Posted by Badassfuckinetta at nrarp169.santarosa.edu on November 13, 1999 at 16:32:44:
A theater in my town (Santa Rosa) is advertising that DOGMA is presented in THX Dolby Digital EX. Is this false advertising? Was DOGMA recorded in 6.1?
BTW Kevin, I did see DOGMA last night (at a different theater than the one I'm reffering to) and I very much enjoyed it. It truely is one-of-a-kind, Kevin, and I mean that in a great was. I didn't think it was as strong a movie as CHASING AMY though; DOGMA, while quite audacious in mixing different tones, slowed down in some areas that could have benefited from a little more visual charge.
The airport scene at the beginning was wonderful in the way you mixed humor in the foreground and in the background of Bartleby and Loki's dialoge. It was exhilerating to watch. Yet when Bethany and Metatron meet the film (while still very interesting to listen to) slows down and becomes a little wanting. Nothing much happens between the two (except being transported to a Mexican resturant down the block).
But I'm not sure much could have been done to elevate the scene. I thought of CHASING AMY's scene with Banky and Alyssa showing off sex scars and how the flashbacks gave the scene more charge. Maybe something like cutting to a Cathedral display-quality painting of Matt Damon doing God's dirty work as Metatron explains what punishment Loki inflictced on behalf of God, or even cutting to a pretty boy still of Loki from the airport scene everytime Metatron says "...that was Loki" when he explains those incidents.
But beyond the at times stumbling set-up, the movie is quite a ride and never boring. And it's point is be very reasuring and powerful. This not an irreverant movie, even if it has a shit monster.
The "redemption" at the end was wonderfully orchastrated in both action and in character development. I thought you were priceless when you and Dwight Ewell's character were in a heated rivalry over Serendiputy. Ben Affleck gives his best performance yet (he particualarly shines in the finale, and much credit for the finale's success goes to him). Matt Damon was so sinester as Loki that Scott Mosier's usual "slimeball" cameo was underscored by my sympathy for him because of Loki's wrath. Jason Lee was a hoot. Alan Rickman was genius in balancing the antics with dignity and making us believe that he is the voice of God.
Congrats on making a very, very good movie, Kevin. I can't wait to see it again.
Thank you very much.
Joseph Brunetta