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| Dogma
Year: 1999
Directed:
- Kevin Smith
Actors/Actresses:
- Linda Fiorentino
- Ben Affleck
- Matt Damon
- Nancy Allen
- Bud Cort
- Janeane Garofalo
- Salma Hayek
- Jason Lee
- Spike Lee
- Alan Rickman
- Chris Rock
- Martin Scorsese
- Quentin Tarantino
- Howard Shore
This is not a good movie
First off, I'm not Catholic, so like so many other reviewers here on Amazon, I don't dislike this movie for its Catholic bashing. All I can say to those people is relax. The only reason that this movie gets more than 1 star is because of the fact that so many Catholics are so fired up about it. Other than that, there are absolutely no good points about this movie. The writing, acting, and direction were typical Kevin Smith garbage. Is it a trend in movies for the director to be one of the stars of the show? M. Night Shamalan (or however you spell it) does it, Kevin Smith does it, Danny DeVito does it. Shamalan and Smith should stay behind the camera (DeVito was fantastic in Death to Smoochy...a far better film...so he's good to go).
What do we get from this movie? Organized religion (specifically Catholicism) is a bad thing (even God agrees) although humans are totally inept in making their own way through life without a personal belief in God. This movie is a 2 hour personal justification for not wanting to go to church. If you don't want to go to church, then don't. I certainly don't care, I don't even believe in any God. Interestingly enough that is probably exactly why I don't find much worth in this movie. Do I really need to be witness to every movie that deals with the in-fighting among the Christians?
Kevin, do us all a favor, take some classes on how to make a good movie. For the reviewer that compared Smith to Oliver Stone, wake up. For anyone who wants to watch a good movie, don't buy this one.
Brilliant
Kevin Smith has already established himself as a comedic genius, but he brings it to new heights with Dogma. While it may not have the apathy-charged wit of "Clerks," the honesty and originality of "Chasing Amy," or the silliness of "Mallrats" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back," it balances out all 3 of these elements perfectly. From the opening disclaimers to the closing credits, Dogma is a wildly satirical, irreverent, uproarious, and thought-provoking film.
The heavenly cast is led by Linda Fiorentino as Bethany Sloan, the cynical ex-Catholic. Overall, she could have done a bit better, but her casting is perfect and her performance was better than average. Next come Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who play the rejected angels Bartleby and Loki. Their constant bickering provides plenty of laughs, as well as some effectively serious moments. Smith regular Jason Lee is terrific as always, this time as the comically evil Azrael. Alan Rickman scores strongly as the delightfully sarcastic Medatron. Salma Hayek steals many of her scenes as the quirky muse. Chris Rock gives an attractive and thoughtful performance as the 13th apostle Rufus. And yes, Smith and Jason Mewes are back as those two lovable stoners Jay and Silent Bob, annoying yet ultimately endearing as always.
The plot revolves around the attempt of Bartleby and Loki to get back into heaven through a loophole created by the Catholic church. They must be stopped, or else they will prove that God is fallible, thus destroying existence.
BUY THIS MOVIE!!!!
FUNNY AS HELL...EVEN IF YOU ARE CATHOLIC
Forget about any controvery, this movie is a laugh a minute. Being Catholic I was wary of this film, knowing the church was not too pleased with it. Having watched it once, I then bought the DVD.
Granted, Smith takes some artistic license here. I doubt that there was a 13th apostle and I doubt that Jesus had brothers and sisters that we never heard about, but he uses his "theories" with amazing comedic effect. He also mixes in some poignant generaliztions about the faith that ring somewhat true (i.e. Salma Hayek "Catholics don't celbrate their faith , they suffer it)
The cast in this flick is great. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are a couple of fallen angels looking for a loophole that will get them back into heaven. Damon is surprisingly relaxed and funny in his portrayal as the angel of death Loki. The only people that can stop them are Linda Florentino (the last zion), Rufus the unknown 13th black apostle, and Jay and Silent Bob (the prophets?). Chris Rock is hillarious as Rufus and Jay and Silent Bob are......well if you have ever seen a Kevin Smith movie you know they are good for some laughs.
Other supporting cast include Salma Hayek (serendipity - wow, dont miss her dance scene!) and George Carlin(priceless as the cardinal). Overall the cast is fantastic although Linda Florentino was a little off on her timing.
Watch this film with an open mind and you'll watch it again. If you are easily offended, don't even bother....let the rest of us enjoy it.
Buy Dogma at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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