Word: smithing
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Dogma's greatest shortcoming, however, is glaring: amateurish cinematography. Not one for lush visuals, Smith has never been overly concerned with the aesthetic aspect of movie making. Although inexpert camerawork is not only pardonable in his previous films, but also considered a Smith trademark, the home video ambiance just doesn't work in Dogma. With few action sequences and even fewer special effects, Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy didn't demand much camera movement (even Smith, before beginning work on Dogma, self-effacingly assured that he'd "move the camera this time.") The inconsistent camera angles are so vexing, they...
...concentrate on what Smith does best. He is foremost a writer; he is out to tell a story, hoping to present new and thought-provoking ideas along the way. Unfortunately, he packs so many ideas into Dogma that his directing cannot always keep up with the ambitious screenplay. At times you feel as though you're listening to the Word according to Kevin; not an expert on subtlety, his characters--particularly Rufus-- windily spell out every religious insight he introduces. It shouldn't be a surprise Smith relies so heavily on dialog. He is incapable of communicating his ideas using...
...conveyed in the most ingenious manner, these themes in Dogma remain provocative, to say the least. They often take the form of shots at the church (to lessen the ennui, a churchgoer reads "Hustler" during a service Bethany attends), but never do they lead to God-bashing. You see, Smith doesn't satirize God, per se--he satirizes the inadequate human perception of God. Our quest to interpret the will of the divine has lead humans to murder, war, persecution, suspicion, and a bevy of other moral wrongs. The funny (and much less extreme) situation that Smith uses pictures...
...Ultimately, Smith message is very ecumenical: as long as you love God, it doesn't really matter whether you believe the Almighty is male or female, white or black. Just for the record, God is a white female, who looks like Alanis Morissette? Well yep, that's Him at least according to this film. Placing Morissette in the role of God is certainly the most controversial casting in the film--not so much because she's a woman, but because, as one Internet fan revealed, "she's not hot." Yes, Emma Thompson was originally billed for the role, but Morissette...
Stephen N. Smith '02, a council representative from Adams House, says he thinks it's a mistake to expect students to foot the additional costs of student groups on campus without the College kicking in funds in turn...