Chasing Amy - Criterion Collection

Why Buy A Chasing Amy - Criterion Collection?
Writer-director Kevin Smith (Clerks) makes a huge leap in sophistication with this strong story about a comic-book artist (Ben Affleck) who falls in love with a lesbian (Joey Lauren Adams) and actually gets his wish that she love him, too. Their relationship is attacked, however, by his business partner (Jason Lee), who pulls a very unsubtle Iago act to cast doubt over the whole affair. The film has the same sense of insiderness as Clerks–this time, Smith takes us within the arcane, funny world of comic-book cultism–but the themes of jealousy, deceit, and the high price of growing up enough to truly care for someone make this a very satisfying movie. –Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Chasing Amy Rocks!
Having seen Chasing Amy on the premium movie channels a number of times I knew I had to purchase it for my film library. This film just works on so many levels. The characters are so interesting and the relationships to intense and real. A definate must have….

Let’s Be Friends
Let’s Be Friends

Let’s be friends. Don’t you hate to hear those two words and one contraction? Ouch. You have been placed firmly in the ‘friend’ bag and there is no way out. I bet you that auteur Kevin Smith has been there, many times, but he found a way out! Yes, behind-the-scenes gossip says that he was dating Joey Lauren Adams while directing this little indy romcom. Why wasn’t she with her co-star, the handsome Ben Affleck? Or even Jason Lee, long before he was the star of My Name is Earl or even the remake of Alvin and the Chipmonks? It boggles the mind! Plus Kevin Smith is fat. He even made a bet with Ethan Suplee, who plays a fanboy in Chasing Amy, and is now also on My Name is Earl with Jason Lee, where Ethan plays Earl’s fat and not-too-bright brother, Randy. The bet was who could lose the most weight over a ten year period. And Kevin Smith lost that bet. To fat Randy? Yet he still managed to date Joey Lauren Adams? Dude. That is all. Just, dude. What more can you say?

I will say that Kevin Smith loves New Jersey, Star Wars, Jaws, comic books (he has even written scripts for Marvel), Quick Stops, Malls, and he must love Catcher in the Rye, since he named Affleck’s character (a comic artist from New Jersey, naturally) Holden. He appears in his own movies as Silent Bob, where his sidekick Jay does most of the talking. But when Silent Bob does speak, people listen. I was wondering why the movie was called Chasing Amy when Joey Lauren Adams’ character was named Allysa Jones? But as Silent Bob explains, Amy is the perfect woman with a past that causes you to turn away, but you regret it, and wind up chasing Amy.

In spite of the comic book aspect of Chasing Amy, it is actually a very sophisticated romantic comedy with penetrating character analysis, witty dialogue, and it takes the standard romcom boy-meets-girl plot and twists it in a most unusual fashion.

Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) combines astute psychological assessments with a crude manner of expression that is refreshing in its candor. One can’t help thinking of auteur Smith, also fathoming the depths of his demographic, and analyzing his audience, i.e. you and I, as we watch his film. Holden’s banter with cute female comic artist Allysa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) is some of the sharpest thrust-and-parry we’ve seen on a romcom turf in quite some time. My only quibble is that he tried a bit too hard to be cool, and as a result, mumbled what I assume were some great lines that I couldn’t understand, even after multiple rewinds. E-nun-ci-ate, please, while still making it seem natural and spontaneous. Talk to your pal, Matt Damon, about it (who by the way makes a cameo appearance as a media mogul interested in making Holden’s underground comic Bluntman and Chronic into an animated series).

Also a delight is Hooper (Dwight Ewell), a Black comic artist who trades in Black Rage, but is actually a Black Gay man who delights in tweaking Holden’s partner, inker Banky Edwards, with his theory that Archie and Jughead are gay, not to mention that old queen Mr. Weatherbee. How else to explain his conflicted emotions, which is why Archie could never make up his mind between Betty or Veronica? Hooper is also good for the occasional withering comment, but Banky and Holden give as good as they get, masters as they are of the single entendre.

Joey Lauren Adams is cute, hot, and very believable. She has a strange voice but like Jennifer Tilly, it grows on you, and is an integral part of her charm package. She sings well, too, and in a pivotal scene in Meow Mix, an underground nightclub, she sings a love song that she herself wrote. It is a good song, and is also the moment where Holden first realizes that she isn’t addressing him, but rather, the blonde girl to his side.

Bound

Boys on the Side

Being John Malkovich

Mona Lisa

Gigli

Almost Famous

Clerks (Collector’s Series)

Mallrats (Collector’s Edition)

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Dimension Collector’s Series)

Alyssa: Why are we stopping?

Holden: ‘Cause I can’t take this.

Alyssa: Can’t take what?

Holden: I love you.

Alyssa: You love me?

Holden: I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we’re great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I’m sure that’s what you’ll call it. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the-the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is-is-is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can’t take this anymore. I can’t stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can’t-I can’t look into your eyes without feeling that-that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can’t talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, ’cause I’ve never felt this way before, and I-I don’t care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can’t hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn’t allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I’ll accept that. But I know, I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there’s a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. And all I ask, please, is that you just - you just not dismiss that, and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn’t another soul on this ******* planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I’m with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can’t deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I am forever changed because of who you are and what you’ve meant to me, which - while I do appreciate it - I’d never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of.

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Dogma (Special Edition)

Why Buy A Dogma (Special Edition)?
Kevin Smith is a conundrum of a filmmaker: hes a writer with brilliant, clever ideas who cant set up a simple shot to save his life. It was fine back when Smith was making low-budget films like Clerks and Chasing Amy, both of which had an amiable, grungy feel to them, but now that hes a rising director whos attracting top talent and tackling bigger themes, it might behoove him to polish his filmmaking. Thats the main problem with Dogma–its an ambitious, funny, aggressively intelligent film about modern-day religion, but while Smiths writing has matured significantly (anyone who thinks hes not topnotch should take a look at Chasing Amy), his direction hasnt. Its too bad, because Dogma is ripe for near-classic status in its theological satire, which is hardly as blasphemous as the protests that greeted the movie would lead you to believe.

Two banished angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) have discovered a loophole that would allow them back into heaven; problem is, theyd destroy civilization in the process by proving God fallible. Its up to Bethany (Linda Fiorentino), a lapsed Catholic who works in an abortion clinic, to save the day, with some help from two so-called prophets (Smith and Jason Mewes, as their perennial characters Jay and Silent Bob), the heretofore unknown 13th apostle (Chris Rock), and a sexy, heavenly muse (the sublime Salma Hayek, who almost single-handedly steals the film). In some ways Dogma is a shaggy dog of a road movie–which hits a comic peak when Affleck and Fiorentino banter drunkenly on a train to New Jersey, not realizing theyre mortal enemies–and segues into a comedy-action flick as the vengeful angels (who have a taste for blood) try to make their way into heaven. Smiths cast is exceptional–with Fiorentino lending a sardonic gravity to the proceedings, and Jason Lee smirking evilly as the horned devil Azrael–and the film shuffles good-naturedly to its climax (featuring Alanis Morissette as a beatifically silent God), but it just looks so unrelentingly… subpar. Credit Smith with being a daring writer but a less-than-stellar director. –Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Great, irreverent and educational satire
Yes, you will want to be open minded when you watch Dogma, but as someone who grew up in the Catholic Church it gives a darkly satirical look at many of the things that typically baffle a preteen trying to understand the Baltimore Catechism. Be sure to watch the added features.

“God? Lonely. But funny. He’s got a great sense of humor.”
I had no idea what this movie was about when I picked it up at the rental. Firstly, you gotta watch this movie with an open mind. What’s it about? It’s about God, angels, prophets and the likes and it all takes place in the modern day. It actually makes fun of them, but in a good way. This is a very funny, clever and insightful movie with great dialogues and good acting. The characters are funny but real. I don’t think I have seen any other movie that’s so outrageously funny and thoughtful at the same time. I look forward to watching the other movies by director Kevin Smith.

Dogma review
Yea 5 stars, Dogma are you kidding me. One of the best movies ever. Came in less than anticipated time, and works beautifully.

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Saving Private Ryan (DTS Edition)

Why Buy A Saving Private Ryan (DTS Edition)?
When Steven Spielberg was an adolescent, his first home movie was a backyard war film. When he toured Europe with Duel in his 20s, he saw old men crumble in front of headstones at Omaha Beach. That image became the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, his film of a mission following the D-day invasion that many have called the most realistic–and maybe the best–war film ever. With 1998 production standards, Spielberg has been able to create a stunning, unparalleled view of war as hell. We are at Omaha Beach as troops are slaughtered by Germans yet overcome the almost insurmountable odds.

A stalwart Tom Hanks plays Captain Miller, a soldiers soldier, who takes a small band of troops behind enemy lines to retrieve a private whose three brothers have recently been killed in action. Its a public relations move for the Army, but it has historical precedent dating back to the Civil War. Some critics of the film have labeled the central characters stereotypes. If that is so, this movie gives stereotypes a good name: Tom Sizemore as the deft sergeant, Edward Burns as the hotheaded Private Reiben, Barry Pepper as the religious sniper, Adam Goldberg as the lone Jew, Vin Diesel as the oversize Private Caparzo, Giovanni Ribisi as the soulful medic, and Jeremy Davies, who as a meek corporal gives the film its most memorable performance.

The movie is as heavy and realistic as Spielbergs Oscar-winning Schindlers List, but its more kinetic. Spielberg and his ace technicians (the film won five Oscars: editing (Michael Kahn), cinematography (Janusz Kaminski), sound, sound effects, and directing) deliver battle sequences that wash over the eyes and hit the gut. The violence is extreme but never gratuitous. The final battle, a dizzying display of gusto, empathy, and chaos, leads to a profound repose. Saving Private Ryan touches us deeper than Schindler because it succinctly links the past with how we should feel today. Its the film Spielberg was destined to make. –Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews & Opinions

amazing movie… one of my all time favorites.
amazing movie… one of my all time favorites, can watch it 1000 times… tom hanks in awesome…so is every cast.

RAW AND POWERFUL
I did not believe that anyone would ever make a film about World War II that could top SCHINDLER’S LIST. I was wrong. Spielberg’s SAVING PRIVATE RYAN edges his earlier classic by at least a nose, and though the graphic carnage is abundant, and so authentic looking that you can just about taste it, it is not excessive. This was D-Day after all, and every description I’ve ever heard, or read about Omaha Beach painted it, and the surrounding sea red. This is a glorious, inspiring, and well deserved tribute to those heroes ( our fathers, and grandfathers ) that literally saved the world.

Is The Best War Movie Ever Made?
My headline offers a subjective question, but I think most people would at least agree this is one of the best war movies they’ve seen, especially if they have a pretty decent 5.1 surround sound system. You can’t fully appreciate this DVD and movie, in generally, without the great surround this disc offers.

Sitting in a room surrounded by five speakers with bullets flying from all directions around you - as in that spectacular 22- minute opening scene or in the final 45 minutes of action against the Germans in tanks - is an astounding movie experience. The visuals are outstanding, too, and we’ll see a Blu-Ray version of this film soon, making it even better.

Since the film has been out for over 10 years, there is no sense going into the story. It’s hard to picture the brutality of war being any worse than you see here, but it probably was. This is about as graphic as it gets. The violence and gore was shocking when this film came out in 1997 and still is today.

It makes you appreciate what some of the WWII soldiers went through, but that can be said for any war. I believe the purpose of this film was to pay tribute to the sacrifices these men made, and it succeeds wonderfully. Hats off to Steven Spielberg and to Tom Hanks, the leading actor in here, both of whom have worked hard for WWII vets to get the recognition they deserve, not just on film but in a national memorial.

Anyway, bad language and/or blood and guts aside, this is still an incredible portrait of WWII. The almost-three hour film is riveting start-to-finish, especially with that memorable beginning action scene, maybe the most dramatic in the history of film.

By the way, is this the best war movie ever made: yeah, I think so.

Hands down the most harrowing movie ever made to epitomize the struggles faced by the veterans of WWII.
Saving Private Ryan was one of the most neccesary films that has ever been made. It is the harrowing story of a squad of men led by John H. Miller {Hanks} and captures the very gritty realities of war. Set during the D-Day invasion into fortress Europe, it captures in the best possible sense the toll that war exacts upon those who are called upon to defend freedom. Spielberg also made Band of Brothers which is also an amazing story of heroism and sacrifice renowned the world over. No doubt in my mind that these works that Steven Spielberg has masterfully created will live on through the generations as some of the greatest war epics ever depicted on film. It will tell and retell to those who might forget the stories that should never be lost of the people who should never be forgotten. I give it A+,5 Stars and Two-Thums Up.

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The Departed (Full Screen Edition)

Why Buy A The Departed (Full Screen Edition)?
Martin Scorsese makes a welcome return to the mean streets (of Boston, in this case) with The Departed, hailed by many as Scorseses best film since Casino. Since this crackling crime thriller is essentially a Scorsese-stamped remake of the acclaimed 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, the film was intensely scrutinized by devoted critics and cinephiles, and while Scorseses intense filmmaking and all-star cast deserve ample acclaim, The Departed is also worthy of serious re-assessment, especially with regard to what some attentive viewers described as sloppy craftsmanship (!), notably in terms of mismatched shots and jagged continuity. But no matter where you fall on the Scorsese appreciation scale, theres no denying that The Departed is a signature piece of work from one of Americas finest directors, designed for maximum impact with a breathtaking series of twists, turns, and violent surprises. Its an intricate cat-and-mouse game, but this time the cat and mouse are both moles: Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is an ambitious cop on the rise, planted in the Boston police force by criminal kingpin Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a hot-tempered police cadet whos been artificially disgraced and then planted into Costellos crime operation as a seemingly trustworthy soldier. As the multilayered plot unfolds (courtesy of a scorching adaptation by Kingdom of Heaven screenwriter William Monahan), Costigan and Sullivan conduct a volatile search for each other (theyre essentially looking for themselves) while simultaneously wooing the psychiatrist (Vera Farmiga) assigned to treat their crime-driven anxieties.

Such convenient coincidences might sink a lesser film, but The Departed is so electrifying that you barely notice the plot-holes. And while Nicholsons profane swagger is too much Jack and not enough Costello, hes still a joy to watch, especially in a film thats additionally energized by memorable (and frequently hilarious) supporting roles for Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, and a host of other big-name performers. The Departed also makes clever and plot-dependent use of cell-phones, to the extent that it couldnt exist without them. Powered by Scorseses trademark use of well-chosen soundtrack songs (from vintage rock to Puccinis operas), The Departed may not be perfect, but its one helluva ride for moviegoers, proving popular enough to become the biggest box-office hit of Scorseses commercially rocky career. –Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Great
This is the movie that Gangs of new york was trying to be… a great crime drama

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Eurotrip (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

Why Buy A Eurotrip (Unrated Widescreen Edition)?
Eurotrip views the Old World as a goofy parade of soccer hooligans, horny camera saleswomen, and pawing lechers reeking of cologne. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) discovers that the German e-mail correspondent he thought was a guy is actually a hot girl–so naturally he jets off to Europe to find her, joined by his friends Cooper (Jacob Pitts), Jamie (Travis Wester), and Jenny (Michelle Trachtenburg, trying to leap into sexier roles after her adolescent characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harriet the Spy). Just as naturally, a cavalcade of national stereotypes, wacky mishaps, and mild homophobia follows, but its all tossed off with reasonable good cheer (and the fight with the robot mime is pretty funny). Featuring cameos by Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity), Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess), and Vinnie Jones (Snatch). –Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews & Opinions

Great movie
Saw it on TV a had to get a copy. I am actually from Bratislava, and this movie gave me an idea for a tourist T-shirt: “I SURVIVED BRATISLAVA. IN WINTER!” or something like that

It’s no award-winner, but it’s quotable and laughable over and over again!
Short and sweet…the movie wasn’t made to win any awards. But if you’re looking for a “no-brainer” with some great “one-liners” and a few cheap, dirty laughs, then this movie is one to watch over and over again. At the very least, you got to love the fact “Scotty Doesn’t Know” is played throughout the entire movie!

Absolutely funny!
his movie is hilarious it is the VERY FEW movies me and my boyfriend can agree on watching together. Bought the DVD from amazon and we watch it over and over.

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