Filmmaker bites critic

Kevin Smith attacks critic Joel Siegel for walking out of a screening of 'Clerks II'.

Jul 20 2006

Kevin Smith has launched an astonishing attack on 'Good Morning America' film critic Joel Siegel over his behaviour at a recent screening of 'Clerks II'.

Incensed at Siegel's walking out of the film after 40 minutes, Smith has posted a lengthy tirade against the critic on his MySpace page.

'I can't fault Mr. Siegel for feeling 'revolted' by our flick,' he explains. 'In truth, there is a donkey show in it, and I recognize that brand of whimsy might not be for everybody. Film appreciation is very subjective, and maybe Joel just isn't into ass-to-mouth conversations. However, I CAN fault him for the manner in which he left the screening.'

Smith continues: 'Apparently, rather than quietly exit, Joel made a big stink about walking out, calling as much attention to himself as possible, and being generally pretty disruptive… roughly forty minutes into the flick, when Randal orders up the third act donkey show, Siegel bellowed to his fellow critics "Time to go!" and "This is the first movie I've walked out of in 30 fucking years!"'

Smith then goes on to attack his 'diva-like behavior and drama-queen antics' before having several pops at his moustache and his use of 'the pun'.

Having not seen 'Clerks II' myself yet, I can't comment on the offensiveness of the donkey action, but I'm with Smith on this one. As critics, we're paid to watch these movies in their entirety before delivering our opinion, and to walk out halfway through is not doing your job. Worse still, to then speak out and disrupt the screening for others is not only unprofessional but also unacceptable.

To check out Smith's diatribe in full, click here, and to hear the two of them discussing the matter on a radio show, head here.

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