Ben Affleck and Tommy Lee Jones' Company Men set to film in Boston this month

The biggest news when it comes to Boston movie making is The Company Men starring Cambridge's Ben Affleck, Harvard Alum Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, and it is rumored that Kingston's Chris Cooper is in negotiations right now.

The film is about three men trying to survive corporate downsizing at a major company and how it affects them, their families, and their communities.

At first it looked like this movie was going to be just a little independent flick, but with the subject matter reflecting the current economic climate so well, big name actors have signed on. It doesn't hurt that it's written and directed by John Wells of West Wing and E.R. fame.

While John Wells was writing one of the final E.R. episodes, preproduction for the film has been underway. According to the Loaded Gun filming is already set to take place in Roxbury at the First Church in as soon as two weeks.

As always if you have any tips, email me at npistorino@bostonmovietours.net.

Kimmel's Retalliation

Not too long ago, Comedy Central's Sarah Silverman created a music video letting her boyfriend, Jimmy Kimmel know that she was *$@&^!%'ing Matt Damon.

Once he got over the bon-bons and cheesy romantic comedy movie phase, Kimmell retalliated with Damon's Boston best bud and Gone Baby Gone director, Ben Affleck. The all-star cast of A-listers he called on to help included Lance Bass, Cameron Diaz, Josh Groban, and Robin Williams, who starred with both Damon and Affleck in the award winning Good Will Hunting.

Here they are, making Boston proud.

Gone Baby Gone is Terrific

“Wow” is the first word that pops into my mind after seeing Gone Baby Gone, a Boston based crime drama about an abducted girl starring Casey Affleck, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman.

Last night, I got a chance to see a sneak peak at the AMC Boston Common hosted by Eckerd College alumni Dennis Lehane. Lehane, of course is famous for writing crime dramas such as Mystic River, Shutter Island and Gone Baby Gone.

When Gone Baby Gone was being filmed around Boston, there were definitely some question marks. Sure, the screenplay was adapted from the author who wrote one of the best Boston movies of all time (Mystic River). But we also had Ben Affleck making his directorial debut and Casey Affleck starring. Would Ben bring us his moments of excellence as he did with Good Will Hunting or show us the flipside as he did with Jersey Girl? Would Casey use this as his breakout role or would we see he works best playing supporting parts (Ocean’s series)?

Well I am happy to report Boston brought out the best in both Affleck brothers. Casey shined in his role as the detective hired to find the little girl. He definitely stepped it up a notch and may get some consideration for a Best Actor nomination. And Ben worked his magic keeping the audience engaged the entire movie. Harris, Freeman and Michelle Monaghan also gave excellent performances.

Without giving away the plot, there were plenty of twists and turns throughout the experience. Along the way, Ben weaves in a number of moral quandaries about the two sides of right and wrong. I call it an “experience” because the movie is terrific but pretty emotionally draining. Watching a movie about a kidnapped child is not exactly like watching an episode of Saturday Night Live. But if you love crime dramas, Gone Baby Gone needs to top your list for movies to see in 2007.

From a Boston perspective, Boston made for a spectacular backdrop. It is rare for a studio released movie to properly hit the authenticity of Boston. But Gone Baby Gone hit a homerun in that aspect thanks to Affleck’s strong Boston ties. From the supporting cast hand picked for their Boston flavor to the accents, Boston was right on in terms of the movie’s theme.

Gone Baby Gone gets 4.5 out of 5 stars and is one of the best dramas of the year.

Bad Girls Meet Boston Movie Tours

The Oxygen network reality TV show Bad Girls show is coming in to film their season finale episode next week in Boston.

And when they are here, Boston Movie Tours will be giving the cast a customized movie tour. Can the guides handle what the "bad" gals throw at them? Only time will tell. In addition to filming the tour as part of the story, the producers also plan to film at the famed L Street Tavern, the Good Will Huntingtarget="_blank" home of Ben and Matt.

Bad Girl Auditions

If you think you are a Bad Girl, the show is holding auditions on Saturday, April 21 from 4-8PM at a TBD downtown bar. There is also a meet n greet with the cast. More info to come.

Now Open: Next tours Apr 14/15

Last weekend's opening day tours sold out five days in advance. Make sure to book in advance for the weekend of April 14th and 15th if you want to take the tours.

We were excited to show some new The Departed locations. Susan down at L Street Tavern also added some awesome Good Will Hunting memorabilia to her bar for this 2007 season.

Guest of the weekend goes to Mrs Parker who was celebrating her 87th birthday. Her daughter Annie brought the family along for experience. Way to go Mrs. Parker.

Meeting Location - Boston Common Visitor Center
For check-in on April 15/16, you can check in at the Boston Common Visitor Center with your Boston Movie Tours guide starting 30 minutes prior start time.

After checking out a filming location on the Common, we will board the bus for the complete Theater-on-Wheels experience.



Boston Common Visitors Center.
147 Tremont Street
Next to the Park St. MBTA stop. (red & green line)

MAP OF MEETING LOCATION

If you have any last minute questions, please call 866-668-4345, ext 2. Or email us at info@bostonmovietours.net.

The Next Good Will Hunting?

The world premiere of On Broadway will take place at the Boston’s Independent Film Festival in late April. Boston Magazie recently characterized local indie flick On Broadway as the next Good Will Hunting.

This indie film starring Joey McIntyre, Robert Wahlberg, Mike O'Malley and Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live is about a playwright who stages a production of his work in the back of an Irish pub.