Dogma (1999)

5 Popcorn boxes

Cast out of heaven for all eternity, angels Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon), eager to return to paradise, concoct a way to re-enter heaven without being forgiven and welcomed back: they must travel to New Jersey and pass through the portals of a church being rededicated.  If they do, they will receive a plenary indulgence, and can pass directly into heaven.  There's one catch; if they do this, they destroy the world, since it will prove that God can be disobeyed without consequence.  Bethany Slone (Linda Fiorentino) is appointed by God (through Alan Rickman) to prevent that from happening.

The movie sparked widespread condemnation before its release, primarily from the Catholic league and fellow defenders of Catholicism.  Other Christians are likely to take offense at the language in the film (heavy on the f-word) and various behaviors of so-called religious figures in the film.  That said, the movie is an entertaining riff on Christianity, especially the Catholic church.  Director Kevin Smith wrote the film based on decades of thinking about what he learned in parochial school.

Affleck and  Damon are able as the two disgraced angles, Fiorentino is quietly and subtly in her role as Bethany Slone.   Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) are two prophets who are sent to assist Slone in keeping Bartleby and Loki out of the church, and, thus, heaven.  Alanis Morrisette and Bud Cort (in a small role) play God.  Alan Rickman, who is 'the voice of God', has a major part and, as usual, acquits himself well.  The late George Carlin ably plays Cardinal Ignatius Glick in a minor, yet memorable part.  The set design and production values are very good in the film, and portray the sometimes gritty side of New Jersey well.  The special effects are OK, but not great, but Smith didn't have a large budget to work with here.