Movie #323 - Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 42 min
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Raquel Castro, Jennifer Lopez, Jason Biggs, George Carlin, Stephen Root, Mike Starr, Will Smith

Despite a quote that says so on the back of the DVD, I don't think this is "Kevin Smith's greatest film yet."  While it's nice that someone thinks so, that claim belongs to Dogma.  But this film -- as a classic troubled family man rom-com type deal -- has a much wider appeal than just jaded Catholics, so I can see how some might laud this as his best.

Maybe.

The truth is, his characters have weird names that sound silly.  The relationships are a bit flat.  And Liv Tyler's just not as sexy as she thinks she is.  Although many applaud J Lo's early death in the film, cuz hey J Lo's gone, this film had the potential to become another Gigli and fast.  George Carlin does what he can to save the movie and Will Smith's cameo as himself is pretty funny. 

But no, it's not Smith's greatest film.  It's a mediocre attempt at the "main stream."  Even Zac and Miri Make a Porno was more entertaining.

Movie #322 - Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
2001 - Rated R - 1 hr 44 min
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter, Jeff Anderson, Brian O'Halloran, Will Ferrell, Jason Lee, Judd Nelson, George Carlin, Carrie Fisher, Seann William Scott, Matt Damon, Jon Stewart, Tracy Morgan, Gus Van Sant, Chris Rock, Jamie Kennedy, Mark Hamill and tons of other cameos....

There are too many cameos in this crazy movie for me to tag and list here... It's a veritable Who's Who of past Kevin Smith films.  A reunion of sorts.  Written as a promise to pal Jason Mewes (after the actor went to rehab and got clean), Smith's reunion movie pulls out all the stops.  They even dig up Morris Day & the Time for the grand finale.

So Jay and Silent Bob are on a cross-country adventure, hoping to claim the royalties they're owed by Brodie for using their comic book likenesses in a new movie. Along the way, as in any good road trip movie, they meet a lot of wacky characters. Some try to help them, others frame them for robbery.  Many old favorites pop up again from Mooby's to the Quik Stop.  And Ben Affleck and Matt Damon appear both as characters in the film and as themselves... so that's fun.

This isn't a movie to watch if you've never seen a Kevin Smith film before.  If you have, it's like watching a long string of inside jokes being told by familiar friends.  If you're a fan, chances are you've already seen this anyway... so what am I telling you for?

Movie #270 - Hollywoodland

Hollywoodland
2006 - Rated R - 2 hr 6 min
Director: Allen Coulter
Starring: Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, Robin Tunney

I love a good murder mystery, espeically one like this.  A mysterious suicide doesn't look right to one investigator, and it's not just any suicide either.  It's Superman's (or the actor that played him, anyway) and there are lots of reasons for him to kill himself but even more for others to do the job instead.  So is it suicide?

The resulting flashbacks aim to tell the story while Adrien Brody tries to get to the bottom of the story.  Ben Affleck embodies the legendary George Reeves well, donning the famous red and blue suit like a champ.  I'm not sure how much of the movie is truth or theory, but they unfold this mystery with just the right amount of suspense and intrigue.

After I finished the movie, I wanted to learn more.  If you're curious, there's a whole article on TruTV.com that will fill in the blanks for you.

Movie #239 - Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting
1997 - Rated R - 2 hr 6 min
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgard, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser

The movie that made Matt and Ben household names.  And also help Robin Williams to be taken more seriously as an actor.  Who doesn't love this movie, honestly?

Matt is Will Hunting, a kid from Southie with a troubled past, a broken home, and a serious addiction to knowledge.  He's solving math problems while mopping the hallways at MIT and catches the attention of one professor who wants to help him out and set him straight.  Will he renounce his fist-fighting, f-bomb-dropping ways and go work somewhere as a genius? Or will he keep mopping floors until the day he dies?

There are lots of great things about this movie, including it's realistic account of what like would probably be like for someone like Will Hunting.  There isn't always a happy ending, the guy doesn't always get the girl, the main character isn't always changed by the plot... knowing these traditional constraints don't apply, this movie is enjoyable from beginning to end.

Movie #167 - Dogma

Dogma
1999 - Rated R - 2 hr 10 min
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Salma Hayek, Alan Rickman, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Jason Lee

Who isn't in this movie?  It's like a Who's Who of Kevin Smith films.  Even Brian O'Halloran makes an appearance. Impressive.

Believe it or not, this was the first Kevin Smith movie I ever saw.  But I knew afterwards that I was a fan and I needed to see more.  That lead to Clerks, Chasing Amy, Mallrats... and I even went to see Jersey Girl.  That's dedication.

What makes this movie even greater than his others is the seamless way he blends his usual comedy with Catholic dogma.  Alan Rickman as the angel Gabriel? Only Kevin Smith would think of this.  George Carlin as a cardinal? Ditto.  And of course, adding Jay and Silent Bob elevates this to a whole new level... and ranks them as the greatest "prophets" the world has ever known.

Only watch this movie if you can laugh at religion, or else you're going to hate it.  The humor isn't mean-spirited or disrespectful in anyway, but you have to have a sense of humor about it.  It isn't meant to be taken seriously, but it's message is: don't believe blindly, just have a good idea.

Movie #143 - Daredevil

Daredevil
20th Century Fox
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 43 min
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Colin Farrell,
Michael Clarke Duncan, Jon Favreau, Ellen Pompeo, Joe Pantoliano

Do you think Ben and Jen watch this movie like its a home video? 

"Look, kids! This is how your mother and I met!"

"Dad, you're a superhero?"
"Only on TV. But look, it's our first kiss, Jen!"

"Ben, you know that was like, Take 15 or 20, right?"

"No one needs to know that, honey."

See, I've got the whole awkward scene in my head now.  In any event, this movie's one of those comic-book-turned-film messes. It's not all bad - it does have Stan Lee in it, can you spot him? - and the fighting scenes kick ass.  But really, is my life enriched by this movie? Not particularly.  I'm glad it was useful for Hollywood match-making (and to let Jennifer Garner take Alias to the big screen, more or less), but I could live without it. You know?

Movie #86 - Boiler Room

Boiler Room
New Line Cinema
2000 - Rated R - 2 hr
Director: Ben Younger
Starring: Giovani Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck

I forgot how much I liked this, a quintessential 'boys' club movie' that attempts to delve into the depths of frat-boy finance.  Some of these guys actually remind me of some of my classmates at Bentley...which is a bit disturbing, but I guess can speak to the truth behind at least part of this movie.

Boiler Room is all about the kind of back-door dealings that were a lot more likely to happen ten years ago than (I hope) today.  Giovani Ribisi is great in this, playing the wounded son seeking his father's approval who stumbles into JT Marlin's offices.  Yes, that's supposed to sound similar to JP Morgan.  Huh.

The only scene that doesn't work is Ribisi's big sobbing breakdown with his dear ol' daddy.  It's really forced and uncomfortable to watch.  Crying ain't your thing, Giovani... Sorry, my friend.

Movie #32 - Armageddon

Armageddon

Touchstone Pictures

1998 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 30 min

Director: Michael Bay

Starring: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Steve Buschemi, Owen Wilson, Michael Clarke Duncan

I was never really impressed with this movie. To me, it was just one of Michael Bay's early attempts to destroy the earth. This movie also doesn't know what it is. Action? Adventure? Love story? There are moments when it feels like a chick flick. And since it has a (sorta) happy ending, maybe it is a romance.

Perhaps the most annoying part of this movie is the narrow viewpoint it gives viewers. The world is going to get hit by a giant meteor and "life as we know it will end." You would think such an event would inspire a global collaboration of some kind... but since this movie is so quintessentially American, obviously the US has to do something to save everyone. Instead of watching different cultures to come together, oil rig workers and NASA scientists must learn to get along. And Liv Tyler is pure uselessness in this movie.

Don't get me started on the stupid plan they have to blow up the meteor. Drill into it and blow it apart with a nuke? Would that really even work? I demand a Myth Busters episode for this.

Anyway, I never really bought into all the hype about this movie. Now, 12 years later, I still feel like it's overrated and extremely unrealistic.