Rating: 
Summary: Catholicism At Its Worst; Smith At His Best
Review: Smith has the brain for pseudo-intellectual screenplays, and he's at his peak with the all-too-serious subject of religion in this newest edition of Kevin Smith archives. Catholics and the Catholic religion are at his mercy and severest criticism in this film about two angels cast down from heaven that have found a way to get back in and the destiny of the mortal woman who must prevent them from reentering and undoing all of human existence. Heavy subject matter but a mix of light humor and the typical philosophical rants that most of his characters are known for going on in each of his movies. And, come to think of it, who better to play the egotistical seraphim than an equally arrogant mortal pairing such as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Oscar winners for their well-renowned and too-smart-for-its-own-good screenplay belonging to the overly-praised film "Good Will Hunting" (I'm willing to bet they had something to do with the script for this film, too). Other than the tiresome two, there are amusing and notable performances by the other understated but exceptionally gifted actors he casted. Salma Hayek rips the type-cast "T&A girl" shell away from her as the fresh and uninhibited Serendipity, a muse given a human form and artistic freedom, only to find that her gift for endless ideas were useless toward her own causes. Jason Lee will impress as the dark angel Azrael, a subdued and much more tolerable performance and a far cry from the loud, argumentative, sexually-starved males he's played in Smith's last two films (Mallrats - a pure travesty, Chasing Amy). In his middle age, he's shyed away from the angry young man bit and given himself a little bit more leeway for future opportunities. As for Jason Mewes, there isn't much of a change except his acting ability. He has gained a better sense of feeling his lines instead of just reciting them. If you look back on Clerks, you'll see the difference between his much-improved status in Dogma and his lack of emotional transformation (hey, even Jay is a person with feelings!) and out-of-sync line delivery, his most obvious weaknesses. Trust me, you'll cringe when you compare the two and you'll thank God for Smith's ripening ability as a serious director and playwright. Chris Rock is an amusing sidekick, but he's nothing of a powerhouse actor as much as he is a comfortably solo comedian. Linda Fiorentino's role as Bethany Sloan could've been played by many others, but the fact that she was chosen shows that Kevin Smith is willing to scan a wider area as far as casting goes. He has his old favorites (Affleck, Damon - he had a cameo in "Amy", Lee, Mewes - his partner in crime), but he's broadening his horizons and inviting new and old talent to wet their feet in his insightful and rather enlightening brand of thinking. This is what I give four stars for. If not for the interesting views and acerbic wit Smith is blessed with, this film wouldn't be watchable. Granted, he has assembled a talented cast, but some of them are so involved in themselves (particularly Damon and Affleck) that there would be little harmony among the characters and the entertaining aspects would fall through the cracks.
Rating: 
Summary: Make a good Confession
Review: This was a generally mediocre movie. I really want these guys to succeed, and everyone from Boston needs to see everything they make. However, this movie begins with some modest promise and pokes fun at institutions that need to laugh more about themselves. It is fair to be critical of the Catholic Church, especially when it is a silly premise like the Church's efforts to become "more hip" and modern. But the whole thing dies is in the abstractions created with characters like Alanis. I wondered, was this movie written for the cameos or was it destined for purgatory from the get-go. Clerks, Chasing Amy and Mall Rats fans will love to see the usual suspects...but thats just not enough to keep your interest. Chris Rock does a fine job but he cannot carry the plot with his angry 13th Apostle routine. He plays well off of the other characters but ultimately loses. Ben and Matt are cool but seem to be trying too hard. Maybe comedy isn't where they perform the strongest. All is forgiven. A forgettable film.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the funniest I've seen
Review: DOGMA is one of the funniest movies I've seen. It's not to be seen by those who are easily offended ... it's to be appreciated by those with open minds. Although the movie does have a few dragging moments, overall it makes you think and it makes you laugh. And for all of you that are raising a stink about Alanis Morissette appearing as God, set aside your preconceptions of her and her music and realize that not a single one of us is actually *worthy* of being God. (And do stick around for the credits to hear her wonderful song, "Still", that she wrote about God.)
Rating:
Summary: Dogma
Review: I thought that this Religion Fancy movie was really good! I made good sence and will make you think about your religion is many ways, although this movie is fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and entertaining...!
Review: Well, this movie was certainly interesting. There were many different points when I thought: "Wow, this is really a great movie." And, it was. Very good. Sure, it poked fun at, like, everything in the Catholic religion, but it was still really good. Very, very funny. What happens is: Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartalby (Ben Affleck) play fallen angles trying to get back into heaven. They have to get to a New Jersey church and pass over the threshold to be clensed of their sins. Bethany (Linda Fioentino) is the person "chosen" to stop them. She meets two guys named Jay and Silent Bob who are unknowingly going to get her there. On the way, she meets Rufus (Chris Rock) and The Muse (played by Salma Hayak) who are also there to guide her. It really quite interesting....
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, bloody brilliant
Review: I absolutly love this movie. First of all, it is hilarius. I laughted all hte way through it. The writting is sharp, the direction puches every joke and adds a slew of sight gags, and the perfomances are great. Second of all, it is extremly intelligent. Though some people get their undies all in a wad over this movie (I've had a freind refer to it as balsphemous) it is not anti-religion. In fact, it is very pro-God, pro-fatih. It's anti-church (mainly anti-catholic) but it isn't vicious in its anti-catholicism. I think the muse, played suprubly by teh knockout Selma Hyack, "Their hearts are in the right place, their brians just need to catch up." This movie is really an intelligant theologicla discussion in hte format of a comedy. It works extremly well on both levels. The only flaw is the over-use of hte f-word, it just gets annoying. However, that's one small flaw in a brilliant movie. Watch it for Damon and Aflec, watch it for Alanis, watch it for silent Bob, watch it to laugh, watch it to think, jsut WATCH IT. Here I stand, so God help me, Amen.
Rating:
Summary: SO, SO FUNNY!
Review: This is an all round great movie that offers so much to the viewer. The plot is original and well crafted. It offers an intelligent, sometimes violent, but ultimately lighthearted telling of two banished angels who have found a loop hole which will enable them to re-enter the gates of heaven. However, this cannot be allowed to happen, for it would negate all existence. It is up to the cynical Bethany (Linda Fiorentino), accompanied by two unlikely prophets, Jay & Silent Bob (who provide some hilarious moments) and the "13 apostle", (Chris Rock) to stop them. This is probably Kevin Smith's finest work yet, despite it being aimed at a more mainstream market than his usual audience. He uses the same type of characters and much of the same cast as those which made Mall Rats, Chasing Amy and Clerks so watchable. It is a very creative, hilarious, fantasy tale that I can watch over and over again. The Dvd quality is complimentary to the movie. The 5.1 surround makes full use of its capabilities while the picture is clear. However the extras are dissapointing. For such an interesting movie, it would have been good to understand more about the making of and Kevin Smith's vision, Nonetheless, it is still a must have in your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Star Studded - Silent Bob Steals the Show
Review: Even though I am an unabashedly huge Kevin Smith fan, I still believe this is a very good movie that almost all but the no-sense-of-humor-about-their-religion crowd can enjoy. Although many saw this as an attack on Christianity and the Catholic Church, I did not see that at all. Taken as it should be, as pure entertainment, this movie uses the premises of the Bible to set a story about two fallen angels who believe they have found a way to return to "home" (heaven), and does so with humor and humanity. For the first time, Smith is working with a star-studded cast, and he does a good of making it pay off. The big names all provide memorable performances. In particular, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck show why they are one of the best movie teams since Newman and Redford teamed in "The Sting" and "Butch Cassidy". They work well together, and their conversations as the fallen angels on a mission are natural and believable. Salma Hayek is beautiful as always, but also gives a stellar performance. Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, Dave O'Barr and Jason Lee are all excellent. But, again, it is Smith himself as Silent Bob who steals the show. Silent Bob is one of the funniest characters the grace the screen in some time. He does more without speaking than any actor since Chaplin. The story is convoluted and takes time to play out, but the payoff is well worth the wait. There are some very funny moments throughout the film. As one prior reviewer noted, some who come to this movie with high expectations are liable to be disappointed. But, I will take the chance that the quality of this movie will triumph, even in the face of high expectations, and give it an enthusiastic recommendation. A must for all Smith fans collections, this movie is very good. Not quite a full five stars, but a very solid effort that falls just short of classic status.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of several hours
Review: I enjoyed Smith's previous movies. This, however, was the VERY WORST movie I have ever seen. In my life. Ever. The dialog was completely redundant (OK, I get the point, Catholocism is rigid and faith is what's important...), and the story boring and pretentious. Don't waste your time with this!
Rating:
Summary: Lighter than Chasing Amy, More Serious than Mallrats
Review: I thought this movie was incredibly entertaining. I will admit that I thought that Jay and Silent Bob were a little out of place, but they kept a more light and funny side to the movie. The dialog in the film was enjoyable, and the ending of the film is something not to be missed. Worth seeing again.
|
