Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood?

Follow @empiremagazine

Forum Home

Register for Free!

Log In

Moderator Tickets

FAQ

Users Online

Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood?

Logged in as: Guest

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Film Forums] >> Actors And Auteurs >> Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood?

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 9:46:56 AM

MuckyMuckMan

Posts: 2319
Joined: 1/10/2005

Clint Eastwood has proven that actors can turn their hands at film making in spectacular fashion (Pale Rider, Outlaw Josey Wales, Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Changeling, Mystic River) but having seen the brilliant Argo at the Leeds Film Festival last night I am coming to the conclusion (albeit at the early stages of his career) that Ben Affleck will take over the reigns from Eastwood when he retires, in terms of actor comes good as an extremely gifted director.

He has already made three great films in Argo, Gone Baby Gone and The Town (also writer of the last two as well as co-writer of Good Will Hunting) and I reckon he will continue this rich vein of form in film making.

What do you think of Affleck taking over Eastwood's mantle as Actor turned great Director?

< Message edited by MuckyMuckMan -- 2/11/2012 10:58:24 AM >

_____________________________

My Film Collection:
http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/MuckyMuckMan
Last 5 films seen
Gone Baby Gone 4.5/5
The Natural 4/5
Aliens 5/5
The Hobbit 2/5
Life of Pi 5/5

Post #: 1

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 10:10:22 AM

boaby

Posts: 2786
Joined: 29/12/2006
From: Aberdeenshire

The only person capable of being Clint Eastwood is Marty McFly.

Until Affleck makes a film with an Orangutan, a western worthy of the name and gets confused by an empty chair then he's just Matt Damon's less talented mate.

_____________________________

"Aberdonians, and with some degree of purpose and right on their side, have absolute contempt for Glasgow. There is a side of Aberdonians who, let's be absolutely honest about this, feel so superior to Glasgow that you can measure it by the yard."

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 2

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 10:54:48 AM

MuckyMuckMan

Posts: 2319
Joined: 1/10/2005

I disagree about Affleck being Damon's less talented mate. OK he isn't as good in the acting stakes but in all other aspects of filmmaking Affleck is far superior. Damon hasn't directed or written a film in his own right, unlike Affleck, hence why I'm putting him in the same bracket as Eastwood (but as previously stated Affleck is early in his career in terms of director).

_____________________________

My Film Collection:
http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/MuckyMuckMan
Last 5 films seen
Gone Baby Gone 4.5/5
The Natural 4/5
Aliens 5/5
The Hobbit 2/5
Life of Pi 5/5

(in reply to boaby)

Post #: 3

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 10:59:04 AM

Dannybohy

Posts: 940
Joined: 7/1/2009

He should stop fuckin around with cameras and get the Red leather back on!!

_____________________________

�If you hate Nolan I pity you'
-Anonymous Nolan fan

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 4

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 11:01:27 AM

horribleives

Posts: 4183
Joined: 12/6/2009
From: The North

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dannybohy

He should stop fuckin around with cameras and get the Red leather back on!!

Aye, I wish he'd stop dragging his feet and give us that Gigli sequel too.

_____________________________

www.hollywoodunbound.co.uk - some nonsense about alien film directors and musclebound man-children.

(in reply to Dannybohy)

Post #: 5

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 11:14:40 AM

OPEN YOUR EYES

Posts: 3464
Joined: 5/2/2012
From: Living on Lynch's quiff

Affleck was never a truly terrible actor, he was just average.
But he has certainly found his creative eye behind the camera and it seems,at this moment,to be coming up trumps.

_____________________________

?eeffoc emos ekil uoy dluow

(in reply to horribleives)

Post #: 6

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 11:17:31 AM

MuckyMuckMan

Posts: 2319
Joined: 1/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: OPEN YOUR EYES

Affleck was never a truly terrible actor, he was just average.
But he has certainly found his creative eye behind the camera and it seems,at this moment,to be coming up trumps.

Agreed, 100%

_____________________________

My Film Collection:
http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/MuckyMuckMan
Last 5 films seen
Gone Baby Gone 4.5/5
The Natural 4/5
Aliens 5/5
The Hobbit 2/5
Life of Pi 5/5

(in reply to OPEN YOUR EYES)

Post #: 7

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 4:03:51 PM

matty_b

Posts: 12856
Joined: 19/10/2005
From: Outpost 31 calling McMurtle.

Apart from the fact they're both actors-turned-directors, I don't think Affleck and Eastwood have much in common to be honest.

When Eastwood started directing, he had a very identifiable persona and a lot of his directorial output has been about playing with that and deconstructing the genre he was most famous for. Even his poorer films are exploring that to a degree - Gran Torino for example.

Affleck, as much as I really rate him, doesn't have that - yet. He's displayed a great aptitude for capturing a certain blue-collar existence and has handled two great thrillers very confidently (yet to see Argo), but I don't think he's made anything as interesting as Eastwood's best films yet.

I want to stress that this isn't to be down on Affleck, I've loved his first two films and have high hopes for Argo, I'm just not sure a comparison with Eastwood is valid other than some surface similarities.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cool Breeze
Mattyb is a shining example of what the perfect Empire Forum member is.

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 8

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 6:28:13 PM

MuckyMuckMan

Posts: 2319
Joined: 1/10/2005

I see where you're coming from but I just stating that Affleck could become the equivalent of Eastwood in terms of directorial output based on the start of his directing career. I'm in no way suggesting he's in Eastwood's league as yet but I do think he will get in that league if he continues in the form he's presently going in.

_____________________________

My Film Collection:
http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/MuckyMuckMan
Last 5 films seen
Gone Baby Gone 4.5/5
The Natural 4/5
Aliens 5/5
The Hobbit 2/5
Life of Pi 5/5

(in reply to matty_b)

Post #: 9

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 6:51:24 PM

matty_b

Posts: 12856
Joined: 19/10/2005
From: Outpost 31 calling McMurtle.

Yes, I think you could be right. Here's hoping, at any rate.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cool Breeze
Mattyb is a shining example of what the perfect Empire Forum member is.

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 10

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 2/11/2012 7:34:54 PM

Darth Marenghi

Posts: 2948
Joined: 10/10/2010
From: Manchester

quote:

ORIGINAL: MuckyMuckMan

I see where you're coming from but I just stating that Affleck could become the equivalent of Eastwood in terms of directorial output based on the start of his directing career. I'm�in no way�suggesting he's in Eastwood's league as yet but I do think he will get in that league if he continues in the form he's presently going in.

Indeed - although I've yet to see Argo. If he broadens his range a bit he'll probably outmatch Clint quite easily in a few years.

_____________________________

Invisible Text for SPOILERS: "color=#F1F1F1" Spoiler text "/color" , then change the quotation marks to square brackets.

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 11

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 3/11/2012 10:47:01 PM

ElephantBoy

Posts: 7321
Joined: 13/4/2006

It is too early in Affleck's directing career to really compare his work with anyones. Seems he is more ambitious as far as subject matter goes at this early stage than Clint was. I give him credit for that at least.

Have only seen one of his three films so far which was the Town and really didn't see what the fuss was about. It was weakened by Affleck's ego and the way he had to be at the center of every scene pretty much and overshadow the story and fine supporting cast. It was pretty stylish in places, but still a routine thriller. Argo is an exciting idea, so will give it a look.

(in reply to Darth Marenghi)

Post #: 12

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 4/11/2012 2:17:32 PM

vad3r

Posts: 4229
Joined: 3/9/2010
From: Close to Mod HQ

Eastwood has had a great directorial career with the likes of:

Changeling
Flags of Our Fathers
Gran Torino
Letter From Iwo Jima
Million Dollar Baby
Mystic River
Unforgiven

_____________________________

Single Virgin

Mod Candidate 2013

quote:

ORIGINAL: horribleives
To paraphrase the great man himself:

Vad3r won't go anywhere near this.

(in reply to ElephantBoy)

Post #: 13

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 4/11/2012 4:44:59 PM

Deviation

Posts: 26908
Joined: 2/6/2006
From: Enemies of Film HQ

quote:

ORIGINAL: vad3r

Eastwood has had a great directorial career with the likes of:

Changeling
Flags of Our Fathers
Gran Torino
Letter From Iwo Jima
Million Dollar Baby
Mystic River
Unforgiven

Sarcasm?

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dpp1978
There are certainly times where calling a person a cunt is not only reasonable, it is a gross understatement.

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49
I really wish I could go down to see Privates

(in reply to vad3r)

Post #: 14

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 4/11/2012 6:19:49 PM

vad3r

Posts: 4229
Joined: 3/9/2010
From: Close to Mod HQ

quote:

ORIGINAL: Deviation

quote:

ORIGINAL: vad3r

Eastwood has had a great directorial career with the likes of:

Changeling
Flags of Our Fathers
Gran Torino
Letter From Iwo Jima
Million Dollar Baby
Mystic River
Unforgiven

Sarcasm?

No, are you being sarcastic? Changeling is a genuinely great film.

_____________________________

Single Virgin

Mod Candidate 2013

quote:

ORIGINAL: horribleives
To paraphrase the great man himself:

Vad3r won't go anywhere near this.

(in reply to Deviation)

Post #: 15

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 4/11/2012 7:00:04 PM

Deviation

Posts: 26908
Joined: 2/6/2006
From: Enemies of Film HQ

It would have been if it was more consistent and didn't change tone every 3 seconds.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dpp1978
There are certainly times where calling a person a cunt is not only reasonable, it is a gross understatement.

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49
I really wish I could go down to see Privates

(in reply to vad3r)

Post #: 16

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 4/11/2012 9:39:11 PM

MonsterCat

Posts: 6208
Joined: 24/3/2011
From: St. Albans, Hertfordshire

quote:

ORIGINAL: horribleives

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dannybohy

He should stop fuckin around with cameras and get the Red leather back on!!

Aye, I wish he'd stop dragging his feet and give us that Gigli sequel too.

I think you're both missing the bigger picture here. Clearly a sequel to Surviving Christmas is the way to go.

_____________________________

C*** and mocker of board members since March, 2011

Films watched in 2013

(in reply to horribleives)

Post #: 17

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 6/11/2012 10:42:20 AM

thedrin

Posts: 546
Joined: 9/1/2007
From: Ireland

I hope not. I've only seen one Affleck film; Gone Baby Gone, and it was far more interesting and entertaining than anything I've seen directed by Eastwood. Eastwood is a technically excellent director but dull as ditchwater.

I didn't realise that The Town was held in such high esteem or that it was directed by Affleck. I've been looking forward to the adaption of the story behind Argo since before I found out there would be an adaption.

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 18

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 6/11/2012 12:26:33 PM

Coyleone

Posts: 480
Joined: 13/10/2008

Well, Gone Baby Gone was a brilliant thriller, and I loved The Town. Argo looks great and has a great story behind it. Affleck is becoming one of the directors to watch in hollywood I think.

(in reply to thedrin)

Post #: 19

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 7/11/2012 1:32:19 PM

Dannybohy

Posts: 940
Joined: 7/1/2009

eastwood is a great Director. Acting on the other hand?. Even his self directed movies would of been better with another actor, he went and caught what I call `Costner Syndrome`.

_____________________________

�If you hate Nolan I pity you'
-Anonymous Nolan fan

(in reply to Coyleone)

Post #: 20

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 7/11/2012 7:42:29 PM

DancingClown

Posts: 3552
Joined: 8/1/2006
From: The Lot

quote:

ORIGINAL: Coyleone

Well, Gone Baby Gone was a brilliant thriller, and I loved The Town. Argo looks great and has a great story behind it. Affleck is becoming one of the directors to watch in hollywood I think.

I agree. And I do hope he takes on The Stand.

_____________________________

Astronomic Tune Boy

'The town knew darkness, and darkness was enough.'

"Storm just bleeewwww me away..."

(in reply to Coyleone)

Post #: 21

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 9/11/2012 11:00:02 AM

ElephantBoy

Posts: 7321
Joined: 13/4/2006

I do like some of Eastwoods filmsnas director, not least some of the more recent serious films and Unforgiven, its just most of the Westerns I don't really rate.

(in reply to DancingClown)

Post #: 22

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 9/11/2012 10:51:47 PM

siegfried

Posts: 13274
Joined: 16/12/2007
From: Long ago and far away

I do hope that Ben Affleck is not becoming the next Clint Eastwood, because with a very few exceptions (Unforgiven and Changeling among them) I've been completely underwhelmed by most of Eastwood's output.
Affleck, on the other hand, appears to be going from strength to strength, not only as a writer/director but also as an actor.

_____________________________

"Premeditated murder is one thing, but I will not have lying in this house."

Marriage is one of those things that is best gotten over with in youth - like chicken pox.

Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends.

(in reply to ElephantBoy)

Post #: 23

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 10/11/2012 12:29:49 PM

Rhubarb

Posts: 24398
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: No Direction Home

Did anyone see Daniel Day-Lewis BAFTA speech the other night? He's the new Clint.

_____________________________

Team Ginge
WWLD?

quote:

ORIGINAL: FritzlFan

You organisational skills sicken me, Rhubarb.

(in reply to siegfried)

Post #: 24

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 10/11/2012 1:47:01 PM

MovieAddict247

Posts: 3359
Joined: 5/6/2009

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rhubarb

Did anyone see Daniel Day-Lewis BAFTA speech the other night? He's the new Clint.

_____________________________

VOTE NOW for your favourite vocalist - Empire's Favourite Voices

(in reply to Rhubarb)

Post #: 25

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 12/11/2012 7:38:56 PM

ElephantBoy

Posts: 7321
Joined: 13/4/2006

The more I think about this the more I see Affleck as becoming more of a George Clooney like director blending politics and genre asphtics.

(in reply to MovieAddict247)

Post #: 26

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 13/11/2012 9:24:09 AM

MuckyMuckMan

Posts: 2319
Joined: 1/10/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: ElephantBoy

The more I think about this the more I see Affleck as becoming more of a George Clooney like director blending politics and genre asphtics.

I can't agree with that as they both have very little output as directors. In fact I think Afflecks output is better than Clooney's. It's too early in both of their directorial careers to state they are political genre film makers also. To say he is becoming more like George Clooney when (in my eyes) he's only made two note worthy films Goodnight and Good luck (which I personally wasn't all that enamoured by) and the impressive Ides of March is verging on ludicrous.

_____________________________

My Film Collection:
http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/MuckyMuckMan
Last 5 films seen
Gone Baby Gone 4.5/5
The Natural 4/5
Aliens 5/5
The Hobbit 2/5
Life of Pi 5/5

(in reply to ElephantBoy)

Post #: 27

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 13/11/2012 11:05:08 AM

Nexus Wookie

Posts: 2247
Joined: 24/9/2011
From: the Godcity

quote:

ORIGINAL: siegfried

I do hope that Ben Affleck is not becoming the next Clint Eastwood, because with a very few exceptions (Unforgiven and Changeling among them) I've been completely underwhelmed by most of Eastwood's output.
Affleck, on the other hand, appears to be going from strength to strength, not only as a writer/director but also as an actor.

I'm surprised you feel that way about Clint, personally i feel he has made more excellent films than the one's you have cited.

His earlier efforts especially the weserns such as The Outlaw Josey Wales, High Plains Drifter and Pale Rider are superb films. In particular Josey Wales which is one of my favourite westerns and a really enjoyable picture. He also did a magnificent job on Letters and Flags, the former in particular is a sublime and moving film. And of course his masterpiece which you have mentioned; Unforgiven which is absolutely brilliant. A perfect swan song to a genre he helped shape over the years. He is a terrific director and one i hold in high regard. Ben Affleck can only dream of filling his shoes.

_____________________________

My blog: http://nexuswookie.wordpress.com/

(in reply to siegfried)

Post #: 28

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 13/11/2012 2:03:13 PM

ElephantBoy

Posts: 7321
Joined: 13/4/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: MuckyMuckMan

quote:

ORIGINAL: ElephantBoy

The more I think about this the more I see Affleck as becoming more of a George Clooney like director blending politics and genre asphtics.

I can't agree with that as they both have very little output as directors. In fact I think Afflecks output is better than Clooney's. It's too early in both of their directorial careers to state they are political genre film makers also. To say he is becoming more like George Clooney when (in my eyes) he's only made two note worthy films Goodnight and Good luck (which I personally wasn't all that enamoured by) and the impressive Ides of March is verging on ludicrous.

I don't think to make a prediction is ludicrous both have now made three maybe four films in the case of Clooney, and its not like I said it would pan out that, its just I can see a link. I also love how you priase two of Clooney's films and then claim how his work is not that impressive. If he has only made less than a handful of films and you like two of them it sounds pretty promising.

(in reply to MuckyMuckMan)

Post #: 29

RE: Is Affleck becoming the next Eastwood? - 13/11/2012 11:33:00 PM

siegfried

Posts: 13274
Joined: 16/12/2007
From: Long ago and far away

To compare the work of Ben Affleck with George Clooney's work is difficult, as they are both fundamentally different in their approach. Although both are obviously talented writer/directors, with a high intelligence factor in their work, and seem able to bring out the best in their casts, Clooney's work is much more cerebral, while Affleck has a definite talent with action. I like them both equally, but for very different reasons. Their films have all fulfilled the criteria that I look for in a satisfying film. There aren't all that many directors whose films I would view simply because that particular director is involved, but in the case of both Affleck and Clooney I would take the risk.

_____________________________

"Premeditated murder is one thing, but I will not have lying in this house."

Marriage is one of those things that is best gotten over with in youth - like chicken pox.

Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends.

(in reply to ElephantBoy)

Post #: 30