Kevin Smith is probably my favorite actor/director/writer ever. When I was a little girl, my Sunday’s were spent watching Mallrats and Clerks on USA network. From there, it was Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (not even kidding; my best friend and I used to sing that “Jungle Love” bit over and over and over until her older brother wanted to throw us over the balcony of their condo). After that, I became a HUGE FanGirl. I couldn’t get enough of the Jersey trilogy, or anything else he put out for that matter. I had comics, t-shirts, just about anything I could get my hands on that he was attached to in some way. I’m not sure why, exactly – But it just seems like he “spoke” to me (which is all any good writer can ask to do, really).
Granted, not everything he touched turned to gold (remember Jersey Girl? Yeah, I tried to forget it too), but for the most part the man is a pure genius! So when I heard he was making Red State, I almost couldn’t contain my excitement. I mean, seriously – Kevin Smith writing and directing a freaking horror movie?! This has got to be good! Now, I live in the country and the closest film festival is almost three hours away, so I had to wait until it was released on video before I could see it. And let me tell you, I’m glad I waited. It just didn’t quite do it for me, but hey – to each their own, right?
But he’s at it again, and this time he’s decided that self distribution just isn’t for him. So this time he’s got the help of A24 and Demarest Films to get the word out there – Stating “We’re so lucky A24 fell in love with our walrus picture and jumped in the pool with us. I was a big fan of how they released The Bling Ring and Spring Breakers, so I was praying TUSK would take root there. If anyone knows how to bring this flick to the masses, it’s them!”
A24 says that the film is going to “Blow people’s minds” and I don’t doubt it for a second. If I have faith in anyone that the second time’s going to be a charm, it’s Mr. Smith.
Do you think that Tusk will be a major Horror hit, or will it be another flop? Does Kevin Smith have any business writing horror scripts or should he stick to what he knows? Let us know what you think in the comments!
