tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post898291978898396588..comments2023-10-11T03:42:59.033-07:00Comments on The Criterion Contraption: #75: Chasing AmyMatthew Dessemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-71367635158518556822013-07-23T19:25:16.404-07:002013-07-23T19:25:16.404-07:00Hello all,
I read your critique and I must say it...Hello all,<br /><br />I read your critique and I must say it was informative and that it was well-written. This film is actually my favourite of all-time, you see? I think that despite the fact that it's dated; it still holds up in relevancy of today's society.<br /><br />As a very self-conscious male, I can relate to how suspicious, sorrowful and wordy Holden is in this film. Although I Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07880462151511696731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-87016310754801203612010-12-27T10:08:42.828-08:002010-12-27T10:08:42.828-08:00Anonymous: "I'm curious what modern day r...Anonymous: "I'm curious what modern day romantic comedy would belong in the Criterion collection if not 'Chasing Amy'."<br /><br />SECRETARY - because it took romantic comedy places it never dared go before, and was the first genuinely sympathetic (semi) mainstream, from-the-inside treatment of a successful Dominant/submissive relationship.<br /><br />It's also Timothy Liebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17964909587824784208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-79665069345803599472010-12-27T00:13:12.507-08:002010-12-27T00:13:12.507-08:00Anonymous,
I think you could make a case for, say...Anonymous,<br /><br />I think you could make a case for, say, <em>The 40-Year-Old Virgin</em>, though that's very much of this decade and not the last. Interesting about Scott Mosier—I didn't know that.Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-4298076796902228442010-12-26T22:53:11.077-08:002010-12-26T22:53:11.077-08:00I'm curious what modern day romantic comedy wo...I'm curious what modern day romantic comedy would belong in the Criterion collection if not 'Chasing Amy'. (For that matter, how can anybody who thinks 'Armageddon' shouldn't think 'The Rock' should?)<br /><br />And I'd also like to point out that, in prepping 'Chasing Amy', producer Scott Mosier was the person who suggested to Criterion that they Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-36336906172968700922010-11-28T23:06:40.646-08:002010-11-28T23:06:40.646-08:00I don't understand why DOGMA hasn't gotten...I don't understand why DOGMA hasn't gotten a Criterion release - I think it's Kevin Smith's best film, and the only one where he not only shows some genuine cinematic style, but goes outside his own Jersey Shore obsessions to Say Something Important. Also, he out-Da Vinci Codes THE DA VINCI code four years early, and includes a Shit <br />Demon <b><i>and</i></b> George Carlin as aTimothy Liebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17964909587824784208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-32652935522077355342009-09-29T17:33:16.970-07:002009-09-29T17:33:16.970-07:00Actually, nano, the difference between the hockey ...Actually, nano, the difference between the hockey scene in Jersey Girl and the "Wave" scene in When Harry Met Sally is that in Jersey Girl, the action on ice parallels the content of the conversation, and Smith's subpar editing and camera skills make the whole thing feel sort of clumsy and forced (though I do feel a certain amount of affection for the amateur look of Smith's Doug Wykstranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-80780610298806901662009-06-26T18:11:49.624-07:002009-06-26T18:11:49.624-07:00I'm stunned you didn't mention the two sce...I'm stunned you didn't mention the two scenes I remember the most: the "who gets the bill?" scene -brilliant Jason Lee stuff- and the climax scene, which features another excellent reaction shot (Jason's sigh of relief). actually this last moment for me represents the film's best value, which is Smith's ability to "clash" comedy and drama in the same scene,nanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-40802803735618042772008-05-22T12:54:00.000-07:002008-05-22T12:54:00.000-07:00Hi Matt,Great Blog you got going here. Since Chasi...Hi Matt,<BR/><BR/>Great Blog you got going here. <BR/><BR/>Since Chasing Amy has a special place in my film-loving heart, I wanted to add something to your great review.<BR/><BR/>I was surprised you didn’t mention the scene between Hooper and Holden in the record store as a good scene.<BR/><BR/>I mention it because in it lies, at least for me, the heart of "Chasing Amy". To me this movie was Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-49696830238102797982008-05-11T20:26:00.000-07:002008-05-11T20:26:00.000-07:00i just stumbled across this blog looking for that ...i just stumbled across this blog looking for that jay and silent bob quote. this is a great blog. fantastic read. thanks.Piff Tannenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02206314532598029782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-15547406047332729332008-02-24T03:08:00.000-08:002008-02-24T03:08:00.000-08:00Luke,Glad you're enjoying the site! Mallrats, to ...Luke,<BR/><BR/>Glad you're enjoying the site! <EM>Mallrats</EM>, to me, seems like less of a period piece and more of an anomaly. It's got the structure of a big 80s comedy, but it's not an 80s film; it's from 1995. And the dialogue is straight from <EM>Clerks</EM> and would be difficult to imagine in something like <EM>Fast Times at Ridgemont High</EM>. Also, I think the private/public spaceMatthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-26846096845907496382008-01-19T04:59:00.000-08:002008-01-19T04:59:00.000-08:00Matthew, I've read a number of reviews and have en...Matthew, I've read a number of reviews and have enjoyed them all. As yet another aspiring writer myself I also appreciate your references to personal life. Keep up the good work!<BR/><BR/>I just watched Chasing Amy for the first time after reading your review. However, I have seen Clerks several times, Mallrats twice recently and Clerks II on its theatrical run.<BR/><BR/>I like the idea touched Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-55151094552331690072007-11-16T15:49:00.000-08:002007-11-16T15:49:00.000-08:00Allan,The Incredibles is one of my favorite films....Allan,<BR/><BR/><EM>The Incredibles</EM> is one of my favorite films. And <EM>Ratatouille</EM> is near perfect as well; Brad Bird is on my short list of people who should be given as much money as they want and left alone to make movies.Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-67400441528245354592007-10-12T13:47:00.000-07:002007-10-12T13:47:00.000-07:00Sorta OT, but the Incredibles did indeed have some...Sorta OT, but the Incredibles did indeed have some great dialogue. I love that scene you mentioned ("and he starts monologuing..."). Another fave: "YOU married Elastigirl?? And got BIZZAY!!"<BR/><BR/>And don't forget when Mr. Incredible starts monologuing in captivity, and Violet interrupts: "I think we've made quite enough progress for today, don't you?"<BR/><BR/>On topic: I don't see how I can Allan W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04757211592520536558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-45393902030320859452007-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:002007-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:00I haven't seen it in at least six years, so maybe ...I haven't seen it in at least six years, so maybe that's why I'm able to retain that enjoyment level.Jeff McMahonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455194268519396055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-87995463475431867032007-10-01T12:58:00.000-07:002007-10-01T12:58:00.000-07:00Jeff,You know, I rewatched Clerks for this review,...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>You know, I rewatched <I>Clerks</I> for this review, and although I could remember how much I liked it when I saw it (around 1995, on video), I didn't enjoy it that much this time around. When's the last time you saw it?Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-51658799551455968122007-10-01T12:55:00.000-07:002007-10-01T12:55:00.000-07:00Jason,I actually haven't seen anything since Dogma...Jason,<BR/><BR/>I actually haven't seen anything since <I>Dogma</I> (which I enjoyed). So I don't know how they'll be seen, but the right question might be <I>if</I> they'll be seen. Glad you enjoyed the review.Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-83028179784953143772007-10-01T12:32:00.000-07:002007-10-01T12:32:00.000-07:00"As self-indulgently recursive as Chasing Amy seem..."As self-indulgently recursive as Chasing Amy seems, it could have been worse."<BR/><BR/>Yes, it could have been Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Smith's most self-congratulatory ode to himself. <BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, I've seen Jersey Girl too. It's Smith's other movie where he tries to be 'serious' and meaningful and it comes off forced and tedious. I have a pretty solid feeling that twenty years Jeff McMahonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455194268519396055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-12858579082852404942007-10-01T09:32:00.000-07:002007-10-01T09:32:00.000-07:00I'm a Generation Y-er who was late to the Kevin Sm...I'm a Generation Y-er who was late to the Kevin Smith bandwagon. Your analysis of how times have changed since as recently as 2000 has me thinking. How would you rate Smith's more recent films, and, perhaps more frighteningly, how do you think a film like Clerks II will be viewed ten years from now?<BR/><BR/>Your analysis of Smith's tendency to monologue is a great catch.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-37828531494802026912007-09-28T11:29:00.000-07:002007-09-28T11:29:00.000-07:00Shawn,Maybe I missed the part of your comment wher...Shawn,<BR/><BR/>Maybe I missed the part of your comment where you provided "actual analysis of issues." Why don't you think <I>Chasing Amy</I> belongs in the Criterion Collection?Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-88320123586885318002007-09-27T20:58:00.000-07:002007-09-27T20:58:00.000-07:00Your review relies moreon Kevin Smith lore than ac...Your review relies moreon Kevin Smith lore than actual analysis of issues. From reading other reviews of yours, this says more about the film than it does of you. Nice try. Chasing Amy doesn't belong in the Criterion Collection.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-83949014716883932832007-09-26T18:50:00.000-07:002007-09-26T18:50:00.000-07:00Olli,The cross-cutting didn't bother me much, beca...Olli,<BR/><BR/>The cross-cutting didn't bother me much, because it's rare enough that Kevin Smith actually tries something like that to begin with. There's a funny story about that scene on the commentary, actually -- it was originally set in Alyssa's kitchen. And one of the notes they'd gotten from some exec or other was that they needed to open the story out (I believe this was when they wereMatthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-44106151357421015192007-09-26T18:44:00.000-07:002007-09-26T18:44:00.000-07:00Marina,Glad you enjoyed the essay. I'll admit tha...Marina,<BR/><BR/>Glad you enjoyed the essay. I'll admit that I've only seen <I>Reality Bites</I> dubbed in Italian, at a time when I was still learning Italian. But it seemed to me like a kind of self-conscious attempt to be "the movie of the nineties," in the same way <I>Singles</I> did. I didn't remember <I>Chasing Amy</I> as being a period piece (and it doesn't feel to me like Smith was <I>Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-74229362930548520762007-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:002007-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:00Will,I saw Mallrats for the first time while prepa...Will,<BR/><BR/>I saw <I>Mallrats</I> for the first time while preparing to watch this film—I mostly thought it was weird, for the same reason Jay spells out in <I>Chasing Amy</I>. Smith really made that duo insufferable; I mean, grappling hooks? I did love the video at the end of Ben Affleck insisting that Renée Humphrey call him by the names of the New Kids on the Block while they had Matthew Dessemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288268335735601918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-21570087854589924842007-09-25T16:35:00.000-07:002007-09-25T16:35:00.000-07:00Another "me too" moment here: I remember seeing th...Another "me too" moment here: I remember seeing the film for the first time in the summer of 2005 and groaning out loud at the hockey scene. For me, the cross-cut ice hockey action was so unbearable that it sucked the enjoyment out of watching the actors do their thing.<BR/><BR/>I think it's really telling of your perception that you managed to still appreciate the acting in that scene despite Olli Sulopuistohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16231856218415949967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8796371.post-44013155085997459952007-09-24T10:38:00.000-07:002007-09-24T10:38:00.000-07:00Timely critique.I've had this sitting on my DVD sh...Timely critique.<BR/><BR/>I've had this sitting on my DVD shelf for nearly a year (purchased at bargain bin price of $5) and though I'd pop it in. It's the first time I've seen this and on first viewing I have many of the same complaints. <BR/><BR/>Though it was still a fair bit of fun and I did laugh more than once, it was often at the film, not with it.<BR/><BR/>I still think "Reality Bites" isAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com