Argo

There are always those names in Hollywood that are basically the butt of everyone's jokes. Usually it's from a string of misfires they starred in. Other times it's because of a highly publicized incident. (Remember Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch? Or Joaquin Phoenix's stunt on David Letterman? Or Robert Downey, Jr. during the 90s?) You honestly wonder if they'll ever be taken seriously.

Take Ben Affleck for example. After winning an Oscar for co-writing Good Will Hunting, his career sort of went...downhill. A string of critical bombs, a highly publicized relationship with Jennifer Lopez and just bad judgment on the movies he did (Gigli, anyone?) made him go from A-list actor to C-list joke. Then he made Gone Baby Gone and The Town, and Affleck got the last laugh. (How do like them apples?)

In fact, Affleck's new film Argo might have him laughing all the way to the Oscars. The reason? It's to date his best work as a director. (And maybe as an actor.) You honestly don't see a film this brilliant and gripping nowadays.

What makes Argo so compelling is that the plot sounds so outlandish and insane, it can only be from Hollywood. Guess what? It actually happened. You gotta love it when a small but crucial event in history comes to light, and it's just truly fascinating from all angles.

Argo is without a doubt one of the best films of the year. The film proves you don't need excessive violence, sex and swearing to tell a great story; you just need a damn good script and damn good actors. Affleck also proves that the third time is most definitely the charm. (Wonder which film would make a good double feature with Argo? Good Night, and Good Luck or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?)

My Rating: *****

The Town

You know what's always entertaining? When an actor who's in a number of bad movies appears in something good, making everyone go, "Fuck, they're good". That, to me, is priceless.

Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is a longtime thief who is planning his next job. Problems arise when he falls for Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall), the manager of a bank he had previously robbed (which doesn't sit well with Jem Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), one of his crew) and his crew starts to get tracked down by FBI agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm).

The Town shows that Affleck ain't no one trick pony. Here, he writes, directs and acts, all of which he does excellently. Renner continues to show promise for his career with this performance. Hall also gives a strong performance. Hamm, whom many may know him from Mad Men, also shows good promise with his performance. In summary, The Town kicks serious ass and is one you shouldn't miss.

My Rating: ****1/2

Gone Baby Gone

Dennis Lehane is renowned for his Boston-based crime novels (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone). The adaptations of his works are just as well-known.

When 4 year old Amanda McCready disappears from her home and the police make little headway in solving the case, the girl's aunt Beatrice (Amy Madigan) hires private investigators Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan). They admit that they have little experience with this type of case, but the family wants them for two reasons: they're not cops and they know the tough neighborhood in which they all live. As the case progresses, Kenzie and Gennaro face drug dealers, gangs and pedophiles. When they finally solve the case, they are faced with a moral dilemma that tears them apart.

Ironic, once you think of it. Ben Affleck isn't that great of an actor, but he's a better director. Not a first time thing (*cough* Sofia Coppola *cough*), but still it's impressive. Having seen two other Lehane adaptations (Mystic River and Shutter Island), I knew what to expect. It's definitely an ambitious and impressive directorial debut.

My Rating: ****1/2