DOGMA - (*** 1/2) - Kevin Smith's 4th movie gives us Matt Damon as Loki, the Angel of Death, who wants to utilize a loophole to get back to Heaven. A host of biblical characters as well as the "Prophets" Jay and Silent Bob aim to stop Loki and his fellow outcast angel, Bartleby (Ben Affleck). Do I see why the Catholic Church is upset? Hell yes (pun intended)! Do I agree? Of course not. Are you surprised? The thing that makes Dogma one of 1999's best films is the ability Kevin Smith has to create such a funny and entertaining movie while simultaneously tackling some of the most sacred (pun intended) subjects possible. Is blind faith in the bible and organized religion exclusively a good thing or should an individual decide what is right for him personally and not risk alienation if he dares to question any facet of a given religion? The irony of the protestors and picketers who want you to believe that Dogma is The Worst Movie Ever is that THESE are the people that Smith is lampooning. They won't even see the movie to know what they are protesting against. After a catholic reporter told a priest he should see it and judge for himself, the priest replied, "I don't need to stick my nose in a sewer to know it's a sewer." Now that I've seen Dogma, that sewer remark is funny because of a scene that happens in a club regarding one of the movie's antagonists, but I digress. Is Dogma "anti-catholic?" Without revealing too much, I want to say that Dogma does an excellent job of bringing up many questions worth asking. The answers could suggest that there's just as much pro-religion material in Dogma as anti. But Kevin Smith is preaching to his choir, if you will, and unfortunately those who need to see Dogma the most wouldn't dare risk being seen at a showing. They'll be falling asleep in church instead.

THUMBS UP! :)

10-point scale rating: 8

Mark's 1999 Movie List Rank: 8th out of 75 movies seen (.893 pct.)

Comparison Reviews: Roger Ebert: (*** 1/2); Steve Rhodes: (*** 1/2); James Bernardinelli: (** 1/2); Mr. Showbiz: (90/100); Entertainment Weekly: A -

MPAA Rating: R for strong language including sex-related dialogue, violence, crude humor and some drug content.

Mark's ratings of Kevin Smith's other movies as a point of reference: Clerks: (*** 1/2); Mallrats: (**); Chasing Amy: (****)

Now showing in theatres.