Can Ben Affleck be funny? - Surviving Christmas (2004) Discussion

[–] Asimov42 20 years ago

I've seen the trailer. No he can't. There is actually one shot where Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini both singing. I've never seen it more promenitly. My cursor was bouncing back and forth going "Good actor, bad actor, good actor, bad actor." You can truely see how bad Affleck is when he's next to Gandolfini.

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 20 years ago

I didn't see the Kevin Smith films, but your comment, BQQ seems to reflect Affleck's own hope and feeling that comedy is his forte. He didn't have an opportunity to show a comedic flare in most of his previous movies. The trailer of SURVIVING CHRISTMAS didn't impress me, but, unfortunately, I learned long ago that trailers are not to be trusted either way. They often make a movie look a whole lot better than it is, often make one look not nearly as good as it is, and about 33% of the time are accurate in letting you know what the movie will be. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell while watching the trailer which of the three categories it falls in.

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[–] paigealaina 20 years ago

You have to have a certain type of personality to get Kevin Smith movies(which I find hilarious-Dogma one of my all time favorites) and I also think you need to be a certain type to get Surviving Christmas. I laughed at the previews-especially when James knocked Ben out with the snow shovel and then poked at him to make sure he was alive........it seems to be funnier than that moronic Christmas with the Cranks that is coming out.

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[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 20 years ago

To be honest, both trailers looked moronic to me, but I don't take trailers seriously because they used to mislead me one way or the other...good movies sometimes have Godawful trailers, and lousy movies sometimes have great trailers. Quite honestly, the animated POLAR EXPRESS looks like the most interesting Christmas movie so far, but I am keeping an open mind on the other two.

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[–] paigealaina 20 years ago

I agree about Polar Express(used to work in a Bookstore-loved the book). But I also think they are different genres. It's kind of like comparing The Graduate with American Pie films.

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[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 20 years ago

Well, yes and no. I was talking in terms of its being of the Christmas genre, although if you break that genre down into age appeal and animated vs live, obviously they are different. But Christmas does give the three a common ground.

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[–] morphoman 20 years ago

He was funny in Smith flicks.

But I have to say that drama is his forte.

and Blind guy Being Ridiculous Kickin a**.

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[–] santsa70 20 years ago

Can Ben Affleck be funny??? You bet he can! I'd almost venture to say he's a better comedic actor than dramatic, and like they say, comedy is tougher to do than drama. In most of Kevin Smith's movies, he has succeeded in making characters that are true to life and all of its problems, but also display a certain comic flare. Besides his movies, if you'd ever seen his SNLs, you'd know the man is just so at home in comedy. I remember when I saw the first airing of the last episode he hosted, and I knew as I watched it that this episode was destined to be a classic because of what he brought to it. In real life even, Ben's a joker. He's just a very funny guy, and if he brings the same hilarity to Surviving Christmas that he's brought in so many other things, I'll bet the movie will be a big hit.

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[–] moviesloth 20 years ago

Affleck seems like a very down to earth - funny guy, who should just stick to playing poker and thumping for John Kerry. He comes across great when he's being himself, but cant seem to slip into any character on screen without looking awkward and forced.

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[–] santsa70 20 years ago

While I certainly don't agree with your opinion about Ben's acting, I agree with you about his personality. He seems like such a great guy to be around and have for a friend. He seems like the kinda a guy one would totally be comfortable with hanging out, drinking beer, watching tv, (playing strip poker--well in my fantasy anyways) and just having a ball of it.
-Stephanie

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[–] cutlets23 20 years ago

Lets all understand something here. Ben Affleck appears to be a nice down to earth guy, but one thing is certain. He is a terrible actor. Is comedy for him? I'd say its a long shot. I do know he gets a lot of laughs when he tries action or drama.

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[–] MovieFan8215 20 years ago

I agree that he's a better comedy actor. If you've ever seen him interviewed, you can tell that he's a naturally funny guy. He was very funny in "Dogma" and in "Good Will Hunting" he was wonderful when he got to say a humorous anecdote. I think comedic characters are closer to his own personality, so it's easier for him to play them.

Joey: Oh, I'm sorry. Did I get you?
Chandler: It's an electric drill! You "get" me, you kill me!

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[–] YourNewFriendKaity 20 years ago

yes . . affleck can be funny . . very funny . . when he has the right material . . . he is hilarious in the kevin smith flicks . . and he kills me on SNL . . he's really good at it . . plus, i love the 'retainer' scene in GWH . . i think he can definetely be funny . . it's just that, he doesn't make the best choices in what to try . . .

"That's what the internet is for: slandering others anonymously."-Banky Edwards

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[–] Steve_Kerr7 20 years ago

I could be wrong, but I think many a people here are forgetting a film called Dazed and Confused.

he was hilarious in that :)

and good acting! :)

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[–] YourNewFriendKaity 20 years ago

I could be wrong, but I think many a people here are forgetting a film called Dazed and Confused.

true my friend, so true.

"That's what the internet is for: slandering others anonymously."-Banky Edwards

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[–] ranger-33 20 years ago

I definately agree that he is a better comedic actor. That voice he did in Jay and Silent Bob was hilarious! "What're we gonna do, Will???"

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[–] nosferatu-4 20 years ago

Yes he can.

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] divided-jane 20 years ago

He had me doubled over laughing with his Jim Carville bit on Saturday Night Live. He CAN do funny. I don't know if he managed to do funny in this movie, though. The trailer looked pretty bad.

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