- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,397
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
For a young guy, he's 39, Ben Affleck has done his time in the industry. With a credit that goes back to 1981, when he was 9, his CV takes off around 1989-92, and never looks back.
He directed his first feature, Gone Baby Gone in 2007, but I believe that many were surprised at precisely how good his second feature, The Town (2010) turned out to be.
This is a taught crime-drama, shot on the streets of his home base, Boston. It's extended cut at 153 minutes is my preferred version over the 125 theatrical, which is also a terrific piece of entertainment.
But I was wondering what he could have up his sleeve regarding an alternate ending to the 153 cut, how drastically it might change the film, and whether it wasn't just another ploy to get the public to buy a few more discs.
I viewed the final fifteen minutes of both cuts last night, and wasn't terribly shocked, knowing that someone was at the helm with a firm hand, that the difference is huge.
Far better, and far less studio-like. This version goes for gritty, and unaffected.
What I don't understand is the huge box for this release, albeit filled with nice things that will delight the major fans of this film. I don't see it serving the general marketplace.
The problem that I'm having with this release is that the new (presumably) director's cut, is a worthwhile project. I just don't see it with all the normal WB bling at a list price of $49.99, streeting at $38.
Placing it in perspective, the big box set of Ben-Hur will run you $49, the non-boxed, $27. To make things even more interesting, the entire 4-disc set of The Godfather(s) is a Gold Box deal today at $25.
I appreciate The Town as a terrific film, and I like what's been done to it in this new incarnation. If it was a normal release of this updated version, at a nominal price, I'd be recommending.
RAH
He directed his first feature, Gone Baby Gone in 2007, but I believe that many were surprised at precisely how good his second feature, The Town (2010) turned out to be.
This is a taught crime-drama, shot on the streets of his home base, Boston. It's extended cut at 153 minutes is my preferred version over the 125 theatrical, which is also a terrific piece of entertainment.
But I was wondering what he could have up his sleeve regarding an alternate ending to the 153 cut, how drastically it might change the film, and whether it wasn't just another ploy to get the public to buy a few more discs.
I viewed the final fifteen minutes of both cuts last night, and wasn't terribly shocked, knowing that someone was at the helm with a firm hand, that the difference is huge.
Far better, and far less studio-like. This version goes for gritty, and unaffected.
What I don't understand is the huge box for this release, albeit filled with nice things that will delight the major fans of this film. I don't see it serving the general marketplace.
The problem that I'm having with this release is that the new (presumably) director's cut, is a worthwhile project. I just don't see it with all the normal WB bling at a list price of $49.99, streeting at $38.
Placing it in perspective, the big box set of Ben-Hur will run you $49, the non-boxed, $27. To make things even more interesting, the entire 4-disc set of The Godfather(s) is a Gold Box deal today at $25.
I appreciate The Town as a terrific film, and I like what's been done to it in this new incarnation. If it was a normal release of this updated version, at a nominal price, I'd be recommending.
RAH