Smokin' Aces - Dir: Joe Carnahan

This is a really interesting one. When it originally came out at the cinema, the vibe was pretty mixed. Subsequently it has become a huge hit on DVD. I thought the film was pretty good and can't see where any mixed reviews would have come from. The director Joe Carnahan showed some promise in his previous movie Narc and here takes that forward even more here in all the right areas. The story also written by the director regards a mob snitch played excellently by Jeremy Piven being hunted down at the same time by several hitmen and hitwoman all for a $1m reward. Ben Affleck turns in a half decent performance although his moustache still acts him off the screen. Support from singer Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Common, and Andy Garcia compliments everything well. This is a JM RECOMMENDS.

Hollywoodland - Dir: Allen Coulter

An interesting movie about the mysterious death of the first Superman George Reeves, played by Ben Affleck. Affleck does little to prove to me his limitations as an actor, but here does just enough to pull off an acceptable performance. Adrien Brophy is the private investigator looking in to his death and in comparison shows what a very good actor he is. Support from Diane Lane as Affleck's on screen lover is also excellent. Directed well by Allen Coulter and captures the seediness and feeling of Hollywood during this period well. Some nice twists and turns. This is a JM RECOMMENDS.