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Dana Scully reviews DOGMA!
Hey folks Harry here.... I'm writing ya with this here Dogma review from a strange bird that works over in one of those Federal Bureaus.... Here's her look at DOGMA
I'm just writing because I always feel special when I see a screening and
choose to send it in. Display it, edit it, or just read it for yourself
after you watch Star Wars. Sorry it's long. I just love this man and his
movies so much... I get very in-depthly critical with things I love (just
don't get me started on this new LA season of the X-Files. Whew!)
This is a bit late considering that the screening was last Wednesday, but
you know, waiting in line for Star Wars tickets for 27 and a half hours
takes a bit out of you.
Like the previous NYC report, this was the first official New York
Screening. I think because of that there were some big people who, if they
weren't there during the screening, they got there afterwards. John Pierson
was there for at least the majority of the screening (big indie producer
man, if readers are still in the learning stages), Harvey Weinstein got
there afterwards and stayed for a half an hour or so. And finally, and most
importantly, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier, Walt Flanigan and tall man. Yes, I
don't know his name but he was tall. (And really fucking cool if he ever
reads this and is insulted once again by me.)
I love Kevin Smith's films. They are my inspiration for wanting to be
involved in making movies and possibly making my own important stories one
day. He's the reason I'm spending 35,000 dollars a year at film school,
ironically. So going into the screening I was excited beyond utter belief.
And you know what, I wasn't dissapointed.
That's totally not to say that I had issues with the film. But I really
enjoyed going on the ride with Ben, Matt, and Kevin in the driver's seat.
(Notice how I didn't say Linda)
Issue #1. Linda Fiorentino. Yes, I liked her in the Last Seduction (done by
a Montana State University alum, I'd like to say). Yes, I liked her in Men
in Black. BUT WHY GOD WHY DOES SHE STINK IN DOGMA!!?? So it wasn't as bad as
Veronica in Clerks. But really, she was not up to par with some of the other
performances. Blech. From the first moment, I really didn't like her
performance and saw her forcing all of her acting chutzpah out in scenes.
And the point is I saw HER acting. I didn't see the character REacting to
the situation. Good performance note, I fell in love with Ben Affleck all
over again (despite the Teen Beat blither blather) in the scene on the train
as Bethany (eck) is drunk and telling him her entire mission. The look on
his face as he realizes that the world and God is against him gave me chills
the same way seeing Cabaret on Broadway does. The look on his face is what
acting is. I saw every neural fiber in his CHARACTER's brain connecting to
produce that look of utter shock. It was a beautiful beautiful moment. Yea
him.
2. Editing. So yeah, I want to be an editor. And yeah, I pay extra attention
to that these days after having been taught the history of editing by one of
Spike Lee's editors...but still! I wasn't crazy about the editing of this
film and at definate times, it momentarily stopped me from enjoying the
movie. For Chasing Amy, with it's more cinema verite style, there was less
need for editing complexity, shot variation (Oh, HOW much do I sound like a
dumb film geek.). But with this film, it needs more skill to it. To create
the understanding and care for Bethany's character and situation. This
relates mainly with...
Issue #3. Style. I see this as a transition film. It seems very torn between
a big movie and a small movie style and spends most of the time see-sawing
from one to the other. I didn't feel enough for Bethany because of
performance issues as well as editing and, I believe, shot selection. The
script, I see as wonderful. (besides slight issues with walk-sit and
preach-walk-sit and preach structure) From the words and actions, I care
for her. If I read "Bethany charges through the woods after finding out
she's the great-to-the-nth-degree grand niece of Jesus, falls into pond
crying and screaming," I would care. How it appeared in the movie, it seemed
semi-silly and I did not care. The content of the movie needed a more
dynamic style (I'm not talkin' Biblical epic here, just a more fitting
style) that lasts throughout.
It coasts and is beautful sometimes. It's fun ALL the time. Maybe it's
because I loved Chasing Amy so much and nothing right now can surpass that,
maybe I was expecting too much (speaking of that, must go play with my Darth
Maul Deluxe toy), I don't know. All I know is that from the transition we've
seen Kevin Smith take (from B+W 16mm with friends and unknowns to Alan
Rickman, etc. fighting with a giant CG Shit monster), he is an amazing
true-indie success story. And I don't know about you, but it inspires me to
absolutely no end and gives me faith in the film industry once again.
Yea Kevin Smith. Yea.
Dana Scully
p.s. And if he and Scott ever want an editor's assitant to kick around and
digitize Beta tapes for him, I'm their woman. I'll even make coffee and
cigarrette runs.
p.p.s. Union Square 14 Line in NY kicks Ziegfeld's ass!!!
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+ Expand All
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Oh, yeah, and I'm first
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boy if this flick ain't released here in the UK this year, i'm gonna kick some corporate ass x-men style, woo-pow!!!
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How can this woman give anything less than a great performance? In my opinion, she's one of the most dependable actresses out there (my favorite perf being AFTER HOURS.) Anyways, I wish I could hop over to Cannes (after tonight, or course) to catch this baby, as well as THE CRADLE WILL ROCK.
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Good review. I want that Scully-woman's e-mail address....for business purposes. =D
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May 18, 1999 7:48:30 AM CDT
DWD: Glad Everyone's Excited Fot It, But There Is Still A Little
by dwdunphy
...Who's releasing it? From all I've read, it's still up in the air, but at least it's out of Disney's corporate, stonewalling hands. Let's hope it finds a good home with decent distribution. I maintain that the reason Mallrats did so badly (It was a teen comedy, people! Give it a break! It was good for it's genre! Shut up!) was because Universal very nearly buried the thing alive. I never saw a commercial on regular network tv and it played in only one theater in or around town. Does that point matter? I'd think so. I live in Red Bank. You'd think the distributor would make sure the movie would get exposure in the county that that movie's director is from! Pray that New Line picks it up...
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does anyone else think that having jay and silent bob in episode 2 as jedi masters is a fantastic idea?
that would kick so much ass..."come get some sith boy, snoochie-boochies, heehehehee..." -
Two Words: Vision Quest
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I totally agree with the reviewer about the editing on Smith's films. When I saw Chasing Amy, I got scared everytime there was a cut because it felt like the movie theater was falling to pieces over my head. It also looked as if we were experiencing a blackout and then the next wounded scene appeared, all grainy. Forget the over-written script that's always omnipresent in Smith's films, but I think the biggest flaw in his movies is the edition. It simply looks like I was recordind videos from MTV and then pausing if I didn't like one, instead of re-recording the part. Mr. Smith, please, call Thelma Schoonmaker or someone that talented, instead of giving your movies that bad quality that simply diconnects us from the story.
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I can't wait to see this movie. I haven't read the script yet because I don't want to ruin the whole ocassion. Anyway, I do like how Linda Fiorentino acts, but I still think Salma Hayek is more talented and I think she will make a better impression. As for Kevin's directing skills, well, give him a chance, he's still learning and what really counts in his movies is the dialogue.
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May 19, 1999 5:40:48 AM CDT
Instead of blowing thirty five grand a year on a degree that's e
by paragonian
Film schools are basically leaches on the American dream, just like Syd Field and all those people that promise to help you "make it" for a price. They know that 95% of the people are never gonna make it but they don't give a shit, they just want their money. I'll admit that I've never been to a film school so I can't be absolutely sure, but I've read a lot of stuff and heard a lot of stuff (all of which could be complete bullshit) but I would put my money on a completed film over a degree any day. So any of you that have been through these classes, let me know. By the way Dogma sounds like it COULD be good, but with Kevin Smith I'm not very sure. Oh, and I hope that Montana keeps their no speed limit thing long enough for me to pay a visit for a little racing.
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Yeah, but if everyone followed your advice, who'd have time to see all those low budget movies? :-)
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for graduauation my acting instructor gave me David Mament's book "On directing Film" brillent book BTW for anyone intrested in movie acting/directing...anyways in it he says that both film and drama schools are essintilly worthless and that he has never attended, ironically this was said at a film school so take that with you. He also said that most everything he's learned has been from hands on expireence so I agree take that money and make a movie or go to school whatever I don't care
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Okay, I know I'm going to get a lot of backlash for this, but what is so amusing about Kevin Smith's movies? I'm just curious. Do you people actually relate to that? I've never actually seen the films, but I've read some of his script material, and from what I've seen (which may or may not be enough to judge), I'm not impressed. Furthermore, comments from his own fans deter me. I read about his great dialogue (which I've sampled, and yes, it is witty, if not a bit cumbersome and pretentious at times)and his complete lack of a visual style. You see, for me, a movie is about the images. Sure, great dialogue is important in telling good, complete stories, but let's face it -- if you want the kind of sharp, vulgar wit in some of Smith's work, go see a comedian or read a book. As for Dogma, I tried reading the screenplay and got bored after the second page. It just doesn't strike me as either believable or funny that characters such as that would be having the kind of in-depth theology discussion that Smith put in there. I'm sorry, but I'm just not interested in seeing so much vulgarity and idiotic irreverence.
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Nothing pisses me off more than when people decide to slag off popular films and directors without even watching their films. (jorson2)What do you mean you only read two pages of Dogma? are you that ignorant that you think you can figure out the characters after a few lines? These comments always seem to come from people who want braindead action over a decent story. (I bet you were a 'godzilla' fan). Film is such abroad medium that all topics can be covered, its to the credit of Kevin Smith and others that they have the courage to combine both talented writing and the mass appeal of 'the blockbuster'. Don't knock it til youve tried it.
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hehe....COOL!! Does anybody have pics from this and are they on the web?
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A literate review from a woman who wants to be an editor, I'm in love, marry me Dana Scully!!!!!!!
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Yea, well if you're cute and want to hire me as an editor, I think we can work out a deal.
For the film school comments, film school (at least the two that I have attended, those being Montana State-Bozeman and NYU-Tisch school of the Arts) they basically ARE glorified trade schools that minimize the importance of an educated film maker who needs to know more than everything about Scorcese to write and produce a good story (I'm watching my back as I type this surrounded by the thousands of Scorcese worshippers here in the common room at NYU). I've talked to my professors and some agree. Graduate film school has much more of a purpose (and from what I hear, much more of a success rate) than undergraduate. In grad, you're teaching people the tools to allow them to communicate their message which they have already deliberated about and discovered. Undergrad, I don't think so. And I think you can tell from the people who populate the schools. Some belong there, but some are there because they don't know what else to do and like movies.
People choose various paths to get into filmmaking. Film school is just one of them. And if it's what that person needs to accomplish their goal, yea for them.
Whoa, this is going to be long.
For the person who had read a few pages of Kevin Smith's work...yeah, we're going to yell at you because you don't know what you're talking about. Our advice to clue you into what all the hype is about, WATCH THE MOVIES!!! Not just the first 2 pages, either.
Thanks for liking the review. -
I read all the script for Dogma, to see what the deal was. There is a large problem with the plot, which hinges on the idea that a "plenary indulgence" can be earned by two fallen angels, which will reverse a decision of the pope, which will cause all existence to cease. It is evident from the script that Mr. Smith is not clear on what a plenary indulgence does, or how it is earned, or to whom it can be applied. It does not work the way he describes,which makes you wonder if he did any research on this. Even if you're making a comedy, you should at least get the stuff you want to satirize right - otherwise you look foolish. In this case, what he proposes, wouldn't happen, so his plot falls apart.
A few other glaring errors: Angels and humans are two different types of created beings; and do not change to one from the other.
The Virgin Birth and the Immaculate Conception are two different things. They are not interchangeable.
Angels, as well as humans, have free will - it would be impossible for them to rebel, otherwise.
Jesus, judging from sources from the time, spoke Aramaic and Hebrew, not Sanskrit.
Fallen angels are actually evil, not stupid.
The term "transsubstantiate" does not apply to either angels or humans,it is theological term of art that describes how Christ is present in the Host.
Any of the above could have been determined with a little research. There are more, but that's enough of an example.
Another plot problem: Bethany is pissed at God, because God didn't protect her when she disobeyed a strict commandment("Thou shalt not kill.") by having an abortion. This makes sense, how?
As near as I can tell, Mr. Smith's themes are: organized religion sucks because it sets up rules that reflect a "belief" system. But "beliefs" are bad because people should have "ideas" instead, because ideas are not rigid. Plus- God, although the Creator of everything, is really just like us, only better-looking.
But, the way he expresses this is a self-contradictory mess that bases its premises on misinformation, (granted, some of the things he mentions are hard to understand, but he could at least try and get it right)and so ultimately makes no point.
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I think my "subject" says it all--fine performances, funny as hell writing, very original story and creative twists. Saw it twice and loved it both times!
PS. people need to lay off of ben and matt cuz they are good actors! its not their fault that people idolize them! -
ǝɹnʇnɟ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ sǝɯoɔ snɔɹo ¡ploɥǝq
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