Miramax held an advance screening of Jersey Girl at the Regal Metropolitan theatre in Austin TX this morning (Sat. Feb 28). There was a good turnout and audience response was very positive. I’m assuming this was the final cut (though it was introduced as a ‘used print’) and as has been reported, it did not include an Affleck/Lopez wedding scene. The movie definitely didn’t disappoint – My own personal opinion is that it’s Kevin’s best movie to date. The story, dialogue, acting, and visual presentation are all first rate. I’ll refrain from any spoilers but I think the casual movie watcher will enjoy the flick as much as die-hard fans.

I caught a screening of “Jersey Girl” earlier tonight in Baltimore. I had a lot of reservations going in, based on the less positive reviews on your site and its lackluster to say the least trailer, but I really really loved it. While I will need to rewatch ‘Chasing Amy’ and ‘Dogma’ before I call this his best film, it is by far the most developed and believable characters Smith has ever written.

As I’m sure you all know, the plot consists of Affleck, as Ollie Trinke, attempting to raise his daughter (the amazingly charismatic Raquel Castro) with some help from his father (George Carlin in a pretty endearing performance), after his wife (J.Lo) dies during childbirth in the first 15 minutes. While certain moments fall flat, what really makes the movie work is the relationship between Affleck and Castro. This is actually a believable father-daughter relationship, not simply the kind we usually see in movies. Not only are we shown the unique bond that these two have, but also included is a scene where the two yell incredibly hurtful things at one another, that anyone who has ever had a bitter fight with a parent will recognize. Surprising, even shocking for a Smith film, there were a few moments where myself and several audience members were moved to tears, most notably one of Carlin’s last lines in the movie. All of this leads up to a closing scene that one can only describe as beautiful.

Still, I don’t want to undersell all the funny stuff in this movie, as it is for the most part, a comedy. Well, obviously it is a more family-friendly kind of funny, but it’s still a relatively strong PG-13, with much conversations involving sex and masturbation.

There is a pretty funny subplot involving Ollie’s criticisms of Will Smith that lost him his job, that leads up to a scene that could have been a disaster, but ends up being the best written scene in the movie.

Now, I must say, I hate J. Lo as much as the next guy, but the talk about her opening scenes with Affleck being awful is pure, unadulterated bullshit. This is actually one of the only two movies she didn’t piss me off in (the other being the underrated and forgotten ‘U-Turn’). Her scenes with Affleck come off as genuine and sort of charming in a way.

Liv Tyler plays a video-store clerk who Affleck starts to fall for, and it is hard to remember a more adorable character than Liv plays in this movie. For an actress whose soft-spoken line readings always annoyed me, here she gives a really sweet performance and is downright lovable as the kind of girl we all dream about.

I honestly don’t know why this was pushed till March, while the often painful-to-watch “Cold Mountain” got the big Miramax Oscar push. While this wouldn’t have really had much of a shot for a Best Picture nom, Raquel Castro would’ve been a leading contender for Best Supporting Actress, and possibly even Affleck for Best Actor, in what is definitely the best performance of his career (not saying much for Mr. Reindeer Games I know, but still).

I know many will say this is Smith selling out, but in my opinion, this is really just him maturing as a filmmaker, similar to how I felt “Big Fish” was for Tim Burton.

While it’s not a perfect movie, it’s a bona fide crowd please that doesn’t pander to its audience, is consistently entertaining, and one of the better portrayals of a father-daughter relationship to ever hit the screen.

March:

7 – Comedy Central

13 – MADtv

22 – Yes, Dear

16 – Guest on the Tonight Show

TICKET PRICES

Student tickets: $15, $10, $7

UCB Student ID must be presented at the door. No exceptions.

General tickets: $25, $18, $13

(seating chart coming soon)

TICKET PURCHASE INFO

Tickets can be purchased through the following:

1. Cal Performances Ticket Office in Zellerbach Hall (UC Berkeley campus)

2. www.tickets.com

3. By calling 510-642-9988

**Student ticket prices are NOT available through www.tickets.com.

UCB students must purchase the tickets from Zellerbach Hall in order to receive the discount.

Paulsboro to go Hollywood for special movie screening

PAULSBORO — Kyle Lee can see the writing already.

“I’ll probably make a few shirts and hats that say, ‘I was in Jersey Girl,’ ” the 13-year-old said of his role as an extra in the Kevin Smith movie, which opens in theaters nationwide March 26. “It was in our town … It’s an experience I won’t forget.”

With the film’s release around the corner and a local advance screening March 10 at the Paulsboro High School auditorium — where a major movie scene takes place — the community may get to see Lee, his younger brother and parents in action alongside stars Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, George Carlin and Raquel Castro.

His mother, Jean Lee, said she turned up wherever scenes were shot during the three-month filming in 2002.

“I was like the movie stalker because it was being shot in Paulsboro,” Jean Lee said with a laugh, adding that she wouldn’t miss its local debut. “I’ve had it marked on my calendar.”

Mayor John Burzichelli said he’s happy to roll out the red carpet — literally — for a yet-to-be-determined list of dignitaries, including writer/director Kevin Smith.

“I’m gonna find one somewhere,” Burzichelli said of the proverbial Hollywood essential. “Remember, we’re in show business.”

Burzichelli said BP is covering the estimated $10,000 cost to transform the 689-seat auditorium into a theater, featuring state-of-the-art sound and projection.

Although she plays a mourner in Jersey Girl, 16-year-old Rosanne Henderson of West Deptford said she’s ecstatic about the movie’s opening.

“I like to brag about it to my friends,” Henderson said of her scene with Affleck, Jason Biggs and Carlin. “Definitely we’re going to get a big group of people and go see it.”

The mayor, who makes a brief appearance in the movie, said he has not decided yet how he will arrive at the upcoming black-tie optional gala.

And, he remains tight-lipped about the possibility for a star-studded Paulsboro premiere.

“We’re not in a position to confirm who will be in attendance,” Burzichelli said. “I don’t want someone to buy a ticket thinking there’s a guarantee that someone’s going to be there.”

Tickets will go on sale Saturday — for Paulsboro residents only — from the ticket window of Hill Studio, 35 W. Broad St., from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Cost ranges from $25 to $50, with all proceeds benefiting the Paulsboro Boys and Girls Club. Burzichelli said he expects to raise about $22,000 for the self-sustaining youth organization.

Judy MacKenzie, event chairwoman, said donating to the club was a no-brainer.

“Jennifer Lopez learned how to dance at a Boys and Girls Club,” MacKenzie said of the diva, who has a small part in the film. “That just seemed to be a place that would be appealing to everyone.”

Sam DeSimone, Paulsboro Boys and Girls Club chairman of the board of directors, said the club has not determined how funds will be used, but said they could come in handy for ongoing basement upgrades.

“We’re moving along and we’re really proud of the club,” DeSimone said.

IF YOU GO

Writer/Director Kevin Smith will introduce a special advance screening of Miramax Films’ Jersey Girl March 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Paulsboro High School Auditorium, 622 North Delaware Street.

Screening for the PG-13 movie is recommended for adults only.

Tickets go on sale Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Paulsboro residents only and cost $25 to $50, for balcony, mezzanine and orchestra sections. Purchases can be made at Hill Studio, 35 West Broad Street in Paulsboro.

Tickets-buyers must show a license or other verification of their Paulsboro residency and will be limited to two tickets per person. Payment must be made by check or money order only, to “Boys & Girls Club of Paulsboro.”