Summary: Set in Middle America, a group of teens receive an online invitation for sex, though they soon encounter fundamentalists with a much more sinister agenda.

My Mind Is Beyond Blown
Reviewed by Gavin Schmitt

Set in Middle America, a group of teens receive an online invitation for sex, though they soon encounter fundamentalists with a much more sinister agenda. I have followed Kevin Smith's career for some time now, even since I sat in an empty theater in 1995 to see "Mallrats" on opening day. I had a fast and early love for Smith, which was heightened by his follow-up film, "Chasing Amy". From there, though, he has been on a steady decline... not always straight down, but certainly with few redeeming moments under his belt. But then comes "Red State". I had more or less written Smith off at this point (I have not yet seen "Cop Out" and maybe never will), but heard modest praise for this so-called horror flick from an important handful of associates. I figure, why not give it a shot? I love horror, and have seen some pretty terrible films... I can handle this. Well, Mr. Smith, you have blown me away. You managed to make a film with almost no humor... you gave real depth to characters and presented them with hard problems. You successfully parodied a religious group, actually making them creepier than they really are without pushing it to an unbelievable level. You decided against a soundtrack, despite your love of indie music and Soul Asylum. And you have a very dirty, gritty look that I did not know you or cinematographer David Klein were capable of. My only complaint is the excessive use of the F-bomb. I am certainly not opposed to its use, but it felt like you were going for a record, and it went beyond the amount of profanity I feel a normal person would use... but that is a fairly minor complaint. I sort of felt that the sermon went on too long, but Michael Parks nailed the role of the fanatical preacher so well, how can I fault this? I felt dirty listening to him, and I thank you for that. Lastly, I have to applaud the decision to go a new route with actors. No Ben Affleck, no Jason Mewes, no Scott Mosier. John Goodman puts on one of his best performances in years. I feel like Goodman is often recognized as a great comedic actor, but not a great actor in general. But here, he shows the range of emotion and human failing that are characteristic of the best. Is there one redeeming character in this film? Not really, but that is what makes it great. There is debate among viewers and reviewers about whether switching genres was a good move or left the film "uneven". I think it was great. The credits fully inform the viewer that this was supposed to have three segments: sex, religion and politics. And i think it helps the picture keep a momentum. The horror angle runs its course early on... going to an action film was a wise move. Allegedly, Kevin Smith has one more film in him before he retires (the hockey-themed "Hit Somebody"). I do not know if he can repeat this level of intensity, and perhaps he would be better off stopping here while on a high note. But if nothing else, he has proved to the world that he is more than just a factory for crude humor.

Smith's Best Work
Reviewed by GregMO ROberts

Kevin Smith has never met a microphone he hasn’t loved. From his weekly podcasts through his speaking tours through US Colleges, the director of Clerks and Chasing Amy loves to spew four letter words while entertaining his listeners on everything from the behind-the-scenes of a movie shoot to sexual encounters between hockey games. Most recently, Kevin Smith surprised the listening world when he addressed that he would not only distribute his new thriller, Red State on his own, but that the film would also represent his second last film before he retires from the business and becomes a full-time podcaster. And that is too bad. Cause after a screening of the new Red State, we can easily see a director that is at the top of his game and might have found his true calling in a genre outside of the vulgar comedies. Red State stars John Goodman, Michael Parks, Melissa Leo and Stephen Root in a story about a sadistic church leader, Abin Cooper (Parks) who, with the help of his flock, captures three young boys with the intention of killing the young ‘sinners’ to further gain the fear and respect from his congregation. Things get complicated for the church when the ATF gets a tip that the church may be holding a stockpile of arms and soon a tactical force lead by John Goodman’s character, Joseph Keenan find themselves tied down both from bureaucratic orders and from an unexpected onslaught of high powered rifles used against them. Almost every member of the ensemble has been cast perfectly. Michael Parks, best known for his work with Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill Vol.1 & 2 and From Dusk Till Dawn, has a powerful voice and presence that makes his David Koresh inspired character a living breathing monster. John Goodman who has done some of his best work as of late with turns in Treme (where he played Melissa Leo’s husband) and Damages, is perfect as the conflicted command of the surrounding troops. Melissa Leo and Kevin Pollack have smaller roles that don’t exactly allow them to stretch their legs, but they are well suited and seem content on not strangling the spotlight during the proceedings. The story is in itself all too real and almost Law & Order ‘Ripped from the Headlines-ish’. It would not be a stretch of ones imagination to think that these small cult-type church gatherings actually exist in parts of America, and the idea of the realism only adds to the horror. Kevin Smith has tried an action film before (see: Cop Out….no wait! Don’t see Cop Out!). But with Red State, he ditches the dick jokes so that he can go for the jugular and mix religion, homosexuality, teenage curiosity and the bureaucratic politicalness of any hot-topic issue. In other words, it is a Tea Party members nightmare. But it is also a good movie. Smith’s most mature and non-gimmicky one yet. I sure hope audience response to Red State is great enough to have him reconsider. I miss him already.