Movie review: A 'Precious' gem Nov 21, 2009
The description is probably a bit too simple and, on paper, it sounds like "Precious" is another troubled-teen-makes-good story, ala "Good Will Hunting." Yet Daniels' (producer of "Monster's Ball") is wise enough not to make this the story of how Precious becomes a genius; her struggle is not to publish a book or graduate college. Her challenge is to read, write and learn how to navigate life on her own. (Shelby Twp Advisor & Source, MI)
Hip-hop artist, film producer discuss new documentary Nov 16, 2009
"We just let the people talk," said Moore, who has produced films such as "Good Will Hunting" and "American Pie.". Moore gave the audience a sneak peek at clips from the upcoming documentary, which included Fiasco reading a Southern anti-war pamphlet, Don Cheadle reading a speech by Frederick Douglas, and John Legend covering a song that graphically recounted a lynching. (GW Hatchet, Washington DC)
Production Begins in Portland, Oregon on Untitled Gus Van Sant Project Nov 14, 2009
Van Sant has twice been nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Oscar for Best Director: for his work on Good Will Hunting, which received nine total nominations and won for Best Original Screenplay, and for his most recent film, Milk, which received eight total nominations and won for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Van Sant's body of work also includes Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, To Die For, Psycho, Finding... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Filmmaker bemoans big players in indie movies Oct 23, 2009
Baker, the sound designer on films such as "Good Will Hunting," "Finding Forrester" and "Far From Heaven," learned the hard way that making independent movies in Hollywood is more difficult than it seems. In making his first indie film, "Birddog," which cost $150,000, Baker went deeply into debt and is encouraging today's aspiring filmmakers to take a different route. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck are related?!? Oct 11, 2009
Affleck and Damon were friends growing up in the Boston area and teamed up as writers and co-stars for the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. Bookmark/Share. (KHOU.com, TX)
Call it the Emptyway Oct 2, 2009
In the North End, a few critics blasted a recent outdoor screening of Good Will Hunting as a disruptive failure that caused excessive noise complaints. The outdoor film, on a lawn near Salem Street, almost fizzled. (Boston Globe)
The Damon identity Sep 20, 2009
If Good Will Hunting defined him for the shock of his talent, today he is defined by the breadth of it ... Damon is also an Academy Award-winning writer, for his 1997 breakthrough movie, Good Will Hunting, with his boyhood buddy from Cambridge, Ben Affleck ... They both had the boyish looks and star quality at a young age (Cruise was 21 when Risky Business came out, Damon was 27 when Good Will Hunting did). (Boston Globe)
Toronto Film Festival: Oscar Buzz Begins Sep 20, 2009
" Damon shared a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for the 1997 "Good Will Hunting," but has never been nominated for an acting Oscar. Among other notable films playing at Toronto - many making their North American debuts - are: Terry Gilliam's fantasy "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" (the final film of Heath Ledger, who died during production, and whose role was complete by Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Ferrell); Pedro Almodovar's "Broken Embraces" starring Penelope Cruz; "Get... (CBS News)
'Informant!' teeters between great, awful Sep 19, 2009
At the time, Damon feared he had used up the good will from his one certified Hollywood grand slam on "Good Will Hunting," a commercial hit that earned him a best-actor Academy Award nomination and an Oscar for the screenplay he wrote with buddy Ben Affleck. "Ocean's Eleven," the first installment in Soderbergh's heist trilogy featuring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Damon, had not yet come out. (Fresno Bee)
The Informant: Matt Damon's Weighty Comedy Sep 18, 2009
" That critics are giving Damon high marks for his work here is in part their welcoming of a movie star to the ranks of character actors, but also because he instantly slips into the role and takes it over, because he's so plausible and comfortable playing an ordinary fellow. And felon, but never mind that till you see the movie. In the early '90s, Whitacre is president of the bio-chemicals division of the agro-giant Archer Daniels Midland. When the FBI launches an investigation into possible... (Time.com)
Nice-guy Matt Damon dug in for hefty role in 'The Informant!' Sep 17, 2009
"We each have two girls within six months of each other. It's a strong argument to buy a house there and be near Ben," says Damon, of his Good Will Hunting collaborator. "We'll see how the little kids do (in New York). If the winter is too tough, we might move to L.A. All my friends with kids live there.". (USA Today -- Life)
10 films for Oscar 5 too many? Sep 15, 2009
We'll see, but I think 10 just dilutes it too much," said Matt Damon, an Oscar winner for the "Good Will Hunting" screenplay he wrote with buddy Ben Affleck. This month's Toronto, Venice and Telluride film festivals traditionally mark the start of awards season, as studios begin trotting out their big guns for the Oscars. Such recent festival premieres as "Crash," "No Country for Old Men" and "Slumdog Millionaire" have gone on to win best picture. "Generally, the five films that get nominated,... (Erie Times-News, PA)
Students burn midnight oil at Boston college Sep 11, 2009
The school, which was featured in the movie "Good Will Hunting" as the location where Robin Williams' character is an instructor, offered free coffee, tea and chocolate chip cookies this week during the first graveyard shift class. But none of the 19 students in O'Neill's class had trouble staying awake. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Damon brings to mind gambling, sandwich Sep 11, 2009
Yes, that is not your "Good Will Hunting's" Matt Damon ... Damon, already an Oscar-winner for the "Good Will Hunting" screenplay he wrote with Ben Affleck, is currently in his acting prime, and his talents will be on full display next week when "The Informant!" hits theaters ... There's the aforementioned "Good Will Hunting," the rags-to-riches story about a young genius stuck in a blue-collar world. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Don Aucoin: Who's schooling whom? Sep 5, 2009
Last week, on the cusp of eighth grade, Christine responded enthusiastically to her big brother s dinner-table suggestion that she see the film Good Will Hunting ... Negotiations ensued, of course, and I offered this deal: Read The Great Gatsby, and you can see Good Will Hunting ... No mention of Good Will Hunting yet. (Boston Globe)
Teaching actors to talk the talk Sep 5, 2009
For anyone working on doing a Boston accent, Jones brings out the gold standard - Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting. There s nothing like learning from an actor who was actually raised here. (Boston Globe)
CORRECTING and REPLACING New Line Records Releases Soundtrack for "The Informant!" Aug 26, 2009
Academy Award winner Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting, the Bourne movies) stars in The Informant. based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Robin Williams mellows out Aug 25, 2009
Doubtfire" and "The Birdcage," Williams has a longtime association with independent cinema. He won an Oscar for 1997's "Good Will Hunting," an indie that crossed over. While not turning his back on major studio productions - he co-stars with John Travolta in the forthcoming "Old Dogs"- Williams is drawn more and more to independents, where there is no expectation that a film will have a big opening weekend. "It takes the pressure off. You are really under the radar. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Credit Cards Become Less Rewarding Aug 17, 2009
The Weinstein Companyknown for films such as Good Will Hunting and Pulp Fictionis hurting from the downturn in the DVD market as well as unsuccessful ventures into fashion and social networking, which sidetracked them. "What happened was, I got more fascinated by these other businesses and I figured, Making movies, I can do that in my sleep,'" Harvey said in an interview. (Slate)
WaterPartners, actor Damon create Water.org Jul 17, 2009
Having Damon -- whose films include "Good Will Hunting," the Bourne trilogy and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" -- as an ambassador and advocate for the cause is a boost for the organization, which has been "under the radar in Kansas City," water. org spokeswoman Nicole Wickenhauser said Wednesday. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Oscar-winner Williams salutes battling Armstrong Jul 13, 2009
The 57-year-old, who won an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1998 for the film Good Will Hunting, visited the race and saw Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo win the race's ninth stage held over 160. 5km from Saint Gaudens to Tarbes. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Robin Williams lined up for HBO comedy special Jul 9, 2009
Robin Wiliams has starred in classics such as Good Will Hunting, The World According to Garp and Mrs. Doubtfire. WHAT'S ON TV TONIGHT. (USA Today -- Life)
Media Pirates Jul 5, 2009
"It was certainly a difficult decision to retire it, given its rich history. However, the majority of today's photographers have voiced their preference to capture images with newer technology both film and digital. Kodak remains committed to providing the highest-performing products both film and Academy Award(R) Winner Russell Crowe Stars in a Gripping and Provocative Conspiracy-Thriller That Will Have you Riveted Until the Final Twist OVERVIEW: A film that Roger Ebert calls "a smart,... (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Suffering from the invasion of celebrity Jun 26, 2009
The Cambridge homies Matt Damon and Ben Affleck rode the success of Good Will Hunting to genuine stardom; the state started handing out massive tax breaks to filmmakers, and our local sports teams caught fire. Suddenly celebs weren t embarrassed to get paparazzi ed in Fenway - Affleck practically lives there - and quarterbacking the New England Patriots became a glam occupation. (Boston Globe)
Staying up late with Leno May 28, 2009
Mr. Kimmel later responded with a video that indicated he had a similar relationship with Mr. Damon's Good Will Hunting co-star Ben Affleck. Both videos became instant Internet sensations. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Congressman Affleck meets the press May 22, 2009
Affleck, who won the original screenplay Oscar in 1998 with long-time friend Matt Damon for their Good Will Hunting script, has settled down with Garner. The couple celebrate their fourth year of marriage in June and have two daughters: Violet, 3, and Seraphina, three months. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
In best supporting actor, anything goes May 21, 2009
If you show the Academy that you have range, as Robin Williams did in Good Will Hunting or Martian Landau did in Ed Wood, you have a shot at Oscar. Particularly if everyone in Hollywood is talking about how they cant believe you pulled it off. (MSNBC -- Academy Awards)
How to make a memorable Oscar speech May 21, 2009
If you must do the list, spice it upIn 1998 two boys from Boston, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, brought their moms to the Oscars and wound up receiving a best original screenplay award for Good Will Hunting. No sooner had they begun their list in high speed that adrenaline took over and the volume increased to pep-rally levels (Chris Moore. (MSNBC -- Academy Awards)
"Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series" Explodes Online as the First Long Form Dramatic Machinima Production May 19, 2009
The music is by four-time Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman (Milk, Big Fish, Good Will Hunting, Men in Black). Terminator Salvation is being distributed domestically by Warner Bros. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Reprise Records to Release Original Soundtrack to Terminator Salvation Tomorrow, May 19th May 19, 2009
Elfman has composed the score for more than 60 motion pictures, including Batman, all three Spider-Man blockbusters, Milk, Good Will Hunting, Big Fish, Men In Black, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Capturing what the film's director McG calls "the delicate nature of humanity and the unrelenting brutality of the machines," Elfman's synthesizer/orchestral score for Terminator Salvation elevates and expands the sweeping soundscape of one of the most successful film franchises in history. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
The lens of 'Eddie Coyle': No film offers a truer view of Boston May 17, 2009
The overrated movie "Good Will Hunting" with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck was good blue-collar Cambridge, while another overrated movie, "Mystic River," was good blue-collar Boston. But none of them got the job done. (Boston Globe)
Upfronts 2009: History Unveils Expansive Slate May 15, 2009
"We are proud to take History on a journey of vast proportions. With today's mass of options, brand is key, and we sit atop one of the best in the media landscape. We are honored to work with top talent such as Mark Burnett, Thom Beers, Chris Moore (Project Greenlight and Good Will Hunting), Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, famed producer Jane Root, and many others. Together, we are partnering on innovative, game-changing television."To that end, History's boldest venture is America The Story Of Us, a... (Multichannel News)
Palmer hangs out in Lexington May 11, 2009
"These are people who are deeply, deeply funny. You watch 'Good Will Hunting,' and [Affleck] has such amazing comedic timing." Kaling, of course, got her big break mocking Affleck in her critically acclaimed, off-Broadway show "Matt & Ben.". Kaling said she doesn't get home much anymore, but plans to visit Boston this summer for her 30th birthday. (Boston Globe)
Ben Affleck enjoying the State hes in Apr 16, 2009
Affleck does admit, however, that directing helps inform his creative process as an actor and hes hoping to have the opportunity to do both again when he and Matt Damon, his Good Will Hunting collaborator and friend re-team sometime in the near future. The two havent appeared onscreen together as lead players since 1999s Dogma. (MSNBC -- News)
Williams top turn at royal show Mar 25, 2009
He was also seven years away from his first Oscar nomination for best actor in Good Morning, Vietnam, and 17 years ahead of his best supporting actor Oscar win for Good Will Hunting. The Royal party met the performers backstage after the show. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Comic Williams's heart op success Mar 25, 2009
He won an Oscar for his performance in Good Will Hunting. He will be seen in cinemas later this year reprising his role as President Theodore Roosevelt in Battle of the Smithsonian, the sequel to Night at the Museum. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Robin Williams recovering Mar 24, 2009
The 57-year-old funny man who starred in 'Good Will Hunting,' 'Good Morning, Vietnam,' and 'Mork ' went under the knife to replace his aortic valve, repair his mitral valve, and correct an irregular heart beat, a statement from his publicist said. "Williams' operation went extremely well and we expect him to make a full recovery," said Marc Gillinov, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic where the Oscar winning actor was being treated. (iAfrica.com)
Affleck, Costner to star in recession-themed flick Mar 20, 2009
Affleck, who won an Oscar for the script of Good Will Hunting, which he wrote in in 1997 with his friend and fellow actor Matt Damon, plays a corporate golden boy who struggles after being sacked. Costner, who earned two golden statuettes for his 1990 film Dances with Wolves, plays his brother-in-law. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Andover chaplain updates medium of the message Mar 17, 2009
Gardner also aired a clip from "Good Will Hunting" in which a psychologist played by Robin Williams tries to persuade the genius MIT janitor played by Matt Damon that he is not to blame for being abused by his foster father; and a scene from "Ordinary People" in which a therapist played by Judd Hirsch tries to persuade a teen played by Timothy Hutton to forgive himself after surviving an accident in which his brother was killed and then attempting suicide ... In the "Good Will Hunting" clip,... (Boston Globe)
Matt Damon thinks award shows get it wrong Mar 14, 2009
Damon won a screenwriting Oscar for 1997s Good Will Hunting with Ben Affleck, but he told Parade that fans shouldnt expect another scripted effort from the pair anytime soon. We went on vacation together and I guess everybody thought we were writing something, but we were just having fun with our families, Damon said, adding, Well do something eventually. (MSNBC -- News)
Publicist: Robin Williams needs heart surgery Mar 11, 2009
He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1997 film "Good Will Hunting." Other notable films include "Dead Poets Society," "Hook," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and Disney's "Aladdin.". On the Web. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Robin Williams to have heart surgery at Stanford Mar 7, 2009
The 57-year-old actor won a best supporting actor Academy Award for his performance in the 1997 film "Good Will Hunting.". Williams has cancelled a series of appearances in Florida where he has been performing a one-man show, "Weapons of Self-Destruction," which began an 80-city tour last September and was scheduled to reach Broadway in the spring. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Wackhead pranks Matt Mar 5, 2009
That probably did better then 'Good Will Hunting', laughed Damon. Have you ever seen 'Saving Ryans Private. (iAfrica.com)
Comic Williams cancels concerts Mar 5, 2009
Williams is best known for his role in classic TV sitcom Mork and Mindy and for his Oscar-winning performance in Good Will Hunting. He will be seen in cinemas later this year reprising his role as President Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum sequel Battle of the Smithsonian. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Lifetime's 'America' fosters love for lost youth Feb 28, 2009
And the therapist-patient rapport between O'Donnell's Dr. Maureen Brennan and America is straight out of the "Good Will Hunting" and "Ordinary People" playbook. But the movie is also one of the channel's harder-hitting efforts, and it has more specificity and, ultimately, more emotional heft than you generally find in such sociological-minded dramas. (Boston Globe)
FICKLE GOLD FINGER OF FATE Feb 22, 2009
And Robin Williams, who's been doing bread-and-butter shtick since winning Best Supporting for 1997's "Good Will Hunting". Another thing, where do they stick their statuettes. (New York Post -- Gossip)
From the margins to the mainstream Feb 21, 2009
Sometimes they want in, sometimes not, but they're always prominently on view at the centre of the screen in the big-thumbed hitchhiker of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, in the small-town media queen of To Die For, and in the street-tough math whiz of Good Will Hunting. This last flick earned Van Sant his first Oscar attention, and for good reason: It's slick but also satisfying, with a tweaked climax perfectly engineered to fit the genre that Hollywood most loves the tragedy with a happy ending. (Globe and Mail)
A Personal Connection Feb 15, 2009
I equate it to: What if you'd seen "Good Will Hunting," and at the end of the movie Gus Van Sant added a gag reel of Robin Williams, reminding everybody that's he's Robin Williams. Q: Does it ever surprise you how many people don't know about or haven't seen "Being There". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Batting Around with Chris Hayes Feb 8, 2009
When I was in school, "Good Will Hunting" came out, and I got that relatively often, that I looked exactly like him. It's funny, his wife actually looks quite a bit like my wife. (MLB.com -- Kansas City Royals)
Directors Guild nominates Knights Nolan Feb 7, 2009
Nolan previously was nominated for 2001s Memento, while Van Sant was in the running for 1997s Good Will Hunting. . (MSNBC -- Movies)
