Clerks 2

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Clerks 2

I also loved his in-action-synopsis of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy... how they just walk the whole movie.

That was awesome. When the DVD comes out I hope there are some deleted scenes from that part. When they show the two guys eating, I thought it was going to be an all-out Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings debate.

[elicoleman]

Re: Clerks 2

DVD comes out on Tuesday. I definitely plan on picking it up.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Clerks 2

DVD comes out on Tuesday. I definitely plan on picking it up.

I can't wait for the DVD release this Tuesday.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Clerks 2

Any special features?

[elicoleman]

Re: Clerks 2

Ummm, this is a thread about Clerks 2. LOL

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Clerks 2

Awesome

[elicoleman]

Re: Clerks 2

Supplements: What Goodies Are There?

This two-disc edition overflows with a generous set of great supplements; the keepcase boasts of over six hours of bonus features. I cannot contradict. I’ll begin by mentioning the obligatory preprogrammed content that opens disc one. First is an anti-smoking promo (1:04), an interesting choice considering Smith’s serious nicotine addiction. I wonder if that was his choice or The Weinstein Company’s. Next is a collection of trailers (11:40) for theatrical and DVD release that includes: Fan Boys (a comedy about Star Wars nerds out to steal a distribution print of Episode I before it premiered - I think the trailer gives away the best joke in the film); Unknown (a crime melodrama with an interesting premise); School For Scoundrels; Now You Know (Jeff Anderson’s directorial debut); and Feast.

When you choose to play the film, you’ll be given the option of watching an introduction by director Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier (4:39). The intro is lighthearted and it gives the guys chances to express their appreciation for your disc purchase and to describe the extensive extras built into this DVD release. That intro is also available on the second page of the Special Features menu.

On disc one there are three commentaries. The first is by director Kevin Smith, producer Scott Mosier, and cinematographer David Klein. This is a surprisingly (but not completely) straight, highly technical conversation about how the film was shot and processed. We learn about the film stock, cameras, Steady-Cam, cranes, post-processing, digital manipulation, green screen work, editing . . . for someone like me, who appreciates the technical aspect of filmmaking, it was a really interesting.

The second commentary is by the cast. Smith and Mosier are joined by Jeff Anderson, Trevor Fehrman, Jason Mewes, Brian O'Halloran, and Jennifer Schwalbach. This is 2% screen-specific and 98% party. They sit around to reminisce, share stories, and try to one-up each other. You may not learn much about the making of the film, but you will learn much about life on a Kevin Smith shoot. On the chuckle meter - where 1 is a smile and 10 is a laugh-induced hernia - this track is about a 5.

Next is a remarkably clever bit of marketing strategy. In the first ever example of film imitating DVD, for the theatrical run, Smith, Mosier and Anderson recorded a commentary track and made it available for downloading. Slip your iPod in your pocket, your earbuds in your ears, and sit back and listen to a commentary in the motion picture theater. Now I ask you, isn’t that a clever way to get the fans to buy tickets for two showings? This track is a little more specific, but the material is better covered elsewhere, specifically in the documentary and production diaries. You’ll also notice a drop in fidelity compared to the other two tracks.

There are 36:32 worth of Deleted Scenes. These are, for the most part, extensions of existing scenes or possibly alternate versions. I can’t say that any would have propelled the story more effectively than the theatrical cut. I was left with the impression that some of the more outrageous or scatological bits were excised. Does this portend of a more sensitive Kevin Smith, possibly influenced by his experiences as husband and dad? We can hope not. The chuckle meter registered a solid seven.

Next is A Closer Look at Interspecies Sex (8:59), as if a closer look was all that necessary. The uninhibited Zak Knutson may resemble a biker, but he’s a tad inhibited after all. He describes his being brought into the show and the experience of filming that sequence. Hint: if you ever see him in a restaurant with his mom, don’t bring it up.

By the way, as the film’s closing credits end, there is a huge list of names that scroll by with such speed and persistence that I had no idea what was going on. I hit the previous chapter button and froze the frame to find, Mooby’s Clerks II - MySpace Friends.

Moving on to disc two, we find a documentary called Back to the Well: Clerks 2 (1:26:54); it’s available with an optional introduction by Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier (3:17). This is a very fine, totally linear, and coherent tale of the film’s history, from Smith’s bailing on The Green Hornet to the eight-minute standing ovation for Clerks II at Cannes. We learn how Mewes’ addictions motivated Smith to abandon the View Askew Universe and return when Mewes became clean and sober. Writing, financing, casting, filming . . . it’s all here. This is the best documentation of the film on the disc set, and considering the vast quantity of good extras, that’s saying a lot.

The Blooper Reel is a generous 27:39, and also comes with an optional introduction by Smith and Mosier (2:16). There are a few giggles, but the reel is more smile-inducing than laugh-out-loud funny. Chuckle index four. One thing shines through: a fun shoot.

Train Wrecks: Video Production Diaries (51:02 with the Play All option) is a ten part feature again with an introduction by Smith and Mosier. These are culled from a much larger collection that had been available on the Web. I found them to be somewhat repetitious with a couple of exceptions. My favorite sequence is devoted to describing and explaining the special CGI effects used to burn the Quick Stop.

Finally, you’ll find the Clerks 2 Soundtrack Promo (0:47) for those who dig the source cuts used in the flick.

The 97-minute feature film is organized into eighteen chapters.

Exclusive DVD-ROM Features: What happens when you pop the disc into your PC?

None are included on this disc.

Easter Eggs

On disc one, on the second page of the Special Features menu, you’ll find a hamburger in a thought balloon just to the left of Randal’s head. Select it and you’ll see Kevin Smith chatting about the Askewniverse Bible (1:11).

On disc two, on the main menu page, you’ll find a Mooby Cow sitting on our hero’s shoulders. Select it and be treated to a 2:25 spoof of a ‘40s film production teaser. There’s another shoulder-poised Mooby Cow on the Train Wrecks page. That one brings you Clerkin’ Off (4:53), which is a sequence highlighting a day’s shoot in New Jersey. Both seem to be culled from the Production Diary series.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Clerks 2

I wonder if the Star Wars vs Lord of the Rings scene is extended or not.

[SPTO]

Re: Clerks 2

I never did get to see this in the theatres so i'll be renting it this coming week.

[USF11]

Re: Clerks 2

I never did get to see this in the theatres so i'll be renting it this coming week.

This and Borat are neck and neck for funniest movie of the year.

[X*Cell]

Re: Clerks 2

The storyline of this movie definetely beats out Borat... and it was just as funny or funnier...

Clerks 2 is the comedy of the year definetely!

[SLAYER]

Re: Clerks 2

The storyline of this movie definetely beats out Borat... and it was just as funny or funnier...

Clerks 2 is the comedy of the year definetely!

100% agree with this post. Borat was still a decent comedy, though.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Clerks 2

I'm getting the Clerks 2 DVD on Wednesday. Hopefully the movie is good.

I haven't seen Clerks or Clerks 2.

[X*Cell]

Re: Clerks 2

I'm getting the Clerks 2 DVD on Wednesday. Hopefully the movie is good.

I haven't seen Clerks or Clerks 2.

You'll love them, if you have a mind for em...

one thing about this movie is that it sounds really boring when you explain the synopsis. It's one of those movies you just have to see.

[elicoleman]

Re: Clerks 2

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I love that part.