Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith

There are an awful lot of empty seats in the house to merit the inclusion of the words “Sold Out” in the title of this two-disc set featuring the third of director Kevin Smith's evening monologues (hence the “threevening” in the title). The talented filmmaker-actor Smith, whose films include Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and the recently-released Zack and Miri Make a Porno, spent his 37th birthday in the company of fans at a rented theater, telling stories about his life and career, while also responding with lengthy anecdotes to questions from the crowd. Not everything in this three-and-a-half hour gabfest is worth the listen, although the few choice bits tends to be pretty funny Hollywood stories that make you wish Smith had focused more on the insider material and less on family dogs and his bathroom habits. Highlights include a story about Smith's longtime friend/costar Jason Mewes (who plays “Jay” to Smith's “Silent Bob”) relaxing at a motel during one production as if he were at the Riviera, and Smith's entertaining remembrance of working with Bruce Willis on Live Free or Die Hard. DVD extras include an hour-plus of material cut from the show, the best of which is an anecdote about Mewes hitting on Carrie Fisher. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)