fuh. nuh. muh. nul.

So there's this movie coming out next year. A lot of people want to like it, but an equal number of people are concerned that it may not be as good as they hope. There's a lot riding on this movie for a lot of people - some would say an entire franchise - so there are a lot of people who get . . . touchy . . . when people like me express opinions about it. The studio's done a great job clamping down on actual news, so lots of rumors and speculation have filled the resulting vacuum.

This morning, SF Signal linked to an interview with Kevin Smith (I swear, this blog isn't going to be all Kevin Smith, all the time) where he obliquely discusses a movie that he can't really talk about:

Host: So thumbs up on The Watchmen, what else you got?

Smith: I saw a movie last night that I cannot talk about.

Host: Was it good?

Smith: It was phenomenal.

Host: Any stars, any break out stars, and do they trek?

Smith: The stars absolutely trek in this film. It is fantastic. Anybody who was worried doesn’t need to be worried–about this film I cannot talk about…It was in very capable hands. The director did a phenomenal job–the director and his crew. Top notch cast and the guy that plays the lead is an instant star. That dude is going to be so famous. He is so wonderful. He picked up a role that I would say is pretty challenging for someone to step into the shoes of, because it is a role that has been played before many times by the same guy.

Host: How do you out Shatner, Shatner?

Smith: I don’t know what you are talking about.

Host: I was just saying that as an expression.

Speaking of Kevin Smith (and, really, I swear this isn't going to be a regular thing), Anne and I went to the opening of Crazy 4 Cult 2 at Gallery 1988 on Friday night, thanks to an unexpected invite from Jensen, who I believe is the gallery's owner. It is phenomenal. Let me just say that again, to make my point: fuh. nuh. muh. nul.

I didn't know that some of my favorite artists are in the show, including Ben Walker (who does awesome work with bears and guns) and Dan Goodsell, who does Mr. Toast. Andy Suriano, who you may have seen play the part of my Russian mail order bride on Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show, also has a piece in the show that's spectacular. My favorite pieces in the show, though, have got to be Scott Campbell's*, including the poster for the show, and Kirk Demaris's** family portraits.

I was absolutely blown away by this show, and if you're within . . . let's say two hours of Los Angeles . . . it's worth the effort to come into town and see it before it closes. While you're in the neighborhood, you can buy comics (including the new Star Trek Manga that has my story The Art of War in it, plug plug) at Golden Apple, see a show down the street at ACME, and have dinner at Bulan Thai, the best vegetarian Thai restaurant I've ever been to.

* He has a webcomic that's tremendously entertaining. He also did great showdowns of the 8-bit era for I am 8-bit.

** You could easily lose a few hours enjoying retro culture at Kirk's Secret Fun Spot.