Argo - 2012 Ben Affleck Movie

Icarus Wings

Ben Affleck has returned to both the director's seat (:)) and the actor's role (:() in the upcoming movie, Argo.

Based on the events of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, it follows the stories of the men tasked with rescuing 6 U.S. foreign service agents, who have avoided capture by seeking shelter in the home of the Canadian Ambassador. The task involves fabricating a movie entitled "Argo" and convincing Iranian authorities that the 6 agents were merely members of a film crew scouting the country.

There's a strong cast of some excellant actors in there - Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Kyle Chandler, Zeljko Ivanek, Bob Gunton, Chris Messina and Victor Garber. Here's the 1st trailer -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW3WfSFgrVY

It's been a while since it was first announced and it'll be released on 9th November 2012. Couldn't find a thread on it, so I decided to start this one because it's starting to gather momentum and to gauge reactions. The trailer has piqued my interest but I'm still a little wary of it. Affleck's on a good streak at the moment after "Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town". Probably since it's based on true events, I'm getting vibes of a lighter form of Spielberg's "Munich" (which I enjoyed).

What is everyone else's opinions on it? Looking forward to it?

Sources: Wikipedia & IMDb

Mickeroo

Saw the trailer on front of Batman. I think it looks great, plus it's got Brian Cranston in it.

Really liked both The Town and Gone Baby Gone. They feel like movies that were made in the 70's.

Miguel_Sanchez

I've got a lot of time for Affleck as a director so I'll go to see this one.

JP Liz V1

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

I've got a lot of time for Affleck as a director so I'll go to see this one.

He has impressed greatly with his directorial features so far

Fuzzy_Dunlop

I recently found out that there's a four hour cut of the town, anyone seen it? Big fan of it as well as gone baby gone

Sleepy

I must be an absolute rarity in that I actually quite like Ben Affleck. He's clearly got terrible taste in women and Pearl Harbour will always be a turkey but to be fair, I presume that came with a very large cheque and no creative control...

Marty McFly

Looks good and a bit different to, plus it great to see John Goodman in it he an actor ive always liked but doesnt get a lot of major roles, for me he was the only good thing about Treme

till they killed him off

.

Boo Radley

Marty McFly wrote: »

Looks good and a bit different to, plus it great to see John Goodman in it he an actor ive always liked but doesnt get a lot of major roles, for me he was the only good thing about Treme

till they killed him off

.

Spoiler tags man! Was just gonna start watching that show!!!!

Marty McFly

Boo Radley wrote: »

Spoiler tags man! Was just gonna start watching that show!!!!

Sorry my apologies .

Boo Radley

Marty McFly wrote: »

Sorry my apologies .

It's fine, these things happen.

Mickeroo

Marty McFly wrote: »

Looks good and a bit different to, plus it great to see John Goodman in it he an actor ive always liked but doesnt get a lot of major roles, for me he was the only good thing about Treme

till they killed him off

.

I think he was one of many good things about Treme, love that show!!

Icarus Wings

One of the first reviews is here and it's got heaps of praise for it!

Can't wait to see it now!!

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Ebert thinks it could be best picture winner at the oscars.


http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/09/toronto_4_and_the_winner_is.html#more

The winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture will be Ben Affleck's tense new thriller "Argo." How do I know this? Because it is the audience favorite coming out of the top-loaded opening weekend of the Toronto Film Festival. Success at Toronto has an uncanny way of predicting Academy winners; I point you to the Best Pictures of the last five years in a row: "No Country for Old Men," "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Hurt Locker," "The King's Speech" and "The Artist."
Aside from the Oscar odds, "Argo" is just plain a terrific film. It tells a story as incredible as it is (mostly) true, about how five Americans were smuggled out of Iran after the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. A fake Hollywood sci-fi production was created as a cover story. There was a real screenplay, a big ad was taken out in Variety, and the CIA's top "extraction" expert, Tony Mendez (Affleck) flew in to pose as a location scout. The five Americans, who had been hiding in the Canadian embassy, were given new names, passports and job descriptions.

Although certain details such as the final minutes of their escape have been pumped up for effect, the underlying story is true. One of the movie's insights is that everybody, everywhere, loves movies and to some degree thinks Hollywood is a big deal. There is a scene here where suspicious Iranian officials are talked through the storyboards of a phony "Star Wars"-type picture, and start smiling. It would be unfair to describe them as credible, because who among us would be any more doubting? The sheer audacity of the scheme is its genius. Months into a global crisis, with Americans tying yellow ribbons around trees, who would suspect that a movie named "Argo" was a CIA front operation? Look! Here's the ad in the trades!

Ben Affleck has already proven himself a gifted director ("Gone Baby Gone," "The Town"). Now he approaches the tricky thriller genre and produces a spellbinder. The Hollywood milieu gives him a fertile opportunity to work humor into a very serious story. John Goodman co-stars as John Chambers, the real life makeup artist who did work for the "Planet of the Apes" pictures and countless others. He has the rights to "Argo" and works with Mendez to fabricate the fake production.

Alan Arkin is hilarious as Lester Siegel, a producer who brings an authentic Hollywood note of cynicism into the project. On the serious side, Victor Garber is down to earth and believable as the Canadian ambassador who opens his doors to the high-risk guests, and Bryan Cranston plays the CIA chief who green-lights the cockamamie scheme.

Helix

Saw it last week, tremendous movie. Surprisingly funny

Mickeroo

Helix wrote: »

Saw it last week, tremendous movie. Surprisingly funny

How you managing to see so many movies early if you don't mind me asking? Press screenings is it?

Helix

Mickeroo wrote: »

How you managing to see so many movies early if you don't mind me asking? Press screenings is it?

aye media/industry pass at toronto international film festival

Skinfull

Really looking forward to this one. Fascinating stuff and I think Affleck is perfect for this.

livinsane

Looks amazing, can't wait. I wasn't expecting it to be humorous as the trailer began but looks like a nice balance of seriousness and lightheartedness.

Plus anyone watching Breaking Bad would sit through anything just to see Cranston in it.

Love John Goodman, Clea DuVall and Alan Arkin too.

For some reason I thought that this was opening here as well as in the US tomorrow. Sadly we have to wait till the 7th of November. Reviews thus far are calling the film exceptional and it looks like it will be topping most best of 2012 lists.

Miguel_Sanchez

Deleted User wrote: »

For some reason I thought that this was opening here as well as in the US tomorrow. Sadly we have to wait till the 7th of November. Reviews thus far are calling the film exceptional and it looks like it will be topping most best of 2012 lists.

There's a screening next Friday in Dublin that Brian Cranston is introducing.

http://jdiff.com/

FortuneChip

Deleted User wrote: »

For some reason I thought that this was opening here as well as in the US tomorrow. Sadly we have to wait till the 7th of November. Reviews thus far are calling the film exceptional and it looks like it will be topping most best of 2012 lists.

Once it tops the list for Best Picture at the Oscars!
After the buzz it received at Toronto I had a cheeky punt on it at 10/1.
It's still available at 8/1 now.
But in truth, with so few of the "contenders" released yet anything can change.

Entered the comp for next weeks screening. I want to tell Walt he's a Pr*ck, and then tell Cranston he's a hero!

D-FENS

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

There's a screening next Friday in Dublin that Brian Cranston is introducing.

http://jdiff.com/

Yes there is, and I just won tickets!
Heisenberg!!! :):)

norrie rugger

You going to shave your head for it?

FortuneChip

http://www.qwertee.com/last-chance/


Just saying!

D-FENS

FortuneChip wrote: »

http://www.qwertee.com/last-chance/


Just saying!

Have this one for a couple of years now

[EMAIL="http://www.oldskoolhooligans.com/inspired-by-breaking-bad-t-shirt-mobile-meth-labs.html"]http://www.oldskoolhooligans.com/inspired-by-breaking-bad-t-shirt-mobile-meth-labs.html[/EMAIL]

Liam O

Anyone win tickets they wont be using? Very annoyed I only seen this now

D-FENS

Sorry Liamo, bringing the missus!

Actually, has anyone any experience going to premieres like this, specifically the Savoy, is there usually an opportunity to get a photo / autograph from the appearing star?
I’ve never been to one but I know from TV they often stop and pose with the people waiting outside, but what if you have a ticket, do you get ushered into the theatre to take your seats before they even appear?
I’ll die a happy man if I get a photo with Walt

Miguel_Sanchez

D-FENS wrote: »

I’ve never been to one but I know from TV they often stop and pose with the people waiting outside, but what if you have a ticket, do you get ushered into the theatre to take your seats before they even appear?
I’ll die a happy man if I get a photo with Walt

If you want a decent seat you'll need to be in before he arrived. The people running it will have the audience inside before they bring Cranston in I'd say. However there's a good chance he'll be about at the end alright.

I've been to one or two in there and the cast sometimes would quite happily mill about in the lobby at the end.

D-FENS

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

If you want a decent seat you'll need to be in before he arrived. The people running it will have the audience inside before they bring Cranston in I'd say. However there's a good chance he'll be about at the end alright.

I've been to one or two in there and the cast sometimes would quite happily mill about in the lobby at the end.

Cheers, definitely want to get a good seat so hopefully he will be about afterwards. I won tickets to the Couples Retreat premiere a few years ago and happily sent the missus and her sister, they said Vince Vaughn said his introduction then scarpered before the film even started

spiritcrusher

If someone told me about 5 years ago that I'd be getting excited about new Ben Affleck films I'd have recommended they be committed. Yet here we are...

Miguel_Sanchez

D-FENS wrote: »

Cheers, definitely want to get a good seat so hopefully he will be about afterwards. I won tickets to the Couples Retreat premiere a few years ago and happily sent the missus and her sister, they said Vince Vaughn said his introduction then scarpered before the film even started

It'll really depend on Cranston himself and what else he's got on I suppose.

Just got tickets myself there and they've said it's assigned seating but you have to be there by 18.45 and they won't let you in late.

Colonel Kurtz

spiritcrusher wrote: »

If someone told me about 5 years ago that I'd be getting excited about new Ben Affleck films I'd have recommended they be committed. Yet here we are...

Ha! That's the magic of the movies! I'm just remembering that South Park episode from a few years back with the missing kid on the milk carton! How things have changed for Mr. Affleck; he certainly has improved since he went behind the camera.
On a slightly similar note, has anyone noticed a maturing of Tommy Lee Jones in recent years? I think he directed that "Three burials" film, which was really good.
And he's generally been appearing in better quality films since around that time. Eg. No country for old men.

D-FENS

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

It'll really depend on Cranston himself and what else he's got on I suppose.

Just got tickets myself there and they've said it's assigned seating but you have to be there by 18.45 and they won't let you in late.

Cheers, I suspect he'll be a busy man. If Tubs has any sense he'll have him on the LLS, but hopefulley he mingles with us peasants for a while first

delbertgrady

Jeff Lebowski is right. Normal practice is that they get everyone into the cinema before the guests arrive. This is why they want everyone in by 6:45, to ensure the red carpet is cleared. I'd say Cranston will just introduce the film and then leave. That's the usual drill at these things. It'd be different if it was being billed as the the film followed by a Q&A, unless they've managed to arrange that in the interim. Very rarely will someone appear at the start of the night and then be back at the end - it's usually one or the other.

If he's on the Late Late Show, it'll be cringeworthy. It won't be Cranston's fault, obviously.

AnonoBoy

delbertgrady wrote: »

If he's on the Late Late Show, it'll be cringeworthy. It won't be Cranston's fault, obviously.

"So Brian, I didn't realise that English gameshows were big in America - but yet Breaking Bad is all about The Crystal Maze is it not?"

DrumSteve

Seen this last night in Toronto.

Anyone going to see this this weekend, you are in for a treat. It is a fantastic film. Really enjoyable (and surprisingly funny).

Miguel_Sanchez

DrumSteve wrote: »

Seen this last night in Toronto.

Anyone going to see this this weekend, you are in for a treat. It is a fantastic film. Really enjoyable (and surprisingly funny).

Good to hear. I've been looking forward to it for a while, delighted to be seeing it with an introduction from Cranston.

Miguel_Sanchez

Really enjoyed this. Tightly written, great cast and very well directed.

Bryan Cranston didn't really say too much beyound "hello, enjoy the film" but it was nice to see him robbing people's popcorn before he went up to talk.

D-FENS

Yeah, thought the film was great, a very powerful opening segment and hard hitting imagery in Tehran but also more light hearted in parts than I expected, especially some brilliant lines from Arkin and Goodman. They took a very interesting and almost unbelievable true story and gave it a little bit of a Hollywood jazz up in parts that was to be expected

(I wonder was the timing of the escape as close to the bone as it appears in the film - the last minute rebooked flight tickets, the almost missed phone call, the police cars almost touching the plane before take-off in a scene resembling Mad Max)

but a superb job by all the actors involved

As for my quest for a picture with Cranston, I was in my seat by 6:45 but no sign of him by 7:10 so made my way back out to the lobby (No one told me to return to my seat) an usher told me he has already gone in and in hindsight I’m paranoid I actually held the bloody door open for him into the theatre on my way out I definitely passed an usher and a very dapper dressed man that I did not really look at. When Cranston appeared on stage he looked different to what I imagined - thinner and with a slight beard, maybe I was looking for a bald man with glasses in my head when i went looking for him! ah well, still have the ticket with his name on it as a good souvenir

johnny_ultimate

Saw it tonight and thought it was really good, although would stop short of great. The film opens with the old 70s-80s Warner Bros. logo, and that sets the tone for what's to come. Very much old school in a good way. The period detail ensures it seems authentic and accurate to the setting and places (not that I was around back then to confirm that ) - the attention to detail is easily the strongest aspect Argo (

particularly loved how the availability of alcohol on a flight was used as an indicator of Iranian airspace

). Fans of political thrillers from the era - All the Presidents Men etc... - will feel right at home. The film is full of suspense and the odd burst of humour -

"It's like talking to the two old men from The Muppets"

- and the alternating tone is well-handled. Some great setpieces, and it's always nice to see a crazily elaborate plan in its thrillingly flawed execution.

Yet I think there's also something a bit, how will I put it... perfunctory about Argo. While it's great to see Affleck stretching his wings a bit, I'm not sure his direction is anything more than workmanlike yet. As a thespian himself, it's no surprise he's a solid director of actors, although didn't think any of the cast really stretched themselves beyond their usual 'types'. Cranston comes out best of the lot IMO. There were also times when the inner workings of the plot and script become too obvious, if that makes sense. Particularly during the finale - the contrivances utilised to build tension weren't disguised particularly well

(I'm thinking Arkin and Goodman stuck on the set)

. Don't think this will be mistaken for a particularly balanced look at 1980s Iran either - although it's necessarily through an American point of view, both the subtle and obvious patriotism left me a bit uneasy, when the likes of Persepolis paint a more intriguing picture of a country in social and political crisis.

The ending drags on a scene or two longer than strictly necessary, perhaps, followed by some inelegant postscripts

.

I guess overall I was a tad underwhelmed, but credit where credit is due - this is still a superior Hollywood thriller. Mostly smart, funny and tense. And the story is genuinely fascinating, and deserving of a big screen retelling.

Faith+1

Loved the line "Argo f*ck yourself"!

krudler

Saw this earlier, really enjoyed it, zips along at a fair pace, Affleck is really coming into his own as a director. They did a great job of casting people who were pretty spot on compared to the real life hostages who you see in the end credits (except Affleck :pac: ). Anyone know if they really

chased the plane at the end? can't imagine that actually happened

superblu

Saw this earlier. Really enjoyed it.

chops018

krudler wrote: »

Saw this earlier, really enjoyed it, zips along at a fair pace, Affleck is really coming into his own as a director. They did a great job of casting people who were pretty spot on compared to the real life hostages who you see in the end credits (except Affleck :pac: ). Anyone know if they really

chased the plane at the end? can't imagine that actually happened

He has such attention to detail as a director. The British Airways sign in the airport was the same as the old one, the set up of some of the scenes were very similar to those shown on TV at the time it happened. Brilliant director. That's three on the trot now with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Also the

chase scene at the end was added for dramatic effect according to wiki

.

eyeball kid

Just saw this tonight. Really enjoyed it. As others said surprisingly funny and very tense even though the outcome was pretty much known.

Still don't like Affleck as an actor but he has been making some pretty impressive films lately so I suppose he's allowed appear in a few of them. Goodman and Arkin were good though. Enjoyed their scenes.

tunguska

Saw it last night and I loved it, best film I've seen in a while. Went to see the new james bond(skyfall) last week and Argo is everything that movie wasnt. I know theyre not the same genre and all that but a good film is a good film regardless of what category it falls into it. Argo was just so well made. The script was stand out, cant remember last seeing a movie that well written, lots of great lines but in general very tight. The acting was a cut above aswell. I know Ben affleck isnt known for his stellar turns but like Brad Pitt, I think he's getting better and better with each film he makes. He really seems to be finding his grove. He does a great job directing aswell, reminds me very much of warren beatty at the height of his powers.
Gotta give this 5/5. Didnt want it to end, food for the brain but very entertaining aswell.

The Princess Bride

Saw this twice this week.
Without a doubt,the film of the year for me.
I (deliberately) hadn't read any reviews beforehand and hadn't a clue what it was about.

Would recommend it -have just downloaded Van Halen's, Dance the night Away,as I'd forgotten it existed, so all smiles here

Cargin

Really nail-biting-ly tense. At the climax of the airport scene, myself and about half the cinema audience

let out an audible sigh of relief

The gallows humour, with just the right amount of tongue-in cheek about it, makes for some great dialogue.

D-FENS

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

The film opens with the old 70s-80s Warner Bros. logo, and that sets the tone for what's to come.

I didn't cop that at all, love stuff like that though

e_e

The artificial grain at the beginning even made me think "oh cool, it's gonna be in 35MM!", a bit like when they put vinyl crackle on a CD. The only slight problem in an otherwise excellent film, it's rare that an Oscar buzz film lives up to its own hype.

D-FENS

e_e wrote: »

The artificial grain at the beginning

I put that down to the screen at the Savoy being ancient!