By Ashley Carter

Photo courtesy of the Bloor Cinema.

Man, watching Clerks again for the first time in a blajillion years on a big screen with an audience makes you realize that Kevin Smith was actually pretty solid out of the gate in ’94 (‘sup haters. You wish you directed one of the most stolen videotapes ever). Or at least it makes you realize why studios thought it wise to start handing their dollars to a twenty-something Vancouver film school dropout.
Yesterday’s first film and Q&A of the Bloor’s three-day, six-film Kevin Smith Fest was balcony seating only, a trend that will likely continue for the remainder of his appearances, and allowed the theatre to get away with a pretty adorable marquee gag (above). Maybe we should have left before the second screening of the night (the grossly sentimental, sappy as hell Clerks 2) to maintain our opinion of his filmmaking, but that would mean us missing out on watching Smith do what he does best, another sweet post-film question period. Seriously, someone give this man a public speaking medal and tell him to quit making us giggle all over ourselves.
While both audience Q&As had less to do with their respective movies and more with gushing post-slacker-age hangabouts trying to out-fanboy each other, they were endlessly entertaining if you like to hear self deprecating stories about Zack and Miri bombing and gloryholing at the Bloor. As per usual, Jason Mewes was in attendance and word in the seats was that Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead/Scott Pilgrim fame will be flanking Smith on stage at one of the upcoming screenings.
The Fest continues tonight with Mallrats and Chasing Amy and then continues continuing tomorrow with Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.