DVD Reviews

An Evening With Kevin Smith

An Evening with Kevin Smith is either one of the most non-informative film seminars ever, or the funniest pseudo-stand up routines ever put to film.

In 2002 the director of Clerks, Mallrats, and Dogma did a university tour across the United States. In his appearances, Kevin gives his no holds barred two cents on the film industry, his films, his sex life, Prince, the wacky Jon Peters, and of course rounds out his commentary with plenty of toilet humor. Throughout the nearly four hours of footage in this set, Kevin takes questions from the audience with answers that are truthful, sometimes poignant, and almost always gut-busting hilarious. Any fan of Kevin Smith who may wonder what goes on in that interesting, foul-mouthed brain of his should pick this two-disc set today.

The picture is fine and clear, but come on folks, this is no epic big-budget production; it's a funny lecture/commentary in front of a university audience shot on video. No one should expect anything elaborate but it does show what it needs to show with a clean picture and no edge enhancement. The film is presented in Dolby surround, which is fine considering that this is all dialogue driven with no need for additional ambient noises.

The only complaint here is that the two-disc DVD set lacks any extras. It would have great to see some behind the scenes footage of Kevin preparing for his appearances or, assuming he had a tour bus, some footage of him chilling and relaxing on bus in between shows. The only extras available are some easter eggs containing unseen Q and A with some of the students.

This is a very funny and often insightful commentary by one of today’s leading cult directors. Any Kevin Smith fan's collection would not be complete without it


Review By Shlomi Ifrah