Closed Captioned; Standard Screen; Soundtrack English; Soundtrack French; English Subtitles
Irreverent enough to merit a disclaimer at the beginning, DOGMA is nevertheless pro-God and pro-tolerance. The story involves two fallen angels, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon), who have found a loophole in Catholic dogma that will allow them back into heaven. However, this breach would result in the destruction of the world, so a ragtag group of prophets, scions, and apostles set out to stop them. The success of the film is in the juxtaposition of Smith's trademark acerbic attitude and witty dialogue against the enormous canvas of Christian iconography and apocalyptic conflict.
Imaginative theology and a bigger-than-usual budget make Kevin Smith's (CHASING AMY, CLERKS) fourth film a kind of post-Catholic fantasy that only a comic-book enthusiast of his caliber could dream up. It concerns banished angels, Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck) who, after a few millennia in Wisconsin, discover a loophole in Catholic doctrine that would allow them back into heaven--but prove the fallibility of God and destroy the universe. As they make their way to New Jersey to receive a plenary indulgence, God dispatches a seraphim (Alan Rickman) to recruit lapsed-Catholic Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) to stop the angels. She finds help in muses, prophets (Jay and Silent Bob), and the forgotten 13th apostle, Rufus (Chris Rock). Before long, all hell breaks loose (literally), and God (Alanis Morrisette) has to put in an appearance of her own. Smith's controversial (and very funny) film is powered by his trademark dialogue, ripe with observations on pop culture, religion, and bodily functions.
DOGMA was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999.
The film was shot on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Several groups, including the Catholic League, protested the film.
Smith wrote DOGMA before CLERKS, and the credits of the latter include the promise "Jay and Silent Bob will return in DOGMA."
Emma Thompson was slated to play the role of God, but had to drop out when she became pregant.
Connections between DOGMA and other Kevin Smith films include the character Grant Hicks, who is a cousin to Dante from CLERKS and Gill from MALLRATS. All three characters are played by Brian O'Halloran. Also, a bus company in the film is owned by Rick Derris, a perennial Smith character.
"I feel like I'm Han Solo, and you're Chewie, and she's Ben Kenobi, and we're in that f@&%#*-up bar!"--Jay (Jason Mewes), to Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) and Bethany (Linda Fiorentino)
Dogma Reviews:
"...A fiercely ambitious script that never loses its raucous rhythm....Affleck gives his strongest performance to date..."
-- Peter Travers, Variety
"...Funny, original....A high-wire act..." -- 3 out of 5 stars
-- Chris Cronis, Premiere
"...Mercilessly funny....[The actors] bring great, understandable enthusiasm to Mr. Smith's smart talk and wild imaginings..."
-- Janet Maslin, New York Times
"...There are kernels of genius here..."-- Lael Loewenstein, Box Office
"...There is a keen intellect behind this devoutly defiant fable....Stuffed with cheery irreverence and inspired in equal parts by comic books, sports bar culture and the Bible..."
-- Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Absolutely Genius If you enjoy comedy, but also feel the churches today have lost all insight on religious reality, then this movie is for you. Kevin Smith uses his education to elaborate the problems we today have with the faith in our churches. He may threaten some churches, but this gives us a reminder that we are humans and have flaws, and Kevin Smith gives it a comedic twist. Great movie. Submitted by klcompanies.tbechel (Somewhere, IL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
really funny!!! this movie is one of the best parodies i have ever seen. it doesn't take into account anyone's feelings, yet i'm not sure it would be insulting to anyone. i love it. it is one of my favorite movies trifecta. Submitted by jodi (ohio) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
BONG! Dogma is one of Kevin Smith's best movies! Even my mom liked this movie! I reccomend this to anyone that doesn't mind Jay's trademark vocabulary. Definately a must see. SNOOTCH TO THE NOOTCH! Submitted by Russell (Joshua, TX, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Snoop to the Nooch!!!!!!!!!!!! Kevin Smith makes the funniest movies. You really have to have a sense of humor to watch this movie. This kind of movie was a really touchy subject for most people. But if you have a sense of humor and don't care what other people think like Smith then it is all good. A stellar cast, a great and funny movie, oh yeah and Jay and Silent Bob baby. Do I need to say more? Submitted by Daniel (Warrenville, SC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
The term "Divine Comedy" has been reinvented Straight out the best movie ever made. Kevin Smith is a genius, because he does not make a parody of christianity, but fills in the illogical gaps (which really exist in the bible) with amusing and compelling anecdotes. I do not understand, why many christians felt offended, however I, as an atheist, still enjoy this movie every time I watch it without feeling bored (and I have passed the 20x mark).
Submitted by Tobias.Woznia (Rotenburg, Germany) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Region 1 Keep Case Single Side - Single Layer Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35 Letterbox - 2.35 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Additional Release Material: Trailers: "The Opposite of Sex" Text/Photo Galleries: Biographies: Cast & Crew Additional Products: Booklet
Absolutely Genius
really funny!!!
Share this Product