Dogma

Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the Catholic League...
Review: ...and other straight-laced Catholics when they say that this film is blasphemous and offensive. I'm Catholic myself and I found nothing offensive about it. If anything, it taught me more about Catholicism and religion in general than the six years of Sunday school I took back in grade school. This movie was also my introduction to the wonderfully twisted films of Kevin Smith(now I have to go back and rent Clerks and Mallrats because the dialogue in this movie was so incredible). Shout-out to Howard Shore too for the amazing music score, and the brilliant cast (especially Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, and Jason Lee, all of which get the best lines). 129 minutes of brilliance.

Rating:
Summary: half brilliant, half inane satire
Review: Most movies fail because they attempt too little; `Dogma' fails because it attempts too much. Given the option, I much prefer a film that goes down fighting to one that capitulates even before the battle has begun. Nevertheless, a miss is still a miss and `Dogma' falls far short of the potential it displays so admirably in its first half. What begins as a wildly original, audacious and subtle satire about the place of institutionalized religion in modern American life, suddenly collapses midway into an undisciplined, unfocused and unfunny action comedy.

Written and directed by Kevin Smith and boasting a topnotch cast of sizzling hot young actors, `Dogma' chronicles the attempt of two renegade angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) to sneak back into heaven under the auspices of an offer of `plenary indulgence' that a New Jersey Catholic Church has set up as a come-on to beef up its membership roles. The problem lies in the fact that, if these two are successful, they will prove God fallible for the first time, thus resulting in the termination of all existence. Linda Fiorentino, in the film's most compelling performance, is the innocent young woman chosen to fulfill the modern Christ role by preventing the angels from passing through the church portals - although, in this case, it is SHE who has been sent on a mission to save God, thus evening up the score apparently.

The early sections of the film, as Smith lacerates much of the hypocrisy of organized religion, while at the same time, forcing us to evaluate anew the basis of much of Christianity's theological underpinnings, represent satirical filmmaking at its boldest and most creative. Much of the humor derives from the flippant irreverence and utter domestication exhibited by these dual bands of ragtag celestial and earthbound beings (one the angels, the other comprised of the woman, Bethany, an original thirteenth apostle, a muse and two terrestrial prophets). The film takes on an almost Oz-like quality as Bethany and her escorts fight off hostile forces bent on keeping them from arriving at their destination (in this case, not the Emerald City, but a gothic New Jersey cathedral).

Unfortunately, about halfway through the film a scene occurs that breaks the spell and sets the movie off completely in the wrong direction. While our intrepid pilgrims are sitting in a local nudie bar, a scatological demon emerges from the toilet in the restroom and wreaks havoc on the place and the people in attendance. Suddenly, what started out as an intellectually challenging comedy of ideas degenerates into a lame action/adventure tale filled with overblown special effects, almost on a par with, heaven help us, `Mystery Men.' This mood-shattering sequence becomes the blueprint for much of the film that follows, as the action becomes more and more inane, bloody and absurd and the humor, unfortunately, follows suit. The initial tone of sly satirical wit becomes lost in a welter of pointless explosions, decapitations and the like, with slapstick replacing the earlier thought-provoking cleverness. Thus, what promises to be one of the very finest, most ingenious and most original films of 1999, sadly, emerges as one the most frustrating and disappointing. There is one consolation perhaps: the devout Catholics, who might indeed have taken umbrage at the searing attacks on their religion in the early sections of the film are unlikely to care by the end, as the film devolves more and more into unfocused silliness. The film, by going so over the top, actually weakens its effect as either corrective or corrosive satire the farther it gets away from reality. In this case, Smith has really no one but himself to blame. Rarely has a film of such quality and promise derailed itself so completely as `Dogma.'

Rating:
Summary: Worthy of Salvation!
Review: After hearing all of the hype about the Catholic-bashing of this movie, I had to see it. As a Catholic, I was hardly offended. Rather, I was left in stitches. First off, it was a completely original premise- the whole idea of fallen angels attempting to re-enter heaven. One of the things I liked about the idea is that it gives a glimpse of the dangers in dogmatic beliefs. Secondly, I thought the dialogue and acting were great! I have never seen an angel talk a cleric out of her faith before in a movie. I also found the characters to be incredible. People like Chris Rock, Alan Rickman, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon made their characters totally believable. Simply put, this was a very funny movie that pokes fun at the structure of religion, not any one belief, and Catholicism tends to have more structure and guilt associated with it than any other religion I know. This is definitely a must-see movie- ESPECIALLY if you're Catholic.

Rating:
Summary: DOGMA DVD REVIEW: Good movie, no extras (Boo!)
Review: I have been warned about this movie. The movie that Christians especially Catholics dislike. I wanted to know what the big hub-bub was all about and so, I watched the movie. Either you love it or hate it, I watched it as a comedy and not as preaching to what I should do religiously and I found it very entertaining.

Of the Kevin Smith movies, I like this one a lot. My brother puts this at the lowest of Kevin Smith movies and he dislikes it because it focuses too much on religion. I look at it as something to laugh about and to see another perspective or another person's storyline and you either are entertained or not. So, I don't hold grudges and I don't feel like banning the movie. I don't place this movie up to blasphemy with "The Last Temptation of Christ" but if you can just separate yourself from your religious side for 128 minutes, give this movie a try and if you like it..you like it and if you dislike it...you dislike it.

I bought this movie hearing that a special collector's edition will be out sometime this year. All Kevin Smith movies are collector's edition except this. You don't get hardly anything. Just a trailer and talent files. So, in the extra department, this movie blows. The audio of the movie is driven by dialogue, so don't expect any major surround sound. There are certain scenes where they are utilized but just a little. The video is pretty cool too, then again, I wasn't really watching for artifacts during this movie. A few reviews mentioned they saw compression artifacts...

It amazes me how Smith got talented people to work on this $10 million movie, when these actors are making humongous amount of money. This movie features an all-star cast including the guest cameos in the movie.

With all three previous Kevin Smith movies, fans were treated with cool extras. Yes, rumor has it that a special edition will be coming out at the end of the year but still....

Overall this movie is pretty fun to watch, the lack of features drives the overall score down but give it a try, you might enjoy it.

Movie gets 5 stars, Special Features (or lack of)gets 0 stars which drives the overall DVD down to 3 stars.

Rating:
Summary: It's a road trip movie
Review: Highlights: Not nearly as offensive as it could've been. Decent performances from the actors with some notable exceptions. Some amusing dialog. Salma Hayek and Alan Rickman give great performances, especially considering some of the lines they had to read. The scene on the train is, indeed, amusing.

Lowlights: Not nearly as offensive as it could've been. Decent performances ruined by poor staging (any seen where Linda Fiorentino is having a conversation). Some really lame gags. Too much Jay and Silent Bob -- small doses.

The director seems better at character/dialogue driven movies. Plot-driven stories like Mallrats and Dogma seemed rushed; in this case, too much dialog is given over to explication. I will give him credit though: he managed to get Ben Affleck to wipe that annoying smirk off his face on the train scene.

Rating:
Summary: A great movie for those with an open mind.
Review: This movie is a great follow up to the Jersey Trilogy. It further develops the characters of Jay and Silent Bob while creating new characters. Being a big fan of Kevin Smith's other movies, Clerks, the outrageously underrated Mallrats and the more serious but still great Chasing Amy, it is probably not surprising that I loved this movie. I saw it in the theatre twice and bought it as soon as it came out on DVD. I can't see where the critics are coming from who criticize this movie. It is not in the least offensive to anyone except those who are so caught up in their religion that they can't see past their own opinions. This movie makes many points about where religion is going in this country. I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves the other Kevin Smith movies, Kevin has never disappointed before and he doesn't disappoint now. I would also suggest this movie to anyone who loves to laugh. I would even recommend this movie to really religious people, maybe you'll learn something.

Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as everyone said!
Review: First of all, I have to say that this movie had me busting a gut! It was so funny. I know that a lot of people won't find the comedic material humorous, considering the fact that it's about religion. Some Catholics I know saw this movie and didn't think it was funny at all, and I really can't say that I blame them. You just cannot take this film too seriously. In no way do they mean to poke fun at the church, they just say the things that everyone has in their minds and don't ever say outloud. I applaud Kevin Smith's courage in making DOGMA. It was a real long shot, but I think it turned out great. Jay and Silent Bob are just a thing of comedic genius, easily the most enjoyable thing about the movie. Go see it.

Rating:
Summary: FANTABULOUS!
Review: words are not enough . . awesome movie!

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly funny! The truth in this movie is what makes it..
Review: Seeing from the 1 star reviews of this movie and the "this didn't offend me but..." just means that it did.

This movie is hysterical. It rips into the hypocrisy of the entire concept of the Church. It's like stigmata meets abbott and costello.

I highly reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: The best movie of 1999 (after Being John Malkovich)
Review: Dogma seems to evoke either love or hate from those who saw it. I for one LOVED it -- thought it was not only a brilliant satire on organized religion but a well-cast, well-acted, hilarious romp that never failed to please. Most of my friends also thought it was fabulous, though a couple of them hated it. I cannot see why. Like so many movies in the second half of 1999 (BJM, Election, Blair Witch, American Beauty, Magnolia, Three Kings), this film was overflowing with originality. We need more films like this!