Chasing Amy Question

[addicted2dvd]

While looking on my Unwatched DVD Shelf for what I may want to watch next... I came across Chasing Amy: The Criterion Collection (I got in excellent condition for $5 used when the video store I managed closed down.) And I remember some people I know saying it was a good movie. So I pulled it off the shelf and looked at the back... first thing I see is Chasing Amy is the third installment of the "New Jersey Trilogy"

OK... I never seen any of these movies so I need to ask... should I wait to see the first 2 before watching this one? does the trilogy have to be watched in order? and either way (in case I like this one)... what is the other 2. Sorry... no idea what so ever. 

[RossRoy]

From what I understand, it is called the "New Jersey Trilogy", yes, but the movie don't really have a single follow up story. They may make some reference to previous movies, but nothing to hinder enjoyment.

But I do recommend seeing the other installments. "Clerks", "Mallrats", "Dogma", "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "Clerks II". I really enjoyed them all.

Well, to be perfectly honest, I have yet to see Clerks II. But having Marshall (from Alias) in an argument against the Clerks guy (Randal, I think) about Star Wars versus Lord of the Rings? That alone makes the movie worth it! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0sc-gS9AqM

Just had a listen.. Let's put a language advisory here. So if you are offended by that, move along, there's nothing to see.

[addicted2dvd]

LMAO... loved that clip.. Thanks a lot!... this will be my first real taste of (that) Kevin Smith's work. The Kevin Smith I am used to is the one that played Ares on Xena/Hercules. :p)

[RossRoy]

this will be my first real taste of (that) Kevin Smith's work.

Chasing Amy is a good starting point. I'd say it's his most accessible work, along with Dogma (provided you are not a Hard Line Christian Alumni).

Dogma is my favorite. I just love how he twists Christian beliefs, and the movie is just plain funny.

[Jon]

Chasing Amy is a brilliant twist on the standard romantic comedy. It can be watched stand-alone and I recommend so; the only real benefit to watching Clerks and Mallrats first is to understand Jay and Silent Bob, but it will not affect your enjoyment of the movie in any way. If indeed you enjoy it at all! It's a hard swallow for some, but rather than cliched, painting by numbers manipulation, I found this particularly honest and heartfelt. The characters are honestly crude at times, but it feels natural and genuine... finger cuffs!  If you haven't seen Kevin Smith's work before, it's a great place to start because it's his most successful story. The Clerks films, Strike Back and Dogma are all brilliant, but either completely lack plot or dive right into fantasy. In other words, I think of those as Kevin Smith films, but Chasing Amy is a film that happens to be by Kevin Smith...

[Achim]

I have the Criterion "Chasing Amy" on my unwatched pile too. It just got bumped closer to the top...

...and I have to put Dogma back into my Wish List, seeing how passionately it gets mentioned here.

[addicted2dvd]

Yeah... guess I know which one I am watching next... and sounds like there will be several others added to my wish list as well. Thanks everyone!

[Achim]

Just finished watching 'Chasing Amy'. What an interesting film. Not really what I expected from Kevin Smith, at least after the first 20 minutes (loved that 'Jaws' reference in that section!). Of course, also the second part has typical Smith conversation sprinkled in, but mostly it was quite a serious relationship film (with a Kevin Smith twist, of course).

Decided I still need more Smith movies in my collection (except 'Jersey Girl').

What exactly are those "An Evening with Kevin Smith" things...?

[RossRoy]

What exactly are those "An Evening with Kevin Smith" things...?

I think it's some sort of stand up comedy / conference thing. On all the screenshots I've seen, he's on stage talking. What is he talking about? I don't know, haven't seen any of them.

[Kathy]

What exactly are those "An Evening with Kevin Smith" things...?

I think it's some sort of stand up comedy / conference thing. On all the screenshots I've seen, he's on stage talking. What is he talking about? I don't know, haven't seen any of them.

Everything you wanted to know about Kevin Smith but were afraid to ask: http://www.myspace.com/therealkevinsmith

[Jon]

I have both the Kevin Smith Evening With DVDs and they're great. As I said before, he is probably the most open filmmaker around. Add to that he loves telling stories, especially about comics and movies, and add to that he is a natural story teller, and they are great fun. As an example, check out this YouTube clip from the first DVD when he relates his time on Superman Reborn. It's a brilliant anecdote about Hollywood... long, but worth sticking with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgYhLIThTvk

The format is similar to the Q&A sessions on the Clerks and Mallrats DVDs, where he brings the main cast back together for a review.

[lovemunkey187]

I liked Jersey Girl.

[RossRoy]

I liked Jersey Girl.

I completely forgot about Jersey Girl. I should add it to my wishlist.

[DJ Doena]

Although I really like KS movies the faecal gags are sometimes too low for my taste. Why does he insert such sub-basement gags (donkey in Clerks 2, shit demon in Dogma, shit pretzel in Mallrats)?

[lovemunkey187]

Although I really like KS movies the faecal gags are sometimes too low for my taste. Why does he insert such sub-basement gags (donkey in Clerks 2, shit demon in Dogma, shit pretzel in Mallrats)?

To badly paraphrase Holden in Chasing Amy;

"You can't go wrong with dick and fart jokes"