Foul-mouthed filmmaker Kevin Smith celebrates his 40th birthday Monday, so before he blows out the candles on his cake and officially becomes a grown-up, Deal Central takes a look back at the many puerile laughs he has brought us over the years (and looks ahead to what his 40s will bring us).
Clerks (1994) -- This seminal black-and-white comedy, made for around $27,000, launched Smith's career, introduced us to a next-generation "Odd Couple" named Jay and Silent Bob, gave a negative connotation to the number 37 and helped put Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Miramax Films on the Hollywood map.
Memorable line: "I'm not even supposed to be here today!"
Grade: A-
Mallrats (1995) -- Smith's follow-up to "Clerks" wasn't as well-received but did introduce the term "snootchie bootchies" into the pop culture lexicon, which has to be worth something. The film features a classic "douchebag" performance from Ben Affleck and introduced audiences to a comic-obsessed skater named Jason Lee. Probably the funniest movie Smith has ever made.
Memorable line: "Say, would you like a chocolate-covered pretzel? They're a little melty but damn are they exquisite!"
Grade: A
Chasing Amy (1997) -- This sexually progressive comedy was Smith's most critically acclaimed film (it won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay), and one that reunited him with "Mallrats" stars Affleck, Lee and Joey Lauren Adams, who gives a career best performance as the titular lesbian.
Memorable line: "Archie was the bitch and Jughead was the butch. That's why Jughead wears that crown-looking hat all the time. He's the king of queen Archie's world."
Grade: B+
Dogma (1999) -- An incendiary comedy that drew controversy for being anti-Catholic and casting Chris Rock as an African American apostle and Alanis Morisette as a female God. Disney (Miramax's parent company) passed off the distribution rights to Lionsgate, and as a result, Mooby's was born.
Memorable line: "We figure an abortion clinic is a good place to meet loose women. Why else would they be there unless they like to f---?"
Grade: B
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) -- A hilarious road trip movie that dared to shine the spotlight on the supporting characters of Smith's past films. Line for line the most quotable movie in Smith's oeuvre. Plus you get Will Ferrell, a bevy of beautiful babes and one awesome monkey.
Memorable line: "Affleck, you the BOMB in 'Phantoms,' yo!"
Grade: A-
Jersey Girl (2004) -- A schmaltzy dramedy that reunited "Gigli" stars and offscreen item Jennifer Lopez and Affleck, aka Bennifer. The movie took its lumps in the press but it managed to have heart, plus the late George Carlin was great and Will Smith delivered a surprisingly funny cameo.
Semi-memorable line: "My mom and dad are very religious. At night I hear them scream, 'Jesus!'"
Grade: C
Clerks II (2006) -- A heartfelt movie about friendship that also features a compelling if unlikely love triangle featuring Brian O'Halloran, Rosario Dawson and Smith's wife, Jennifer Schwalbach.
