Noinch, Noinch, Noinch, Schmokin Weed, Schmokin' Weed, Doin' Coke, Drinkin' Beers...

Scots Taffer on 20/4/2006 at 06:54

Quote Posted by BlackCapedManX

Quick aside: Why in the holy hells do people love that movie so much?

Because it's quite obviously his best movie?

Think about it. You've got Clerks, which is hilarious script-wise but technically quite dire (although the black and white was a nie touch). He follows that up with the whimpering Mallrats, which again is technically quite poor, and this time the script is a scattered, really hit-and-miss affair, when it hits the mark it's amazing (Volkswagen?) but where it doesn't, it's really flat and hammy and trite. Dogma is good, but can't decide what it wants to be and is really all over the place. I haven't seen Jersey Girl because I avoid films that get universally decried.

However, in Chasing Amy, you've got both Jason Lee and Ben Affleck acting at their most non-smarmy and effective as a best friends duo (the scene where they argue is so goddamn tense that it makes you realise how much you believe these guys are life-long friends and you think you're about to see one of them swing for the other), the script is a smart, observant and witty look at the complexities of life, love and relationships, it's funny without having to sink to the dick and fart jokes too often, and because it's such an intense, character piece - Smith's direction doesn't feel too out of place or awkward.

Ko0K on 20/4/2006 at 06:54

Quote Posted by BlackCapedManX

Quick aside: Why in the holy hells do people love that movie so much?

To me it's like anything else in life. If it has to be explained, then it cannot be fully explained.

PigLick on 20/4/2006 at 10:12

Quote Posted by Rug Burn Junky

Ya didn't actually read it, did you?

One of the points Smith makes (or is actually made to Smith) is that to some extent, all of his helping and "positive feedback" were counterproductive. He had to let Mewes bottom out.

Proper feedback is important, but constant, positive feedback? An addict may have a need for it, but that doesn't mean that it's healthy to give it them. Addicts often need to have their safety net removed for them to ever get serious about cleaning up. I've seen it first hand with three different relatives, and several friends. As heartbreaking as it was, taking away that positive feedback was the best thing for them.

As for the story itself, I've been following along since roughly the 3rd one was posted. Smith tells a lot of the early stories about Mewes in the "Evening with Kevin Smith" DVD, almost word for word.

I highly recommend taking a peek at that. All of the stories he tells are pretty interesting, and some of them (including the documentary he made for Prince, and his experiences writing the Superman script) are fucking hilarious.

I know its already been said, but fuck me if this isnt one of the best posts this year, incisive yet sensitive. And people say he is a troll.

Scots Taffer on 20/4/2006 at 10:16

Yes, I think incisive and sensitive is how I'd best describe RBJ. :cool: And I'll throw penetrating in there for good measure too

Rug Burn Junky on 20/4/2006 at 17:10

* Dudes, you guys are going to ruin my CAREFULLY CRAFTED rep as an insensitive bastard.

And Scots if you don't take back the mean things you said about Mallrats, we can't be friends anymore.

Agent Monkeysee on 20/4/2006 at 21:27

Mallrats is just fine as a zany comedy. Chasing Amy is a pretty solid movie all around though which is probably why so many people like it. Dogma felt like a bad imitation of a Kevin Smith movie and I'm still not entirely sure what happened there. Linda Fiorentino refusing to play ball probably had something to do with it but the whole thing falls flat.

Also I've noticed nobody's mentioned Jersey Girl :D

Carini on 20/4/2006 at 21:48

I wish you guys would stop picking on Jersey Girl. It's funny and it's cute. J'Lo is only in 5 mins of it and Liv Tyler is pretty damn hot.

SD on 20/4/2006 at 22:03

Chasing Amy is the best, most real movie made about love EVER. FACT. PERIOD.

After that and Clerks, Kevin Smith can fly jumbo jets into hospitals for all I care and I will still love him.

Shug on 21/4/2006 at 04:07

Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer

(the scene where they argue is so goddamn tense that it makes you realise how much you believe these guys are life-long friends and you think you're about to see one of them swing for the other)

Wait... swing FOR, or at? They'd be a bit different :erm:

Scots Taffer on 21/4/2006 at 04:22

Swing for = Swing at

Scottish colloquialisms itt