... Kevin Smith's Dogma was such a film, it inspired protests at screenings and caused the Disney backed Miramax pictures to sell the rights to the film onto another distributor so they didn't harm their mickey mouse image.
Before you watch the film you'd probably expect something that completely ... Read review
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Good Extras, Great Commentary Disadvantages: The film's a bit too long and slow
...angry and upset. Kevin Smith's Dogma was such a film, it inspired protests at screenings and caused the Disney backed Miramax pictures to sell the rights to the film onto another distributor so they didn't harm their mickey mouse image.
Before you watch the film you'd probably expect something that completely offends peoples beliefs in religion. Instead what you get is a film that has a lot of interesting comments on religion.....only ... ...
The story of Dogma see's two banished angels Bartleby and Loki (Matt Damon & Ben Affleck) finding a loophole that would get them back into heaven. The only problem is that if they get back in then they destroy all existence in the process. In an attempt to stop them the messenger of God Metatron (Alan Rickman) enlists the help of cynical mortal Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) to stop them from reaching their destination which just happens to be ... more
There's nothing like a film with themes of religion to get the catholic church all angry and upset. Kevin Smith's Dogma was such a film, it inspired protests at screenings and caused the Disney backed Miramax pictures to sell the rights to the film onto another distributor so they didn't harm their mickey mouse image.
Before you watch the film you'd probably expect something that completely offends peoples beliefs in religion. Instead what you get is a film that has a lot of interesting comments on religion.....only with some swearing and a few smutty jokes thrown in for good measure!
The story of Dogma see's two banished angels Bartleby and Loki (Matt Damon & Ben Affleck) finding a loophole that would get them back into heaven. The only problem is that if they get back in then they destroy all existence in the process. In an attempt to stop them the messenger of God Metatron (Alan Rickman) enlists the help of cynical mortal Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) to stop them from reaching their destination which just happens to be New Jersey, two unlikely prophets will aid her and they happen to come in the form of everyone's favourite drug peddlars Jay and Silent Bob.
This is Kevin Smith's fourth feature film and certainly his most ambitious. The film manages to highlight a lot of Smith's strengths and ultimately his weaknesses. The film has a great witty script filled with some good dialogue throughout. Some of the jokes are extremely funny and of course most of them come from Jay.
Bethany Sloane: May I ask what brought you here?
Jay: Some f**k named John Hughes.
Bethany Sloane: "Sixteen Candles" John Hughes?
Jay: You know that guy, too? That f**kin' guy. He made this flick "Sixteen Candles." Not bad. There's tits in it, but no bush, but Ebert over here don't give a shit about that kind of thing 'cause he's, like, all in love with this John Hughes guy. He goes out and rents, like, every one of his movies. Fuckin' "Breakfast Club," where all these stupid kids actually show up for detention. F**kin' "Weird Science," where this chick wants to take her gear off and get down, but oh no, she don't 'cause it's a PG movie. And then, "Pretty in Pink," which I can't even watch with this tubby bitch anymore, 'cause every time we get to the part where the redhead hooks up with her dream guy, he starts sobbin' like a little bitch with a skinned knee and shit. And there's nothing worse than watchin' a fuckin' fat man weep.
It moment's like the one above that make me love Kevin Smith movie's. But ultimately I feel Dogma isn't his best movie purely because it tries hard but doesn't really deliver. I may even go as far as to say that it ain't as good as Mallrats. The reason being is that the film often gets bogged down in exposition, a lot of it drags and sometimes the 128 minutes feel a lot longer. The film is also pretty flat visually but even Smith holds his hands up to those so at least there is a director who knows his flaws. Having said that this is still a film that is far better than most comedies purely becuae it has some degree of intelligence. To really enjoy it you need to be tapped into Kevin Smith's world and his films.
Ask any hardcore DVD collector which dvd's are good examples of the format and you may find Kevin Smith's movies cropping up more often than not. In the UK his films have really been given a poor treatment overall. For example :-
UK Mallrats - Only a trailer
US Mallrats - 60 minutes of deleted scenes, commentary, documentary and more
UK Dogma - Some run of the mill interview clips
US Dogma - Well let's take a look
The Dogma Special Edition is available in Region 1 and really the only version you should have. It was a long time coming but the wait was worth it as we get two disc's of pleasure for waiting.
The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and is a very good transfer. Like I said before the film is pretty flat visually so the colours look a bit drab in some scenes purely because that's the way the film was shot. Overall there 's little sign of print blemishes and the picture quality has some fine detail.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is also quite solid with some good use of the rear speakers throughout. Mainly the film is a lot of talking and the dialogue channel is clear while Howard Shore's score sounds quite nice.
First is a small bokklet in the case that features a short essay by Kevin Smith on the making of the film and the problems and media attention that arose as a result. Like he says all he was trying to do was spread the word of god but with dick and fart jokes.
The menus on the discs are also quite cheeky as they feature a Mary Whitehouse like figure preaching that this movie will corrupt your tiny minds.
On the first disc you have the option to watch the film with a choice of two audio commentaries. The first is one of the best tracks on dvd as we watch the film with Cast and Crew. What's great about the track is the fact that everyone os in the same room so we get the likes of Jason Mewes, Ben Affleck and Jason Lee making jokes abot Smith and the film in general. There's a lot of jokes in the track and most of them from Affleck. You can also choose to have a video box pop up at moments within the film that feature the participants recording the commentary.
The second track is more technical in nature and features Smith, Producer Scott Mosier and View Askew historian Vicent Pierera. This track is a lot more dry and sometimes dull. It was recorded merely as an afterthought because Mosier didn't think they paid much attention to the technical aspects on the first track.
Pop in the second disc and you are treated to over ninety minutes of deleted scenes from the film. Initially the film has a running time of around three hours so a lot of the footage is what you see here. Each scene comes with some amusing introductions from Smith and crew explaining what you're about to watch and why it was cut. Some of the scenes are a bit pointless and needed to be cut. However there are some moments such as Bethany's Boo-Hoo that show real depth and another side to what Dogma could have been.
Every great comedy dvd should also have an out-takes reel and Dogma subjects us to a lengthy one. Most of the moments come from Affleck screwing up and there are also moments when Damon and Affleck constantly ad-lib painfully.
Following on from that is a section of storyboards for some of the major sequence in the film. They are well persented and crudely drawn. For those that like to see what the film looks like in drawing form then here it is.
Finally you have some talent profiles as well as the trailer for the film and an incredibly shamless plug for Kevin Smith's comic book store in Redbank, N.J. But that's not all if you do some searching then you'll also find some hidden extras such as Kevin Smith directing Jason Mewes but all played put with Jay and Silent Bob action figures.
So there's a great deal to go through on this dvd and any Kevin Smith won't be disappointed. Sadly the only downer is the fact that a documentary on the film and the subsequent problems that arose had to be ommitted to legal complications. Wether we'll ever see it is another question but the commentary alone is reason to buy this disk despite some of it's moments being bleeped put to protect some parties.
Advantages: Impressve cast list, smith's previous efforts Disadvantages: Too much going on, doesn't work on my DVD player, may offend
DOGMA (1999) DVD - SPECIAL EDITION
THE STORY: -
When two fallen angels, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) who have been banished from heaven by God (Alannis Morrisette), find about about a religious loophole that will allow them to return to heaven, it is up to a band of mis-fits to try and stop them.
The good guys comprise of two stoner's Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) as mis-guideed prophets who must help a women (Linda ... ...Smith (also Directed Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma and the soon to be released Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back)
Starring: Ben Affleck (Azrael)
Matt Damon (Bartleby)
Jason Lee (Azrael)
Linda Fiorentino (Bethany)
Jason Mewes (Jay Phat Buds)
Kevin Smith (Silent Bob)
Salma Hayek (Serendipity)
Alan Rickman (Metatron)
Chris Rock (the 13th Apostle)
TRIVIA: -
With all the controversy surrounding the film (read first paragraph of verdict) ...
danm2 22.08.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Dogma (Special Edition DVD)
Advantages: Very funny and well done Disadvantages: There isn't really.
This film has the one thing that eludes many of Hollywood’s finest directors - an original plot. The film is worth getting for that alone, but many other factors conspire to make this one of my favourite films. To begin with, this is, in my opinion, Ben Affleck’s finest film to date. Him and Matt Damon are one of the best acting partnerships around, and no-where is this more evident than in Dogma. A fine supporting cast rounds off the ... ...Rock and Alan Rickman all turning in fine performances. It was especially good to see Alan Rickman playing a ‘good guy’. After Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, I thought he would be typecast as a villain for his acting career, but Kevin Smith has cast brilliantly. The film follows the path of Loki (Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck). They are two angels that were cast out of Heaven for disobeying God. Now they want to get home. ...
Ice_Blaster 21.09.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Dogma (Special Edition DVD)
Advantages: Ben Affleck...mmm tasty lol Disadvantages: Controversy Caused
...Salma Hayek (Serendipity
Dogma is the story of two fallen angels (played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) who have been banished from heaven by God (Alanis Morissette). The mischevious duo find out about a way in which they can regain entry to heaven.
Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) play the parts of mis-guided prophets who must help a women (Linda Fiorentino) get to the church where the Damon and Affleck plan to use this to gain re-entry ... ...Serendipity (Salma Hayek advise Jay on Silent Bob on their journey.
This is a great story and is one of good versus evil. The Angels are unaware that if the get back into heaven they will be the cause of the end of the world and so it is vital for the good guys (Jay & Silent Bob) to make sure they don't gain re-entry.
The film, despite being regarded as rather contoversial by a religious group, due to its outlook on life and religion in general ...
PlaceboFan 07.07.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dogma (Special Edition DVD)
Advantages: great film Disadvantages: cant really think of any
...is just a great film. dogma is about 2 angels bartleby (ben affleck) and loki (matt damon) they had been kicked out of heaven for not doin what god wanted them to do. but they have found a loop hole in the catholic faith which would allow them to enter back into haven. but that would prove god wrong and to prove god wrong would un make existance. and as god is powerless to stop him becasue he has been taken out in an great thought out plan the only ... ...who is called upon by the voice of god.She is aided by the little know thirteenth apostle named Rufus, a literal muse turned stripper and two bad-mouthed, mall-crawling, joint-smoking prophets: Jay and Silent Bob, they encounter things from hell that distrack them expecially An ex-muse turned demon named Azrael. he is the one who had clued the 2 angels into getting back into haven without them thinking of what will happen. he is doing this cos he ...
jeffbobs 30.11.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dogma (Special Edition DVD)
Advantages: Funny, well-known cast (good star-spotting!), interesting plot Disadvantages: Swearing (a lot), not good if you are very very Christian
Directed very well by Silent Bob, Jay's life-mate! This movie is definitely one of my favourites, because apart from some icky bits near the end (ewwww, excremental!) the plot is excellent. And unlike most movies out there, it's actually interesting, too. It has lots of twists and turns, but sticks to the main "raison d'etre" - two angels must not get into heaven, or they will negate all existence. (Oops!)
This movie is also great for star-spotting ... ...Black! And that's that guy who died in that movie!!! Oh, Rufus from Bill and Ted...) as it has loads of famous cast. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, etc. Even Alanis Morrisette as GOD! (She does it very well, that's just how I'd imagine God.)
And the director says two lines in the whole thing. Jay never shuts up. Rufus is along the same lines (13th black disciple). It's just great. Oh, and you can see practically the whole cast in Jay and Silent Bob Strike ...
Xanti 13.10.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Dogma (Special Edition DVD)
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Dogma (Special Edition DVD)"
Advantages: Jason Lee, script, Jay and Silent Bob Disadvantages: Jermery London
-menus and again, Universal adds their little odd logos during the menu to tell viewers what all the buttons do and even have a help menu to tell you what all the symbols mean.
As with all of Smiths films, the DVD comes feature packed (forgot that original Dogma release, the specialedition is on the way). We have heard about the last minute changes that were made in Mallrats and how an entire sequence was dropped from the beginning to shorten the running time. At last, we can view that footage and much more in the nearly one hour of deleted scenes included on the disc. Included here is the 20 minute original opening which was dropped, and many smaller scenes which referred back to that opening which had to be replaced. The original opening was dropped due to a poor response at a test screening, and for once, I agree with the test audience. I think ...
Silent_Bob 03.04.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mallrats (DVD)
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Victoria Wood, Anne Reid, Susie Blake, Julie Walters, Joan Sims, Celia Imrie, Deborah Grant
Production Year: 1973 - Comedy - Director: Cliff Owen - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Valerie Leon, Margaret Nolan, Gerald Sim, Robin Askwith, John Bindon, Stephen Greif, Michael Ripper, Michael Robbins, Ronnie Corbett, Beryl Reid, Arthur Lowe, Ian Ogilvy, Susan Penhaligon, David Swift, Cheryl Hall, Michael Bates
Production Year: 2000 - Comedy - Director: David Raynr - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, James Franco, Colin Hanks, Christine Lakin, Aaron Paul
![TRB Two (Special Enhanced Edition) [ECD] - Tom Robinson Band (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/677/TRB_Two_Special_Enhanced_Edition_ECD_Tom_Robinson_Band_The__6045677.jpg)
