What Do The Critics Say?

"Militant Christian fundamentalists are kind of an easy thing to mock, so it's good to see that Kevin Smith has found a way of tackling them that feels fresh. Here, they're the villains of a horror movie, and their leader, Abin Cooper (a fantastic performance from Michael Parks) is both superbly creepy and weirdly plausible. He's absolutely the sort of person you'd expect to find heading up a cult of this nature. Kevin Smith's best film ever? If it's not, it's damn close. And if you don't know who Kevin Smith is, don't worry: this film's a blast, Smith fan or no. 4 STARS." Catherine Bray FILM4 REVIEWS "Smith freewheels through genres: it’s a frat boy comedy, horror film, social and religious commentary, satire; and can hardly be called subtle. But even in its most off-kilter moments, the performances carry it: Goodman and Parks, particularly, are superb. Parks's fifteen minute monologue about the End Of Days is, in every respect, show-stopping. Even in its most off-kilter moments, the performances carry it: Goodman and Parks, particularly, are superb. Peter Watts UNCUT MAGAZINE "Not since Dogma has writer/director Kevin Smith so overtly tackled the role of religion in contemporary society. While Dogma was something of a fantasy film that combined heavy doses of Smith trademark scatological and sexual humour, Red State is a gritty fusion of horror, action and social commentary. Whatever the motivations for making Red State, the results are complex, politically charged and radical. Red State indicates a new level of boldness in Smith, resulting in his best film to date. 4 STARS." Thomas Caldwell CINEMA AUTOPSY

"Kevin Smith's scripts are at their best when he's dealing with real issues. Specifically, sex or religion. In Red State, both are addressed. Cooper's fictitious church is Smith's withering parody of real life religious organisations that turn up to celebrate at the funerals of young homosexuals who've died of AIDS, amongst other things. a cerebral rumination on the nature of religion, and how God and government can be used to justify all manner of atrocity. Kevin Smith really deserves credit for creating and delivering a project that he truly believes in." Anthony O'Connor FILMINK "Smith has to be supple and inventive with this story, especially the ending, but he pulls it off with a bravado piece of imagination, albeit using a twist that has to be explained in dialogue. Still, it's something of a coup in story terms. Michael Parks is sensational as the creepy sect leader Abin Cooper, and Melissa Leo is terrifying as his equally creepy daughter, Sara, who played the bait in the internet sex lure scam." Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE "True, the director, still best known for his lo-fi debut Clerks, has satirised religion before but such comment has largely been restricted to the Catholic Church he grew up with. This time it's the turn of the Protestants or, at least, the extreme religious right. this curious horror-thriller will come as something of a shock. It's an intriguing film, nevertheless." Ed Gibbs SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

The Inside Story Writer-Director Kevin Smith (born in New Jersey on August 2, 1970) is one of the most unique voices to emerge during the American independent filmmaking renaissance of the 1990s. He has spent nearly twenty years as a writer/director making "CLERKS", "MALLRATS", "CHASING AMY", "DOGMA", "JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK", "JERSEY GIRL", "CLERKS II", "ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO", "COP OUT" and his newest film "RED STATE", which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Mystifyingly, Smith also sports three DVD releases of his various college Q&A’s (AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH, AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH 2: EVENING HARDER, A THREEVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH) as well as an EPIX Original Q&A special "KEVIN SMITH: TOO FAT FOR 40". He’s published two books full of essays and blog postings (SILENT BOB SPEAKS and the New York Times Best Selling MY BORING-ASS LIFE), as well as "Shootin’ the Shit with Kevin Smith"; a collection of the best material from SModcast, Smith and producer Scott Mosier’s weekly podcast. Smith has also written for both of the major comic book giants DC and Marvel (the award-winning Daredevil, Spider-Man and the Black Cat at Marvel Comics, and the award-winning Green Arrow, Batman: Cacophony, and Batman: The Widening Gyre at DC Comics). Aside from the films he’s directed, Smith has served as a producer on indie efforts including Bryan Johnson’s Lionsgate release VULGAR, multiple Academy Award winner GOOD WILL HUNTING, and a pair of Sundance-selected documentaries including "REEL PARADISE" and "SMALL TOWN GAY BAR". In addition to filmmaking, Smith occasionally moonlights as an actor, appearing in "LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD", and "CATCH AND RELEASE. He also voiced the animated role of the farting Moose in "DOOGLE". And if film and digital domination aren’t enough, there’s always retail: Smith owns a comic book store named 'Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash' in Red Bank, New Jersey. As for the hood ornaments he’s collected, there’s plenty of tin on display: the Filmmaker’s Trophy at Sundance for "CLERKS"; the Prix de la Jeunesse and the International Critic’s Week Awards at the Cannes Film Festival, also for "CLERKS". He also has an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay for "CHASING AMY", and a Humanitas Award for "GOOD WILL HUNTING". Smith also received the Defender of Democracy Award from Norman Lear’s People for the American Way organization for his production of "DOGMA". "CLERKS II" won both the prestigious Audience Award at the Edinburgh Film Festvial as well as the Orbit Dirtiest Mouth Moment at the MTV Movie Awards. For his writing in the comics field, Smith has received a Harvey Award, a Wizard Fan Award, an Eagle Award, and saw his "GREEN ARROW: QUIVER" named as one of 2003’s Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Service. In the fall of 2002, the town of Paulsboro in New Jersey named a street after him: Kevin Smith Way. In 2004, the Video Software Dealers Association gave Smith the DVD Visionary Award, and in 2005, he collected the Independent Spirit Award from Britain’s Empire Magazine. In April of 2006, this award-whore was given UCLA’s Jack Benny Award for Comedy, and in 2008, Smith was given the Maverick Award by the Woodstock Film Festival, as well as the Vision Award from the DGA-affiliated Filmmaker’s Alliance. But he’d chuck it all for his wife and kid. Smith married wife Jennifer in April 1999 and celebrated the birth of their daughter, Harley Quinn, in June of that same year. Michael Parks has appeared in almost fifty films and has made frequent TV appearances, but is probably best known for his work in recent years with Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Kevin Smith as well as the 1969 television series Then Came Bronson. He first gained recognition in the role of Adam in John Huston's The Bible: In the Beginning (1966) and as the star of the television series "Then Came Bronson" from 1969 to 1970. He also sang the theme song for the show, "Long Lonesome Highway," which became a #20 Billboard Hot 100 and #41 Hot Country Songs hit. Albums he recorded under MGM Records (the label of the studio which produced the series) include Closing The Gap (1969), Long Lonesome Highway (1970), and Blue. He also had various 45 rpm records of songs included on these albums. Other early roles included an appearance in two NBC series, the legal drama "Sam Benedict" in the role of Larry Wilcox in the 1962 episode entitled "Too Many Strangers" and the medical drama The Eleventh Hour, in the role of Mark Reynolds in the 1963 segment "Pressure Breakdown." He also appeared in The China Lake Murders and Stranger by Night, having portrayed a police officer in both. He subsequently played Philip Colby during the second season (1986–1987) of Dynasty spin-off series The Colbys. He appeared as Irish mob boss Tommy O'Shea in Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994), French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault in the television series Twin Peaks, Doctor Banyard in Deceiver (1997), Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), which was written by Tarantino and directed by Rodriguez, and then took a leading role as Ambrose Bierce in its straight-to-video prequel From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (2000). He also played two roles in Tarantino's Kill Bill, reprising Earl McGraw in Vol. 1, and playing Esteban Vihaio in Vol. 2. He has most recently reprised the role of Earl McGraw in both segments of the Tarantino/Rodriguez film Grindhouse. His son, James Parks, is also an actor. He has played the son of his father's character, Earl McGraw, four times: "Kill Bill", "From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money", "Death Proof" and "Planet Terror". In July 2010, at the San Diego Comic Con, filmmaker Kevin Smith announced that Parks has been cast as the villain (Pastor Abin Cooper), in his upcoming horror film Red State. Smith later announced on his podcast "Plus One" that Parks had recorded an album during Red State's production, after Smith and Producer Jon Gordon noticed his singing talents during filming. The album, titled The Red State Sessions, was released August 15th, 2011, as a download from the films website. John Stephen Goodman is an American film, television, and stage actor. He first came to prominence for his role as Dan Conner on the television series ROSEANNE (1988-1997) for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe award in 1993. Goodman is also noted for appearances in the films of the Coen brothers, with major roles in "Raising Arizona" as an escaped onvict, in "Barton Fink" as a congenial murderer, in "THE BIG LEBOWSKI" as a volatile bowler and in "O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?"as a cultured thief. Additionally, Goodman's voice work has appeared in numerous Disney films, including the voice for "Sulley" in MONSTERS, INC. Having contributed to more than fifty films, Goodman has also won two American Comedy Awards and hosted Saturday Night Live fourteen times. Melissa Leo received a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award and Oscar® for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "THE FIGHTER" as well as the same award from the New York Film Critics Circle and more than ten other critics groups awards. She also received Oscar® and SAG nominations for her starring role in "FROZEN RIVER", for which she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead and a Spotlight Award from the National Board of Review among countless other accolades for her performance which received universal critical acclaim. Leo shared a Best Ensemble acting award from the Phoenix Film Critics Society for her outstanding work in "21 GRAMS" opposite Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn. Her most recent films include "CONVICTION", opposite Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell and "WELCOME TO THE RILEYS" opposite James Gandolfini and Kristen Stewart. Leo's other notable films includes: "THE THREE BURIALS OF Melquiades Estrada" )with Tommy Lee Jones & January Jones) and "HIDE AND SEEK" (with Robert 'Bob' De Niro & Dakota Fanning). Leo can also be seen in "MILDRED PIERCE", the HBO miniseries directed by Todd Haynes in which she stars opposite Kate Winslett. Her other television credits include the current HBO series "TREME", from executive producer David Simon, and she is known for her groundbreaking portrayal of Detective Kay Howard on "HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS". In just a short period of time, New Jersey born Kerry Bishé has already made a name for herself in the worlds of film, TV and theater. Most recently, she starred in the critically acclaimed film "Nice Guy Johnny", directed by Ed Burns. She made her Broadway debut as 'Clara' in the Roundabout Theatre’s production of "Pygmalion" opposite Jefferson Mays and Claire Danes. Prior to that, Bishé made her Off Broadway debut in the Irish Repertory’s "The Hairy Ape", followed by her performance in the title role in Minetta Lane’s production of "My Name Is Rachel Corrie", directed by Alan Rickman. Bishe’s film and TV credits include 'Lucy' in the ABC series "Scrubs", "Meskada" opposite Nick Stahl, Rachel Nichols and Kellan Lutz, both of which premiered at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, "Sex and the City: The Movie", "The Understudy", "The Lucky Ones", "Motherhood", "The Women", "Life on Mars", "Royal Pains", "Night Life", and "Virtuality". Stephen Root is one of the most prolific character actors working today. He is the voice of 'Doc' and 'Merrymack' in Paramount’s animated feature "Rango", and he co-starred in Fox Searchlight Pictures "Cedar Rapids" and in "The Conspirator", directed by Robert Redford. Stephen brought to life a variety of characters in the three Coen Brother’s films, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", "The Ladykillers" and "No Country for Old Men". He became a cult hero as the put-upon 'Milton Waddams' in "Office Space". Animated features include the voice of 'Bubbles' in the Disney/Pixar hit, "Finding Nemo", and the hilariously menacing 'Rhino' in Twentieth Century Fox’s "Ice Age". Root voiced 'Bill' on the Emmy-winning hit animated series "King of the Hill". He starred as the eccentric station owner, 'Jimmy James', on "News Radio", and guest starred on "The Defenders", "True Blood", "24" and "Pushing Daisy’s". He's appeared in three movies with Ben Affleck: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1992), "Jersey Girl" (2004) and "Surviving Christmas" (2004). Born in Sarasota, Florida; Root majored in acting and broadcasting at the University of Florida and spent three years of touring the U.S. and Canada with the National Shakespeare Company before settling in New York. His Broadway debut came in "So Long on Lonely Street". What's It All About?

In Middle America, three horny, high school, teenagers, travel to isolated Cooper’s Dell, after responding to an older woman's online invitation for group sex. However, their schoolboy fantasies turn sinister when they are drugged and taken captive by Christian extremists led by a twisted but charismatic preacher Abin Cooper. Held captive in his compound known as the Five Points Church, they are about to become the preacher's latest righteous victims, but not before the congregation send a bound and gagged, hapless victim, to hell. Now it's the sinful teenagers turn. The proceedings are interrupted by the arrival of a local Deputy, sent to investigate a hit and run collision on a nearby road. When gunfire erupts inside the church, he calls for back-up. Now the ultra-radical religious nutters have to contend with AT&F Federal Agent Joseph Keenan and his team, who are armed, dangerous and ready to do anything to bring them down. But will they get to the preacher's disciples before the Apocalypse?

The Verdict "Many readers will remember the Waco siege which began on February 28, 1993, and ended violently fifty days later on April 19th. The siege began when the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) attempted to execute a search warrant at the Branch Davidian Sect ranch at Mount Carmel, a property located 14 km east-northeast of Waco, Texas. The siege resulted in a fire, which destroyed the compound. Seventy people including more than twenty children, two pregnant women, and the sect leader David Koresh, died in the fire. Recently in Adelaide, Australia, police raided twelve properties owned by Agape Ministries, a doomsday cult led by Rocco Leo and two 'henchmen, who believe the Apocalypse is coming in 2012. Police uncovered an arsenal of weapons, high-powered ammunition and explosives. What happened in Adelaide should serve as a warning that wacky cults are not restricted to the U.S.A. The doctraines they espouse and preach are dangerous and based on isolationism. Such is the case with the group featured in 'that' Kevin Smith's "Red State": the Five Points Church led by religious extremist Pastor Abin Cooper. They have sexual deviants who defy God's laws regarding fornication and homosexuality, in their cross-hairs. Fired-up with righteous indignation, they're metering out justice on behalf of God. It's a fascinating, chilling tale with a 'killa' ending. The cast is excellent with Goodman's character leading the AT&F agents and Michael Parks character leading the members of the Five Points Church. Quentin Tarantino had a private screening of "Red State" at his home. His reaction? "I don’t just dig this movie, I love this movie, okay?" For many cinemagoers, that will be all the encouragement they need. 4 STARS." Who Is Playing Who?

Michael Angarano Nicholas Braun Ronnie Connell Michael Parks Melissa Leo Kerry Bishé John Goodman Kevin Pollak Deborah Aquila Kaylee DeFer Joey Figueroa Kyle Gallner Anna Gunn Stephen Root Matt Jones John Lacy Alexa Nikolas Cooper Thornton Betty Aberlin Ralph Garman Molly Livingston James Parks

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Travis Billy-Ray Randy Pastor Abin Cooper Sara Cheyenne Joseph Keenan ASAC Brooks Mrs Vasquez Dana Route 9 Friend Jarod Travis' Mother Sherrif Wynan Deputy Pete Travis' Father Jesse Plastic Wrap Man Abigail Caleb Fiona May Mordechai

The Production Team Directed by Kevin Smith Written by Kevin Smith Produced by Jonathan Gordon Executive Producers Shea Kammer/Nhaelan McMillan/Elyse Seiden/Victor Choy/Jason Clark/Harvey Cohen/Philip Elway Cinematography by David Klein Film Editing by Kevin Smith Casting by Deborah Aquila & Tricia Wood Production Design by Cabot McMullen Art Direction by Susan Bolles Set Decoration by Dorit Hurst Costume Design by Beth Pasternak Run Time 88 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2011 - Curious Films - All Rights Reserved Enduring © - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian & International Copyright, Trademark Laws & Intellectual Property Rights.