One of the most unique and underdog directors of the past several decades is Kevin Smith. In 1994, Smith made Clerks while simultaneously working in the same store the film was shot in. With the success of Clerks, Smith's career was launched. Several of Smith's films are connected through characters and overarching stories and these movies are known as The View Askewniverse, named after Smith's production company.
These movies are what put Kevin on the map, and what he is mostly known for today. The eighth film in the universe, Clerks III, has just finished wrapping and fans are returning to watch the previous movies to prepare. Smith's fans are loyal, and they often take to IMDb to rate their favorites.
Jay & Silent Bob Reboot (2019) - 5.7
When Kevin Smith suffered a near-fatal heart attack in early 2018, he decided he wanted to return to the characters that made him who he is, andand is filled to the brim with callbacks and easter eggs.
Jay's girlfriend from Jay & Silent Bob Strikes Back reveals they have a daughter together and she (played by Smith's real daughter Harley Quinn Smith), s her father and Silent Bob as they venture to Hollywood to put a stop to the Bluntman & Chronic reboot. Fans of the series were receptive to the return of their favorite movie stoners, and the success inspired Smith to continue the Askewniverse, with Clerks III and Twilight of the Mallrats both having been announced.
Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) - 6.8
When Kevin Smith first decided to make a tribute to his connected universe, he put the two characters who showed up in every film, Jay and Silent Bob, in the spotlight. Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back followed the two lifelong friends as they attempt to stop a Bluntman and Chronic movie from being made. Bluntman and Chronic are popular comic characters based on the titular duo, and the movie is being made without them knowing or, most important to them, being paid.
The two travel to Hollywood and encounter all kinds of misfortunes along the way. Following them is a cop who believes they are connected to a trio of thieves when they unwittingly help them pull off a heist. This is the first time Smith paid tribute to the fans of his films and his legacy, and it certainly would not be the last.
Mallrats (1995) - 7.1
In Smith's second film, Mallrats, T.S. and his slacker friend Brodie try to get over the two of them losing their girlfriends by hanging out in the local mall. Clerks took the mundane life of store clerks and made it entertaining and engaging, and Smith does the same thing to '90s mall culture in this film. The plot is simple and it may seem like not much is happening, but the characters and dialogue make it all mesh together for a funny film that both lampoons and celebrates teens in the era.
Mallrats is also the first appearance of several actors that would return in Smith's films including Jason Lee, Joey Lauren Adams, and Ben Affleck. Returning is of course Jay and Silent Bob, and Brian O'Halloran in the first in a series of gags featuring O'Halloran playing relatives of his Clerks character, Dante.
Chasing Amy (1997) - 7.2
The third film released in Smith's View Askewniverse is one that focuses more on drama than screwball comedy. The film follows Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards, two comic creators and best friends who encounter Alyssa Jones. Holden falls hopelessly in love with Alyssa and is crestfallen to learn that she is a lesbian. The film shows just how powerful love and friendship can be, but it is not devoid of Smith's trademark wit.
Holden and Banky are co-creators of a popular comic series Bluntman and Chronic, which are based on their real-life friends Jay and Silent Bob. The goofy humor is present as always in Smith's films, but it takes a backseat to a more heartfelt look at relationships, both platonic and romantic. A running joke in the universe is Silent Bob speaking for one or two lines. This time, however, is the first time he has an entire speech, which also serves as the basis for the title.
Clerks II (2006) - 7.3
In the first direct sequel to a View Askewniverse film, Clerks II saw the return of the two best friends that started it all, Dante Hicks and Randall Graves. The film saw the two working as Clerks in a Mooby's restaurant after the Quick Stop burnt down. The movie deals with moving on, as Dante plans to get married leave New Jersey, ending his lifelong friendship with Randall.
The film is also important to the relationship of Jay and Silent Bob. In real life, Jay's actor Jason Mewes was struggling with addiction. Scared to lose his friend, Kevin Smith promised him he could not act in his films again unless he got help. Thankfully, Mewes went to rehab, making his return as Jay extra special to fans. The heart of Clerks II is friendship, and most fans have something to cling to in Smith's personal favorite film of his.
Dogma (1999) - 7.3
For the most part, the Askewniverse had been grounded in reality up until 1999 when Dogma understandably drew controversy upon release, mostly from religious organizations.
All of the protests against the film only helped it, as fans wanted to see the movie even more when they saw how much it was hated. The film strays far from the low-budget beginnings of Smith's universe, but fans today still claim it is one of the best he has made. This is mostly due to the performances, including one by the late Alan Rickman as Metatron.
Clerks (1994) - 7.7
It speaks volumes when a director's first film has been said to define a generation. This is an understatement for the first theatrical film Kevin Smith made, Clerks. The film is as simple as a low-budget film could be, mostly taking place in one location. During the day, Smith worked in the same store the film was shot in, which he did at night. The film was also shot in black and white to lessen the headache of lighting. The film follows a day in the life of Dante Hicks when he is called into his mundane job as a convenience store clerk on his day off.
What this film's strong point is is the dialogue, which is written exactly how the youth of the time spoke. Dante's best friend is a slacker named Randall who works in the video store next door and spends most of his time annoying customers and discussing movies with Dante. Clerks also introduced Jay and Silent Bob, who would of course go on to become iconic characters. The movie defined a generation upon release, and cemented Kevin Smith, a film buff from New Jersey, as a filmmaking legend.
