haylz80

Welcome to the Ben Affleck Appreciation thread.
Due to circumstances we'll be continuing all our Ben related discussions here.
But it will be just as fun, we'll still have the Ologists list, games, news, avatar posting, fanart and of course - yummy pictures galore! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[img]smilies/star.gif[/img] ::Updated Ologist List:: [img]smilies/star.gif[/img]

LipOlogist = haylz80
ArmOlogist = chocolate_ice
VocabOlogist = Megean
ChubbOlogist = loscobres
AbsOlogist = NickChick
HandsOlogist = charmP/J
SmileOlogist = bens babe
CharmOlogist = Lanslady
DimpleOlogist = BBJifted
TattoosOlogist = gracie belle
AssOlogist = ILuvSean
HairOlogist = Kylee
GrinOlogist = Soup
EyeOlogist = AdriaMichelle
ChinOlogist = Cursed
GuttermouthOlogist = Cursed
KissOlogist = haylz80

Avatar collection, brought over from the board:

*Mana*


Michelle25


ROCKSTAR


Jennifer ~*Justified1/2*~


haylz80




*If anybody objects to their avatars being posted here, please let me know and I'll remove them. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

And what intro would be complete without a picture or 2. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]







Merry Christmas!


[ 12-24-2003: Message edited haylz80 ]

Cursed

Thanks for starting the thread Haylz! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

And thanks for bringing over all the stuff like the list too. Although I'm back to being Cursed now [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

haylz80

Okee, I have edited it. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Lena

Welcome back! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Jojo888

Today, Friday, 12-26-03, I went to see a noonday screening of "Paycheck" at my local Multi-screen theatre. This is only the second day of release in the USA for "Paycheck". I won't go into any details of the plot, 'cause I don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it yet, but I am very enthusiastic about the film. It's very fast paced and suspenseful. The special effects and camera work add to the exciting impact of the film, and the SciFi aspect of the plot isn't so far out as to make the plot silly or unbelievable. Ben is looking good in the film, and surprised me with a rather tanned look, as if he's been out of doors a lot. On the debit side, this is strickly an action adventure type film, with little time given to scenes that reveal the deeper emotions of the characters, but you're so swept away by the rush of events in the film that you don't even notice that much. I'm sure the film will be big box office. It's a guy-film spectacular, with Ben in it to please the ladies. Sounds like a hit to me !!
I'm sorry now that I didn't take the time to check out the premiere of the film. Since I live in Southern California, it wouldn't have been too far for me to go. I've been to two other premieres of Ben's films: Daredevil and Gigli. I put some of my pics from those premieres up on a little site of mine. See the link below, if you want to check out the pics.

Premiere Pics
Anyway, I'd recommend "Paycheck" even to people who aren't really Ben fans. It's one terrificly exciting movie experience.

haylz80

Jojo888 - Thanks for the review, I've been looking forwaed to Paycheck for a while. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Thanks for the links to the photos as well. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[img]smilies/wave.gif[/img] Hey Lena.

Ms. Isabel

Although Paycheck is basically an action film, there's a rather touching aspect to the relationship between Ben's and Uma's characters (who, I thought, had great chemistry) - the whole memory thing. I was surprised to actually find myself enjoying this film 'cause I'm certainly not into the sci-fi, action type stuff. But, this one was quite interesting. Kudos to Ben.

Maryannm

I also really loved Paycheck too and I saw it twice. Ben and Uma had really good chemistry together. I'm also glad it made 19.2 million from Thursday through Sunday Ben needed the boost after Gigli, let's hope Jersey Girl rules in March.

crazy4TheCalling

did anyone see Ben on Jay Leno last night? I did [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] That was funny when how he annouced that he was getting married to Matt Damon [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img]

[ 12-30-2003: Message edited crazy4TheCalling ]

Cursed

I missed it but I had it taped. I'm looking forward to popping in the tape and hearing him make the announcement [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img]

Maryannm

I taped it last night myself and I watched it this morning and he looked really cute.

Maryannm

yU + co Designs Main Title Sequence for John Woo's Paycheck
Press Release
Page 1 of 1

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yU + co explores the elusiveness and transience of memory in its absorbing main title sequence for the new John Woo thriller Paycheck. The design studio’s mercurial graphics, where words and names form out of random characters on a computer screen before being quickly erased, serve as a subtle metaphor for the conflict that besets the film’s protagonist who is engaged in a desperate struggle to reconstruct his past.

Additionally, yU + co assisted Woo in the design and execution of the film’s tense opening sequence. The four-minute sequence, which plays under the main title graphics, introduces Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck), an engineer who makes his living by stealing other engineers’ designs. Paycheck, from Paramount Pictures, was released December 25.

The vanishing graphics of the title sequence are intended to prefigure a central plot point in the film, according to yU + co creative director Garson Yu. “We wanted to convey the idea that Jennings has had his memory erased,” explained Yu. “The computer screen is a symbol for Jennings’ memory. Words emerge but are immediately erased. Those words are like the clues Jennings receives during the course of the story, clues he needs to reconstruct his past and understand what is happening to him.”

Although audience members aren’t likely to guess the significance of the vanishing titles until the film is well underway, the graphics are key to creating the film’s atmosphere and frame of reference. “We don’t want to give away the story, but we do want to get people to begin thinking,” said Yu. “We want them to view the movie as a puzzle, one where even the most obscure piece is necessary to complete the picture.”

In the live action sequence that plays under the main title graphics, the audience sees Jennings engage in an act of industrial espionage. After obtaining a new holographic computer at a trade show, he takes it into a laboratory and through a process of reverse engineering, reproduces an improved version of the device.

yU + co worked directly with Woo in designing the sequence and also created the visual effects and computer animation employed in it. Those effects include the hologram of a woman whose three-dimensional face emerges from a computer monitor and who later appears as a standalone 3D character. The effect was accomplished by shooting a woman against green screen and applying 2D lighting effects to give her the ephemeral quality of a hologram.

For the laboratory sequence, yU + co artists created a number of intricate computer animations to illustrate the process Jennings uses in his work. As Jennings deconstructs the device, its various internal parts become visible as 3D projections, allowing him to divine the secrets of the underlying technology.

“Our task was to develop a visual means for explaining the process of reverse engineering,” explained yU + co lead designer Yolanda Santosa. “Through research, we learned that reverse engineering is accomplished through trial and error. And so, in this sequence, Jennings tests and examines components of the computer and each time he learns something, it takes him deeper until he understands how it works.”

The live action portion of the scene with Jennings in the laboratory was filmed before the animation was produced. As a result, yU + co’s team not only had to create animations that made logical sense but also fit the Affleck’s physical actions as he moves around the laboratory. “We had to build the sequence around the live action,” Santosa said. “The film production provided us with dailies so that we could find shots that worked with our idea. It involved a lot of editing and a lot of experimenting with shots to see what made sense in terms of the whole sequence.”

yU + co worked hand in hand with Woo throughout the process of creating the main title and the opening sequence of Paycheck. “John wanted portray Jennings’ character as slick and confident, really smart,” said Yu. “Editorially, we strove to express that, using devices such as jump cuts and speed frames to make it contemporary and hip. John came to us with his vision and we sought to bring it to life.”

In addition to Paycheck, yU + co also created the main title sequence for Peter Pan, which also opened December 25. In addition, the studio has created main titles for Wicker Park and The Last Shot, both opening in 2004.

Paycheck credits for yU + co go to Garson Yu, creative director/designer; Jennifer Fong, executive producer; Conny Fauser, VFX Supervisor/Inferno Artist; Yolanda Santosa, lead designer; Martin Surya, designer; Emmy Leung & Zachary Scheuren, editors; Benjamin Lopez, Etsuko Uji & David Yan, 2D animtors; Nate Homan & Chris Vincola, 3D animators.

For more information, go to www.yuco.com.

Maryannm

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT Announces the 'ET Hot List' for 2003
Monday December 29, 11:00 am ET
2nd Annual List Ranks Stars of Film, Music, Television and Pop Culture


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, the #1 entertainment newsmagazine in the world, has named the top celebrities of 2003 in its second annual "ET Hot List," it was announced today by Linda Bell Blue, executive producer of ET. The "ET Hot List" is comprised of those celebrities who received the most mentions on the show over the course of the past year.
"It has been an incredibly eventful year of weddings, almost weddings, sex scandals, animal attacks and celebrity deaths," said Bell Blue. "And now we have ranked those stars and public figures who have been at the forefront of 2003's news as reported by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. There are a few upsets since last year and definitely several surprises."

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT'S HOT LIST OF THE TOP CELEBRITIES
OF 2003

1. Jennifer Lopez
2. Jennifer Aniston
3. Michael Jackson
4. Ben Affleck
5. Nicole Kidman
6. Catherine Zeta-Jones
7. Brad Pitt
8. Cameron Diaz
9. Britney Spears
10. Demi Moore
11. Renee Zellweger
12. Drew Barrymore
13. Halle Berry
14. Courteney Cox Arquette
15. Ruben Studdard
16. Clay Aiken
17. Madonna
18. Michael Douglas
19. John Ritter
20. Evan Marriott


Says Bell Blue, "The 2003 ET Hot List differs greatly from the 2002 List. This year, in the battle of the Jennifers, Lopez unseated Aniston as #1, Ben moved up a notch and Tom Cruise and America's 'Pretty Woman' didn't even rate." Here's last year's countdown: 1) Jennifer Aniston, 2) Jennifer Lopez, 3) Ben Affleck, 4) Tom Cruise, 5) Matthew Perry, 6) Brad Pitt, 7) Halle Berry and Liza Minnelli (tied), 8) Lisa Kudrow, 9) Britney Spears, 10) Matt LeBlanc, Michael Jackson and Nicole Kidman (tied), 11) Gwyneth Paltrow, 12) Madonna, 13) Will Smith, 14) Tom Hanks and Courteney Cox (tied), 15) David Schwimmer, 16) Julia Roberts, 17) Sarah Jessica Parker, 18) Paul McCartney, 19) Cameron Diaz, 20) Ozzy Osbourne.

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT is a leading, internationally recognized brand for entertainment news. Launched in 1981 as a first-run syndicated series, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT is the #1 entertainment newsmagazine in the world and consists of ET WEEKEND, the #1 weekly one-hour syndicated show; ET on MTV, which ranks among the top three programs on the network's Saturday lineup; ET on VH1; occasional primetime network specials such as "The Stars First Time With Mary Hart" (CBS) and "Entertainment Tonight Presents: Laverne & Shirley Together Again" (ABC); ET Radio Minute, syndicated by Westwood One to 7,700 stations nationwide; and ETonline.com. Produced and distributed by Paramount Domestic Television, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT is taped in Hollywood, California. Bureaus are located in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., London and Tokyo. Linda Bell Blue is executive producer.

Paramount Domestic Television is a part of the Viacom Entertainment Group, which includes the Paramount Motion Picture Group, Paramount Television Production, Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution, Paramount Worldwide Pay Television, Simon & Schuster and Paramount Enterprises (which is comprised of Paramount Parks, Famous Players Inc., Paramount's interest in United Cinemas International, Famous Music Publishing, Consumer Products and Paramount Digital Entertainment). Viacom Entertainment Group is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA - News), one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and music.

[ 12-30-2003: Message edited Maryannm ]

Maryannm

Delays keep Paulsboro waiting for 'Jersey Girl'
A Friday, March 19 release date has been set for the much-anticipated Kevin Smith-directed film "Jersey Girl," which had scenes shot over the summer and fall of 2002 in Paulsboro and Philadelphia.

Miramax Films, through its Web site, announced the release date.

Not long after filming wrapped in Paulsboro in October 2002, the movie -- starring Ben Affleck, George Carlin, Liv Tyler, Jason Biggs and Jennifer Lopez -- was to have a local screening, but after its release was pushed back twice it remained unknown if Paulsboro would get a glimpse.

"I have not heard any word yet, we hope something occurs," Paulsboro Mayor John Burzichelli said. "Kevin Smith said he wanted to do something and it's my intention to catch up with him after the first of the year and see what opportunity may be there. I know we are looking forward to seeing it."

Not only was Paulsboro the choice to shoot several scenes for the movie, Smith was immortalized in October 2002 when borough officials renamed Tyler Street to Kevin Smith Way.

The film follows the "perfect life" of Ollie Trinke (Affleck). He's married to the woman of his dreams (real life wife-to-be Lopez), has a baby on the way and has a great career as a music publicist in Manhattan, the Miramax Web site said.

But tragically, he becomes a single dad, fired from his job and is forced to head back to suburbia with his daughter (played by Raquel Castro) to live with his father (Carlin), according to the Web site. It's there Ollie meets up with a young, beautiful friend in Tyler. Jason Biggs, of "American Pie" franchise fame, has a role in the film.

The movie tagline for the PG-13 rated movie is: "He wanted it all .... but he got more than he bargained for."

In June, Smith, a native of the Garden State who was back in Philadelphia as a guest panelist for the Wizard World comic book convention, said the exact release date was February, but nothing was official.

Smith said at the time "Jersey Girl" is nothing like what he has done before -- his other films are the cult hits "Clerks," "Mallrats," "Chasing Amy," "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" -- even though he did produce the Academy Award-winning hit "Good Will Hunting," which Affleck and childhood friend Matt Damon co-wrote and co-starred.

"It's dialogue-driven, but not as driven as other stuff," Smith said of "Jersey Girl" in June. "Every movie I think starts to look better than the previous one."

On the day last year when a road in Paulsboro was named after him, Smith told those at the ceremony the film would premiere in Paulsboro. The film's release was pushed back twice: from October 2003 to February 2004 and now to March 19.

Questions e-mailed about a Paulsboro premiere for "Jersey Girl" to Smith's production company, View Askew Productions, did not get a response Friday and it's unknown if the town that hosted some of Hollywood's elite would get a showing. A telephone message left at Miramax's New York offices was not returned Friday.

Maryannm

LATimes 12/29 Getting Ben all Dolled Up




December 29, 2003


STYLE & CULTURE
Getting Ben all dolled up


The possibilities for an Affleck toy line seem endless
(Myung J. Chun / LAT)


By Rachael Abramowitz, Times Staff Writer


Reader advisory: Occasionally memos of great public interest find their way to the Los Angeles Times. This is not one of them. Instead this is an internal document we've uncovered on the status of the planned Ben Affleck Toy Line. Several names and all of the facts have been changed to protect the innocent. No animals were killed in the writing of this memo.

To: Spencer Mathisson,
Senior vice president
New product development, Mattel

From: Sally Devine,
Executive vice president
BenAbo Products, A Ben Affleck company


Dear Spencer,

Enclosed is a revised prototype of the Basic BenAbo doll for your approval. In our recent focus groups, the Ben "Neutral Expression" model received distinctly higher marks than the Ben "Sideways Grin" model.

Consumers in the target age range (8-12) and in the mature collectors' audience (25 and older) said that the former's more placid demeanor allowed for a richer imaginative experience. We've adjusted our design plans accordingly.

Also enclosed is a status update on several of the line extensions. We anticipate that the Basic BenAbo doll will be ready for a Valentine's Day launch and additions to the line can be rolled out in March.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sally

BenAbo Line Extensions

A. "Bennifer's Wedding"

Mr. Affleck has asked me again to express our regrets to you about the cancellation of the wedding and the impact it has on the "Bennifer Wedding" line. His agreement with Mattel, however, explicitly indemnifies him from bearing the cost of any change in design caused by unforeseen romantic complications. However, he believes that much of the expense that has gone into re-creating the Sept. 14 wedding at Santa Barbara's "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" church can be salvaged by renaming the line "Bennifer's Fantasy Wedding" and include alternate scenarios, such as "Bennifer's Hawaiian Fantasy" or "Bennifer's Snow Fantasy."

Furthermore, many of the extras would be suitable for any of the venues. They include:

Guests (the mini-Matt Damon, mini-Casey Affleck, mini-Bruce Willis, as well as a mini-versions of Ms. Lopez's wedding planner/choreographer, stylist, hair stylist, masseuse and manicurist).

Paparazzi, both doll versions, as well as a mini-camera truck and a mini-remote-controlled helicopter.

Mini-plastic "ice sculptures" of Ms. Lopez and Mr. Affleck kissing, cavorting in the surf and of Mr. Affleck spanking Ms. Lopez's behind.

Replicas of the groomsmen's De Grisogono watches and the bridesmaid's pink-sapphire heart necklaces.

Miniatures of the Affleck-Lopez fleet of cars, including a 1966 Chevelle, a green 2004 Range Rover, a silver 2004 Bentley and a black 2004 Rolls-Royce.

Photograph frames in the shape of magazine covers, including Time, Newsweek, InStyle, People, the National Enquirer and three versions of Us Weekly.

Mini-couture wedding dresses by Versace.

Detachable facial hair, including goatee, one-day growth and full beard.


B. "Mystery Date with Ben"

Maurizio Diconchetti has spent many weeks perfecting this modern update of the classic game.

As you know, players compete to win the "Ben" of their choice. The five possible Bens to be won include:


"Dude" Ben: This Ben dresses in a red sweatshirt with camouflage pants and a Mr. Goodwrench hat. He is sporting a straggly goatee and bears a rolled-up script in one hand. In micro-print on the script are the words "Good Will Hunting. Shooting script."

"J.F.K." Ben: Re-creates the low-key suit that Ben wore to the People for the American Way dinner, when he was awarded the Spirit of Liberty award. Given the fantasy element of the game, we feel the addition of horned-rimmed glasses will accentuate the "intellectual" element of his character. To reinforce the connection, he will be carrying a copy of John F. Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage."

"Movie Star" Ben: Features a replica of the Armani knee-length jacket, black slacks, loafers and cleanshaven look that Mr. Affleck sported when he accompanied Ms. Lopez to Paris to shoot her Louis Vuitton ads in April. (FYI: We're in discussions with Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana about the possible designs for the "Jennifer" playing pieces.)

"Lover" Ben: Sports the terry-cloth robe he wore in "Jenny From the Block." He is slightly tan and looks adoring.

"Naughty" Ben: Re-creates Affleck's July 17 visit to Brandi's Exotic Night Club in Vancouver, Canada. The background is black. He is wearing jeans and a brown plaid shirt and appears seated. Leaning into his lap is an unidentified woman's leg — clad only in fishnet stockings and a garter belt. We understand your reservations about promoting such a racy image to preteen girls, but we feel strongly that it's best to preserve some element of reality.

C. BenAbo Doll — The Jerry Bruckheimer Edition

While the Bennifer line targets the obvious audience of young girls, we feel there is untapped growth potential in a more male-oriented action-type figure that bears both Mr. Affleck's and Mr. Bruckheimer's insignia.

Unlike the Ben dolls in the basic BenAbo line, the Ben dolls in the "Bruckheimer Line" will be slightly bigger with more carefully delineated muscles, in the abdomen, arm and groin area. The basic model will come dressed in khakis and a blue Lacoste shirt. The "Armageddon" model comes with a spacesuit, and the "Pearl Harbor" model in a full Navy dress uniform. Both specialty models have attendant props, such as guns ... etc. Affleck is also slated to star as a basketball coach in "Glory Days", a Bruckheimer inspirational sports movie, and we are working with the film's costume designer to produce a wardrobe suitable for a mass-production doll.

Mr. Affleck has also been working recently to shore up his fan base of young men. He recently paid a holiday visit to troops in the Middle East and has been designated the Grand Marshal for this year's Daytona 500.

We think a Daytona 500-Jerry Bruckheimer-BenAbo doll would be a great addition to the series and have taken the liberty of commissioning both a Ben Affleck-Daytona 500 Hot Wheels car and a screenplay to star Mr. Affleck and Britney Spears as a husband and wife racing team.

There are two issues that need to be resolved before we can proceed with this line:


1. Mr. Bruckheimer's compensation. As befits his stature, Mr. Bruckheimer is demanding 7.5% of the gross as payment for using his name. This is steep, but Bruckheimer says he plans to put Mr. Affleck in a movie based on Disney theme-park ride (i.e., Space Mountain, the Movie) , which would obviously be a good product extension as well as good cross promotion with the Disney label.

2. Given Mr. Affleck's deal to promote L'Oreal hair products abroad, all hair on all the Ben-Abo dolls must conform to L'Oreal standards of height, volume and luster. However, the more coifed look is antithetical to the rugged manliness of the Affleck-Bruckheimer collection. We have designed a series of headgear for the dolls to circumvent the L'Oreal restrictions.


One last note: It is imperative that we move quickly from conception to production on all the BenAbo line extensions. Given the ephemeral nature of celebrity, it would be best to capitalize on fan interest with all due speed.

This said, in the extremely unlikely event that Mr. Affleck's romance with Ms. Lopez should dim, we have begun preliminary inquiries for a suitable replacement; one celebrity, in particular, has inspired great interest: Paris Hilton.