Rating: 
Summary: Chasing Amy DVD Review: Very cool!
Review: I have to admit that I didn't really understand the hype about Kevin Smith's first movie "CLERKS" aside it being low-budget and unique, the storyline didn't appeal to me. But after watching his fourth movie, "DOGMA", I had to check out the other movies he has done and his third movie, "CHASING AMY" is quite intriguing.I must admit that at first I didn't know what to expect from Kevin Smith in this movie but after seeing the performances between Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams, all I can say is powerful. I've read that this movie was low-budget ($200,000) to make, I think Kevin Smith and crew did a great job! I was impressed they had a digital 5.1 soundtrack and the video had certain spots especially during the end of the rain scene and afterwards but again, this is a low-budget movie and I'm not going to hold them on that. This is a very awesome movie and I have more respect for Smith and his work now. Awesome! As for the extras on this DVD, this is a CRITERION COLLECTION and it has a lot of extras. But the extras are from the Laserdisc version. In fact, the introduction included on this DVD is Smith addressing a certain quote on the beginning commentary of the movie regarding DVD on the LD commentary. So, since I don't own the LD, I'm not disappointed, although others maybe. What I enjoyed about this movie aside from the deleted scenes and the powerful acting is the commentary. Very fun stuff from the guys this time and you can hear them! Something I bitched about on the CLERKS DVD. What I like about this DVD is that it covers something that I don't see in other movies, how to deal with a relationship with someone who has had certain sexual situations in the past. An interesting movie! Check it out!
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat overrated
Review: Chasing Amy has strong moments in which the good old Clerks humor peeks out. Despite that, the movie somehow gets lost in the middle and doesn't quite reemerge in the end. In places the film seems to drag along, but mostly it wanders aimlessly through the second half in which Affleck's character has to figure out... well, nothing. The confusion of the characters is understandable but unfortunately it carries over into the plot. Overall the film has sort of a "Boy meets girl, boy gets girl, now what?" feel. Unlike Clerks which illustrates the attitudes and emotions of its main characters through the little events of their day, managing in the end a real connection with them, Chasing Amy just drifts through the last hour. Worthy moments of the film include the two comic artists heckling their friend's propaganda piece ("What's a Nubian?") and their double-takes when they first realize they're in a gay bar. The first fifteen or twenty minutes set a good tone, but the tone takes a dive quickly after that. Overall I found this one to be somewhat less appealing than some of the director's other work. Others may have their own reasons to enjoy this movie more than I did, but it just doesn't maintain the strength of purpose to earn it five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Well put together DVD
Review: I think anyone who is an avid fan of DVD has been fooled at least once or twice by so-called "collector's edition" or "director's cut" DVDs, in which we are promised special features, but are left holding nothing more than boring running commentary and maybe one extra scene. However, you need to believe Kevin Smith when he tells you that the Criterion Collection Chasing Amy is worth the extra couple of bucks. I have been a fan of this movis for a long time, and I was blown away by the deleted scenes (of which there were atleast ten) and the commentary by the young, funny cast. I think it says a lot for the type of quality movies Smith does when you have a fairly big star such as Ben Affleck willing to take time out of his schedule to appear repeatedly on the extra segments included on this DVD. Any fan of this film should own the Criterion Collection of this wonderful movie, and it is especially a must own for big Kevin Smith fans, it is his best work yet.
Rating: 
Summary: Who cares....
Review: Probably the most overrated films of 1997. I watched this film with various degrees of interest. The acting was for the most part flat and uninvolving and the writing a little smug. I really believe that the ending was a series of ides written on scraps of paper,thrown in a hat pulled out and shot in sequence. Chasing Amy a criterion collection Dvd? No it should be part of a giveaway Buy Mallrats get a copy of Chasing Amy.
Rating:
Summary: Smith's New Jersey picture that's close to home
Review: ...many call...this Kevin Smith's most mature film. I disagree; this is his most personal film -- the second half of CHASING AMY is a kind of thinly-disguised silver-screen reenactment of a real-life relationship -- but don't look for too much maturity here. Fans of CLERKS and MALLRATS will be happy to know Smith has not grown up one bit. Oddly, the picture is unusually grainy and the framing seems to be a bit off, but like all of Criterion's DVDs this one is packed with so much goodness you won't mind the visual flaws. For example, the 10 deleted scenes could easily pass for short films in and of themselves. There are production notes, outtakes, and about three hours worth of plugs.. I mean, uh, commentary.
Rating:
Summary: something more personal
Review: The story of this film is a personal one for writer-director Kevin Smith and it's no wonder that it's his best effort to date--a great, warm film about relationships & more obscurely, a reflection on his movie career. A comic book artist named Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) falls for a Lesbian from his hometown in New Jersey. He's old school in his ways of love & life and happens to mix it up with the more interesting crowd. At the beginning of the picture--a scene that was finally cut--Holden and Banky (Jason Lee), his best friend/roommate, receive a verbal bashing from two comic book store owners who despise their work. Kevin admitted lifting much of that dialogue from a negative review of "Mallrats" (which had studio exec hands all over it and failed I think because it tried to be a comic-book action movie.) "Clerks" (his first movie), "Chasing Amy," & his latest "Dogma" are all down-to-earth, personal movies that are funny, filled with wonderful, inspired dialogue, and unfold more like stage plays than celluloid --he decides on a location to put his characters in and has them talk; it doesn't much matter if they're in a kitchen or at a hockey rink. There's a scene in "Chasing Amy" when Holden is telling Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) he'd "like to get back to doing something more personal like [his] first book." This could just as easily be: "I'd like to get back to doing something more personal like our first movie." "When are you going to do that?" Asks Alyssa. "When I have something personal to say." "Chasing Amy" is that movie. Indeed, Kevin Smith put much of himself into this picture and the result is his funniest, smartest, and most dramatic work. As Holden becomes close friends with Alyssa, Banky feels rejected. He wants him to stop fooling around with Alyssa and "sign off on the whole cartoon thing," but mainly he doesn't want to lose Holden. It's also interesting to note that "Clerks" became an animated series for a short time and it's possible much of the subplot came from Smith's own feelings about selling-out his art for the big bucks (which also can be construed as his decision to make "Mallrats" the way he did). I like the subtle gestures between Banky & Holden and admire their friendship. This is Ben Affleck's best role. He doesn't seem as confident & charming in it as he does in some of his more recent roles. He's goateed and appears to be a little more bulky and chubby in the face--even his voice and his manner of speaking make him seem older. His character is average yet poetic, he makes you believe the conclusions that he comes to, as absurd as they may seem to others. They're are quiet, touching moments between characters with & without words. In a scene that'll never see the light of day, Banky holds Holden in his arms after he comes to a crossroads with Alyssa. I would've like to have seen it. It's just as much a movie about male affection (not necessarily gay either) as it is about being completely in love with a person. Jason Lee shines--he has a natural gift for comedic timing. In a typical romantic comedy, he'd by the poor schmuck sidekick who gets shunned, but his character is just as crucial to Holden's life as the woman he loves. And as Alyssa, Joey Lauren Adams is full of emotion, spontaneity, and charm. Smith's camera doesn't move often & the critics tend to knock him for it--who cares? He makes his movies fine and I've always said he's a good voice for the subculture of Generation X intellectual slacker-types. Mainly "Chasing Amy" consists of a series of wonderful moments focusing on the growing relationship between Alyssa and Holden & the deteriorating relationship of Banky and Holden. Then several key scenes of emotional fury that are so well written and acted and reveal so much that it elevates beyond a straight comedy and it becomes entirely Kevin Smith's movie--a perfect expression of being crazy & completely wrecked in love, which Holden undoubtedly is. Hooper is the voice of reason & wisdom--the gay black man, who, to sell his comic book, "White Hating Coon," pretends to be a militant Black Panther-esque speaker when he's anything but. He seems to understand the three-way situation plainly, but he's also on the outside looking in and when you're in love your mind is a complicated mess. Wanted or not, Holden also gets "advice from the 'hood" when Jay & Silent Bob meet him at a local diner (they're the inspiration for his and Banky's popular comic book, "Bluntman & Chronic"). He gives him guidance in the best way a person can--he tells him a story that echoes his own and hopes he catches a clue--He doesn't. And after a serious examination of his individual relationships with Banky & Alyssa, he suggests something both funny, unexpected and sincere. I always get the impression that when a director tries to make an enjoyable movie that will be well-received, it usually isn't. It's when they put it all on the line and make a picture altogether theirs that people respond to it. I've seen "Chasing Amy" God-knows-how-many-times now & still every time I sit down to watch it I'm touched, I still smile at some point in nearly every scene, I still get weepy-eyed. I wish every time that I could crawl up on that red coach, go to sleep, and wake up in this world. With "Chasing Amy," Silent Bob becomes less of a comic book super-hero, and more like I'd imagine Kevin Smith to be in real life, and when the big guy finally opens up, he says what he wants to say perfectly.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprizingly Good!!!
Review: Chasing Amy is by far the best movie Kevin Smith has done so far. This includes Clerks, Mallrats, and Dogma. The story is a little unusual as Holden (Ben Affleck) falls in love with Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) after he discovers that she is a lesbian. It is a unique story that takes on some issues of the real world. The chemistry between Affleck and Adams is totally believable, as is some of the problems that arise between them. Also, staying true to Smith's other movies, Silent Bob and Jay make a return appearance. Bottomline, if you are a fan of Kevin Smith's other movies, check this out. This one is his best one yet!!
Rating:
Summary: Coloring outside the lines
Review: As a film student I hate it when people tell the same old story the same old way. Break the box i say an retell the story. That is what Kevin Smith. He's an artist and an individual who has no problems coloring outside the lines. Chasing Amy is a deeply moving romantic comedy tht does not hit you with loads of cheese. It's personal, vulgar and sometimes hard to watch just like real life. Guys if you find a girl and you want to impress her but want to rent a romance at the same time pick this up. It blows films like Titanic and Pretty Woman out of the water. It will turn a girl with intelligence and creativity into butter. Trust me it works. And with the bonus material on the DVD it makes the film even better. For once in your life color outside the lines it is what makes us better then the boring people.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, but DVD not perfect
Review: Don't get me wrong, the MOVIE itself deserves 5 stars easily! BUT, I noticed the DVD transfer was a little lackluster! To be honest with you this was the first time I had ever seen this movie! Being such a HUGE fan of the NJ clan I went ahead a pre-ordered this DVD. Let me say it was a great move on my part! This movie has some of the funniest, and sick, humor thus far from Kevin Smith! Especially the conversation between Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams at the bar ;-) However, I did notice from the start of the movie that the DVD transfer was a little grainy in appearance. I thought it was just me at first, but then I read another review on a dvd webpage saying the same thing that I thought. I'm a little picky when it comes to dvd quality because I expect superb picture/sound from all new releases. This is because I strongly feel that since DVD's have been around a while then studio's should've figured out by now how to do a flawless transfer. I mean come on, did you all get Mallrats yet? That transfer was virtually flawless (in my opinion.) But, on the positive side, there a quite a few supplements. I've yet to get to all of the supplements (I'm very eager to listen to the commentary, cause if it's half as good as the Mallrats one then we're all in for a treat), but I'm thouroughly satisfied with my purchase. I recommend this movie to everyone who likes a good, different comedy! Peace out!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, Incredible DVD
Review: Buying part 3 of the so-called NJ Trilogy is a no-brainer- great movie with a feature-packed DVD. First- the film: A well-made story that surpasses both Clerks and Mallrats (though you should own both of those as well). Is it cliche to say that this film is far more mature than both of those films? The story is excellent- mixing humor and sadness in equal parts with all the feel of a Kevin Smith movie. The real reason to own this movie, though, is the DVD loaded with extras- Directors Commentary, tons of outtakes, an explanation of the tie-ins between characters in Clerks, Mallrats, and chasing Amy.
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