Matthew Loves the Hub!

It might be a little cold and wet these days, but not everyone sees that as a bad thing. The latest flick to come to Boston, The Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past, has brought with it the stunning Matthew McConaughey. Usually, when you see McConaughey, he is shirless on a beach somewhere, but Boston Herald reports that Matthew is digging the sweater weather. He says "It’s nice to be in a winter environment after three summers in a row. For his last few movies, such as current box office hit, Fool's Gold, the tanned hunk has been in the warm sun.

Make sure if you see him on the street you offer him a hug and maybe a nice warm hot chocolate. The hug will warm his soul, but in Boston, you can sure bet his fingertips will still be frozen!

Film makers just don't learn their lesson in Eastie

Back in 1993, East Boston had a minor cinematic mishap when an oceanliner explosion blew out about 8,000 residential windows. The action thriller Blown Away caused quite a few problems out on the harbor and served as a lesson to all future films coming to the area: don't use the Harbor as your own personal soundstage.

Well, Martin Scorcese tried to live on the wild side while filming Ashecliffe, the film adaptation of Dennis Lehane's novel, Shutter Island.

Boston Herald reports that as per usual, the set was in lock-down mode, but there was some drama visible from the street. A pair of cranes hoisting a huge black screen over the water lost control of the in the wind yesterday.

One insider reports to the Herald “It took off like a kite and crashed into the back of the boat, damaging the American flag,” said our spy on the scene. “They decided it was too dangerous in the 30 knot winds, so they dismantled it.”

Another crisis averted. Well played, Marty.

The crew heads to a warehouse in Hyde Park for filming later this week. The production will be in the Boston area until June, so keep your eyes peeled and steer clear of any cranes!

Back, Baby, Back!

One movie just wasn't enough. Like Pringles, once you pop, this Boston boy just can't stop.

Boston's own Ben Affleck is back and directing with his Gone Baby Gone partner in crime, Sean Bailey, (who co-produced Gone Baby Gone) to produce The Blade Itself for Miramax. Like Gone Baby Gone, The Blade Itself will be a film adaptation of a novel. Boston Herald reports that Somerville native Aaron Stockard, who co-wrote the Gone Baby Gone script with Ben, will adapt the screenplay. The movie will detailthe story of two Chicago childhood friends who commit petty crimes together before going their separate ways. Years down the road, each of the friends is forced to confront the crimes they committed years ago. Keep an eye out for this one...we are sure Ben and his team will make cinematic magic again!

Tom Hanks in the Hub tonight!

Tonight, the rain won't stop Hollywood actor and now producer, Tom Hanks, from heading to the Hub. The HBO miniseries and hanks' newest directorial project, John Adams, is premiering tonight at the Boston Public Library. The miniseries, starring Paul Giamatti, is based on the writings of Martha's Vineyard native, David McCullough.

You would expect a piece on John Adams to be filmed right here in Massachusetts. Not the case. A few years ago before there was an official film office and an aggressive tax incentive, Virginia swooped in and grabbed the filming project. Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia stood in for many of the Massachusetts scenes.

The preview tonight will not be attended by Giamatti, but both Hanks and McCulough will be on hand.

According to the Boston Herald, being the history buff that he is, Hanks has requested a private tour of Faneuil Hall this afternoon! Keep your eyes peeled, and try not to ask him if his life is like a box o' chocolates........

John Adams is a 7- part miniseries which will premiere on HBO on Sunday, March 16.

Ashecliffe Filming Hits Tauton

Martin Scorsese's long awaited Ashcliffe with Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley is finally set to begin filming. Ashecliffe is based on Dennis Lehane’s novel Shutter Island.

According to the Boston Herald, the filmmakers have converted Whittenton Mills in Taunton into a concentration camp and filming is going on now.

Later this month, the abandoned Medfield State Hospital is slated for the backdrop of several hospital scenes. As of Tuesday, Boston Movie Tours confirmed some Ashecliffe activity in a remote part of Medfield. Pics coming on Friday.

21 Premieres in Boston!

Monday night, Boston got to see the story of the 'MIT kids who took Vegas for millions' up on the big screen. Due out in theaters March 28th, Sony's 21 is the film adaptation of the book Bringing Down the House, by Harvard Grad Ben Mezrich .

Filmed at Boston University, the South Street Diner, and the Boston Convention Center in the Seaport District, the Boston influence is definitely present in this movie. The film boasts performances by Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, and Kate Bosworth.

The flick's star, Jim Sturgess (also appearing in the current hit The Other Boleyn Girl), claims he had no idea what he was talking about in the movie. Boston Herald's Inside Track reports: “I was always more into words, history, English and drama - anything other than science and math,” the British cutie laughed. “But it does have a little more appeal to it now, yeah!”

Sturgess portrays Jeff Ma, who is banned for life from playing blackjack in any casino. Both Ma and Sturgess attended the pre-film festivities at the Four Seasons Hotel, the premiere at AMC Boston Common Theater, and the after party at hip club, Mantra.

Be sure to pick up the book and catch the movie this month!

Sources: Moviecritic.com

http://www.moviecritic.com.au/images/21-movie-poster-kevin-spacey-kate-bosworth.jpg

Boston Herald Inside Track

http://bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1077539