CLERKS vs THE BROTHERS McMULLEN - which is the better debut film?

[Buttmunker]

Clerks by writer/actor/directorKevin Smith was released in 1994.

The Brothers McMullen by writer/actor/director Edward Burns was released in 1995.

Both were filmed on a shoestring budget; both were "independent films;" both were written and directed by amateur, first-timers.

The only difference I can see is that Kevin Smith has more of a cult following than Edward Burns, even though Edward Burns emerged as a higher-paid actor (to be fair, Kevin Smith never projected himself as "actor" - he was more into writing and directing).

Which film will be remembered as "best?"

[Suprmallet]

Um, Clerks by far. The Brothers McMullen had a little indie hype when it came out, but it has not passed into the cultural consciousness in any significant way. Plus it turned out Edward Burns wasn't really able to keep up with the writing and the directing, although I do like him as an actor.

[scott1598]

no contest!

http://www.dvdplanet.com/images/MuzeDVDCovers/38/230738.jpg

[DeputyDave]

I gotta go against the grain. I like Clerks and think it’s a cute little movie. I also understand the cult following and slavish devotion that Smith has.

That said, taken independently from the hype and judged solely on directorial merit and writing ability, The Brothers McMullen is a better over all film.

[GoldenJCJ]

I agree with Dave. If I didn't know better I wouldn't even have thought The Brothers McMullen was a directorial debut. Clerks on the other hand has "film school" written all over it.

The only reason Clerks has such a large following is that it's audience has worked in such fields and can relate to the material.

[PopcornTreeCt]

George Washington

[valkyrie]

I'm going to go against the grain here, too. Brothers was a far better flim. His "sequels" (i.e., follow-ups) weren't horrible, he just kept typcasting himself, of all people. He keeps playing the same character.

[Gerry P.]

Clerks by a country mile.

[riley_dude]

I gotta go against the grain. I like Clerks and think it’s a cute little movie. I also understand the cult following and slavish devotion that Smith has.

That said, taken independently from the hype and judged solely on directorial merit and writing ability, The Brothers McMullen is a better over all film.
Brothers McMullen held a lot more emotional weight which makes me choose it over Clerks.

[Charlie Goose]

That said, taken independently from the hype and judged solely on directorial merit and writing ability, The Brothers McMullen is a better over all film.
Definitely. Clerks looks like something a couple of doofuses filmed for laughs and stuck on public access television. The direction, writing, and cinematography are poor. The performances are laughably terrible, almost to the Plan 9 from Outer Space level. Everything about it is amateurish, and that's being very very generous.

[ryuryu2949]

Clerks. While Clerks was funny, Brothers was somewhat annoying.

[CreamyGoodness]

The Brothers....Who?

[wendersfan]

<b>The Brothers McMullen</b>

[pjflyer]

I would rate them equally. I consider both to be minor masterpieces and have watched everything they have made since.

I enjoyed "The Groomsmen" and "Looking for Kitty" and wish they would have found some kind of audience.

One thing for Burns, he hasn't made a movie as bad as "Jersey Girl."

[rexinnih]

Clerks.

[Nefarious]

I'm a fan of Kevin Smith and have seen all the movies and enjoyed them. I've only watched Clerks twice whereas I've probably watched The Brothers McMullen 7 or 8 times.

The Brothers McMullen is a much better film.

[DonnachaOne]

One thing for Burns, he hasn't made a movie as bad as "Jersey Girl."
Have you seen the one with Bon Jovi?

[The Bus]

George Washington

:lol:

[rkndkn]

I would rate them equally. I consider both to be minor masterpieces and have watched everything they have made since.

I enjoyed "The Groomsmen" and "Looking for Kitty" and wish they would have found some kind of audience.



Yeah, I really enjoyed "The Groomsmen" and have "Kitty" in my to-watch pile.

I love both "Clerks" and "Brothers" but would have to pick "Brothers" as the better film.

[Brack]

Clerks.

[scott1598]

The only reason Clerks has such a large following is that it's audience has worked in such fields and can relate to the material.
i don't think that is entirely accurate. i have never worked in the field and was blown away by "Clerks" the first time i saw it. simply because the writing is stellar and the crisp banter back and forth was something i have never seen before or even liked before enjoying this one immensely. it isn't about the acting in anyway shape or form, it is simply about the dialogue and interactions of everyday people in everyday situations, slightly exaggerated that is.

[pjflyer]

Have you seen the one with Bon Jovi?

I have. I don't love it, but I think it is a fine movie. It is a bit depressing, but it did seem to have characters and situations that exist in real life.

For my money, the worst Burns film was "Ash Wednesday"

[meritocracy]

The Brothers McMullen

[vedderstapp]

Obviously, in terms of the collective conciousness, ''Clerks'' is far more recognisable, but as an overall experience, and in a ''i'm the teacher, and I have to grade it'' sort of way, Brothers McMullen is a better overall film - better script, better actors, better pretty much everything.

But, in fairness, it's like comparing Porky's to Terms Of Endearment.

[RichC2]

Porky's

[Sean O'Hara]

Bottle Rocket

[Nefarious]

Bottle Rocket

Yeah, throwing that into the equation would make it a landslide. It's the freaking cherry on top sundae of the bunch.

[vedderstapp]

Bottle Rocket

I'd take Brother McMullen over Bottle Rocket. It never quite did it for me.

[Buttmunker]

if you're going to draw outside the lines, I can, too! Reservoir Dogs

[mijorico]

The bits and pieces I've seen from Brothers McMullen did not make me want to see any more. So I'd have to say Clerks is the better movie.

[zekeburger1979]

The Shawshank Redemption. Thread over.

Of the two posted by the OP, I would say Clerks by far. I like The Brothers McMullen, but Clerks is superior.

I'm not even supposed to be here today! :)

[thecrazydude]

Clerks by a Billion Trillion Kazillion Miles

[Amel]

Since I've watched Clerks way more than BM, I'd have to vote Clerks.

BM's a damn good film but Clerks has a much higher re-watch value. I dig Burns alot and have seen most of his films and have liked them all. Yes, even the one with Bon Jovi. The best Burns' flick for me will always be "She's The One"; which is strange because I can hardly watch Aniston or Diaz in anything else. But that movie is damn, damn good and still gives me great laughs much in the way that Clerks does.

"Let me get this straight. You don't wanna cheat on your girlfriend with your wife?"

[Buttmunker]

I think my favorite sarcastic Edward Burns line would have to be "so let me get this straight. I have to wash the dish before I put it in the dishwasher." I think that line's from "BM."