What is your favorite Kevin Smith movie?
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"Clerks II" is one of the worst movies I've seen in theatres (mostly because I'm super picky about what to watch in theatres). I liked the ending, the dance sequence, 'porchmonkey', and all the Lord of the Rings bashing, but I simply don't think there was enough there to justify a full-length feature. I know for a fact that the Lord of the Rings bit was something he'd already done like stand-up comedy when touring, so it's just a lot of ideas he had stuck in a movie that weren't really worthy of one. The whole donkey show bit in the middle was a totally unfunny and boring waste of time, and the movie's 'insights' about relationships were shallow and implausible.
It's a huge step down from "Clerks", which was packed to the gills with intelligent insights, basically justifying its existence for every minute of its runtime. It's like Smith took all the funniest and most important observations/insights he'd learned about life and work up to that point and crammed them all into that movie and they were integrated into the situations and dialog perfectly. It's as hilarious, witty, and insightful as "Clerks II" is unfunny, unnecessary and empty.
I never wanted to see one of his movies again after wasting my money going to the movies for that, but "Zack and Miri" won me back. I've only seen parts of "Jersey Girl", and I will never watch "Cop Out". I forget everything about "Mallrats" except the line about farting and the edible nipples. I like "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", but I think they're mostly just good throwaway one-shot entertainment without much resonance or substance (although "Dogma" admirably tries to be more). I think "Chasing Amy" is his best and most mature movie, but I just liked "Clerks" more. They're pretty much equal in terms of quality, but "Clerks" was just funnier.
It's a huge step down from "Clerks", which was packed to the gills with intelligent insights, basically justifying its existence for every minute of its runtime. It's like Smith took all the funniest and most important observations/insights he'd learned about life and work up to that point and crammed them all into that movie and they were integrated into the situations and dialog perfectly. It's as hilarious, witty, and insightful as "Clerks II" is unfunny, unnecessary and empty.
I never wanted to see one of his movies again after wasting my money going to the movies for that, but "Zack and Miri" won me back. I've only seen parts of "Jersey Girl", and I will never watch "Cop Out". I forget everything about "Mallrats" except the line about farting and the edible nipples. I like "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", but I think they're mostly just good throwaway one-shot entertainment without much resonance or substance (although "Dogma" admirably tries to be more). I think "Chasing Amy" is his best and most mature movie, but I just liked "Clerks" more. They're pretty much equal in terms of quality, but "Clerks" was just funnier.
Yeah, but it doesn't beat my favorite line from Jay and Silent Bob. It's Silent Bob to Jay after he's been particularly dense:
"The SIGN...on the BACK...of the CAR...says 'Animals for Hollywood", YOU...DUMB...F--K!!"
for days and days after I saw that.
Only just spotted this thread!
I voted Mallrats, mainly because it's the first one of his I ever saw and has a special place in my heart. If I was being more objective I'd probably say Chasing Amy which is probably as funny and mature as he's been, a great film. The first half is truly hilarious the end truly heart breaking and I invariably sit there with my toes curling willing Holden not to say what he says!
Clerks and Clerks 2 are both great (Randall and Dante are his best characters, the animated show's awesome) I have to say Jay and Silent Bob Strikes back is incredibly funny, let down only by basically being a big long in-joke to the fans. Shannon Elizabeth in PVC though...
Dogma I'm less sure about. I think its a bit too self indulgent/out there. It is still funny though, and one of the few films I like Matt Damon in (though he is quite good in Team America).
Jersey Girl is sweet, but like someone else said, it could have been directed by anyone. Haven't seen Zach and Miri or Cop Out.
Oh, and I know he didn't direct it but I have to say that Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms!
I voted Mallrats, mainly because it's the first one of his I ever saw and has a special place in my heart. If I was being more objective I'd probably say Chasing Amy which is probably as funny and mature as he's been, a great film. The first half is truly hilarious the end truly heart breaking and I invariably sit there with my toes curling willing Holden not to say what he says!
Clerks and Clerks 2 are both great (Randall and Dante are his best characters, the animated show's awesome) I have to say Jay and Silent Bob Strikes back is incredibly funny, let down only by basically being a big long in-joke to the fans. Shannon Elizabeth in PVC though...
Dogma I'm less sure about. I think its a bit too self indulgent/out there. It is still funny though, and one of the few films I like Matt Damon in (though he is quite good in Team America).
Jersey Girl is sweet, but like someone else said, it could have been directed by anyone. Haven't seen Zach and Miri or Cop Out.
Oh, and I know he didn't direct it but I have to say that Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms!
Dogma - brilliant, if a bit undisciplined. 
G
ginyjhon
Guest
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) is my favorite Kevin Smith movie..
Well, just saw Cop Out for the first time. I wouldn't bother ranking it in the Kevin Smith lexicon. Not that it was a bad movie, there were several pretty funny bits, but he didn't write it, he was just hired to direct it.
I will say this, though. He's vastly improved as a director! There were actual camera movements! It looked like a normal movie
I will say this, though. He's vastly improved as a director! There were actual camera movements! It looked like a normal movie
Yeah, I watched it recently and really enjoyed it. I found it ironic how much it focused on Sweeney Todd, given that Sweeney Todd was later adapted by Tim Burton.
Bearing in mind the sophomoric & relatively amateurish nature of Smith's work, I'd say Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, because it doesn't attempt to be anything besides those qualities. If he'd just consistently commit to that niche, I'd like his stuff more, because there is a place for it in the film industry. It's when he departs from it, that his skill becomes questionable, & his premises seem contrived or telegraphed, & his dialog becomes somewhat wooden, despite the inherent humor in it
Plus, the film's two main characters are easily the most memorable & worthwhile entities he's ever conjured, & are certainly deserving of a farce replete with Hollywood in-jokes, & goofy cameos. That is what he's good at. Telling realistic stories about realistic people, is not really his bag
I'd say the closest he ever came to a professionally made film was Dogma, & even it falls short for the aforementioned reasons
Plus, the film's two main characters are easily the most memorable & worthwhile entities he's ever conjured, & are certainly deserving of a farce replete with Hollywood in-jokes, & goofy cameos. That is what he's good at. Telling realistic stories about realistic people, is not really his bag
I'd say the closest he ever came to a professionally made film was Dogma, & even it falls short for the aforementioned reasons
I think his best film was Chasing Amy, but my personal favorite would be Clerks. In a lot of ways, it's a pure nostalgia pick: Dante and Randall really feel like I've known them forever whenever I rewatch it, and Clerks 2 was a welcome reunion with those characters. I'm personally more on the serious side of things, so more akin to Dante, but I feel a strong identification with both characters nonetheless.
Wow... I didn't know Dogma was that popular. I can't stand it.
Dogma is one mine favorite Kevin Smith movie...It was awesome one..An Evening With Kevin Smith is also hilarious one...Inexplicably I haven't seen the others...
