Rating: 
Summary: Charming
Review: ... I actually like it. I'm bordering on loving it, its only a matter of time and viewings. Maybe I'm just too big of a Jason Lee fan to not love this movie. In the first few minutes of was inclined to agree with my View Askew bretheren that it wasn't the greatest film ever made, but then Carmen started climbing over the welfare desk and I said "I've gotta watch this a little more". I'm glad I stuck around, very glad indeed. The second Jason started dancing with the Sasqautch, I said "this is one of the greatest movies ever!!" I don't know what it is, but that moment is hilarious. I nearly fell out of my chair. I'm serious. So, in short I finished watching it and I have come to like it more and more each time I have seen it. It has a certain inescapable charm. I don't care what anyone else says. If you like View Askew and you like Jason, you should, I repeat should, like this movie. I can't garauntee it. Rent it if you are in doubt. Its worth at least that.
Rating: 
Summary: The Lost View Askew Film
Review: As a long-time fan of Kevin Smith's work, I was so excited I was squirming when I heard there was another View Askew film. The day of its release I was at the rental store with it in my hand. With such great anticipation, however, I must say it was met with only mixed feelings.This is the tale of five people in Vancouver who have been living off welfare checks until one day they are cut off. Stumped as to what they are going to do now (and certainly not inclined to go get a job), they wander the streets aimlessly until Donner (Jason Lee) comes up with a plan to run off to the wilderness for a camping trip. He, however, has ulterior motives as he leads the group deeper into the Canadian wilderness. Though this film had the feeling of the other View Askew films, it just didn't measure up. Smith only produced this film; he did not write and direct it as was the case with the Jay and Silent Bob series. It is quite clear that it lacks the brilliant dialogue that makes Smith's films the gems that they are. Though the analysis of Scooby-Doo is hilarious and there are the occasional zinger lines, for the most part it is flat and lifeless. As a matter of fact, there are moments when it feels as if the screenplay is non-existent and the actors are merely on camera ad-libbing as best they can. Even Jason Mewes fails to elicit the usual uproarious response and Silent Bob's cameo is expendable. Still, the film does have its strengths. The overall feel evoked is that of an indie film and the grainy black and white footage is reminiscent of Clerks. By far, however, the biggest plus of the movie is Jason Lee. Whether playing the coarse Brody of Chasing Amy or the delightfully wicked Azrael of Dogma, Lee is always a treat to watch, and this is no exception. He is by far the most under-rated actor on the scene today. Lastly, the final twist of the film is incredible. Though I saw it coming, it was still enough to elicit a laugh from me. What the screenplay loses in the middle, it almost makes up for in the closing sequence. Overall, this is not a bad film. It's better than the vast majority of [stuff] that the Hollywood studios manufacture for the masses. Perhaps too, my high opinion of Smith's films and my great expectations for this one jaded my opinion a little. However, don't expect another Clerks when you watch this one. I rate it a 6 out of 10.
Rating: 
Summary: Drawing out flies...
Review: Breathtaking scenery and a Blair-witch type of filming (but not so dizzy). Donner (Jason Lee) leads his friends into the wilderness under false pretences. Donner would like to see Bigfoot...pardon me, Saskwach. The others intend to go to a non-existent cabin; some more reluctantly than others. Don't get hung up on the plot. Though seemingly ridiculous, it holds quite well through the performances of the actors. The most impressive thing is the interaction between them: an all too real portrayal of "slackers" reacting to adventure and camping. Some don't want to go; some think it might be cool so long as there is comfort down the road, whereas one is driven by a vision. A question of insanity lingers, and the dynamics in dealing with this individual is a stunning reality. Misdirected anger to pitying sadness, self-centred dismissal to simple fear. A long stretch of colourful characters within an artistically directed black and white movie is mesmerizing in an uneasy way. It's eclectic.
Rating:
Summary: Not what you'd expect from View Askew but good
Review: Drawing Flies is an essential movie to own if you are a fan of the View Askewniverse. The file is not typical with other movies associated with Kevin Smith. The dialog wasnt as fast paced and witty, and sometimes flat all together. The acting was fairly good, but did leave somethings to be desired for. The sound and picture quality lacked a lot, but didnt keep the directors from telling the story. If you are not a die-hard View Askew fan, or a fan of Independent films then stay away from Drawing Flies. But if you do like those types of films then I reccomend this movie for you.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best View Askew Movie
Review: First let me start off saying that I am a huge View Askew fan. I've seen all the movies at least ten times and I love every one of them. Now, back to this movie. It really didn't do much for me. The movie was pretty short and took a half an hour to get exciting or really make much sense. The first half an hour was really boring. It was nice to see Jason Mewes in a non Jay role, but you could tell he was playing a Jay type character, only not named Jay this time. Many other people from other View Askew movies appeared with the best of them Being Jason Lee. He is such an amazing actor, Smith states before the film that this movie prompted him to put Lee in the co-star role in Chasing Amy. This movie was just average. If you're a huge View Askew fan, buy it so you can see some early work of other members of the View Askew family. Otherwise, pass and buy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Rating:
Summary: Worth it for Jason & Carmen Lee...
Review: First of all, I am pretty sure the filmmakers intended this movie to look like a 30's B&W monster movie. Kevin Smith has financed a couple of his buddies' (A Better Place, Vulgar) films, and they look fine. The grainy, washed-out look gives this flick an odd, but original look. Almost like it was discovered after being locked in a basement for 75 years. The sound sucks. I won't defend it. The movie itself is slow at times, but it's great to see the View-Askew whole gang together on film, and it's even more fun to listen to them goof around on the commentary track. Jason & Carmen were married when this movie was made, and it's cool to see them together acting. I could do without the lead actor, but only because he's not one of the "regulars" from Smth films. The extras are good and there's a GREAT blooper where the cast acts like drugged out weirdos. This goofy scene almost justified the...price (when I bought it from Amazon). Plus, the movie is RARE and I have yet to see it in a store. It will eventually go out of print, and will be lost forever (again). So buy it already! Peace....
Rating:
Summary: Took long enough...
Review: Having seen Drawing Flies in it's very limited Festival release over 5 years ago, I am thrilled finally be able to own this picture. I had even gone so far as to call View Askew to beg for a video transfer from the celluloid, but to no avail... I have to say that I am happy with the project overall. Frankly, the quality isn't that great (as I am sure you will hear many people say), but the quality on this dvd is honestly better than the version I saw in the festival (which I think was beta). I know Indie DVD did a lot of work on restoring the print and I think they did a fairly good job considering what they had to work with. All in all, the film isn't the best ever, but it is certainly one that grows on you. Also, the story is just plain fun and the dueling Jasons really steal the show. I recommend it for any film buff who likes a little campiness here and there. And if you like this, check out Tail Lights Fade, also by Gissing and Ingraham.
Rating: 
Summary: Most people will hate it, and Smith fans may be disappointed
Review: I also bought this movie without knowing too much about it, other than the fact it had the View Askew logo on it and Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Jason Lee, and some of the VA regulars involved. Kevin, of course, talked about this film in the intro on this disc like he loves it and it's a great movie, but he hardly EVER cuts down on anything done by people in his films. He'll mock himself but refuses to critique others. Frankly, after seeing this movie I don't think I'll be picking up View Askew's other so-called lost films "A Better Place," or "Vulgar" since they are film with origins similar to this one. Frankly, this is just kind of a boring film. Jason Lee normally rules, but here he's just kind of ok. Mewes gives a decent non "Jay" performance, although it's obvious the characters are not THAT different. Carmen Lee kind of sucks here, sorry. Renee Humphrey doesn't hurt anything. The film is entertaining for one view (watch the directors cut) and the group commentary is ok. I can excuse the mediocre video quality, since this is a low budget indy film...but sometimes the sound is really bad, and that's pretty much inexcusable. If you can't understand what the characters are saying, forget it. I find it hard to belive I'm saying this, but this is one View Askew film you should rent instead of buy. Watch the movie, check out the commentaries, and take it back. You won't feel bad about not buying it.
Rating:
Summary: Drawing Puke is More Like It
Review: I bought this movie "blind" because it was the "lost" View Askew film. While Kevin Smith is kind of uneven as a director (Clerks, Amy, and Jay and Silent Bob were great, Mallrats was acceptable, and Dogma was juvenile but funny), this is a project he helped fund. Starring Jason Lee and Jason Mewes (Jay) of View Askew fame, plus a lot of other Askewnies including Smith himself, this film details the lives of a clutch of welfare bums in Vancouver. When their welfare is cut off, they have to come up with a new plan. One night, while watching a nature documentary, Jason Lee gets the bright idea to go look for Bigfoot. Except, he doesn't want to tell his friends, because they might think he's a psychopath. So he tricks them into going camping with him, in an effort to drive the group deeper and deeper into the woods. Things start to unravel from there as the group fights about drugs, sex, and food (in that order, I might add). There's a lot of problems with this movie. Shot in dirty black-and-white, it's very hard on the eyes, and it seems like no effort was made to clean it up for DVD. The acting is only passable (it seems like everyone knows they aren't getting paid for this, and they are trying to wrap ASAP). The plot, while promising, doesn't pan out. The pithy dialogue that is View Askew's trademark is absent, and the potential for a Blair Witch-style horror film is wasted on recycled bong jokes and stoner `philosophy.' The DVD presentation is decent: sound isn't any better than two-channel stereo, but it doesn't really have to be. There are some deleted scenes (and you can use seamless branching to put them back in the movie - congrats for that, at least!) The commentary is funny, much moreso than the movie itself, as the cast and crew sit around trashing it and talking about how awful it is. I wouldn't even recommend this to a Kevin Smith fan, without renting it first. To the average viewer, go get Chasing Amy instead. You'll thank me.
Rating:
Summary: Drawing Puke is More Like It
Review: I bought this movie "blind" because it was the "lost" View Askew film. While Kevin Smith is kind of uneven as a director (Clerks, Amy, and Jay and Silent Bob were great, Mallrats was acceptable, and Dogma was juvenile but funny), this is a project he helped fund. Starring Jason Lee and Jason Mewes (Jay) of View Askew fame, plus a lot of other Askewnies including Smith himself, this film details the lives of a clutch of welfare bums in Vancouver. When their welfare is cut off, they have to come up with a new plan. One night, while watching a nature documentary, Jason Lee gets the bright idea to go look for Bigfoot. Except, he doesn't want to tell his friends, because they might think he's a psychopath. So he tricks them into going camping with him, in an effort to drive the group deeper and deeper into the woods. Things start to unravel from there as the group fights about drugs, sex, and food (in that order, I might add). There's a lot of problems with this movie. Shot in dirty black-and-white, it's very hard on the eyes, and it seems like no effort was made to clean it up for DVD. The acting is only passable (it seems like everyone knows they aren't getting paid for this, and they are trying to wrap ASAP). The plot, while promising, doesn't pan out. The pithy dialogue that is View Askew's trademark is absent, and the potential for a Blair Witch-style horror film is wasted on recycled bong jokes and stoner 'philosophy.' The DVD presentation is decent: sound isn't any better than two-channel stereo, but it doesn't really have to be. There are some deleted scenes (and you can use seamless branching to put them back in the movie - congrats for that, at least!) The commentary is funny, much moreso than the movie itself, as the cast and crew sit around trashing it and talking about how awful it is. I wouldn't even recommend this to a Kevin Smith fan, without renting it first. To the average viewer, go get Chasing Amy instead. You'll thank me.
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