The 28th of November 2006 bore more than just a single KEVIN SMITH release. Yes, in all reality the KEVIN SMITH name was worn by three new DVD titles on this day. The first of course being CLERKS II, the second being the more obscure NOW YOU KNOW (that from all intents and purposes is related to KEVIN SMITH by his name appearing on the package and nothing more, similar to that of QUENTIN TARANTINO sans HOSTEL), and the last but far from least the sequel to SMITH's 2002 Q&A DVD release properly entitled AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH 2 - EVENING HARDER. After multiple come and gone release dates this title (which I was almost more eagerly awaiting than CLERKS II) finally has arrived, and I for one couldn't be happier.
One thing can be easily attained upon watching KEVIN SMITH during one of his infamous Q&A's, even if you have only been a privy to just a few short minutes. This man, when he gets old, and gets senile, and has grandkids (he does have a daughter) is going to ramble on at those kids until they eventually have to shoot him just to get some peace and quiet. But for Q&A scenario rambling on and storytelling are some of the key qualities of a notable speaker, and Mr. SMITH has enough to make C-SPAN turn into the SPICE CHANNEL. Disc one of the two disc set finds the writer/director/actor/producer/fanboy/internet stalker/fat guy in a coat/just another slash to make his titles seem even more and insanely obnoxious.... sorry, I digress. Disc one finds SMITH and CO. in Toronto Canada taking questions from the countries finest "CANNUCKS" (and I am pretty sure WARWICK DAVIS too???) and does his best to tell them really what he is all "aboot". Of course KEVIN SMITH does not come alone and eventually and sporadically his on screen cohort JASON MEWES (otherwise known as JAY to his SILENT BOB) pops out seemingly just to garner applause and then go smoke another cigarette. The funniest thing about these two during their Q&A is that their characters and positions are complete the polar opposite of their on screen persona's. That's right, in real life the fat guy won't shut up and the skinny guy wouldn't say five words to save his own life. Another point of interest I took while watching disc one of EVENING HARDER, is how many times both SMITH and MEWES utter the word "sir" to one another and to those in attendance it almost begins to loose all dignity. Seriously after I watched this, if someone calls me "sir", I may just punch them in the mouth instead of feeling endeared. Of course I began to notice they didn't say their normal "fuck" and all the connotations of said word that they normally use as a crutch. So I have now learned that "sir" is the new "fuck". That being the case SMITH and his responses are still as "sir"-ing funny as always and kept my attention for "sir" load amount of time.
Disc two of the EVENING HARDER set ships SMITH and MEWES over the Atlantic to merry old London England. The London crowd is inevitably a calmer and collected crowd, but that doesn't mean they are reserved. Of course on this Q&A SMITH is a little more reserved as his mother is in attendance, which I found interesting as on the prior set SMITH is very forth right about his mother and her not enjoying his "blue" humor. So with that it did make me think "why the sir is his mom there?” Then I remembered it was England and I am sure SMITH just invited her because he could get her flight paid for as part of his "business expense" so the world was again right. From disc two we learn two very important things about the English culture; one is that in England women refer to their "oval offices" as their "fannies", "fanny" does not reference the ass as it does here in the states. There for if a British woman ever asks you for some "fanny fun" it's not what you think, stay north! Number two is that if you re ever in England and are asked if you "would like a portion", they don't mean of fish and chips, it mean some dude wants to stick his member in you. Yes, the British like their sexual innuendos as most of the London Q&A is in reference to or an expansion there of. Still their are plenty of the infamous stories from SMITH and his a many Hollywood interactions , from celebrities to studio executives, SMITH in usual fashion spares no feelings and lays out all for his fan amusement.
Oddly enough the disc is pretty clear of too much bonus materials, but of course with just a Q&A there is not much for behind the scenes or bloopers. Yet, there still is extra's on each disc, disc one finds KEVIN SMITH rolling around Toronto trying to decipher exactly what Canadian cuisine truly is. On Disc two we get to switch it up and see JASON MEWES try to use his most vulgar (i.e. "let me get in them guts!") pick up lines on the ladies of London, with varied results!
