Mostly as a result of the incredible press attention on the relationship with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, Jersey Girl was buried under the weight of the relationship. As a result of their on-screen relationship in the film, neither critics nor audiences could get past the Ben-J. Lo aspect of the film, which is a real shame, particularly considering that it’s actually a pretty good movie. I’ll not attempt to make a case for greatness, few could, but the simple fact that something happening off-screen overshadowed what was happening on-screen, good or bad, is a shame. Jersey Girl is not a perfect movie, but Kevin Smith’s writing, as always, is interesting and the acting performances are pretty outstanding. Yes, even Ben Affleck. As with most View Askew-related releases, the DVD features on this disc are excellent, particularly considering the film’s lukewarm reception. On the disc, you’ll find an audio commentary with writer/director Kevin Smith and Affleck, as well as another one with Smith, producer Scott Mosier, and special guest Jason Mewes. Kevin Smith’s commentary tracks are always first-rate, so the presence of two makes this a worthy buy. Expect extreme candor on his feelings about the film. In addition, you’ll find interviews with cast and crew; Smith’s “Roadside Attractions” segments from the Tonight Show and featurettes. Jersey Girl isn’t the best movie of the year, but it’s certainly underrated.

For people wondering if there’s ever a time when it’s okay to buy a DVD “special edition” after there’s already been a “special edition”: Clerks (3-Disc Anniversary Edition) (1994)

Good things about Jersey Girl aside, if you’re only going to buy one View Askew DVD this week, this 10th Anniversary edition of Clerks is the way to go. It’s extremely rare that a “more special edition” of a previously released “special edition” will get my approval, but this is certainly it. Clerks: 10th Anniversary Edition is the DVD Pick of the Week, running away.

Clerks itself is certainly familiar to many people ten years after originally being released, but as with most of writer/director Kevin Smith’s work, the DVD is an outstanding addition to the legacy of the film. From the original release of Clerks, which included deleted scenes, and a commentary track (featuring a drunk Jason Mewes passing out at the beginning and waking up near the end of the film), Smith’s movies have gotten progressively better treatment on DVD (the medium they end up making most of their money in). Smith, a writer who mostly uses his own personal experiences (and thoughts) as a way of publicly having no inner monologue, went from bored convenience store clerk to $27,000-in-debt filmmaker to, believe it or not, international stardom with the release of the film. Clerks is not particularly impressive technically (a $27,000 budget and no experience will do that for you), but it’s notable, as with most of Smith’s films, for dialogue. There really would be no other way to follow the boring day in the life of two clerks unless they were impressively verbal and willing to express their opinions. Having that gift has become Smith’s meal-ticket, and the subject matter is so close to his heart that he’ll explore it again in a sequel, The Passion of the Clerks, out next year.

The 10th Anniversary set features literally three different versions of the film, all with separate features. Disc one is basically a re-print of the original DVD release (with original 1995 commentary track referenced above), while disc two features the original cut of the film with an all-new audio commentary featuring Smith, Mewes, producer Scott Mosier, and stars Jeff Anderson and Brian O’Halloran. Also included on discs two and three are deleted scenes; trailers; Jay and Silent Bob’s MTV commercials; outtakes; photo gallery; articles and reviews; the screenplay (via DVD-ROM); a 10th Anniversary Q&A; original Kevin Smith journals; Clerks auditions; and featurettes. It’s an absolutely outstanding set and the DVD Pick of the Week.