Latest news with #Dogma
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kevin Smith turned down chance to direct Good Will Hunting
Kevin Smith passed on the opportunity to direct Good Will Hunting. The 54-year-old director played a crucial role in getting the film made and helping launch Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's careers, but said when it came to getting behind the camera on the project that made them stars neither he or they wanted it. He told People about them offering him the chance to direct the Oscar-winning film: 'Oh my God, no. If I were to direct this, I would just turn around to Ben and Matt the whole time and say, 'Is this what you saw when you wrote it?'' The filmmaker spoke to People while reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Dogma, his 1999 movie that also starred Ben, now 52, and Matt, 54. Kevin met the pair in the mid-1990s and was instrumental in moving their Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting script from Castle Rock Entertainment to Harvey Weinstein's Miramax, where it would ultimately be produced. According to Kevin, Castle Rock had intended to make Good Will Hunting without Ben and Matt in the cast — a plan he helped derail. Kevin said: 'The first question that I was asked by Ben and Matt and the Miramax folks was, 'Do you wanna direct it?' I think they all asked that with clenched a******* hoping that I would say no.' Instead, he suggested the pair be allowed to direct it themselves. 'I was told that the lunatics would not be running that particular asylum, so the search for a director began at Miramax,' he added. Kevin also said as many as '20 of the top directors on the planet' were interested in the job, including Michael Mann and Mel Gibson. Gus Van Sant was eventually selected. Kevin described the script for Good Will Hunting as 'one of the best things I've ever read'. The 1997 film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Ben and Matt, while Robin Williams took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Kevin added the success of Good Will Hunting and Affleck's earlier film with him, Chasing Amy, provided the momentum needed to finally get Dogma into production. He had originally given Affleck both scripts years earlier, cautioning that Dogma would require 'movie stars' to secure the necessary budget. He said: 'I'll never forget the first day we're on set shooting with Ben and Matt. 'Right before the first take, we're about to roll for the first time and the boys have been nominated for Academy Awards. 'So we're about to shoot, and I look at Ben, and Ben looks me dead in the eyes, and he goes, 'Guess who became a movie star just to do your stupid movie.' 'And I was like, 'Well done, my friend. Well done'.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Salma Hayek celebrates 25 years of Dogma: Calls playing Serendipity a 'gift'
It may be hard to believe, but it has already been 25 years since Hollywood diva inked her memory as Serendipity in the adventure comedy, "Dogma" in our minds. Commemorating the milestone, Hayek shared a post on her Instagram with a video of the song "Candy Girl" from the movie. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She further dropped some snippets from the film, recalling her journey as Serendipity. Calling the role a gift, Hayek wrote on the photo-sharing app, "It's been 25 years since Dogma hit theatres - and what a wild, unforgettable ride it was. Playing Serendipity was a gift I'll always treasure: a character full of fire, wit, and chaos in the best way." Inside Salma Hayek's 58th Birthday: Gorgeous Photos, Yacht Fun, and Warm Wishes from Gal Gadot, Priyanka Chopra, and More Showing her gratitude for director and her co-stars, the stunner added, "Grateful to @thatkevinsmith for this one-of-a-kind film, and to my brilliant co-stars - , , Chris Rock, and the irreplaceable Alan Rickman." Talking about the film's re-release, she concluded, "From yesterday Dogma is back on the big screen for a limited time... and I still can't believe I was part of something so bold." Marking the 25th anniversary of the religious satire, "Dogma" once again reached the big screen on June 5. AMC Theatres and Iconic Events organized a national tour for the film in 25 cities for the limited release. Initially released in 1999, "Dogma" revolves around two fallen angels who discover a loophole in Catholic doctrine that allows them to return to Heaven. However, their plan faces challenges from some unlikely heroes, including a faith-struggling woman, the erased 13th Apostle, Jay, and Silent Bob, as their actions can prevent the apocalypse. Along with Hayek, the project also features Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, and Chris Rock in crucial roles, along with others.
Geek Vibes Nation
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Dogma': 25th Anniversary Celebration Review - Kevin Smith's Controversial Classic Gets Resurrected
Kevin Smith's fourth feature film is just as prescient now, on its 25th anniversary, as it was during its original release at the Cannes Film Festival before the turn of the century. Similar in approach to satires such as Verhoeven's Starship Troopers (1997) and Judge's Idiocracy (2005), Dogma criticizes all religious sects of Western society, from Catholics to Protestants to Agnostics. Whether you're a believer, denier, or contrarian, Smith has more than a few words for you. Dogma follows two angels, Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck), on a quest to earn their place back in heaven by walking through the doors of a Catholic church in the midst of a rededication, when all sins will be forgiven. If they can accomplish this, transfer into human form, and then die, they can return to heaven. A young woman named Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) works at an abortion clinic and struggles with her own religious beliefs, but is pulled into the fray and encouraged to stop the fallen angels. Fortunately, she's aided by two slacker prophets, the soon-to-be-infamous Jay and Silent Bob. Along the way, they continue to receive guidance from a seraph (Alan Rickman), a 13th apostle (Chris Rock), and a muse (Salma Hayek) as everyone is in a race to stop the plan unfortunately initiated by Cardinal Glick's (George Carlin) church, though Azrael (Jason Lee) is the original trickster that sets everything in motion. Since its debut, the cast of Dogma has all gone on to successful film and television careers, mostly in front of the camera, not to mention Ben Affleck's six directorial efforts and Chris Rock's balance of acting roles, comedy shows, and award show hosting duties. Many of Smith's frequent collaborators stem from films fleshed out thanks to casting director Don Phillips (Mallrats) or Shana Lory (Chasing Amy), but Smith certainly has an eye for talent and comedic potential himself. The director continues to play with genre in Dogma, as well as tropes and stereotypes, and the line between indie features and traditional studio films couldn't be any clearer. The film constantly oscillates between poking fun at Western religion and culture, the movie industry, the film itself, and everyday life in America in the 90s. Though controversial at the time and momentarily banned and delayed in a few countries, Dogma remains a classic. Though much of the dialogue in Dogma comes across as didactic and expository, the approach and overall tone are consistent and necessary. Especially considering the current resurgence of self-help books, conspiracy theories, and rampant misinformation on the internet. Dogma's willingness to speak directly to and through its protagonist, Bethany, and subsequently the audience, makes for a movie worth listening to, whether its ideology and dogma conflict with the listener or not. Smith's film is also worth revisiting considering the pace at which AI technology is pushing into the filmmaking space, especially since the industry is only a few years removed from the writer's strikes, which took place right on the heels of the COVID-19 Pandemic recovery. Smith's work always reminds us what we're capable of as a collective: a collective of nerds, a collective of young creatives, or a collective of cast-offs and forgotten spiritual beings. If anything, Dogma reminds us to remain curious enough to create and discuss our ideas with others. In honor of the 25th anniversary, the film has been beautifully restored through remastering and color-correction in 4K by Triple Media Film with legendary cinematographer Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Bridesmaids). The remastered version, currently on a US tour of 20 cities dubbed DOGMA: The Resurrection tour, began on Easter Sunday, April 20th, at the Grove in Los Angeles, with appearances from Smith and Jason Mewes. Dogma: A 25th Anniversary Celebration is now playing newly remastered in over 1,500 theaters across North America courtesy of Iconic Events.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Kevin Smith isn't getting death threats over ‘Dogma' this time around
Filmmaker Kevin Smith compares the re-release of his film, 'Dogma,' to its original release back in 1998.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Kevin Smith's prayers are answered with new ‘Dogma' release, this time with less death threats!
For more than a quarter century, director Kevin Smith has tried to resurrect 'Dogma,' his devoutly religious comedy about two fallen angels looking to get back into heaven. Recently his prayers for the 1999 film were finally answered. On Friday, the movie will be blessed with a theatrical re-release across 1,500 AMC Theater screens in honor of the film's 25th anniversary. Technically, the milestone was last year. But when it comes to the second coming of a movie that brought us one of the on-screen pairings of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and an A-list comedic ensemble—including George Carlin, Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo and Alan Rickman—and the ever-meme-able winking 'Buddy Christ'…it still warrants a latent hallelujah.
