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  • ‘The 4:30 Movie’ Interview: Director Kevin Smith

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    Available on digital beginning October 1st is ‘The 4:30 Movie,’ directed by Kevin Smith, and starring Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo, Reed Northrup, Siena Agudong, Jason Lee, Kate Micucci, Justin Long, Genesis Rodriguez, and Ken Jeong.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The 4:30 Movie’

    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking over Zoom with ‘Clerks‘ and ‘Chasing Amy‘ writer and director Kevin Smith about his new film “The 4:30 Movie,” a semi-autobiographical, warmly nostalgic look at a teen romance that blossoms in the seats of a local movie theater in the summer of 1986.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Kevin Smith.

    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Moviefone: To begin with, how are you feeling about the response to the movie so far?

    Kevin Smith: So good, man, no complaints. It’s a nice byproduct when people like the movie. Never the aim but never not the aim. It’s never like, “I want to make something people hate.” But it’s nice when you make something and people are like, “Yeah, good on you.”

    (L to R) Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith's ‘The 4:30 Movie'. Photo: Saban Films.
    (L to R) Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie’. Photo: Saban Films.

    Moviefone: Are the events of this film sort of ripped right from the pages of the Kevin Smith biography?

    Kevin Smith: Yeah. I mean, look, the events of every movie I’ve ever made are pretty much ripped from the pages of the Kevin Smith biography with the exception of ‘Dogma.’ Even parts of that are pretty autobiographical. I’m not a very inventive storyteller or filmmaker. I crib from real life all the time, and this movie is absolutely no exception. The first scene [in which the teen lead calls the Chinese restaurant where his crush works], that long phone conversation, that literally happened and that’s almost verbatim the things that I said in terms of making a big order and then saying “Six and a half almond cookies and your hand in marriage.” Stuff like that came right out of real life. There are moments where Brian David, our main character, is riding around talking into his tape recorder — I lifted that from recordings of me doing the exact same thing. I cribbed liberally from my real life to make this flick. But to be fair, I do that with all the flicks.

    (L to R) Reed Northrup as Belly, Austin Zajur as Brian David and Nicholas Cirillo as Burny in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    (L to R) Reed Northrup as Belly, Austin Zajur as Brian David and Nicholas Cirillo as Burny in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Moviefone: You filmed this in the theater that was your local cineplex as a kid — which you ended up buying and turning into Smodcastle Cinemas. Was the theater in danger of closing before you jumped in?

    Kevin Smith: In fact, the other day was the two-year anniversary of us taking over officially and it becoming Smodcastle Cinemas. This was a movie theater I grew up going to in my childhood. My father would take me there, I’d go there with my family, I’d go there with my friends on the weekend. It’s in the neighboring town, Atlantic Highlands [New Jersey], right next to where I grew up. Post-COVID, like many movie theaters, they fell on pretty hard times. There are multiplexes all around us with better seating and bigger, better quality but this was our local community theater. Me and my friends got together and bought it to keep it going. It’s over 100 years old so we were like “Let’s try it for another 100.” But when we bought it, one of the first things I realized is I got a free set. I can make a whole-ass movie here. This is a location for heaven’s sakes. Naturally being the guy who made ‘Clerks,’ it’s like “Do I make a movie about what it’s like to work in a movie theater?” I never did that myself so that would be like pretending or stolen valor. So I was like “You know what I can do? Tell a story about all the times that I hopped theaters as a kid.” Our parents would drop us off for the matinee and then come pick us up at 10:00 at night, and only give us two bucks to go to the movies, man. You pay for one movie and then you snuck into another and then you snuck into another and you kept going. So I figured with this location I can tell that story. There’s something cheeky about making a movie in a movie theater about movies and stuff. It’s not so much cheeky as affectionate. Obviously, movies have been a big part of my life. So much so they shaped my adulthood. Where I saw them, where I ingested those movies, that gets the shout-out this time around. I’ve been shouting out movies my whole life and it’s time to shout out where I saw those movies. At the same time, it could be a free commercial for Smodcastle Cinemas — two birds, one stone, or two birds, one seed as my kid said.

    Ken Jeong as Manager Mike in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    Ken Jeong as Manager Mike in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Moviefone: Finally, is it your policy as the owner now to look the other way if people sneak in and out of the auditoriums?

    Kevin Smith: 100%. In the end credits of ‘4:30 Movie’ I tell people, “Smodcastle Cinemas, go visit. Pay for one movie, hop around, go see as many movies you want. If you get caught tell Ernie I said it was okay.” As a film exhibitor I know how tough it is to get asses in seats, man. We had ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ open a couple of weeks ago, I asked Smodcastle keeper Ernie O’Donnell, the guy that runs the place, “How’d we do with ‘Beetlejuice’?” He goes, “Friday we had 50 tickets, Saturday we had 100.” That’s the whole day. That’s good for a brand-new movie for us. Really the stuff that tends to do well at our theaters is retro screenings. So like “Hey man, I’m going to show ‘Tusk’ and Justin Long’s here. Hey, we’re going to show ‘Mallrats’ and Jason Lee’s here.” I could sell out those screenings and stuff. But when it comes to just selling real movies on the daily they’ll prefer to go to other movie theaters that have the better seating and s**t like that. So anything to get people to head to our theater is a good thing. Hopefully, them going, “What, there was a movie shot here?” is just one more reason for them to come visit. This is a temple that taught me my craft. The thing that I would eventually spend my life doing, my vocation, was born by sitting in those seats. I sat in those seats with people that I dearly love, some of whom are not even around anymore, like my father. Keeping it alive, man. It started as like, “Hey, I’m a filmmaker, this makes sense having a movie theater.” Quentin [Tarantino]‘s got one. It’s a little harder to run a movie theater in suburban New Jersey in terms of getting talent to come out. When you’re in Hollywood people just live here. But I’ve been able to bring Hollywood to the theater over the course of the last two years. No more so than when we brought cameras in and started rolling. Now for the rest of my life, or as long as we own that movie theater, I’ll always be able to play ‘The 4:30 Movie’ there on a Sunday at 4:30 from now until the end of time. It’ll never stay in other movie theaters. Maybe they’ll do retro or rep house screenings of it one day. But in our theater it will always live. Very rarely does a movie theater get to be like, “The whole movie was shot here.” We’ll showcase that forever.

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    What is the plot of ‘The 4:30 Movie’?

    Three teenage friends (Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo and Reed Northrup) map out an afternoon outing to the local cineplex in the summer of 1986, but their plans to sneak into a new R-rated movie could be disrupted by the irritating theater owner and a host of other characters — not to mention one of the boys bringing his dream girl to the cinema as well.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The 4:30 Movie’?

    • Austin Zajur as Brian David
    • Nicholas Cirillo as Burny
    • Reed Northrup as Belly
    • Siena Agudong as Melody Barnegat
    • Justin Long as Stank
    • Jason Lee as Brian’s dad
    • Kate Micucci as Melody’s mom
    • Genesis Rodriguez as Usher
    • Ken Jeong as Manager Mike
    (L to R) Siena Agudong as Melody Barnegat and Austin Zajur as Brian David in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    (L to R) Siena Agudong as Melody Barnegat and Austin Zajur as Brian David in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Other Kevin Smith Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The 4:30 Movie’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Kevin Smith Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘The 4:30 Movie’

    (L to R) Reed Northrup as Belly, Nicholas Cirillo as Burny and Austin Zajur as Brian David in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    (L to R) Reed Northrup as Belly, Nicholas Cirillo as Burny and Austin Zajur as Brian David in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Opening in theaters September 20th is ‘The 4:30 Movie,’ written and directed by Kevin Smith and starring Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo, Reed Northrup, Siena Agudong, Jason Lee, Kate Micucci, Justin Long, Genesis Rodriguez, and Ken Jeong.

    Related Article: Director Kevin Smith Talks ‘Clerks III’ and the Legacy of the Franchise

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Siena Agudong as Melody Barnegat and Austin Zajur as Brian David in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    (L to R) Siena Agudong as Melody Barnegat and Austin Zajur as Brian David in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Moving away from the deconstructed horror and near-nihilistic meta comedy of his past few films (including the pure despair of his last one, ‘Clerks III’), Kevin Smith seems to be in a much better mood with ‘The 4:30 Movie,’ a semi-autobiographical teen comedy that draws heavily from his own early life and finds just enough of a sweet spot between his usual tasteless humor and some genuinely earnest coming-of-age romance to keep the film interesting and perhaps even attract a few new viewers to his walled cinematic garden.

    Smith’s latest joint benefits from nice performances by his young cast as well, which partially counteracts his usual tendency to park the camera and let scenes roll on for too long. At the same time, he can’t help but include a bunch of his trademark raunchy humor, and the list of guest stars from the vast canon of his View Askewniverse can be equal parts distracting, irritating, and funny.

    Story and Direction

    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    For those of us of a certain age who grew up in the New York/New Jersey area – as Kevin Smith did – “The 4:30 Movie” was a holy after-school ritual every day. Broadcast on the local ABC-TV affiliate (Channel 7, back in the prehistoric days when cable was something you towed a car with and streaming was what rain did down your windows), the program fit both theatrical and made-for-TV films into a daily 90-minute timeslot. The show’s themed weeks, in which it would show all five ‘Planet of the Apes’ films or a string of Godzilla features, were an essential part of many grade-schoolers’ film education.

    We suspect Smith was a fan of that ‘4:30 Movie’ too, but that’s not the nostalgia that his new film ‘The 4:30 Movie’ harvests, sadly. Instead, the title refers to the showtime of a new R-rated film playing at the local multiplex in the New Jersey town of Atlantic Highlands (near where Smith grew up) that three friends – film-obsessed Brian (Austin Zajur), ladies’ man Burny (Nicholas Cirillo), and seemingly dim yet observant Belly (Reed Northrup) – plan on sneaking into after paying to see an earlier PG movie they’ve watched before. But there’s a new wrinkle to the plan: Brian has also invited his crush Melody (Siena Agudong) along. After failing to go to second base (with her encouragement and permission) in her pool last summer, Brian has remained infatuated with Melody and wants to take her on a proper date…with his two best friends along for the trip.

    ‘The 4:30 Movie’ takes place in the summer of 1986, right in the midst of Smith’s teen years and clearly inspired by events from his own life (the film was shot at the cineplex in which it takes place, which Smith now owns). As with all Smith films, the plot is only a loose framework on which to hang a bunch of character interactions and random incidents, most of which feature walk-ons from Smith regulars like Rosario Dawson, Jason Lee, Justin Long, Harley Quinn Smith, and of course ‘Clerks’ stalwarts Jeff Anderson, Brian O’Halloran, and Jason Mewes (spoiler alert: they don’t play their regular characters here, but the movie is very much set in the View Askewniverse).

    Ken Jeong as Manager Mike in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    Ken Jeong as Manager Mike in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    There are plenty of moments, characterizations, and jokes in ‘The 4:30 Movie’ that fall flat, just as there are others that are crude or, in the case of the overbearing, self-important multiplex owner Manager Mike (Ken Jeong), borderline offensive. But there is a sweetness at the heart of the movie, exemplified by the relationship between Brian and Melody. He is shy, horny, and immature, but respectful where it counts, while she is self-possessed, confident, wise beyond her years, and direct in her eagerness to be Brian’s girlfriend. Their blooming romance comes into direct collision with Brian’s relationship to his two bros, Burny and Belly, with Burny in particular having a dim view of the female species that one hopes he’ll eventually grow out of. The situation brings the friendship between the three to a head, changing their dynamic in ways they don’t see coming.

    Those are the best parts of ‘The 4:30 Movie,’ where Smith hits at some genuine emotional truth among teenagers who are just starting to brush up against the feelings and experiences that mark their transition to adulthood. Smith’s empathy for that, as well as his genuine affection for the time, place, and cultural zeitgeist in which the film is set, makes this one of his better movies in recent years. The rest of it – the inert camerawork, staid compositions, jokes that just dangle helplessly in the air – in a weird way, they’re part of the charm too this time.

    The Cast

    (L to R) Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith's ‘The 4:30 Movie'. Photo: Saban Films.
    (L to R) Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie’. Photo: Saban Films.

    Whether it’s the aging semi-professional slackers of ‘Clerks III’ or the insipid leads of ‘Yoga Hosers,’ Kevin Smith has a knack for casting people it can sometimes be difficult to watch. With ‘The 4:30 Movie,’ however, his two leads – Austin Zajur as Brian and Siena Agudong as Melody – are two of his better choices. Agudong in particular is a potential star in the making, radiating intelligence, charisma, and warmth, while Zajur is quite effective himself as a teen pulled in several directions while trying to find his own.

    Nick Cirillo and Reed Northrup both show their own flashes of wit and depth as Brian’s friends, with Northrup in particular having a standout scene late in the game. As for the rest of the cast – well, it’s a wonder than Ken Jeong manages to eke out some memorably funny lines and even a moment of humanity or two as the otherwise abrasive Manager Mike, while Genesis Rodriguez gets a brief spotlight as a box office cashier with a secret of her own. Everyone else – Smith’s usual coterie of pals and repertoire players – more or less walks through and waves.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Reed Northrup as Belly, Austin Zajur as Brian David and Nicholas Cirillo as Burny in the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    (L to R) Reed Northrup as Belly, Austin Zajur as Brian David and Nicholas Cirillo as Burny in the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    As we said above, ‘The 4:30 Movie’ is not likely to be a game-changer for Kevin Smith – he might gain a few more viewers for this one, but his style of filmmaking is what it is, and his fanbase is pretty much entrenched. When you sit down for a Kevin Smith film, you know what you’re going to get, and you’re either open to navigating that or not.

    Having said that, this movie does have a lot more warmth to it that his last few outings, and while Smith always pours his heart into his films, that heart comes through a little more clearly here. It’s an ode to what he himself describes in a long end-credits thank-you list as a “happy childhood,” and there are moments that many of us can relate to here (including sneaking from the PG movie into the R-rated one). Now we’d like to see a film about ABC’s “4:30 Movie” as well.

    ‘The 4:30 Movie’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘The 4:30 Movie’?

    Three teenage friends (Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo and Reed Northrup) map out an afternoon outing to the local cineplex in the summer of 1986, but their plans to sneak into a new R-rated movie could be disrupted by the irritating theater owner and a host of other characters — not to mention one of the boys bringing his dream girl to the cinema as well.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The 4:30 Movie’?

    • Austin Zajur as Brian David
    • Nicholas Cirillo as Burny
    • Reed Northrup as Belly
    • Siena Agudong as Melody Barnegat
    • Justin Long as Stank
    • Jason Lee as Brian’s dad
    • Kate Micucci as Melody’s mom
    • Genesis Rodriguez as Usher
    • Ken Jeong as Manager Mike
    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, 'The 4:30 Movie', a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
    Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.

    Other Kevin Smith Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The 4:30 Movie’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Kevin Smith Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘My Spy The Eternal City’ Exclusive Cast Interviews

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    Streaming globally on Prime Video beginning July 18th is the sequel to 2020’s ‘My Spy’ entitled ‘My Spy The Eternal City’, which was once again directed by Pete Segal (‘Tommy Boy’).

    Reprising their roles in the new movie are Dave Bautista (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’), Chloe Coleman (‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’), Kristen Schaal (‘Toy Story 4’), and Ken Jeong (‘Crazy Rich Asians’), and joining the cast are Craig Robinson (‘Dolemite Is My Name’), Flula Borg (‘The Suicide Squad’), and Anna Faris (‘Lost in Translation’).

    Related Article: Anna Faris will Appear in ‘My Spy’ Sequel ‘The Eternal City’ Opposite Dave Bautista

    Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman and Ken Jeong talk 'My Spy The Eternal City'.
    Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman and Ken Jeong talk ‘My Spy The Eternal City’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman and Ken Jeong about their work on ‘My Spy The Eternal City’, reuniting with the cast, reprising their roles, and how the characters have changed since the last movie.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Bautista, Coleman and Jeong, as well as Flula Borg, Anna Faris and director Pete Segal.

    Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista on the set of My Spy The Eternal City.'
    (L to R) Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista on the set of My Spy The Eternal City.’ Photo: Graham Bartholomew. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Dave, what was it like for you to return to this franchise and work with Chloe again, and how has JJ changes since the first film?

    Dave Bautista: Well, first, JJ is in total dad mode. In this film, it’s all about being a dad. His mission in life is to be a good dad. As far as coming back and stepping back into the role, it was just effortless. I knew who the character was. We’ve been friends for so many years now, and so it was very comfortable. There was no anxiety about performance. We were all so comfortable with each other. So, this one, it was just easier. It was effortless. Everything about it was. We shot the first one in the winter in Toronto and this film, we were in the summer in Cape Town and Rome. Everything was bigger and it was better, and it was fun. It was like being on vacation and it was like being on vacation with family. So, it was effortless. And it’s really cool because the kids who fell in love with the first ‘My Spy’, they’ve grown up too. They’ve grown up with Sophie.

    Chloe Coleman as Sophie and Dave Bautista as JJ on the set of 'My Spy The Eternal City.'
    (L to R) Chloe Coleman as Sophie and Dave Bautista as JJ on the set of ‘My Spy The Eternal City.’ Photo: Graham Bartholomew. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    MF: Chloe, can you talk about returning for this sequel and working with Dave again, and how has Sophie changed since the last time we saw her?

    Chloe Coleman: Sophie is grown up. She’s a teenager now, which is kind of crazy to think about. I think it was bittersweet aging her up, honestly, because I feel like I’ve known her forever as this sassy little girl. So, I think it was important to keep her personality from the first film, but also bring her into this new world of high school and how the dynamic has changed with her and JJ of her wanting independence. She really relied on him a lot in the first film, but now she has friends, and her world has becoming bigger and it’s a lot for her to deal with. Then at the same time, she’s trying to save the world and doing all this awesome action stuff. So, it’s a lot but it’s cool.

    Ken Jeong as Kim and Dave Bautista as JJ in 'My Spy The Eternal City.'
    (L to R) Ken Jeong as Kim and Dave Bautista as JJ in ‘My Spy The Eternal City.’ Photo: Graham Bartholomew. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    MF: Finally, Ken, can you talk about how your character fits into the story this time around and what was it like to work with Dave and Chloe again?

    Ken Jeong: It was all the superlatives apply. It was just again, fit like a glove, so easy to come back. Then just so grateful to everyone and to Pete (Segal) for expanding my character and almost have a parallel story between my character and my character’s son, Colin. It is almost like a mirror to Sophie and JJ. I really believe the purpose of our dynamic is to just highlight and impress upon the deepening bond of Sophie and JJ. So, it was just an honor to be a part of that storytelling. I think that, and Dave and I always talk about this, we’re storytellers and just to contribute on that side of storytelling and giving you that mirror lane highway to Sophie and JJ, I was tracking while filming in it and it meant a lot that they trusted me to be a part of it.

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    What is the plot of ‘My Spy The Eternal City’?

    JJ (Dave Bautista) is persuaded to accompany Sophie (Chloe Coleman) on her school trip to Italy, where they become involved in a terrorist plot.

    Who is in the cast of ‘My Spy The Eternal City’?

    • Dave Bautista as JJ
    • Chloe Coleman as Sophie
    • Kristen Schaal as Bobbi
    • Ken Jeong as David Kim
    • Anna Faris as Nancy
    • Flula Borg as Crane
    • Craig Robinson as Connelly
    Dave Bautista as JJ in 'My Spy The Eternal City.'
    Dave Bautista as JJ in ‘My Spy The Eternal City.’ Photo: Graham Bartholomew. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    Other Dave Bautista Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Dave Bautista Movies on Amazon

  • Kevin Smith Announces New Comedy ‘The 4:30 Movie’

    Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith's ‘The 4:30 Movie'.
    (L to R) Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie’. Photo: Saban Films.

    Preview:

    • Kevin Smith has shot new comedy ‘The 4:30 Movie’.
    • A new coming-of-age saga about three teen friends, it’s set in 1986.
    • Smith will tour the movie this summer ahead of a theatrical release.

    Kevin Smith has made a career riffing on pop culture and channeling nostalgia, along with a steady stream of stoner gags.

    With his time in the ‘Clerks’ universe apparently over for a while, Kevin Smith has turned his attention to an original movie. His latest, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, might sound like it’s headed back in a weed direction (but it’s not ‘The 4:20 Movie), but is instead founded upon his own teenage love of cinema.

    And now the coming-of-age movie has a distribution deal, with Saban Films.

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    What’s the story of ‘The 4:30 Movie’?

    Set in the summer of 1986, the coming-of-age comedy follows three sixteen-year-old friends (played by Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo and Reed Northrup) who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local multiplex. But when one of the guys also invites the girl of his dreams (Siena Agudong) to see the latest comedy, each of the teens will learn something serious about life and love before the credits roll.

    Who else is in ‘The 4:30 Movie’?

    Justin Long as Hap Jackson in the thriller, 'House of Darkness.'
    Justin Long as Hap Jackson in the thriller, ‘House of Darkness,’ a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Saban Films.

    To support the young leads, Smith has recruited several returning veterans of his other movies and some new faces. The other cast includes Ken Jeong, Sam Richardson, Genesis Rodriguez, Justin Long, Jason Lee, Rachel Dratch, Kate Micucci, Adam Pally, Harley Quinn Smith and Method Man.

    Related Article: Director Kevin Smith Talks ‘Clerks III’ and the Legacy of the Franchise

    What has Kevin Smith said about his new movie?

    'Clerks III' director and writer Kevin Smith.
    ‘Clerks III’ director and writer Kevin Smith.

    As with the original ‘Clerks’, which was famously shot at night in the convenience store where Smith worked in his 20s, ‘The 4:30 Movie’ utilized the Smodcastle Cinema that the director owns. A cinema, in fact, in New Jersey where he used to visit as a teenager himself.

    This is what he told Deadline:

    “The day we bought Smodcastle Cinemas, I not only reclaimed an integral piece of my childhood, I also suddenly had access to a visually interesting and cost-free movie location! So I started writing a personal paean to the past for us 70’s and 80’s kids –– the pre-information generation who grew up without the Internet, when romance and relationships required much more than a swipe to get started, and the idea of asking out someone you had a crush on was as terrifying as the looming threat of nuclear war.”

    When will ‘The 4:30 Movie’ be in theaters?

    Smith is returning to a release policy that has worked for him in the past –– he’s taking the new movie out on a roadshow tour this summer. Then, it’ll be released nationwide in theaters, but a date has yet to be announced.

    Director/Writer Kevin Smith on the set of the comedy, 'Clerks III.'
    Director/Writer Kevin Smith on the set of the comedy, ‘Clerks III,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of John Bayer/Lionsgate.

    Other Kevin Smith Movies:

    Buy Kevin Smith Movies on Amazon

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  • TV Review: ‘The Afterparty’ Season 2

    Tiffany Haddish in 'The Afterparty,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Tiffany Haddish in ‘The Afterparty,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Launched with the first two episodes on Apple TV+, the second season of ‘The Afterparty’ manages to take the story in interesting new directors while also maintaining what made the first so entertaining.

    Created by Chris Miller and produced by Miller alongside regular creative partner Phil Lord, ‘The Afterparty’ has the clever conceit of presenting the events of the story from the different points of view of the various characters, all portrayed in different genres.

    And while the new season doesn’t have the frisson of a new idea in quite the same way, there is still plenty of freshness here.

    What’s the story of ‘The Afterparty’s second season?

    Zoë Chao and Sam Richardson in 'The Afterparty,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Zoë Chao and Sam Richardson in ‘The Afterparty,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    The story picks up with Aniq (Sam Richardson) and Zoë (Zoë Chao), now a couple, having made it through the murder mystery that sprang up during the afterparty of a high school reunion.

    It’s a year later and the pair are attending the wedding of Zoë’s sister Grace (Poppy Liu), who is getting married to wealthy tech type Edgar (Zach Woods) at his family’s expansive estate north of San Francisco.

    Aniq fails to make a good impression his girlfriend’s family, but that pales in comparison when Edgar is discovered dead the morning after the wedding (along with his pet lizard, Roxana).

    Soon, accusations are being thrown around and skeletons from the past on all sides are coming to light. Aniq contacts Detective Danner –– or rather former Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish) –– who cracked the case in the first season (and is now trying to write a book about the experience) to come and solve the new murder mystery.

    Who else appears in ‘The Afterparty’ Season 2?

    Jack Whitehall and John Cho in 'The Afterparty,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Jack Whitehall and John Cho in ‘The Afterparty,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Season two boasts a new group of characters including Edgar’s adopted sister Hannah (Anna Konkle), his widowed mother Isabel (Elizabeth Perkins), and business partner Sebastian (Jack Whitehall); Grace and Zoë’s parents Feng (Ken Jeong) and Vivian (Vivian Wu), as well as their long-estranged world-travelling uncle Ulysses (John Cho); and Grace’s ex-boyfriend Travis (Paul Walter Hauser).

    Related Article: Producers Phil Lord, Cristopher Miller and Cast Talk ‘The Afterparty’

    Is ‘The Afterparty’ Season 2 an event worth attending?

    Anna Konkle, Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Poppy Liu, John Cho, Vivian Wu, Ken Jeong and Zoë Chao in 'The Afterparty,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Anna Konkle, Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Poppy Liu, John Cho, Vivian Wu, Ken Jeong and Zoë Chao in ‘The Afterparty,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    As we mentioned, the idea of splitting the episodes between the various characters’ viewpoints and utilizing a different genre for each one is no longer as fresh and new as the first, but the show’s creative team has worked hard to make it feel different and worthwhile rather than a retread.

    Part of that is rounding up a superb new ensemble to bring the characters to life, with the highlights including Cho as the worldly, weird uncle that Zoë and Grace idolized as youngsters, but haven’t seen for years after he fell out with their parents. His re-introduction to their lives (organized by Edgar and Sebastian) is a fantastic showcase for Cho, who has rarely gotten to play such a flamboyant, weird character.

    Jeong is also great –– a picky shaved ice magnate (he’s quick to point out that it’s Taiwanese rather than Hawaiian) –– gives him a chance to do the sort of shouty, nervy character who works well playing against the others.

    Woods’ Edgar has his own set of quirks; a painfully socially awkward genius whose closest companion is his pet reptile, and while it might come across as the character he played or some he interacted with on ‘Silicon Valley’, he brings something new to this role. Kudos also to the effects team bringing Roxana the lizard to life –– she’s almost as much of a character as she is.

    Among the genres the season offers are Jane Austen-style period drama (for Grace’s story of how she met and fell for Edgar and her worries that Zoë isn’t on board with their whirlwind romance), and one set within the word of TikTok and other social media trends.

    And a breakout hit of the season to come is the episode focused on Danner investigating a different case. We won’t go into any big spoilers but suffice to say that fans of 1980s and 1990s thrillers (and food) will heartily enjoy the craziness on display. You can also expect to see a spoof of heist movies and 1950s melodrama.

    Through it all, Haddish and Richardson provide reliable anchors –– he all nervous energy and trying to do what’s right, she the quick-thinking, smack-talking type who knows that everyone lies at some point.

    There are the same level of twists and turns this time around, the various viewpoints providing different laughs and the emotional quotient remaining high. These are characters you’ll enjoy getting to know and figuring out who might have dangerous motives and reasons to wish Edgar harm.

    It also generates plenty of knowing stories about the tensions both within Asian families and towards them –– at one point Jeong’s Feng points out that white people clustered whispering is never a good thing.

    Lord and Miller have long proved to be skilled at taking comedy and genre and twisting them together, and ‘The Afterparty’ continues to be a great example of that.

    ‘Afterparty’ problems?

    Poppy Liu and Zach Woods in 'The Afterparty,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Poppy Liu and Zach Woods in ‘The Afterparty,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Not every genre pick is quite as effective, which means you might find yourself going from an episode you truly enjoy to one that only offers minor chuckles.

    Yet this is the only real issue with the new show, which has made a successful return to Apple’s streaming service and marks one of the best comedies on TV at the moment. The only other problem you could have is with the weekly drip feed release schedule –– your patience might be taxed waiting for each episode of the remaining eight to drop, but it’s worth it.

    And the only guarantee we can’t give is that the show sticks the landing this time and resolves the mystery effectively, as critics were not provided with the crucial final episode. But on the evidence of the season so far and the great quality of the first, we have faith.

    ‘The Afterparty’ Season 2 receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Tiffany Haddish and Elizabeth Perkins in 'The Afterparty,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Tiffany Haddish and Elizabeth Perkins in ‘The Afterparty,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

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  • Donald Glover Returning for ‘Community’ Movie

    Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC's 'Community.'
    Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

    “Six seasons and a movie!” It was a rallying cry for fans of the cult sitcom ‘Community’, which was created by Dan Harmon. The series ran for 110 episodes over six seasons, with its first five seasons airing on NBC from September 17, 2009, to April 17, 2014, and its final season airing on Yahoo! Screen between March 17 to June 2, 2015.

    Harmon has long said he intends to fulfill the fans’ dream of making a movie based on the show and the idea has grown over the years since the series left screens.

    NBC’s streaming service Peacock announced last year that the film would be a reality:

    “Six seasons and a movie’ started out as a cheeky line from ‘Community’s early seasons and quickly ignited a passionate fan movement for this iconic, hilarious and cool (cool, cool) NBC comedy. We’re incredibly grateful that 15 years later, we are able to deliver fans this promised movie and can’t wait to get to work with Dan Harmon, Andrew Guest, Joel McHale, Sony and our partners at UTV to continue this epic comedy for Peacock audiences.”

    Joel McHale as Jeff Winger on NBC's 'Community.'
    Joel McHale as Jeff Winger on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

    Now, according to Joel McHale, Donald Glover –– who hadn’t been listed along with the other cast members for the movie –– is on board.

    Talking on Kelly Ripa’s ‘Let’s Talk Off Camera’ podcast, McHale said this:

    “Donald’s coming back and that’s really important. The fact that Donald’s gonna do it, that was the big piece. But I think everyone’s coming back. I mean, so far we’re pretty good. And I think that will happen. If not then, you know, Donald will be there.”

    What was the story of ‘Community’?

    Cast of 'Community.'
    Cast of ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

    Related Article: Donald Glover to Star in ‘Spider-Man’ Universe Movie ‘’Hypno-Hustler’

    Set at a community college in the fictional Colorado town of Greendale, the series starred an ensemble cast including McHale, Glover,  Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash as a group of students brought together as a study group, plus a crazed example of the teaching staff and the equally offbeat dean of the college.

    Harmon and his writing staffed used the show to poke fun at tropes and genres, frequently using meta references and humor while also maintaining a level of heart for the group as they slowly bonded. McHale played snarky, washed-up lawyer Jeff Winger, who is suspended by the state law bar for falsely claiming he had a bachelor’s degree and must gain one to get his career back.

    Glover played Troy Barnes, a former high school football star who is now in something of a rut. He strikes up a friendship with Abed (Dani Pudi), who boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of TV shows and movies. Abed struggles to interact with others via conventional means due to his implied autism, so he often chooses to interpret the group’s everyday activities by comparing them to film and TV narratives.

    With Glover confirmed, the only cast member not officially returning so far is Yvette Nicole Brown, but with luck she’ll be back before too long.

    And she has time to decide anyway –– the movie is on hold right now in solidarity with the writers’ strike.

    Jonathan Banks as Professor Buzz Hickey and Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC's 'Community.'
    (L to R) Jonathan Banks as Professor Buzz Hickey and Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

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  • Anna Faris joins ‘My Spy’ Sequel

    Anna Faris in 'The Dictator,' from Paramount Pictures.
    Anna Faris in ‘The Dictator,’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Released in 2020, ‘My Spy’ represented a key stage in Dave Bautista’s career, particularly as a wrestler-turned-actor. Several of his tough guy antecedents had clocked in for a big-guy-cute-kid film, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger with ‘Kindergarten Cop’, Vin Diesel in ‘The Pacifier’ and Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Tooth Fairy’ and ‘The Game Plan’.

    But unlike most of those, ‘My Spy’ is actually getting a sequel, with casting now announced for ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’. Anna Faris, Craig Robinson and Flula Borg are among the new faces joining the ensemble.

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    What happened in ‘My Spy’

    The first ‘My Spy’ –– which had been intended for theatrical release by STX Entertainment but was moved to Amazon when the pandemic closed cinemas –– starred Bautista as JJ, a CIA agent who is assigned on an undercover mission to surveil and potentially protect Kate (Parisa Fitz-Henley) and daughter Sophie (Chloe Coleman) when the former arms dealer partner of Kate’s dead husband suspects he may have smuggled the plans for a weapon back to his unsuspecting wife.

    But while JJ and tech specialist Bobbi (Kristen Schaal) set up their operation in Kate and Sophie’s building, the precocious nine-year-old girl figures out exactly what JJ is up to and makes a deal –– if he’ll teach her spy craft, she won’t blow his cover.

    JJ reluctantly agrees, and finds himself bonding with Sophie, and eventually falling for her mother, as the threats mount.

    Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista in 2020's 'My Spy.'
    (L to R) Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista in 2020’s ‘My Spy.’

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Knock at the Cabin’

    What’s the story of ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’?

    The follow-up concerns a now teenage Sophie convincing JJ to chaperone her school choir trip to Italy where they both unwittingly end up pawns in an international terrorist plot targeting CIA chief David Kim (Ken Jeong) and his son, Collin –– who’s also Sophie’s best friend.

    Schaal and Jeong are back for the new movie, while Nicola Correia-Damude, Noah Dalton Danby and Devere Rogers are all reprising their roles.

    Faris, Billy Barratt, Taeho K, Borg and Robinson are new to the story, but Amazon has yet to reveal the roles they’ll play.

    Pete Segal, who directed the first movie, is back behind the camera, having worked on the script alongside writing duo Jon and Erich Hoeber. The cameras will be rolling this month.

    “We were so delighted with the success of ‘My Spy.’ It is an absolute privilege to reunite with Pete Segal, Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, and the rest of the talented cast and filmmakers–along with some very exciting additions,” Amazon and MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke said in a statement. “With the sequel, our Prime Video customers are in store for another dynamic story, complete with twists, hilarious performances, and even a little romance.”

    Chloe Coleman, Parisa Fitz-Henley and Dave Bautista in 2020's 'My Spy.'
    (L to R) Chloe Coleman, Parisa Fitz-Henley and Dave Bautista in 2020’s ‘My Spy.’

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  • Watch Jimmy O. Yang & Alex Moffat in an exclusive clip from ‘The Opening Act’

    Watch Jimmy O. Yang & Alex Moffat in an exclusive clip from ‘The Opening Act’

    In this exclusive clip for ‘The Opening Act,’ aspiring stand-up Will Chu (Jimmy O. Yang) joins comic star Chris Palmer (Alex Moffat) for an appearance on a morning zoo-style radio show.

    The film is written and directed by Steve Byrne, and produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsly. It also features an impressive amount of comic co-stars including Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Burr, Ken Jeong, Neal Brennan, Debby Ryan, Jermaine Fowler, Whitney Cummings, and Iliza Shlesinger.

    Here’s the official synopsis for the film:

    Will Chu is stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in life, becoming a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can learn from his idols and overcome the challenges, he’ll have to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.

    ‘The Opening Act’ will be in theaters, on digital and on demand on October 16.

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  • ‘Tom and Jerry’ Movie Adds Ken Jeong, Rob Delaney to Cast

    ‘Tom and Jerry’ Movie Adds Ken Jeong, Rob Delaney to Cast

    ABC

    “Tom and Jerry” are welcoming a few new friends.

    Warner Bros.’ live-action/animated hybrid movie has added Ken Jeong, Rob Delaney, Jordan Bolger and Pallavi Sharda to the cast. They join Chloe Moretz, Colin Jost and Michael Pena.

    The movie, which will be directed by Tim Story (“Shaft”), will feature animated versions of Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse, who will remain silent like in the original cartoons.

    The story follows Tom and Jerry after they get kicked out of their home and relocate to a fancy New York hotel. Moretz will play Kayla, a new employee at the hotel who is in danger of losing her job if she can’t evict Jerry. So, she hires Tom to come in and get rid of Jerry, which proves to be easier said than done.

    That may be for the best, as the duo will likely need each other to defeat Kayla’s villainous boss, who isn’t a big fan of either cat nor mouse.

    Jeong will play a character named Jackie, while Delaney will portray DuBros.

    “Tom and Jerry” is one of several animated/live-action hybrids in development at Warner Bros. Another is the high-profile sequel/reboot “Space Jam 2,” which stars LeBron James alongside Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny.

  • Stars Mourn Comedian Ralphie May, Dead at Age 45: ‘This Hurts Too Much’

    T.J. Martell Roast of Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John EspositoStand-up comic “Last Comic Standing” runner-up, also known from his Netflix specials, was 45-years-old.

    May’s manager, Judie Marmel, confirmed the comedian’s death to The Hollywood Reporter, saying he died of cardiac arrest after battling pneumonia. His body was found at a private residence in Las Vegas. May was in the middle of a nationwide tour. He had canceled some gigs in the past month due to his pneumonia, but TMZ said he still kept performing some shows, including one Thursday night at Harrah’s.

    May’s career flourished after he appeared on “Last Comic Standing” in 2003 and finished second, after Dat Phan. He went on to appear on “The Tonight Show,” had a couple of stand-up specials on Neflix — “Ralphie May: Unruly” and “Ralphie May: Imperfectly Yours” — voiced a character on “Squidbillies,” and was in an episode of “Inside Amy Schumer.”

    Stars have been reacting on social media to May’s death:

    According to THR, he’s survived by his wife, Lahna Turner, and children April June May and August James May.

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