Dogma

Rating:
Summary: Hilarity and religion; what an odd couple
Review: "...no denomination has nailed it yet, because they are all (organized religion, that is) too self-righteous to realize it's not what you have faith in, it's that you have faith," says the muse, Serendipity, played by Salma Hayek, which spells out what this movie is all about. That and the fact God has a sense of humor, and is canadian, hehe.

At the first part of the movie a warning appears which basically says do not take this film seriously. Unfortunately, some people thought different and took it very seriously, basically saying that God would never have a sense of humor and they protest it. These people need to wake and smell the comedy, because this movie is funny. witty, and very entertaining. It is about two angels, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) who have been banished from heaven (for reasons that will be explained in the movie) and must live out the rest of human history in Wisconsin, which I guess is worse than hell, ask the Metatron, played by the ever-talented Alan Rickman.

UNfortunately, these two angels have found a loophole in Catholicism, which would let them back in to heaven. But if this happens the world will end because it will prove God wrong and God is supposed to be infallible. So the metatron tracks down the last scion (the last living relative of Jesus) played by Linda Fiorentino, and with the help of the 13th apostle (Chris Rock), which the bible failed to mention, and Jay and Silent Bob(Smith and Mewes), they head towards Jersey to stop the angels. It is a comical trip through with dialogue so funny, you may get whip-lash. Also, a welcome part from George Carlin as a Cardinal, not to mention that Jay and Silent Bob play bigger roles compared to previous films (Clerks and Chasing Amy). GRADE: A-

Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: This movie wasn't funny at all. The plot was very poorly written. I probably would have loved this movie if I was still in middle school. The attempt to make the movie mystical was the only part that was funny since it was done so poorly. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A humorous look at faith
Review: As a pair of two lapsed Catholics, My husband and I rented this movie on the recommendation of another catholic friend of ours. From the moment they unveiled the hilarious "Buddy Christ" to the moment the ending credits appeared we were rolling on the floor howling with laughter as only two people who spent years in catholic school could.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were great as two fallen angels banished by God to hell (Wisconsin) trying to get back into Heaven through a loophole in Catholic dogma. Which would unfortunately destroy the world because it would prove God fallible. Chris Rock was a very funny 13th Apostle named Rufus and Selma Hayek's role as a feisty muse name Serendipity was also good. Jason Mews and Kevin Smith himself in their perennial roles as "Jay" and "Silent Bob" were a scream as two unlikely "prophets" sent to aid the last Scion played by Linda Fiorentino. My favorite performance was that of Alan Rickman who played the surly and much put upon Metatron (or the voice of God). He portrayed the long suffering character of God's right hand angel with an excellent mix of irony, dry humor, and compassion. His fiery entrance scene was classically funny!

I felt that the weakest performance was that of Fiorentino's who played the main character Bethany, the last Scion charged with the mission of stopping the renegade angels. While she did a good job, there was something that seemed slightly forced in her portrayal of a catholic (who worked in an abortion clinic by the way) struggling with her beliefs just going through the motions of faith. The sarcastic lines lacked some bite and her expressions seemed a bit contrived. Her performance improved in the middle of the movie during her scene with Rickman after she discovers her true identity.

Overall, I felt that Dogma was not about bashing the Catholic church, but about some of the funny things about organized religion and faith. Smith touches on a number of different issues here, and the humor was a great way of dealing with the touchy and explosive subject of religion.

Most critics I suspect were offended by the language, but if you've seen one of Kevin Smith's movies before, that's to be expected. Sometimes you have to look past the messenger to see the message. Other critics sited implausible plot, wordy, or the always elegant "it just sucks". One critic bashed Smith for assuming that everyone was Catholic!

Those that thought the movie bashed Catholicism didn't read into what Smith was saying. Selma Hayek summed it up perfectly "You people don't celebrate your faith. You mourn it." Loosen up people, having a sense of humor about it is part of celebrating your faith.

I agree that the dialogue got a bit wordy, but I suspect that was for the benefit of those who didn't have a background in Catholicism. If you filtered out some of the conversational meandering and vulgar interjections by the trash mouthed "prophet" Jay, you'll find some interesting and thought provoking gems in there. As for an implausible plot...hello! We're talking religion here folks, and I think that few people would agree that the Bible is necessarily a wellspring realistic and plausible plots. Religion is about leaps of faith and if you can't handle that, then you won't get the meaning behind the movie.

The critics in the "it just sucks" camp I suspect aren't very patient with the subject of "two hours of Catholic mythology" and are more comfortable with the secular subjects of Smith's other movies (romance, shopping, drugs and the like). Hey, I don't like football, so am I going to complain that the writers of The Replacements and Remember the Titans assumed that everyone in the world enjoys football? No, I'm simply not going to watch movies about football...problem solved. The name of the movie is Dogma, it should give you a clue. And if you don't know what dogma means, look it up.

So here's a warning to all...if you have no tolerance for organized religion, so called Catholic mythology, occasional potty humor (literally), profanity, or you have no sense of humor on the subject of religion, then don't watch this movie. You be disappointed or angry.

If you are a little bit more open minded, I invite you to try out this wonderfully funny movie.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of Kevin Smith so far
Review: Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Kevin Smith scored big again with his most succesful box-office release to date. A controversial, yet thought-provoking, and a soul-search for Smith comes together in this film about two renegade angels (Matt Damon, Ben Affleck) who must be stopped from entering heaven by Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) with help from sidekicks Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes, Smith), along with the 13th deciple, Rufus (Chris Rock). The entire movie makes you think about your religious beliefs and ideas with some very controversial topics, however Smith does not deny the existence of God. The inspiration for this movie comes from a time when Smith was questioning his own beliefs. A great and funny movie for the open-minded!

Rating:
Summary: Wry take on religion.
Review: After thoroughly enjoying Kevin Smith's previous film, Chasing Amy, I had high hopes for Dogma. The media played up the supposedly inflammatory content of the film and every Catholic film group on Earth seemed eager to bash Smith's effort. The cast, while not a dream match-up, certainly offered an intriguing ensemble too.

As for the story? Well, it's a cute tale of two angels banished from heaven and now on their way to slip through a supposed loophole in God's laws which will allow them to return home. Fiorentino, the insufferable Rock and Silent Bob and Jay travel to the same spot, a church, to keep the angels from underminding God and supposedly all creation. Good enough premise but really what makes the film enjoyable, as with all Smith movies, is the sparkling dialogue. Sharp and biting, his lines can often be music to the ears. Smith turned his attention on the church and he does a fine job of pointing out silly hypocrisies in the Catholic Church and its dogma.

Smith delivered on many fronts, while backsliding on others. His humor has the a unique ability to be both crude and insightful. Unfortunately a few portions of this film, specifically the feces-based monster were a bit too sophomoric. But the vast majority of the film's humor shows Kevin is building and growing beyond his start in the often funny though very teen-pleasing Clerks.

His casting unfortunately played against the film. I've read that Jason Lee was to play Affleck's sidekick angel but a scheduling conflict kept that from becoming a reality. I must say the film suffers because of this. Rather than Lee's standout, wonderful delivery the film is burdened with Matt Damon's lack of any screen presence or characterization. He's Good Will Hunting, the boring angel from my nightmares. Additionally, putting Chris Rock in a film (even the otherwise excellent Nurse Betty) should now be grounds for the public flogging of a director. Rock speaks each line as if doing a standup routine. He's about as natural as polyester. And about as interesting too. Salma Hayek continues to enforce the stereotype that acting and beauty are not synonymous (thank heavens for the Cate Blanchetts of the world). Lee, sadly, is stuck in a woefully underwritten role as a demon fixing to help the angels beat God.

But, the film does have some sparkling performances. Alan Rickman, one of the underappreciated actors of the past few decades does a terrific job, bringing the kind of wit and verve he usually delivers in his performances (not quite as good as his Alexander from Galaxy Quest or even near Hans Gruber in Die Hard). Fiorentino does a fine job as the reluctanct abortionist world-saver. Silent Bob (Smith) and Jay (Mewes), as usual continue their foul-mouthed Laurel and Hardy routine (or are they Penn and Teller?). Affleck does a serviceable job but really shows that since Chasing Amy, he's really got little to offer as an actor.

Dogma's a fine film and worth the laughs, but it's certainly not controversial or in any way dangerous to the church. Smith has good pointsto make, even if he does so with a preachy style.

Rating:
Summary: If it's an affront, turn your back
Review: This movie makes me smile.

Firstly, it's a smart film. The characters definitely have a handle on their opinions, their "good ideas" and goals. As far as I could see nothing stopped them from saying them (even God herself. Jay's little tirade in front of her had me laughing so hard that fell out of my seat at the theatre). I like characters who aren't all wishy-washy and who don't waffle around unless they have a character-changing experience. Also, The issues raised range from the common ("Is abortion right or wrong?") to the heirarchical ("Is Catholicism stodgy and arcane?") to the silly ("Do Bishops really bless their golf clubs for a better game?") to the divine ("Is God a 'he' or a 'she'?"). And all the characters are well-educated about THAT as well.

"Dogma" does not suffer from lack of opinions or perspectives, to be sure.

Secondly, it's an emotional film. The scene between Linda Fiorentino and Alan Rickman at the lake when she asks the burden of her quest be removed from.. and the Metatron says that her Ancestor said the same thing to him: "Please make this go away." For the first time since I was a child I remembered the tragedy built up around the Birth of Christianity (or Catholicism or whatever...)

Thirdly.. come on: Alanis Morisette as God. How much more fabulous could it be?

For those who think it's insulting and degrading to the Mother Church, well, no one said you had to watch it. Sadly, most of those who protested DIDN'T watch it, yet protested anyway.

See "Dogma", form an opinion and let me know what you think. I for one found it to be an amazing fantasia, full of faith and fun.

Rating:
Summary: DOGMA is Dynomite!
Review: Dogma is one of the funniest yet thought provoking movies I have ever seen! It is definitely one you will want to own. The parody of certain Catholic beliefs makes for a wonderful spoof; but still gets you thinking about the scheme of God and His(Her) sense of humor. I truly feel that God does have one and that He/She enjoyed this film as well. If you haven't seen it, rent it then you will buy it!

Rating:
Summary: Smith is promising but not there yet.
Review: Dogma is an interesting and thought-provoking film buried beneath Kevin Smith's trademarked, limiting sophomoric humor. The story of two angels trying to "go home" engages the imagination, as does the parade of interesting spiritual personalities that pass by. But profanity and sexual references, especially spewed by angels and apostles, become gratuitous. Smith obviously strikes a chord with his audience by reverting to these devices time and again. The problem is that as a writer he relies on the tried and true as an easy way out of nearly every situation. He finally presents a solid adult story, complete with dialogue that connects superbly to said story. But he hasn't grown beyond the film school scriptwriting devices that once seemed to freshly irreverent. In ten years, look out; Smith might be the preeminent writer-director in cinema. Right now he possesses all the raw materials of an Orson Welles. But he isn't quite there yet, and won't be until he aims for a broader, more sophisticated audience. Dogma is worth a viewing or two because of its keen insights into Christianity as it's practiced today. He thought hard about the story and the characters. He should have thought just as hard about employing cheap tricks to keep the lowest common denominator of his audience happy.

Rating:
Summary: Not Kevin Smith's finest hour
Review: This movie is not Kevin Smith's finest hour. Let me just say that as a lapsed Catholic, this movie isn't particularly insulting--although I remember the protests outside theatres. The problem with it is that it just isn't very FUNNY. The high point of the film is Smith regular Jason Lee (notably of "Chasing Amy" as Ben Affleck's homophobic co-worker) as a Satan type. The problem with this movie is that it needs to go bigger and really lampoon organized religion, or it needs to tone it down. Instead, it's stuck in neutral, with the viewer wondering when it's all going to end.

Admittedly, it's kind of fun to watch Ben Affleck and Matt Damon play angels who have fallen from grace, who try to get through a heavenly loophole to regain their wings. But that's too small a part of the movie to redeem it. Plus the shootout at the end that finally brings these two devils down is gross--as is the--er--monster that emerges from the toilet to try to stop our protagonists.

This isn't an awful movie. Let's just say that renting "Chasing Amy" and "Clerks" would be time better spent.

Rating:
Summary: Dogma restores my faith in Christians
Review: I've been looking through the reviews for the past half an hour reading all the bad ones I could find so I could find out why people though Dogma was bad. Most of them give no reason, simply saying "this sucks, don't buy it." Others are saying that the plot is implausible. Be more specific people. The plot hinges on Christian mythology, it's not supposed to be a real story. If you can't watch a movie without suspending your disbelief, this isn't for you.

Since it has to do with Christianity, you do need to know a little about it beforehand. I've been in a church maybe twelve times in my life and sat through services even fewer times. My parents did nothing to raise me Christian or Jewish, in any denomination, and I understood this movie juts fine. Dogma explains things beautifully.

If you're hung up on the language, look past it. Smith doesn't necessarily write what Jason Mewes (aka Jay) says. Mewes is like Jay in real life, and swears profusely. It's only a word, if your delicate ears can't handle swears, don't watch the movie.

The movie has a disclaimer at the beginning saying that it's satire, which it is. I haven't seen a review that says Dogma is blasphemy, but just in case: Kevin Smith is Catholic. A devout one. In every one of his movies, at the end of the credits, he lists a bunch of people he thanks. God is always on the list. Smith just has a sense of humor in seeing his religion.

The movie's trying to say something, and gets wordy in the process. If you're too slow to read a thousand page book, don't watch the movie for anything but the jokes.

This movie reminds me that not all people are jerks about their religion. Normally if you poke fun at something even remotely related to their beliefs, they fly off the handle. Dogma shows an amazing flexibility in attitude and style. Kevin Smith's next movie will be something he (hopefully) won't get death threats for, much more lighthearted like Mallrats. It will also be the last in the Jersey chronicles. Kevin Smith is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time, and I look forward to more of his movies.