Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Writer-director Kevin Smith's fifth and final installment of his New Jersey Chronicles (which began in 1994 with the breakout, low-budget comedy Clerks) is a chance for scene-stealing, foulmouthed stoner Jay (Jason Mewes) and his taciturn sidekick/'hetero life mate' Silent Bob (Smith) to carry their own movie. When comic store mogul Brodie (Jason Lee, reprising his Mallrats role) informs Jay and Silent Bob that a movie featuring their comic book alter egos, Bluntman and Chronic, is about to be made, the duo demands a cut from the comic's creator, Holden (Ben Affleck, in his Chasing Amy role). Holden explains that his ex-partner, Banky (Lee again) has sold them out, and shows them some angry Internet posts from Bluntman and Chronic fans. Fearing for their reputations, Jay and Silent Bob embark on a cross-country odyssey to Hollywood to stop the film. En route, they run afoul of a Charlie's Angels-type jewelry thief ring - one of whom, Justice (Shannon Elizabeth) takes a liking to Jay - an orangutan, a Federal Wildlife Marshall (Will Ferrell), and Miramax studio security. Smith's fond farewell to his intertwined Jersey characters is a lovingly crude, broad comedy rife with celebrity cameos, slapstick movie spoofs, and clever jabs at Hollywood. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)