Review By Dana Scully

I'm just writing because I always feel special when I see a screening and choose to send it in. Display it, edit it, or just read it for yourself after you watch Star Wars. Sorry it's long. I just love this man and his movies so much... I get very in-depthly critical with things I love (just don't get me started on this new LA season of the X-Files. Whew!)

This is a bit late considering that the screening was last Wednesday, but you know, waiting in line for Star Wars tickets for 27 and a half hours takes a bit out of you.

Like the previous NYC report, this was the first official New York Screening. I think because of that there were some big people who, if they weren't there during the screening, they got there afterwards. John Pierson was there for at least the majority of the screening (big indie producer man, if readers are still in the learning stages), Harvey Weinstein got there afterwards and stayed for a half an hour or so. And finally, and most importantly, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier, Walt Flanigan and tall man. Yes, I don't know his name but he was tall. (And really fucking cool if he ever reads this and is insulted once again by me.)

I love Kevin Smith's films. They are my inspiration for wanting to be involved in making movies and possibly making my own important stories one day. He's the reason I'm spending 35,000 dollars a year at film school, ironically. So going into the screening I was excited beyond utter belief. And you know what, I wasn't dissapointed.

That's totally not to say that I had issues with the film. But I really enjoyed going on the ride with Ben, Matt, and Kevin in the driver's seat. (Notice how I didn't say Linda)

Issue #1. Linda Fiorentino. Yes, I liked her in the Last Seduction (done by a Montana State University alum, I'd like to say). Yes, I liked her in Men in Black. BUT WHY GOD WHY DOES SHE STINK IN DOGMA!!?? So it wasn't as bad as Veronica in Clerks. But really, she was not up to par with some of the other performances. Blech. From the first moment, I really didn't like her performance and saw her forcing all of her acting chutzpah out in scenes. And the point is I saw HER acting. I didn't see the character REacting to the situation. Good performance note, I fell in love with Ben Affleck all over again (despite the Teen Beat blither blather) in the scene on the train as Bethany (eck) is drunk and telling him her entire mission. The look on his face as he realizes that the world and God is against him gave me chills the same way seeing Cabaret on Broadway does. The look on his face is what acting is. I saw every neural fiber in his CHARACTER's brain connecting to produce that look of utter shock. It was a beautiful beautiful moment. Yea him.

2. Editing. So yeah, I want to be an editor. And yeah, I pay extra attention to that these days after having been taught the history of editing by one of Spike Lee's editors...but still! I wasn't crazy about the editing of this film and at definate times, it momentarily stopped me from enjoying the movie. For Chasing Amy, with it's more cinema verite style, there was less need for editing complexity, shot variation (Oh, HOW much do I sound like a dumb film geek.). But with this film, it needs more skill to it. To create the understanding and care for Bethany's character and situation. This relates mainly with...

Issue #3. Style. I see this as a transition film. It seems very torn between a big movie and a small movie style and spends most of the time see-sawing from one to the other. I didn't feel enough for Bethany because of performance issues as well as editing and, I believe, shot selection. The script, I see as wonderful. (besides slight issues with walk-sit and preach-walk-sit and preach structure) From the words and actions, I care for her. If I read "Bethany charges through the woods after finding out she's the great-to-the-nth-degree grand niece of Jesus, falls into pond crying and screaming," I would care. How it appeared in the movie, it seemed semi-silly and I did not care. The content of the movie needed a more dynamic style (I'm not talkin' Biblical epic here, just a more fitting style) that lasts throughout.

It coasts and is beautful sometimes. It's fun ALL the time. Maybe it's because I loved Chasing Amy so much and nothing right now can surpass that, maybe I was expecting too much (speaking of that, must go play with my Darth Maul Deluxe toy), I don't know. All I know is that from the transition we've seen Kevin Smith take (from B+W 16mm with friends and unknowns to Alan Rickman, etc. fighting with a giant CG Shit monster), he is an amazing true-indie success story. And I don't know about you, but it inspires me to absolutely no end and gives me faith in the film industry once again.

Yea Kevin Smith. Yea.

Dana Scully

p.s. And if he and Scott ever want an editor's assitant to kick around and digitize Beta tapes for him, I'm their woman. I'll even make coffee and cigarrette runs.