Here's a couple of looks at DOGMA from different coasts... One in New York and one from L.A. all in the past two days... Sounds like they need to screen the film in AUSTIN (Hint hint hint.... like at the Alamo Drafthouse to a drunken bunch of hoodlums!) Hey, can't yell at me for trying... Ok... You can, but you shouldn't. Ok... Go ahead... Yell at me. Sniffle sniffle... Waaaaaahhhhh....
Hey Harry! Last night I had the pleasure to see a preview screening of Dogma. In fact, this was the first screening of the movie in New York. I know for a fact that there were some producers there, and we all got the obligatory speech...not yet finished, maybe some blurry effects, possible temp track...the usual. Well, did I enjoy it? Let me just say that Kevin Smith does not disappoint.
I must say straight off, that this is a different kind of movie from Kevin, some risks were taken. I don't think that it will be everybody's cup of tea (or Christ's blood, as the case may be). More on the religious implications later. This flick is set in an "non-realistic" world (unlike the realistic world of Chasing Amy). Not only was this a finely written satire, but I could not shake the feeling the entire time that it had elements of being a faerie tale also. There were, by far some stand out performances...Alan Rickman showed a delicious flare for comedy and Chris Rock was the best I have ever seen him. He usually annoys the shit out of me, but he played his character with commitment and believability...his entrance is classic. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck typically play well off of each other, and every one else does a competent job. We see a lot of familiar faces throughout, and yes, including Jay and Silent Bob. Jay and Silent Bob are, well, ...Jay and Silent Bob! only much more of them. Style aside, the strength of this movie lies in Kevin Smith's extraordinary talent for dialogue. His writing, no matter how ludicrous or out there it is (see the Golgathan Shit Monster), it begs to be listened to. This was a subject he was well versed in and interested in talking about, you could tell.
As far as the religious side of the movie, Smith pokes fun at Catholicism in almost every single way possible (it's so damn easy), but I'll tell you, it was all to hilarious effect, and he was not doing it simply because. His moral comes through and it is accentuated by this brutal satire. The movie still needs a bit of cutting. One of the interesting things is the fact that we are sort of thrown into the movie at the beginning, and most of the heavy exposition comes at the end of the movie.
All in all, I had a great time, and this considering that I'm sick as a dog and spent the last ten hours in line for Star Wars at the Ziegfeld. I'm told that Kevin will be coming by our countingdown line to hang out next week, and I can't wait to chat with him. Take it easy Harry. Once again, call me Fingolfin.
And this one is from L.A. last night....
I've been going to these test screenings for a long while (I believe Big Top Pee Wee was my first one), and I cannot remember ever having the die-hard desire to see the film that was being screened. Until today. DOGMA. Century City(LA). AMC. I got there nice and early to make sure I was guaranteed a spot in the theater. Dogma was towards the top of my desired films of 1999 list, up there with Fight Club, Eyes Wide Shut, Mystery Men and a few more I'm forgeting. Anyway, the reason for this screening is because Fox wants to buy Dogma, and The Weinsteins wanted it screened with an audience. All the big guns were in the house: both of the Weinsteins, Tom Sherik (i know i spelled his name wrong, sorry) from Fox, as well as a bunch more unrecognizable executives. The film seemed pretty much completed from what I can tell (They are going to show it at Cannes). It had a score. It had visual effects. And most importantly, it had end credits.
Overall, I really enjoyed the film. I was not disappointed. The beginning started off a little slow and confusing, but once you become familiar with the characters--all is forgiven. This is Kevin Smith's best directed film yet. His shots and camera movements were on point. His direction is finally on the same level as his writing. The film was very well written. I felt there was an improvement between Chasing Amy and this. The most noticable imporovement was less really big, difficult words, that I always felt the actors seemed to stumble over. It made the movie easier to believe. Smith is dealing with God, Angels, Demons, Prophets. All beings most people don't encounter on an everyday basis. In the acting department, everyone did a great job. Lots of cool little cameos. Jay, once again, steals the show (he should have his own sitcom). The audience loved him.
I'm Jewish and not overly religious. I have my own beliefs and ideas about god and stuff. This film did not offend me. It didn't seem to offend the audience either. I don't know any deeply religous Catholics, so I can't really predict how they would react. I didn't think the film bashes or makes fun of religion. It questions the beliefs that have been taught from the bible since it was written. I don't see what the big deal is. Disney is a bunch of wimps.
Dogma was great. It was entertaining, funny and very thought-provoking.
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