Matt unexpectedly turned up for his best buddy's film premiere ARGO, AT TIFF last night. Just read an interview with Ben today, where he was saying howling excited he was that Matt had finally made the move to LA, and they can now hangout together all the time. So cute!
ARGO is the latest efforts from Ben Affleck, who directed and starred in this excellent film based on true events, that chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. Ben has definitely hit his stride as a director. The film looks great and works a treat.
Ben Affleck turned 40 yesterday. I feel like I've known him since he was just a kid. Well it's been 20 years since I first met Ben in SCHOOL TIES, and then DAZED AND CONFUSED and then of course in 1997 GOOD WILL HUNTING. I thought Ben was cute, but he was a no go zone for me. you see I was dating his best friend, so although I loved him like a mate that was kinda as far as it went. GOOD WILL HUNTING is, and will always be one of my favourite films, and I so admired Ben and Matt for not only writing the script but sticking to their guns when signing with a studio. They wouldn't sign a deal unless they were attached as the lead actors, and it paid off.......in spades. Both Matt and Ben were loyal to people who helped them out in the early days. For example , Ben has appeared in many Kevin Smith films, whether the role was large or small. Think Chasing Amy, Mallrats, Dogma. He sang 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' to Liv Tyler in ARMAGEDDON and appeared in the gorgeous SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (falling in love with his co star Gwyneth Paltrow - do you remember those days? the double dates between he and Gwyneth and Matt and Winona?)
Then tragedy struck for Ben.........he started to date J Lo. He became Bennifer. He appeared in the film clip for 'Jenny from the block' (which to this day was his lowest point, but boy does it amuse me!), and the biggest tragedy of all, for any actor in the history of film making, he appeared in GIGLI. His career died. His relationship died. His bestie was going from strength to strength and he was being left behind. But Ben has clawed his way back. He is now not only noted for his acting chops but his work behind the camera is held in high regard e.g. THE TOWN, GONE BABY GONE, and the about to be released ARGO. He appears to have a happy homelife with Jen Garner and his 3 kids and he remains best friends with Matt.
Welcome back Ben Affleck. We celebrate you and your sometimes forgotten hotness!
It's the day for bad hair. I'm thinking Ben must have just been to the hairdressers. You know how you pay so much at the hairdressers and then you walk out and then the first thing you have to do is get far enough away from the hairdresser's window so you can mess that 'do' up. Well, I believe the camera has caught ben, post hairdresser, pre mess up!! Am hoping, anyway!!!!
Well this has made my week... not only are we going to see Erica Durance back soon but Tom Welling has been cast to play the lead in Ben Affleck's adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel "A Dog's Ransom". Ahhh Tom, it will be good to see you again.
Ben Affleck will be directing from a script by Justin Theroux based on the novel, and Tom will be starring alongside Leighton Meester and Hugh Laurie.
Here's a bit of an idea of what it's about -
"One day, publishing house executive Ed Reynolds finds a disturbing ransom note in the Manhattan apartment he shares with his wife: "Dear sir: I have your dog, Lisa. She is well and happy... I gather she is important to you? We'll see." As the couple slowly realise the predicament they're in, it becomes painfully clear that an ambitious kidnapper really has hit them where it hurts..."
Apparently Tom is not playing the publishing executive but a young police officer who becomes obsessed with rescuing the kidnapped dog and bringing justice to the kidnapper.
This pic is from an untitled Terence malick project in which the official synopsis is " a powerful and moving love story" It stars Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Javier Bardem, Rachel Weisz.
This photo is really beautiful and I hope the pic lives up to the magic of it....
If not, you must. What a seriously great film this is.
Written, directed and starred in by Ben Affleck. After watching this, you will forget about Pearl harbour, you will forget about Jenny from the Block, and you will forget about Gigli, Ben Affleck is back and deserves some serious film making recognition for THE TOWN.
The story is essentially a crime thriller, but its got heart and emotion and it takes you on a ride. I had heard it compared to HEAT, which is one of the best of this genre, and whoever compared the two, was right. This is a great film indeed. The story of four 'friends' who rob banks together, the FBI agent who is chasing them, and the girl who gets in the way!
You may have worked out, from previous reviews, but I am all about casting, and this is casting brilliance. Firstly and most importantly, cast yourself in a film you know will be great, good one Ben. Next, one of my girl crushes, Rebecca hall. I love this chick, she is beautiful and talented and I hope to see all future films starring her (if you are not familiar watch Vicky Cristina Barcelona or Frost Nixon). Jeremy Renner, who only popped up on my radar after seeing him in The Hurt Locker continues to impress as the bad ass bank robber. Even Blake Lively, is perfect in her role as a druggy, single mother. And Jon Hamm, as the relentless FBI Agent is sublime, I think the world maybe needs more Jon Hamm!
The whole bank robbing story is clearly not a new one, but THE TOWN makes it feel fresh. I left this film not wanting it to end, that doesn't happen very often.
All this talk of Matt Damon's bottom in School ties has led to this week's retro Sunday. SCHOOL TIES is a film not that well known, but where I first really discovered Matt Damon. Although I was familiar with his one line in MYSTIC PIZZA, true love was not yet to be! I took myself off to see this film by myself in 1993, not really knowing much about it, but fell in love with it, and all the boys in it!
"Set in the 1950s, School Ties sheds light on the "true" nature of the old boys club. David Green (Fraser), a supreme athlete, is granted admission to an exclusive boarding school reserved for the country's blue bloods. Green hopes to use the school to get into Harvard, while the school uses him to win football championships. Everything is going as planned until a spoiled classmate Charlie Dillon (Damon), finds out that Green is Jewish. Given the time and circumstances, this does not sit well with his classmates. The movie comes to a climax when the classmates are forced to choose between Green and Dillon in a cheating scandal. The movie really highlights the religious inequality that took place at that time in America. One also comes to realize how the elite maintain their status and privilege by attending schools such as the one in this movie." synopsis courtesy IMDB.
I guess the star of the film is Brendan Fraser, who to be honest, has never floated my boat, but he is excellent as David Green, the outsider with a secret. Chris O'donnell, was also good, and then there was Matt Damon, who plays an absolutely hideously nasty kid, but you can definitely see his potential. The supporting cast also includes Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, who also went onto to GOOD WILL HUNTING after becoming friends with Matt and Ben on the set, and of course there was a girl that was in a love triangle with the leads played by an actress by the name of Amy Locane.
Anyway, if you liked DEAD POETS SOCIETY and GOOD WILL HUNTING, you should give SCHOOL TIES a watch!
Ben Affleck turned 40 yesterday. I feel like I've known him since he was just a kid. Well it's been 20 years since I first met Ben in SCHOOL TIES, and then DAZED AND CONFUSED and then of course in 1997 GOOD WILL HUNTING. I thought Ben was cute, but he was a no go zone for me. you see I was dating his best friend, so although I loved him like a mate that was kinda as far as it went. GOOD WILL HUNTING is, and will always be one of my favourite films, and I so admired Ben and Matt for not only writing the script but sticking to their guns when signing with a studio. They wouldn't sign a deal unless they were attached as the lead actors, and it paid off.......in spades. Both Matt and Ben were loyal to people who helped them out in the early days. For example , Ben has appeared in many Kevin Smith films, whether the role was large or small. Think Chasing Amy, Mallrats, Dogma. He sang 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' to Liv Tyler in ARMAGEDDON and appeared in the gorgeous SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (falling in love with his co star Gwyneth Paltrow - do you remember those days? the double dates between he and Gwyneth and Matt and Winona?)
