Looking for something to watch in these downward television times on a day when I had free time, and awaiting my next film from Netflix (which will also be an AFI movie), I trolled around for some instant viewing goodness and landed on this little gem. It's (loosely) a documentary of several Q & A sessions that Kevin Smith--director of films like Clerks I and II, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma--gave at various college campuses. I've actually had this on my buy it wishlist, but I'd never seen it before. I still want to buy it, thankfully (so it passes the test).
Kevin Smith is freaking hilarious. He may be potty-mouthed and uncomfortably self-deprecating, but he's also quick-witted, intelligent, creative, and sincere. Talking about his movies and life experiences, he's also an excellent storyteller. Sure, most of the stories feature the word **** at least 100 times, and 500 different synonyms for the word penis, but they're all actually kind of heartwarming and hilarious. I love his movies because of the delicate balance they strike between high art and low brow, and their underlying intelligence and wit, but to see that they are really just an extension of him makes them that much greater because they are clearly and comedically sincere. Even Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back has some hidden gem of truth that is an extension of Smith.
He may be no great master of filmmaking, but he makes entertaining movies that I like watching repeatedly (well, not so much Clerks II for me, though it's funny sometimes). He's also just a guy who knows who he is and what he wants and is a great lover of film, music, and yes, comic books. His undisguised geeky fanboy-ism endears me the most to him.
The funniest part, though, is seeing the diversity of the audiences. You get the whole spectrum, including the stoners who like to emulate Bluntman and Chronic and showboat it.
Anyways, this a great watch if you need a laugh. If you hate the man who would be Silent Bob, however, you probably won't find him very funny. But I love him, so I loved this!