Happy Birthday, Ben Affleck!

Birthday time again, folks. Today we're celebrating the 39th birthday of Ben Affleck. Now, I know that in the past, Affleck has dabbled in some rather terrible films (here's looking at you, Gigli), but he's also found a way to create some memorable characters over the years. Now, he's actually a rather accomplished director, having turned in two directorial efforts - 2007's Gone Baby Gone and 2010's The Town - that both achieved fantastic critical success. This post, however, will focus on his acting ability. While he's not the greatest actor ever to grace the silver screen, he's managed to leave his mark on a few films during his career. Here's a list of my five favorite of his performances. Once again, happy birthday Ben Affleck!

5. George Reeves
Hollywoodland (2006)

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4. Chuckie Sullivan
Good Will Hunting (1997)


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3. Bartleby
Dogma (1999)


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2. Holden McNeil
Chasing Amy (1997)


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1. Doug MacRay
The Town (2010)


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Awards
1998: Nominee - Best Couple (with Liv Tyler)

Happy Birthday, Kevin Smith!

Birthday time again, folks! This time we're celebrating the 41st birthday of director Kevin Smith, one of the premiere comedic directors of the last twenty years. From his debut feature - 1994's Clerks. - he has managed to craft an intertwining universe around his native New Jersey. In a way, all of his comedic films reference and look back at the ones that came before them. In addition to directing his films, he's appeared in most of them as a character named Silent Bob, adding to his comedic prowess. He's found a way to tap into pop culture in a way that few directors have ever been able to do, and he does so extremely effectively. As a tribute, I've counted down my five favorite of Smith's films. You'll next be able to see Smith's work when he breaks into the horror genre with a film called Red State, set for release in the U.S. on October 19, 2011. But once again, happy birthday, Kevin Smith!

5. Clerks II
2006


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4. Mallrats
1995


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3. Chasing Amy
1997


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2. Dogma
1999


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1. Clerks.
1994