CHASING AMY
Director: Kevin Smith Starring: Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith
This is my favourite movie of all time. I am a HUGE fan of all Kevin Smith's movies (as you soon shall see), and this is the best of them all. A mature romantic comedy, that is definately a comedy. Lots of laughs in the movie, with true character development, and true human emotion. Smith loves to write dialogue, so if you don't like talky movies this isn't for you. I recommend this to all that want to see what original film-making is all about.
DOGMA
Director: Kevin Smith Starring: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, Jason Mewes, Alan Rickman, Salma Hayek, George Carlin, Alanis Morrissette, Kevin Smith
Dogma was Smith's next film after Chasing Amy, part four of his set of viewaskewniverse films. A close second to Amy on my favourites list, this films deals with faith (i.e. dogma) and pays particular notice to Catholicsm. Being Catholic myself, I found much of the observations and opinions expressed to equal those of my own. This film is set like a road comedy, with many, many laughs along the way. This was also Smith's finest acting performances, reprising his role of Silent Bob who he portrays in all 4 of his movies.
CLERKS
Director: Kevin Smith Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghiglotti, Lisa Spoonwater, Jason Mewes, Walt Flanagan, Scott Mosier, Kevin Smith
This was Smith's original independent film which has become a cult-classic. Smith made the film by maxing out a lot of credit cards and selling off his comic-book collection for credit. Filmed in black and white, it will take most of my generation a little time to adjust. And as this was a very independent film, there are some flubs that probably could not be re-shot. So, this film is certainly not flawless, but it is incredibly fun. We're introduced to the Kevin Smith style of jargon, and the first appearance of Jay and Silent Bob! This comedy is a must-see for any in the customer service industry.
MALLRATS
Director: Kevin Smith Starring: Jeremy London, Jason Lee, Shannon Dougherty, Claire Forlani, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Mewes, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith
As Clerks was an ode to the register-jockey, Mallrats is an ode to the mall denizen. The second movie in his installments, this movie is actually a prequel to Clerks (the movie takes place a day or two before Clerks). This movie was critically-panned by those expecting more of the same, but it is a hilarious, oddball film, that may be the lesser of the four, but still very funny. The film was touted as Shannon Dougherty's movie, but Jason Lee and Ben Affleck steal this one (they were so good, Smith wrote their parts in Chasing Amy with them in mind.)
SWINGERS
Director: Doug Liman Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Ron Livingston, Patrick Van Horn, Heather Graham
This is the best "guy" comedy their is. Written by Jon Favreau, this film is his partly-autobiographical look at trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood, while partying with the hip nightlife. On the surface, this movie looks like a bunch hip-talking, out-of-work actors trying to get laid (and that is a big part of the movie), but beneath that is a more sensitive layer- examining the difficulties of relationships and how good friends can help with those difficulties. This is a movie full of as much heart and friendship as any chick-flick, it just does it in a guys way.
