Dogma (1999)

Kevin Smith is a conundrum of a filmmaker: he's a writer with brilliant, clever ideas who can't set up a simple shot to save his life. It was fine back when Smith was making low-budget films like Clerks and Chasing Amy, both of which had an amiable, grungy feel to them, but now that he's a rising director who's attracting top talent and tackling bigger themes, it might behoove him to polish his filmmaking. That's the main problem with Dogma--it's an ambitious, funny, aggressively intelligent film about modern-day religion, but while Smith's writing has matured significantly (anyone who thinks he's not topnotch should take a look at Chasing Amy), his direction hasn't. It's too bad, because Dogma is ripe for near-classic status in its theological satire, which is hardly as blasphemous as the protests that greeted the movie would lead you to believe.

Two banished angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) have discovered a loophole that would allow them back into heaven; problem is, they'd destroy civilization in the process by proving God fallible. It's up to Bethany (Linda Fiorentino), a lapsed Catholic who works in an abortion clinic, to save the day, with some help from two so-called prophets (Smith and Jason Mewes, as their perennial characters Jay and Silent Bob), the heretofore unknown 13th apostle (Chris Rock), and a sexy, heavenly muse (the sublime Salma Hayek, who almost single-handedly steals the film). In some ways Dogma is a shaggy dog of a road movie--which hits a comic peak when Affleck and Fiorentino banter drunkenly on a train to New Jersey, not realizing they're mortal enemies--and segues into a comedy-action flick as the vengeful angels (who have a taste for blood) try to make their way into heaven. Smith's cast is exceptional--with Fiorentino lending a sardonic gravity to the proceedings, and Jason Lee smirking evilly as the horned devil Azrael--and the film shuffles good-naturedly to its climax (featuring Alanis Morissette as a beatifically silent God), but it just looks so unrelentingly... subpar. Credit Smith with being a daring writer but a less-than-stellar director. --Mark Englehart Amazon.com

Numero Uno

Thanks to Kevin Smith and a lot of acting talent, this movie is number 1 on my movie list: my all-time favorite. Eventually, I'm sure I'll have every movie that Smith has created. His dialogue is so far above everyone else, that alone should recommend any movie this man does.

I fell in love with Clerks and Clerks II, but this! First off, how much better than Alan Rickman as one of the stars can you get? Followed by Matt Damon as "Loki" and Ben Afflick as "Bartleby", then of course Jay & Silent Bob doing their usual schtick (not great actors, but totally amusing are Jay and partner). The little demons were a bit scary -- vicious children generally are. I love George Carlin as a stand-up commedian, but as an actor, I can do without him. Linda Fiorentino played the last Zion, or last living person related to Jesus, who is understandably reluctant to go on this crusade against the two fallen angels. The storyline holds together, the characters are fun and the film itself a definate attention holder.

By the way, I also really like the loyalty Kevin Smith shows to the people he works with: if you watch closely you'll see the two "Clerks" somewhere here.

I'd recommend buying, borrowing, renting, whatever it takes for you to see this movie. If you're easily offended via religion or if you have no sense of humor about religion, perhaps this isn't the one for you. Otherwise, enjoy. June 30, 2008

Good but flawed

If you like Kevin Smith movies, you'll recognize his style throughout this one: non-stop cussing, complex (almost incomprehensible) dialog, extreme irreverence, it's all there. Plus, a s*** demon.

If you don't like Smith, stay away. If you're not familiar with him, start with one of his other movies, preferably Clerks, to first get used to his method/madness.

There is a plot in this movie. It's a funny idea. But it doesn't really go anywhere. It really bogs down in the middle section, before pulling out a good ending, one in which Smith goes all the way with his premise. But don't expect any deep religious philosophy from this. We're talking about Kevin Smith here.

Some funny moments. Jay & Silent Bob are great as usual. So is Alan Rickman. Affleck and Damon play fallen angels like frat boys, which some might find grating. Jason Lee and Salma Hayek are wasted. Linda Fiorentino is unfortunately very hard to hear. Can she speak up, please? Maybe put some inflection in her voice? At least there are small cameos by Janeane Garofalo and George Carlin. And the actor chosen to play God is a funny surprise. (IMDB tells me it was originally supposed to be Holly Hunter, which explains one of Jay's bizarre lines in the movie.)
June 25, 2008

DVD receipt

Item arrived quickly and as described. Some damage to the corners of the box but this more than likely happened in transit. Happy with purchase and seller. Reccomended. May 5, 2008

looks great on Bluray

I love this movie and it only gets better when you get it in HD. This bluray is great. I highly recommend it. April 14, 2008

Interesting Point of View

A nice intended comedy, packed with a bunch of great actors, I've always been in love with Kevin Smith movies, but this one is so special, it was never released in my country, so I but the DVD a long time ago, now on Blu-Ray it looks gorgeous.

This movie is for all the Alanis Morissette fans, and those who have lack of faith, even for catholics with a sense of humor (like myself). April 4, 2008

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