I kinda had fun the other day when I put up a few quick rundowns of some romantic comedy selections for Valentine's Day. So I decided to do it again. This time with a focus on the collective works of Kevin Smith. I think I will stay as a purest and not include Cop Out since it wasn't a Kevin Smith film in the truest sense of the word...
Clerks -- 1994
The low budget sensation that opened the door for audiences to learn the inner workings of the Quick-Stop. Here we get to enjoy the black and white adventures of Dante and Randall, as they navigate life, death, and sex all while trying to refrain from killing their customers. For about two years I lived by Dante's mantra of "I'm not supposed to be here today!" Kevin Smith fans can quote this film up and down and it's probably the film that let low budget film makers think they had a chance. Smith reportedly had to max out all his credit cards, sell some stuff and borrow big time to get this made. If you are a fan of witty banter, jokes about drugs and sex and tons of curse words. Or maybe you've always wondered what was up with Jay and Silent Bob...then this is as good a place to start as any.
Mallrats -- 1995
Based on the low budget success of Clerks, Miramax gave Smith a little more money to do this follow up. With a stellar cast that included: Jason Lee, Jeremy London, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Shannon Doherty, Claire Forlani, Michael Rooker, and of course Jason Mewes and Smith himself as Jay and Siletn Bob. Mallrats was let down to many. Personally I love the film. Jason Lee is a great anti-hero as he tries to help his best bud TS win back his ex-girlfriend Brandi (Forlani) at the same time trying to figure out what the deal is going to be with his ex Rene (Doherty). Filled with jokes that range from anal sex to "man of steel coital debates". This is another example of Smith knowing his audience is smart enough to get the good back and forth...and also still laughs at the lowest of lowbrow humor!
Next in line was 1997's Chasing Amy which I touched on with the Valentine's Day movies. Probably the most critically accepted of all Smith's movies. Hell, it got a Criterion Collection release.
Dogma -- 1999
Most of Smiths' previous films were attacked for being juvenile and crude. But, in Dogma he found a whole new level of haters. The Catholic church!! Dogma is the story of two Angels, Loki and Bartleby (played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck), who were expelled from Heaven..but have found a loop hole in Catholic Dogma that would allow them to re-enter The Kingdom. Tasked with stopping them is lapse Catholic, and current abortion clinic worker, Bethany (Linda Fiorentino). Lost apostle Rufus (Chris Rock) who was kept out of the bible because he was black. And of course, the two prophets Jay and Silent Bob (Mewes and Smith). Throw in Jason Lee as Demon Azrael, Selma Hayek as Serendipity (a muse), George Carlin as Cardinal Glick, and Alan Rickman as the Metatron...."Anytime some guy claimed to be speaking with God he was talking to me...or he was just crazy!" At heart this isn't an anti-religion movie. But, it does make you think a little.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back -- 2001
This one was made for the fan boys. Smith swore that he was done with the Jay and Silent Bob...but, he bowed to the pressure and finally wrote a whole movie that had them as the main feature. Sure they had a big part in Dogma and passing parts in the other films. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was their movie though. If you were a fan of the due in the past you will love this movie. If you couldn't stand them or thought they were just haha funny then you should probably stay away. Plot goes a little something like this. Comic book guy Banky and Brodie sell the rights to their comic "Bluntman & Chronic" to a Hollywood studio to be made into a big budget superhero movie. Our favorite stoner buds don't feel as though they were properly paid for their likeness so they set out to stop the movie from being made. Pretty straight forward plot that is made hilarious by the cast. Along with the return of a ton of View Askew favorites you also get: Carrie Fisher as a nun, George Carlin as hitch hiker who knows "the rules of the road", Will Ferral as Marshal Willenholley (a nod to Land of the Lost in which Ferral would later star). The film cast rounds out with a bunch of hotties in the form of Eliza Dusky, Ali Larter, Shannon Elizabeth and Smith's own wife Jennifer Schwalback Smith and Mark Hamill as "Cocknocker".
Clerks II -- 2006
Here we get a return to the characters that started it all. Dante and Randall are back. They've grown up...kind of. While not working at the Quick Stop (because it burnt down) they have now moved on to the fast food industry and jobs at Mooby's (featured shortly in Dogma). Not my favorite of all the movies. But, i am a fan of the characters so I was down for this one. Essentially a coming of age tale for two guys who are in their mid 30's. Clerks II focus' on what happens when you wake up one day and realize that you really haven't done a lot. Don't have a ton of hopes and dreams...and are desperate for a change.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno -- 2008
What would you do if you were down on your luck,struggling to pay your bills and living with your best friend (who was of the opposite sex)? Money doesn't just grow on trees and the average everyday job doesn't always cut it. So Zack and Miri have the perfect solution...Porn! Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks play the affor-mentioned Zack and Miri. With the help of some friends they set off to make the porno that will save them from their financial problems. As with any comedies dealing with making a porno (are there others?) there are many bumps in the road. Hard as it may be to hear the biggest of which is....dealing with your feelings! Seems there may be a little more to these two friends than they first thought. Throw in full frontal nudity of Jason Mewes (deal breaker?) and another solid cast and you have a fun movie. Especially pay attention to the high school reunion scenes with Brandon Routh and Justin Long...that's all the warning you get!
The low budget sensation that opened the door for audiences to learn the inner workings of the Quick-Stop. Here we get to enjoy the black and white adventures of Dante and Randall, as they navigate life, death, and sex all while trying to refrain from killing their customers. For about two years I lived by Dante's mantra of "I'm not supposed to be here today!" Kevin Smith fans can quote this film up and down and it's probably the film that let low budget film makers think they had a chance. Smith reportedly had to max out all his credit cards, sell some stuff and borrow big time to get this made. If you are a fan of witty banter, jokes about drugs and sex and tons of curse words. Or maybe you've always wondered what was up with Jay and Silent Bob...then this is as good a place to start as any.
Based on the low budget success of Clerks, Miramax gave Smith a little more money to do this follow up. With a stellar cast that included: Jason Lee, Jeremy London, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Shannon Doherty, Claire Forlani, Michael Rooker, and of course Jason Mewes and Smith himself as Jay and Siletn Bob. Mallrats was let down to many. Personally I love the film. Jason Lee is a great anti-hero as he tries to help his best bud TS win back his ex-girlfriend Brandi (Forlani) at the same time trying to figure out what the deal is going to be with his ex Rene (Doherty). Filled with jokes that range from anal sex to "man of steel coital debates". This is another example of Smith knowing his audience is smart enough to get the good back and forth...and also still laughs at the lowest of lowbrow humor!
Next in line was 1997's Chasing Amy which I touched on with the Valentine's Day movies. Probably the most critically accepted of all Smith's movies. Hell, it got a Criterion Collection release.
Most of Smiths' previous films were attacked for being juvenile and crude. But, in Dogma he found a whole new level of haters. The Catholic church!! Dogma is the story of two Angels, Loki and Bartleby (played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck), who were expelled from Heaven..but have found a loop hole in Catholic Dogma that would allow them to re-enter The Kingdom. Tasked with stopping them is lapse Catholic, and current abortion clinic worker, Bethany (Linda Fiorentino). Lost apostle Rufus (Chris Rock) who was kept out of the bible because he was black. And of course, the two prophets Jay and Silent Bob (Mewes and Smith). Throw in Jason Lee as Demon Azrael, Selma Hayek as Serendipity (a muse), George Carlin as Cardinal Glick, and Alan Rickman as the Metatron...."Anytime some guy claimed to be speaking with God he was talking to me...or he was just crazy!" At heart this isn't an anti-religion movie. But, it does make you think a little.
This one was made for the fan boys. Smith swore that he was done with the Jay and Silent Bob...but, he bowed to the pressure and finally wrote a whole movie that had them as the main feature. Sure they had a big part in Dogma and passing parts in the other films. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was their movie though. If you were a fan of the due in the past you will love this movie. If you couldn't stand them or thought they were just haha funny then you should probably stay away. Plot goes a little something like this. Comic book guy Banky and Brodie sell the rights to their comic "Bluntman & Chronic" to a Hollywood studio to be made into a big budget superhero movie. Our favorite stoner buds don't feel as though they were properly paid for their likeness so they set out to stop the movie from being made. Pretty straight forward plot that is made hilarious by the cast. Along with the return of a ton of View Askew favorites you also get: Carrie Fisher as a nun, George Carlin as hitch hiker who knows "the rules of the road", Will Ferral as Marshal Willenholley (a nod to Land of the Lost in which Ferral would later star). The film cast rounds out with a bunch of hotties in the form of Eliza Dusky, Ali Larter, Shannon Elizabeth and Smith's own wife Jennifer Schwalback Smith and Mark Hamill as "Cocknocker".
Here we get a return to the characters that started it all. Dante and Randall are back. They've grown up...kind of. While not working at the Quick Stop (because it burnt down) they have now moved on to the fast food industry and jobs at Mooby's (featured shortly in Dogma). Not my favorite of all the movies. But, i am a fan of the characters so I was down for this one. Essentially a coming of age tale for two guys who are in their mid 30's. Clerks II focus' on what happens when you wake up one day and realize that you really haven't done a lot. Don't have a ton of hopes and dreams...and are desperate for a change.
What would you do if you were down on your luck,struggling to pay your bills and living with your best friend (who was of the opposite sex)? Money doesn't just grow on trees and the average everyday job doesn't always cut it. So Zack and Miri have the perfect solution...Porn! Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks play the affor-mentioned Zack and Miri. With the help of some friends they set off to make the porno that will save them from their financial problems. As with any comedies dealing with making a porno (are there others?) there are many bumps in the road. Hard as it may be to hear the biggest of which is....dealing with your feelings! Seems there may be a little more to these two friends than they first thought. Throw in full frontal nudity of Jason Mewes (deal breaker?) and another solid cast and you have a fun movie. Especially pay attention to the high school reunion scenes with Brandon Routh and Justin Long...that's all the warning you get!
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