All may not be lost, though. The scabrous, particularly observed critique of film world ways that marked such smart, astringent comedies of the 1990s as “The Player,” “Swimming With Sharks,” “… And God Spoke” and “Living in Oblivion” returns alive, well and brimming with independent attitude next month in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” Kevin Smith’s (”Clerks,” “Dogma”) affectionate but merciless response to every stupidity he’s observed in seven years of making movies.

No marketing maven vetted this script, which includes Smith pals Ben Affleck and Matt Damon dissing each other’s career choices and sets a record for swipes at an actual distributor — in this case the one that’s releasing “Jay and Bob,” Miramax.