I did read the article, but I was not talking about you, I was talking in general, that most filmmakers seem to have realize that they are no talented enough to scare people so they try to shock them instead

the last scary movie in english lenguage that I remember is The Others by Alejandro Amenabar

but you doing this kind of film reminds me of another director that I like a lot, Alex de la Iglesia, he went out of his thing and tried to do a scary movie without any funny stuff like usual and it sucked, it-s la habitacion del nino, you should check out to see if you can avoid some of those mistakes

(Reply to this)

sox1919 writes:
on Apr 06 2007 05:30 PM

In reply to this comment (#860496)
[b]ok then[/b]
"'I remember that scene on the shinning with the guy on the teddy bear outfit giving a blowjob to the guy on the tux, that was more scary than all the horror movies of the last ten year put together'

See - THIS is what I'm going for. Bu we'll see if I achieve it. More than likely, I'll just ***** it up. "

I'll give the man credit, he backs up what he says, and even KS talked about the first 15 minutes of Jersey Girl, which was the closest thing he's made to Capra or Hughes so far IMO.

As for the scariest things in film, I am a pretty big horror film fan, ever since Halloween was shown to me at age 8 and Alien soon there after. But to be honest, the word here is CREEPY, not scary. I can scare anyone if I catch them offguard, which equates to parlor tricks on film, i.e misdirection. Creepiness stays with you.

(Reply to this)

trainer0790 writes:
on Apr 06 2007 05:34 PM

It is scary to know that Mr. Phelps and his little cult exist . I have seen first hand what it is they try to do.

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Apr 06 2007 10:42 PM

as for more exciting news... the final spiderman 3 trailer is up at yahoo movies, with stacks more venom footage.

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High School With Money writes:
on Apr 07 2007 05:30 AM

Sounds like a film in the vein of [i]Elephant[/i] and [i]United 93[/i], not necessarily labeled as "horror", but certainly creepy and the kinds of horrific films I prefer over the current lot.

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Xhrix writes:
on Apr 07 2007 07:42 AM

Interesting concept....kinda a throwback to psychological horror... prime example being Psycho.
I'd like to see a Kevin Smith horror movie, as long as it's not a Children of The Corn remake.

I'd also agree with the previous poster who was having problems with the title 'Red State' It truly isn't very clever and it comes across as a cheap insult to religious conservatives, who 99% of would probably run down Fred Phelps with their car if they had a chance

(Reply to this)

Ashron writes:
on Apr 07 2007 07:51 AM

Boy, I wish I could get some distributors to read these boards. We've got a film we're trying to get picked up which I think is right along the lines of what everybody here is talking about. But what we're hearing from distributors is "not enough violence/blood" or "doesn't move fast enough" It would be nice if they would realize that people occasionally want to see a "horror" that makes them think and not just gag. A film that maybe lets you get to know the characters as something more than meatbags to be led to the slaughter.

Okay, I'll quit my ranting now. If anyone's at all interested in seeing a trailer and/or scene from the film, you can view them at http://www.syntheticfur.com

The score is temp music and the scene hasn't been color corrected (in the actual film the scene is much bluer and darker) but it should give you an idea of what we're going for. I'd love to hear any thoughts. And Mr. Smith, if you get a moment to check it out, I'd really like to hear what you think.

(Reply to this)

optic_85 writes:
on Apr 07 2007 08:25 AM

[b]Screw the haters....[/b]
...I love Smith.The new flick sounds cool, and very interesting. I look forward to seeing how this turns out.

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Doggonnit writes:
on Apr 07 2007 10:16 AM

[b]Awesome Title[/b]
Kevin,
Don't let any Red Staters dissuade you from this title. Standard caveats aside, theirs is a culture of hate, mindlessness, and violence. Please, for all who've lived in real horror at what they've done to this country for years, let them be offended. Just make sure that what you make is worthy of such a broad "j'accuse" title, and lives up to the incredible talents you've demonstrated in the past. Oh, and scare us all silly while sticking it to those sickos. Cheers.

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booniecat writes:
on Apr 07 2007 10:29 AM

It would be interesting to see anyone take on this kind of idea for a scary film, but having Kevin Smith at the helm certainly adds an element of curiosity for me. Horror? Kevin Smith? Really? I just hope his reputation as a comedian doesn't hurt the film's chances for success. I'd love to see him break into something new in a big way and escape from planet Silent Bob.

But I'm guessing that no matter how good this new film is, you'll still have those tired old boo-hoos complaining about how aweful it is and how terrible the direction is, based purely on the fact that for some reason they made up their minds a long time ago that they don't like Kevin Smith movies. Like Jersey Girl. I mean, as far as romantic comedies go, it wasn't bad at all. If it hadn't been for the ill-timed Bennifer thing and the movie had been allowed to stand on its own, it probably would have been received pretty well. And if it had been released during the height of Bennifer instead of during the I-can't-stand-those-two-anymore end of it, the movie probably would have been a huge success and then Kevin could have gracefully transitioned away from fart joke territory without people making such a big deal about it.

Comedy isn't easy. If it's a comedy and I laugh, it's a good movie. If it's a comedy and I don't laugh, it's not, and I don't care how tight everything else about it was. Smith's movies have always made me laugh, so I like his work plenty. I liked Chasing Amy because it also had a serious element that worked equally well. If his new film is horror and it creeps me out, then I'll consider it good too. Better, at least, than all these new slasher flicks that are so much of the same, predictable, unlikely, supernatural rubbish that barely worked 20 years ago.

(Reply to this)

Lizard Brain writes:
on Apr 07 2007 10:41 AM

[b]"Red State."[/b]
From a horror movie entitiled "Red State, " my guess is that voters of 2000 and 2004 from the 'red states' take over all of America with the end of the world soon to follow. If this doesn't scare you, then you're not paying attention...

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 07 2007 11:58 AM

In reply to this comment (#860516)
Pardon me Sir, but I find your broad generalizations here really offensive, I'm originally from Iowa. One of the so called "Red States" and consider myself fairly conservative if not a republican (I have a general dislike for the separation a two-party system engenders) and I think you'll find that the values expressed by Mr. Phelps and his group i.e. the belief that the deaths of our soldiers is a punishment from God for homosexuality are as much anethema to the vast majority of conservatives as much as I'm sure they are to you. I honestly hope you were using the term "Red Staters" to refer to this specific group and not as a generalization to refer to all people who come from so called "red states" or who chose thru our democratic process to vote for President Bush. Otherwise you're just following their example of hate and intolerance if to a much lesser degree. I think you'll find in fact that the only organization who's even remotely supported these fanatics is the ACLU which is generally considered a very "Blue State" organization. On the original topic however, I have no issue with the title of the film as I consider such titles as "Red or Blue States" meaningless twaddle thought up by talking heads on 24 hour cable news.

(Reply to this)

ThunderMammoth writes:
on Apr 07 2007 12:21 PM

boy, i sure hope there will be a WHOLE LOT OF TALKING ABOUT NOTHING in this film! can't wait to see more of that.

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Joe Utichi writes:
on Apr 07 2007 01:52 PM

I feel it's probably necessary to point out that just as Hostel sounds like hostile, so Red State, while obviously tied into the red state thing, is more of a pun than it is anything else. Red being the colour of blood, in case it needs further pointing out.

(Reply to this)

whytemyke writes:
on Apr 07 2007 05:45 PM

[b]hmm[/b]
This movies gonna need some Aaron Sorkin. That'd be a cool horror movie to watch. Five minute speeches about the state of society with Jack Nicholson saying something like, "You've been found GUILTY, sir, of tarnishing this great nation of mine" before stabbing a guy with a cross.

Basically what I'm imagining is The Apostle meets A Few Good Men. Let's make this happen. (I'm gonna go write Fox... God, Soldiers, and Righteousness? This is right up their alley...I'M RICH, B****!!!)

(Reply to this)

Mikeal420 writes:
on Apr 07 2007 07:28 PM

In reply to this comment (#860520)
Pardon me sir, but I for one am a socialy leftist, economicaly liberal(which means I usually don't side with the Democrats, in case people here don't know what economically liberal really means), and militarily center boy from Chicago, but I completly agree with you. Phelps does not represent the culture of the "red-states", but like left-wing fanatics from the urban centers, people like Phelps are an extreme product of that culture and cannot be discounted.

(Reply to this)

whytemyke writes:
on Apr 07 2007 07:38 PM

actually, the more I think about it.. Kevin Smith needs a parody in here. Recreate that scene from Shining where Jack pops his head through the door, and instead of that have it be Jason Mewes going "LADIES LADIES LADIES! JAY AND SILENT BOB IS IN THE HIZZOUSSE!"

I just created the trailer for Red State. You're all welcome. I'll be going now.

(Reply to this)

Evimeleth writes:
on Apr 07 2007 08:29 PM

Heh, how hilarious. People start bashing Kevin Smith, then he posts, and this turns into a magnificent ball-licking fest. And then he stops answering. He must be laughing his ass off. XD

To stay on topic, I have mixed feelings about this project. It would be Kev's first horror flick, after more than a decade doing comedies. I truly hope he suceeds, though. Not only because I'm a fan of his work, but because "horror movies" nowdays just don't scare me. I wanna see something that would make hell of going to sleep, and not something that just makes me go "whoa" while I'm in the theather.

(Reply to this)

Atomix writes:
on Apr 07 2007 09:36 PM

Complaining about the title "Red State" pisses me off. You know those focus groups Hollywood shows movies to from time to time and then changes the movie based on the results of the focus group?

That's the kinda horse hockey they would come up with. No real director should ever alter their vision to appeal to a test audience or play to a base. If Smith comes up with a better title that's one thing. But if he changes it to appeal to people in Iowa because CNN calls Iowa a red state.... then he can eat my ass. And so can Iowa. Infact if I have any family left in Des Moines they can eat my ass too.

hypothetically.

(Reply to this)

Jbourne37 writes:
on Apr 07 2007 11:22 PM

In reply to this comment (#860499)
Kevin Smith spends more time on RT than I do. And that's why I love you, sir.

Also, I'm disappointed this is the 38 post. So fuck the person who posted above me.

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 08 2007 03:47 AM

In reply to this comment (#860528)
The state of Iowa recognizes your latent homosexuality and possibly deviant ass fetish and wishes you the best of luck with both, but unfortunately most of us don't swing that way so we'll have to turn down your generous offer. In seriousness, I agree with your argument that directors shouldn't cater to the vocal minority. I just hope the movie recognizes that phelps' group in an extreme minority and this doesn't turn into a political bashing trying to link these fanatics with President Bush or the Republican Party. Red State, Blue State we're all Americans and that's more important than any of our differences.

(Reply to this)

ThatKevinSmith writes:
on Apr 08 2007 08:50 AM

In reply to this comment (#860530)
"I just hope the movie recognizes that phelps' group in an extreme minority and this doesn't turn into a political bashing trying to link these fanatics with President Bush or the Republican Party."

No worries there, sir. Right-bashing is not part of my agenda; trying to entertain (and maybe make you think a little) is paramount.

I may be fat, bearded, and bespectacled, but I don't have Michael Moore's motivations.

I also, however, don't have his grosses, either.

*sigh*

(Reply to this)

BuckRogers writes:
on Apr 08 2007 09:05 AM

"The shinining" is the scariest movie ever, that scene with twins in the hallway isn't gruesome in a "Hostel" or "Saw" kind of way, but that and the overall creepiness of "The Shining" hasn't been re-captured on the screen, ever.

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Apr 08 2007 10:11 AM

In reply to this comment (#860531)
Fantastic, hopefully someday people will learn that if you want to change something getting a bunch of people together when they should be working and making overblown accusations isn't the way to do it. I thought what you did with Dogma was genius. As a fellow Catholic it was nice to see someone point out the portions of our religion which most of us know deep in our hearts are silly without it seeming like a raging condemnation of all of us for the mistakes of a few and an emphasis about what's still good about Catholicism and modern Christianity as a whole.

(Reply to this)

schwinginbatman writes:
on Apr 08 2007 02:19 PM

I'm kind of confused on what exactly "Red State" is supposed to be then. Maybe it'll be horrifying in the way "Jesus Camp" was? I consider that to be a horror movie.

(Reply to this)

Captain Shimmy writes:
on Apr 08 2007 06:44 PM

'Jesus Camp' was horrifying to many, many, MANY people, including Jesus, my hardcore Southern Baptist friends, and myself, a Baptist preacher. But I do very much look forward to anything Kevin Smith does. He's a true fanboy hero and I love him for it.

(Reply to this)

smartmoviekid writes:
on Apr 08 2007 11:05 PM

Kevin Smith is cool and all, but to tell u the truth, only like less that 50% of his movies were actually funny and good (Clerks, Clerks 2, and ummm idk honestly i thought the other movies like mallrats, Dogma, Jersey girl, and Jay/silent bob strike back suck) i thikn maybe a change to horror would be a good move because it'll at least show us watchers if he has extended talents besides just goofball comedy

(Reply to this)

OneSoup writes:
on Apr 10 2007 04:25 PM

Might be cool. A good scare like a good laugh is all about timing.

(Reply to this)

zgberg writes:
on Apr 11 2007 10:45 AM

The only thing scarier than Islamic fundamentalism...Far right American fundamentalism.

(Reply to this)

RunningPauley writes:
on Apr 12 2007 02:12 AM

In response to all the Shining fans, what you've got to remember as well as Kubrick doing a grand job of adapting that story, is the source material was already incredibly scary. I'm a big horror novel fan, and The Shining is the only book that's ever truly scared me while I was reading it. It very nearly had to go in the Freezer.

As far as the KS movie goes, I'm personally pretty psyched at the thought of it. Along with others on here, when it comes to Horror, it's the idea of things which scare me more than actually being shown someone ripped apart. My fave horror movie is, and always will be Halloween, cos although it's not the most frightening of movies to watch, Myers and that mask stay in your head long after it's finished, and that's more frightening than anything. And this movie sounds cool to me as it seems like it may be a long similar lines..... about something/somebody that's truly freaking evil. No demonic input or possesion happening, just a man, but who's the epitome of evil. Terrifying!

[P]

(Reply to this)

avidly writes:
on May 01 2007 01:43 PM

Kevin-- if you want truly horrifying, set the movie in west river South Dakota. Now that's scary. Minnesota is a blue state, god bless 'em.

(Reply to this)

punktuate writes:
on Oct 09 2007 02:44 PM

If a fake Kevin Smith can say *****, I should be alowed to repeat Jay's song from the opening of "Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back"

Sorry - forgot about the non-cursing thing. It's been corrected.

But as for being a fake Kevin Smith...

http://viewaskew.com/theboard/viewtopic.php?p=2113969#2113969

haha awesome Hey Kevin I met you once at that Dockers Clerks awards viewing in San Francisco you were cool as hell hey it sounds like Red State is going to be bad@$$ sir...... my favorite movies besides yours of course is American Psycho, Clockwork Orange, and The Shining it sounds like your going with that people are $#@$ed up and are scarier than some dude in a hockey mask that doesn't talk get outta here with that I like where it sounds like your going.

(Reply to this)

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