Dogma (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Dogma (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Thought Provoking look at Catholicism
Summary: 5 Stars
Ah, another religious movie victim of vicious pre-release criticism. Much like "The Last Temptation of Christ," many critics ralied against Dogma, though they had not seen it. Perhaps what they were most afraid of was agreeing with Kevin Smith.Smith favorites Matt Damon and Ben Afflect star as a pair of angels, banished to Earth, who have discovered a loophole to get themselves back into Heaven. This loophole is provided by a hilarious George Carlin as Cardinal Glick, who is leading an effort to put a happier, modern face to Catholicism. Cardinal Glick is officiating at the re-opening of an old church, with an offer to all who pass through its gates a chance at redemtion. This is the loophole the angels wish to exploit, which would allow them to re-enter Heaven. Unfortunately, doing so would destroy everything in existence.
I have a small nit with director Smith: he's not very subtle. There are times during the movie where it seems Smith is Saying Something Important, as the cast launches into many a religious lecture.
And what a great cast it is, with Linda Fiorentino as Bethany, a woman called upon to stop the renegade angels and save the world; Chris Rock as the forgotten 13th Apostle, Rufus; Selma Hayek as a beautiful, heavenly muse; and of course, Smith mainstays Jay and Silent Bob. Jason Lee, underused in the film, plays the smirking, evil demon Azrael, as is George Carlin, which Smith discusses in his commentary on the second disc.
Being a special edition DvD, this one delivers, with a second disc of outtakes, commentary, and deleted scenes. The film transfer is absolutely beautiful, full of rich color, with great Dolby 5.1 sound.
As someone new to the View Askew universe, I found the movie very accessible, and the commentary provided by Smith offers a humorous introduction into this universe.
Movie Review: Walked Through A Picketline To See It! It Was Worth It!
Summary: 5 Stars
I suppose I shouldn't let my long time fan boy like admiration of Kevin Smith get in the way of my judgment for this movie, but I just can't help myself. When I first went to see this flick in theaters I had to walk through a crowd of very angry religi' just to get to the box office. I suppose my showing them my ticket didn't help the situation, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Anyway, about the film. You could say that it did lack the drama that gripped me with Chasing Amy, and it most certainly had less comedy than Clerks. With Mallrats, well, we'll just forget that ever happened (Even though I freaking love that movie). However this movie I thought, was deeply insightful and funny enough to stand on its own. Ben Affleck and Matty Damon are wonderful, Linda Fiorintino is mediocre, Chris Rock is hysterical, Alan Rickman is magnificent, and Salma Hyeck is enchanting. Lest we forget Chasing Amy's Jason Lee. Who is by his own right witty and entertaining to watch.
But what makes this film stand apart from Mr. Smith's other films, is the abbundent use of Jay and Silent Bob. (Please keep in mind this movie came out before Jay and Silent Strike Back, if you've ever seen his other movies you'll notice a significent lack of the characters thereof.)
The best part of this DVD is the commentary of course. Listening to the creators and portrayers of this epic speak their mind on the likes of acting, casting, and each other is entertainment in itself. I particularly like the part when they start asking each other what they'll be doing later that night in which they all reply watching TV. X-Files, Simpsons, and what have you.
So I encourage those of you who have never heard, seen, or believed that Kevin Smith even existed to watch this movie. It's kemp, witty, urbane, and just plain fun.
Movie Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
Some find it odd that some one of my most oft-repeated sayings when discussing religion in serious conversations comes from a Kevin Smith movie -- "I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier." But I think that that line alone made this movie more than just a screwball comedy, controversial for the sake of being controversial. "Dogma" has some actual messages to get across, and it just happens to do it in a much more enjoyable way than, say, "The Passion."The movie follows a disillusioned Catholic woman (Linda Fiorentino) on her journey, ordered by Metadron (Alan Rickman), to stop two fallen angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) from reentering heaven, thus rendering God's word reversible and ending the world as we know it. Along the way, she encounters workers of God, prophets, and the missing thirteenth apostle (Chris Rock, my favorite part of the movie). I'm not going to reveal any more of the plot, except to say that Alanis Morissette makes a pretty unexpected (and funny, when you consider the absurdity of it) appearance.
The great thing about "Dogma" is that it always seems to know exactly what it's doing. There's parts when it's supposed to be screwball humor (which is most of it), and parts when it's supposed to be more serious. It blends these two perfectly together, and the result makes you laugh and think at the same time. Truthfully, not many movies can do that. Sure, some may watch it only for the appearance of Kevin Smith regulars Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Smith himself, respectively) but if you look deeper, there's some real substance to this movie. It's not a bashing of the Catholic church; it's simply a movie that reminds you to ask questions. Highly recommended unless you're an easily offended Catholic.
Movie Review: Kevin Smith is so smart it's almost sickening!
Summary: 5 Stars
I would give this movie 5 stars just based on the research alone that Kevin Smith had to have done for this film. All of his characters (names mostly relating to biblical days) and back story are nothing short of brilliant. The story is about two fallen angels (Matt Damon, Ben Affleck) who have been cast out of heaven and forced to live in Wisconsin until the end of existance for giving God the finger. When the two find a loophole in the catholic religion, which would allow them to re-enter heaven, thus by proving that God isn't perfect, all hell breaks loose -literally! Demons come up from hell to make sure that the two angels suceed in their mission which will be the cause of the end of the world. The demons incapacitate God in the body of a comatosed human and are off to help existance cease to exist. In an attempt to stop them, The Voice of God tracks down Bethany - an abortion clinic worker- and convinces her that it's her job to stop the two angels thus by saving all of humanity. And Jay an Silent Bob (What would a Kevin Smith movie be without those two?) are sent with her as two very unlikely prophets, along with the thirteenth apostle (who was left out of the bible for being black!), played by Chris Rock. So now the clock is ticking. Bethany and her gang must get to New Jersey before the two angels have a chance to walk through the archway of forgiveness which would allow them to re-enter heaven.
This movie is full of classic Kevin Smith humor, a great plot, and an amazing cast: Chris Rock, Alan Rickman, Ben Affleck, Kevin Smith, Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, George Carlin, Alanis Morissette, and more).
It is an intelligent and hilarious fantasy film. You don't have to be religious to understand or like this movie! Highly Recommended!
Movie Review: Dogma
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought Dogma was one of Kevin Smith's best as a movie and as a comedy because of how it took a jab at religion and the church and how even if God saw this movie, he'd laugh because let's say it everyone has a sense of humor.It stars an All Star cast of Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, Selma Hayek, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jeanine Garafalo, Kevin Smith himself, Jason Mewes, Jason Lee, George Carlin and Alanis Morrisette. You would think that usually, when you have that many stars, the movie isn't the same because each actor/actress is trying to steal each other's thunder, but not hear because all of them have really brought together their collective skills and made Dogma a wonderful and hilarious masterpiece.
It starts as Affleck and Damon, 2 exiled Angels from Heaven and follows them on their killing spree before they cleanse their souls by walking through the doors of a church celebrating it's Bicentennial. By them doing this, they find a hole in God's creation and by proving God wrong, all that ever existed would cease to be. It's up to Fiorentino, Smith, Mewes, Rock and Hayek to stop them no matter what!
O.k. Dogma might make a few people made because it pokes fun at religion. I have to admit it, you'd probably be more offended by the vulgar swearing before that because when it all comes down to it's just a movie and there have been comedies that have made fun of very serious things. And even so, this movie never once said that religion is bad. Again, it just pokes a little fun at it.
I would definitely get this one. Even if you're not a Kevin Smith fan, you'll still laugh at this one. And again for any of you that are very religious, you'd probably be more offended by the swearing first. Check this one out!