Jon Niccum, entertainment editor for the Lawrence Journal-World, takes questions about “Lady in the Water,” “Clerks II” and all of your favorite summer movies.

passionatelibra

I saw Clerks for the first time a couple of weeks ago and am looking forward to seeing Clerks 2. I was told that in order to truly appreciate Kevin Smith’s style I should see Mallrats. Would you agree with that piece of advice?

Moderator

We’re joined by Journal-World Entertainment Editor Jon Niccum today for a chat about summer movies. Jon, thanks kindly for joining us.

Jon Niccum

Welcome film fans and Web denizens.

Moderator

“Lady in the Water” starts tomorrow. What are your thoughts?

Jon Niccum

It is one bizarre filmgoing experience.
It’s both a children’s bedtime story and a psychoanalysis of director M. Night Shyamalan’s apparently unrestricted ego.

useta

Is “Lady in the Water” supposed to be scarey? At first previews made it seem as if it was not, but now they make it seem real scarey. Or is it just out there?

Jon Niccum

It was really interesting how the whole marketing campaign transformed overnight. At first the film was presented as a fairy tale, and the next you know it was “The Exorcist.”
The truth is it’s somewhere in the middle.
I spoke with Shyamalan about the movie two weeks ago and he talked a lot about how difficult it was to figure out how scary to make it. (My interview with him will run in Friday’s Journal-World.)

oscarfactor

M. Night’s last good movie was “Signs.” What makes you think “Lady in the Water” won’t be a total dog like “The Village?”

Jon Niccum

The buzz in the industry is that it WILL be a total dog in terms of critical response AND box-office.
I liked “Lady” and “Village” about the same — regarding both of them as noble failures. Whereas “Signs” and “The Sixth Sense” I think are really strong pictures with a lot of repeat value. I’m not sure I ever need to see “Lady” again.

Moderator

Jon, Clerks 2 is out Friday as well. How does it stack up against the original Clerks?

Jon Niccum

It’s a lot more funny and consistent than the original, while still retaining its juvenile, crude flavor. I was surprised how much director Kevin Smith dealt with these guys in terms of how their outlook on life had changed. He ends up having quite a bit to say about being in your 30s, whereas the orginal was such a quintessential 20s movie.

Moderator

So it’s Generation X growing up? At the time the original came out, it was seen as speaking to and for the slacker generation. How, according to the movie, are Gen X-ers faring?

Jon Niccum

Smith is implying that in “Clerks” these guys had their whole lives ahead of them, so it was okay to work a brain-dead job, talk about girls and play roof hockey.
But when you’re nearing 40 as Dante and Randal are, that lifestyle doesn’t seem so compelling anymore.
I liked how the characters were forced to reckon with change in “Clerks II.” And the movie is really funny.

mcroydon

Were the independent contractors on the death star innocent victims? Do your personal politics come in to play when reviewing a movie?

Jon Niccum

According to “Clerks” they were.
The big argument in the new movie involves a comparison between “Star Wars” (which Randal adores) and “The Lord of the Rings” (which his coworker favors). Randal’s contention is that “Rings” is a movie whose entire plot is nothing but people walking places.
I think this scene will be the most quote-worthy of the film’s bits.

Shelby

Does Kevin Smith deserve to make movies?

Jon Niccum

I think he at least deserves to write movies. His screenplay skills have always far outweighed his cinematic talents.

Moderator

Any other movies coming out this summer that you’re looking forward to?

Jon Niccum

The Will Ferrell comedy “Talladega Nights” has potential. I’d love to see a movie that makes fun of the NASCAR culture rather than one that worships it a la “Cars.” And how could you not want to see “Snakes on a Plane”?

Moderator

That’s all we have time for today. Jon, thanks very much for taking part. And stay cool if you can.

Jon Niccum

Thanks again for the interest in movies.