Month-Later Movie Review: Intro and Zack and Miri Make a Porno

"Dude, don't ever say 'shit covered' to me again."

To paraphrase one of the funniest lines in Zack and Miri, I begin a new series titled Month-Later Movie Reviews. I have read hundreds of film reviews in my lifetime, and seen nearly every corresponding movie. Over the course of the years it's become apparent to me, probably more than anything, that there really is no accounting for taste. Whether you're talking about film, music, art, or anything else, everyone has their specific likes and dislikes, and one shouldn't be criticized for having their own preferences.

With that in mind, I've discovered a missing principle in the art of film reviews: Repeat viewings.

I don't know how it works in the critic business, but I expect journalists like Gene Shalit and Roger Ebert probably don't have time or patience to screen movies twice or three times before writing a review. In my own time, I've been downright wrong about a lot of films. There have been many films I saw once and wrote off almost immediately as pieces of wankerous garbage, only to rediscover them months or years later-usually on late-night premium cable-at which point, probably as a result of my ever-evolving perspective, I came to appreciate. Needless to say, my aforementioned perspective has led me to believe that I should withhold judgment until I've seen a film at least twice, or even a more safe and reasonable three times before I pass my opinion to the world. Of course, if you watch enough film after a while you know what you like and what you don't like in film, and as I mentioned there's no accounting for taste, but reasonable people-what I like to call 'intellectually generous'-will give anything a chance and view it within its proper context.

With that I bring you my first installment of Month-Later Movie Reviews.

In this edition, we'll be talking about Zack and Miri Make A Porno. This film is the newest comedy gem from writer-director Kevin Smith and his View Askew crew. Sure it's a little biased of me to pick a film, and a filmmaker that I like to begin this series, but I'm your average moviegoer. I can't afford to go see every movie in the theater right after it comes out, and I only usually go see the ones I like more than once. However, I am a dedicated writer, and if I start making enough money to go see more films, I will certainly begin doing so to keep my craft fresh and relevant.

As I mentioned before, I'm an avid fan of Kevin Smith's work, having begun watching his movies at the time Chasing Amy hit theaters about eleven years ago. Adhering to the principle of leaving art within its context, this movie is everything it should be if you knew only the title going into your first screening. To quote one film review I read on it, it is 'stupid and sophomoric', but I appeal that it is no more than it needs to be.

As another example of Kevin's post-Jersey Girl fare, this film has taken some steps back and other leaps forward creatively. His humor is just as witty and vulgar as ever, but the poignant moments make up for most of the vulgarity. The title is simultaneously misleading and a precise account of the actions that take place in the film. Two lifelong friends and roommates, Zack Brown and Miri "Stinky" Linky, having hit dire financial straits, decide the only way to pay their bills is to make a porno movie together. They assemble a cast, get financing, and in the process inspire their crew-and each other. They make themselves and everyone around them realize who they really are and of what they're all capable.

Kevin Smith's films, like his life if you've seen any of the Evening With series of DVDs, are all about friendship and finding your way as a result of letting those around you inspire you to be yourself. Every Kevin Smith film in some way is autobiographical in that he takes pages from daily life and makes a fictional scene play out in his head, and that often makes it to the films. It's more evident in older films such as Clerks and Mallrats but when you're a fan it becomes evident in his writing style. I'm not sure exactly how much of Zack and Miri is derived from reality, because I imagine he and Jennifer (Schwalbach, his wife) probably haven't talked much about making a porno featuring themselves although it wouldn't surprise me based on what I've heard in interviews and Evening With appearances, but I expect a good portion of this movie is based on at least casual conversation he's had with his nearest and dearest. I'm sure we'll find out in the coming years.

All in all, this movie ranks up there with the best of his work. It's funny, but it's got some great poignant moments in it. Elizabeth Banks is just like the nerdy best friend you had in high school, but she's sexy enough to want the friendship to come with benefits. Seth Rogen is, as always, his aloof hilarious self, I'm glad Kevin Smith had an opportunity to cast him and I hope to see him around the View Askew films more in the future. Craig Robinson, whom we know as the doorman-with-a-conscience in 2007's Knocked Up takes a turn as Delaney, the financier/producer of Zack and Miri's 'film project', to use the term somewhat loosely. Delaney is probably the funniest character in the film, echoing a common theme in the Askewniverse films in that the secondary characters usually get the best lines.

This film is not something you want to take your kids to see, unless your kids have grown up to be 17-year-old adolescent sex maniacs. It's obvious when you see it why this picture nearly got an NC-17 rating. It's crude, vulgar, there's quite a bit of nudity-including a moment with Jason Mewes that I expect a lot of Smith's female fanbase have wanted to see for quite some time-but it's just another well assembled film with a great song driving the opening sequence. As a person who's spent a good deal of time watching Kevin Smith films, I'm hoping the success of this film will pave the way for Kevin to produce his first non-comedy film, Red State. All signs point to it being a great script, and potentially Kevin's first foray into elite filmmaking. We shall see.