No Right Answer: Best Kevin Smith Film Ever

[Firefilm]

Best Kevin Smith Film Ever

Kevin Smith is not only a man who once was kicked off a plane for being to fat, but also a prolific actor, writer and director. Now that the Escapist Expo has died down, it's up to us to decide which of his films get top honors.

Watch Video

 

[Strife2GFAQs]

That was Gus Van Sant

 

[Furbyz]

No love for Good Will Hunting?

He was a producer on that. I wouldn't say that really qualifies it as a "Kevin Smith" movie, so much as a movie Smith was involved in.

I'm a big Red State fan. Movie Bob's review of that was criminal imo. I absolutely loved that film and wish he'd had the budget to make it exactly how he wanted. It's definitely his best film that isn't a comedy by virtue of being the only one thus far.

But out of these two...I can't really decide. It's been way too long since I've seen Dogma, and I just watched Clerks last month. I feel sort of biased in that regard. Both are excellent.

 

[AMVP]

Clerks II is not only my favorite Kevin Smith film, but a movie I just outright love. I could probably relate more to the original Clerks now that I've had actual work experience, but the sequel has that element of catharsis on a more universal level, allowing people from all walks of life to relate to it (at least those who can stomach Smith's sense of humor). And Where Chris may argue that Clerks was an artsy film, I'd say Clerks II goes so far as to be subversively mainstream, what with its musical numbers and montages. Above all that, however, it's just a movie that I could watch over and over and not tire of.

 

[SomebodyNowhere]

I love both clerks and dogma dearly, but if I were to choose between the two I would likely go with clerks. It, in part, changed the way I looked at movies at a time when I was transitioning to an adult.

 

[A Curious Fellow]

I don't really get this show.

 

[BrotherRool]

I think of all the films with Dogma type message, Dogma is heads over the rest of them. What it's says is a very honest, very open truth of what many people feel and it's not so head-bashing about it (in some parts at least). Whereas say, The Invention of Lying is just Ricky Gervais saying that it's all a lie and you should stop, because he said so.

I guess the difference is it feels like there was uncertainty and someones arrived at a place and Invention of Lying is just, this is where Ricky Gervais is at, Rick Gervais thinks other people should be there with him.

And in the end there's nothing harmful in either of the films because it can only ever really be one person's opinion. And we have plenty of those in the world.

 

[Trucken]

Hmmm, a tough one. I like Kevin Smith, especially his View Askew-movies. But to name the best one? Mmmmmmaybe Clerks II, but I'm not sure.

 

[GamemasterAnthony]

Interesting thing of note: The Buddy Christ in Dogma, though meant as a sort of tongue-very-firmly-in-cheek joke, really isn't as sacreligious(sp?) as you might think. Typical interpretations of Jesus often depict him as a helper, healer, guide, and in many ways...a friend. So, seeing Christ as a "buddy" is not that far of a stretch.

Personally, I think Dogma is way underrated and deserves a bit more love. Especially since it stars the late great (and my patron saint) George Carlin.

CAPTCHA: I am here

Yes you are, Captcha. Now...mind explaining to me why you derped yesterday and was using random gibberish?

 

[Swyftstar]

I always loved Mallrats. Jason Lee is hysterical in that movie.

 

[Hatchet90]

This is the first time I've watched this show... and the last.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

What did Kevin Smith do? I have heard nothing. Can anyone fill me in on what's what?

Also I have only seen Dogma, and I think it was pretty good.

Captcha: thank you, come again

I guess Captcha likes Clerks.

 

[webkilla]

The return of jay and silent bob

It makes me laugh every time

 

[Greg Tito]

Mallrats.

Not even the best Kevin Smith movie ... the best comedy of the 90s. I still don't understand why he didn't continue making movies like that. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was in the same vein and also excellent but whenever Smith tried to do "serious" comedy, it just fell on its face.

 

[loc978]

...Both great films, but mostly just quirky and fun. Smith was at his best when he wrote Chasing Amy. The man is great at telling stories about interpersonal conflicts. He tried to recapture that feeling with Zack and Miri Make a Porno, which was good... but didn't really live up to his old work.

 

[Covarr]

My favorite was Chasing Amy. While it wasn't the funniest, I thought it had the strongest character development.

Fun fact: I really enjoyed Jersey Girl. The first time I saw it, I didn't realize it was a Kevin Smith film, so I went in expecting a romantic comedy rather than a Kevin Smith film, and was able to enjoy it. I think that movie would have been better received if he'd used a pseudonym, because the name can really affect audience expectations.

P.S. Thanks

 

[Greg Tito]

Fun fact: I really enjoyed Jersey Girl. The first time I saw it, I didn't realize it was a Kevin Smith film, so I went in expecting a romantic comedy rather than a Kevin Smith film, and was able to enjoy it. I think that movie would have been better received if he'd used a pseudonym, because the name can really affect audience expectations.

Agreed, the kid singing Sweeney Todd with Affleck at the end of Jersey Girl was payoff enough for the rest of it.

 

[Alakaizer]

Chris forgot what is quite possibly the best argument in favor of Dogma: Alan Rickman!

 

[Furbyz]

My favorite was Chasing Amy. While it wasn't the funniest, I thought it had the strongest character development.

Fun fact: I really enjoyed Jersey Girl. The first time I saw it, I didn't realize it was a Kevin Smith film, so I went in expecting a romantic comedy rather than a Kevin Smith film, and was able to enjoy it. I think that movie would have been better received if he'd used a pseudonym, because the name can really affect audience expectations.

P.S. Thanks

This. I saw Jersey Girl without knowing Kevin Smith made it, and thought it was pretty good. I never really understood all the hate for that movie.