Kevin Smith & View Askew Productions

As the co-founder of View Askew Productions, Kevin Smith has directed, produced, written, and acted in many of the associated films. Avid fans will notice regular actors and friends who also accompany Smith during filming. With 8+ films, all of which I personally own, the respective article tends to focus on my own opinionated favorites rather than the history of our aforementioned title.

1. Mallrats

First and foremost, I present Mallrats. Though it failed to adopt positive reviews among critics, the film is undoubtedly a cult classic. The 2^nd View Askew produced film involves Jeremy London and Jason Lee as they manage to piece former relationships back together. Of course, the latter of the film takes setting within a mall intertwined with quirky and unrelenting characters. Considered as Jason Lee's breakout performance, and very first acting role, his character provides the comical relief and relation to associated comic books...the film even features Stan Lee. After various encounters with mall employees Ben Affleck and Sven-Ole Thorsen, our characters, now accompanied by the notorious Jay and Silent Bob, eventually become contestants on the mall date game television show. Though a bit predictable, and not exactly top notch acting, the movie delivers hilarious scenes and questionable morality.

2. Dogma

Dogma has, and will always remain my #1 Kevin Smith film. Though quite sac-religious and constantly questioning the moral dilemma, comedic performances create a very educational, if not controversial, comedy. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon portray a couple fallen angels attempting to readmit their way into Heaven by crossing through a loophole. As they journey, they interfere with various prophets, an apostle, a muse, and other demonic entities. Of course, they fail to accomplish their mission after God takes human form and refuses entry to the loophole. Smith's regular cast also includes Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Salma Hayek, and other cameos.

3. Chasing Amy

Though Chasing Amy contrasts my first two picks, as it especially provides more dramatic sequences, I still recall viewing this film for the first time. Leading character Holden McNeil is introduced to fellow comic book artist Alyssa Jones, and is instantly attracted to her. The only problem....Alyssa is a lesbian. Apparently, Holden disagrees. In fact, Alyssa being a homosexual is not the problem. The problem is revealed after Banky, the roommate, informs Holden of Alyssa's prior sexual exploitations. Of course, the three individuals despise one another and eventually attempt to reconcile their differences. Unlike many heartwarming love stories, however, they do not. The concluding 5 minutes propose that each chose a separate path, and disbanded from one another. Tragic.....The leads are played by whom other than Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, and Joey Lauren Adams. Supporting characters include Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith as Jay and Silent Bob, and cameos by Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Ethan Suplee, and others.