The Town

I had a trip to 'the town' last night and wellit is surprisingly entertaining. I still can't believe Ben Affleck can pull off everything (storyscreenplaydirectionstarring in a lead role) with such an ease. Three years after his debut directional venture 'Gone Baby Gone'Ben comes up with an ever better one this time.

A perfect combo of sold storycaptivating screenplayamazing writingbrilliant character developmentgood emotional content and brilliant cinematography (watch out for the shaky camerathis is the best camera work I've seen after 'Bourne' series) all together delivers an entertaining action thriller...worth a watch.

I was wrong about Ben Affleck. I never believed that Affleck was ever a star. I never saw him as a director-type. I do admit I was wrongthough. Ben Affleck was truly incredible as Doug McCrayand I've never seen him work his acting at such a high level. As far as the plot of the film goesit's very engaging. The trailer doesn't give this film justice as it's very intense and romantic at times.

Jeremy Renner is quite intimidating and Blake Lively is sexyBen Affleck is gripping and the supporting cast is incredibly powerful. I think the movie was powerful and not at all predictable. I couldn't wait to see what would happen and if Doug would get away. It's such a greatly crafted movie. From writing to acting this film is wickedly astounding.

I thought that the sex scene was over too quicklybut it was made up with all the action. I thoroughly enjoyed the chase scenes. I thought the action sequences were well-drawn out. I loved the bank robbery scenes of the blue masks and the nun outfits. I especially liked Ben's scenes with the sledge hammer and the scene where he says"if I think anything might happen to herI'm gonna kill both of you." It's a clip from the trailerbut it's so much better when it happens in the film.

It's driven as an action film with drama and romance on the side. There's a few chuckles along the waybut pretty much sparse. I thought the romance was done just enough and I felt the drama was perfectly done and drastically added to the plotas well as the tone of the film.

It's certainly the best heist movie I've ever seen. In comparisonif you called Inception a heist moviethis movie is a better heist movie. I really think this is the Heat of the decade. I truly believe that Affleck is in his peek of his career and this is his greatest performancedirectingwriting and acting. I'm overjoyed and excited to see his next piece of work.

Ben Affleck's The Town isn't just another bank robbery flick-it's a masterclass in tensionloyaltyand the cost of a life built on crime. Set in the rough streets of Charlestowna neighborhood infamous for producing career criminalsthe film pulses with authenticityblending high-stakes heists with the ever-present grip of the Irish mob.

Affleckboth in front of and behind the cameracrafts a slickatmospheric thriller where every move feels calculatedevery silence loaded with meaning. The action is sharp and unflinchingbut it's the underworld politics that give the story real weight. There's a rawstreet-level intensity to the film's depiction of organized crime-where bloodlines and business mixand walking away isn't an option.

For those craving a smartstylish crime drama with firepower and heartThe Town delivers in spades. It's a modern classic in the heist genre.

My Oh My how Ben Affleck has had a up and down career. Starting out as the cheesy yet funny guy in those Kevin Smith flicksto the academy award winning writer of "Good Will Hunting"all the way back down to the pathetic string of acting he produced only 10 years ago. But there is a silver lining....with his directorial debut in "Gone Baby Gone"and his much improved acting in "Hollywoodland". Ben Affleck is beginning to once again prove his worth in Tinsel Town. Hopefully he can continue to feverish pace.

Well i can say with complete justthat this is the best "Heist" movie since "Swordfish"......Now i know most of you may not like "Swordfish"but what other bank robbery movie can you compare it to in the past 10 years? Maybe "Snatch"? "Lock Stock"?....ehif you classify those movies as "Heist" picturesthan okayit's the best heist movie since "Snatch" or maybe even "Oceans 11"....either wayit's a big compliment.

Ben Affleck has certainly proved that "Gone Baby Gone" was not a fluke. He can actually direct a major motion picture. And not only can he do ithe does it very well. Sure the movie had some minor flawsbut nothing that takes too much away from the overall big picture. The best way i can compare it is.....it's like an east coast "Heat". Nowthe group is not as fool proof or professional as the gang in "Heat"......welllet's face ityou will probably never top that group in movie.....ever. But never the lessthe of film making really pulls you into each sequencewhether it be the action packed bank robberythe emotional dialog between charactersor the intense decisions the players all must endure.

The movie doesn't try to WOW! you by offering a different of bank robbery. Which is a good thingbecause you really run the risk of tripping over your own two feet in the process. But i really think the major factor in this filmwas the acting. Everyone came to play ball in this one........but i can also say this with complete confidence.......Ben Affleck was the best actor in this movie. Yesi know it's hard to swallow for some of youbut he really showed us allwhat he is truly capable of doing. So Mr. Afflecklet me tip my hat to you and say job well done sir. You took a lot of crap to the faceand you wiped it offand came back strong.

Bottom Line......Yesi can honestly say that this is one of the best movies of the year so far. Sure the movie gets a little sappy at the endbut it's pretty necessary. But overallyour very well entertained.

I read an article a few months ago about even after "Gone Baby Gone"people still wouldn't hire Affleck as a director. And he had to fight tooth and nail to land this deal. Wellhopefully now you can find more work buddybecause you have certainly earned it.

Four friends Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck)James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner)Albert Magloan (Slaine) and Desmond Elden (Owen Burke) are robbers working the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston. In their latest jobthey take the bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) hostage and then let her go. Doug fake dates Claire to make sure she can't ID them. He's also having sex with James' drugged out sister Krista Coughlin (Blake Lively). Meanwhile they are being investigated by the FBI led by Agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm).

This is a richly character driven crime thriller. Ben Affleck knows these characters well. And acting with the intense Jeremy Renner makes Affleck better. The only actor who looks out of place is Blake Lively. She just can't get rid of that Cali feel and her accent sounds terrible. Brit Rebecca Hall does a better job than her. The action is exciting. And the story is riveting. But it's the characters and the actors that are so engaging.