So I went back to the “Daredevil” set to see Ben in action, and I may be biased, but fuck – that boy is doing some of the best work of his career.

And mind you, I made “Chasing Amy” with him, so that’s not an easy thing to say.

I think what’s so interesting about his performance is that this is the first time he’s not able to rely on his Affleck charm – the eyes, the delivery, the killer smile. For those of you who don’t know much about DD, the character is blind. As Matt Murdock, Ben’s in shades most of the time, and wearing “blind” contacts when he’s not. As DD, the mask covers his eyes and brow completely. This prohibits our boy from relying on the usual tics and “Affleck-tions” that’ve helped support his performances over the last few years (the shit I’m a sucker for). And because he can’t work that magic, he’s turning in a performance that I’ve never seen him give prior to this – a very stripped down, no-frills approach perf that’s working like mad. I was just blown away by the stuff I saw… and really proud. He’s nailing DD like Reeve nailed Superman, or Keaton nailed Batman. Kudos to the boy.

And kudos, also, to Mark, the director, and Ericson, his D.P. They’re making one gorgeous fucking picture. Mark and Ben showed me a ton of footage they’ve shot over the last few weeks, and it’s all beautiful stuff. The suit looks fantastic and the way they’re lighting it makes it look even more bad-ass.

And big, big props to Jon Favreau, whose turning in a really, really funny Foggy. I saw some flat-out brilliant takes of his that made me laugh out loud. He was an excellent cast.

Haven’t seen any footage of Bullseye or Elektra, but I’m going to go back in two weeks to watch some of the DD/Elektra rooftop fight being shot.

Mark Steven Johnson’s making, for my money, the best comic book movie we’ve seen since… maybe “The Rocketeer” (which, along with Donner’s first two “Superman” flicks may be the best superhero flicks ever made). I apologize for my gushing, but I haven’t been this excited over a movie I’m not really involved with since “Batman.” I want this flick out now.

“Spider-Man” does forty one million on opening day, there’s a “Hulk” teaser out, and “Daredevil” is shaping up to be a pimp-and-a-half flick.

Fuck, it’s a great time to be a comic book fan.