Ben jilts ‘Jersey’ director, too

DIRECTOR’S CUT – Seems J.Lo isn’t the only one who’s been betrayed by Ben Affleck. Director Kevin Smith, in Boston yesterday to promote “Jersey Girl,” said the Cambridge actor’s a real sweetheart, “but he goes out and cheats on me, doing movies with other people.” Best known for his 1994 comedy “Clerks,” Smith is a big fan of the whole Affleck clan, having cast Ben in “Mall Rats,” “Dogma,” and now “Jersey Girl,” and Ben and Casey Affleck in “Chasing Amy.” “Their mom, Chris, also has exquisite taste,” Smith said. “She’s the one who told Ben that he should see `Clerks.’ Actually, I hold his mom in much higher regard.” Of “Jersey Girl,” which hits theaters March 26, Smith said he’s hoping it’ll be Affleck’s comeback film after the disaster that was “Gigli.” “I helped put him on the map, and maybe this one will save his bacon,” he said. “That [expletive] is going to owe me big time if this is a hit.” The movie, which Smith describes as “about a dude and his kid,” does not include a Ben-and-Jen wedding scene, although the scene was shot. “We decided we could tell the story without it, so we cut it,” Smith said. Finally, we just had to ask about those persistent rumors that Ben wears a toupee. Any truth to that? “I came in one day and said, `Dude, I just read on the Internet you’re wearing a rug,’ ” Smith said. “No, man, that fantastic head of hair is his.”

At nine years old, Raquel Castro can finally say that her dream has come true. After all, she has wanted to be an actress for over half of her life.

When Castro was four years old she saw the movie “Selena” and was amazed at the performance of break-out star Jennifer Lopez.

“I saw the movie, and I said, ‘I want to sing and dance,'” says Castro. “Then one day my mom snuck in my room when I was dancing, and she said, ‘She would be a good actress.”

The charming toddler began auditioning with against and landed a part in a Robitussin commercial. This year she will debut in her first feature film, “Jersey Girl,” which also star Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler.

In a coincidence only possible in Hollywood, Lopez also has a role in the film. Castro could not believe her luck at having the chance to work with the woman who had inspired her to perform in the first place. “The first time I met her I couldn’t talk,” Castro says. “I got so nervous. That was the best day of my life.”

It can be hard enough for adults to balance a demanding job with personal responsibilities . How does a nine-year-old manage? “I know lot of kids who act,” Castro explains. “I’m good at school and at acting. First I do my homework, then I look over my scripts.”

When the cameras are off, Castro is a normal girl who enjoys karate, playing piano, singing, ice skating, horse-back riding, and reading. In the future she would like to be in a scary movie or one with actor-singer Hillary Duff, but for now she might be headed to Broadway; the young actress recently auditioned for an upcoming production.

Already wise for her years, Castro offers sage advice to others pursuing a career on the big screen: “If you want to do a movie, never be scared. You have to have faith in yourself. Do your best, and it’s going to be good.”

I realize that on paper the idea of Kevin Smith doing a “family film” doesn’t sit well with many devoted fans of his. But Smith’s script shows remarkable maturity between the edgy jokes. And while I still crack up when I see Affleck crying like a little girl (as he does a couple times here), he also gets to rage a little in JERSEY GIRL and is thoroughly convincing, particularly in a scene where [SPOILER REMOVED]. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to put aside the Bennifer jokes that were never funny, forget the broken relationship, admit that GIGLI was not the worst movie of 2003, and accept JERSEY GIRL for exactly what it is: a fantastic story of loss, family, new love, and sacrifice that should probably perform very well with critics and audiences if they’d just leave the baggage in the crapper where it belongs. JERSEY GIRL is set to open March 19.

A free advance screening was held tonight in Dallas, TX at the Angelika theater. Such screenings are always overbooked, but the crowed that lined up literally out the door was insane. I’m not sure how many were turned away.

Wonderful film. Kevin’s strong writing and dialogue saved what could have been a formulaic disaster in anyone else’s hands. It’s much like School Of Rock, where cliches and the voice of a cult hero are mixed in a surprisingly entertaining and accessible way.

We are excited to announce a special screening of Kevin Smith’s JERSEY GIRL, starring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. We are presenting this screening with SXSW Film and offering discounted tickets and an advance ticket purchase window to AFS members.

JERSEY GIRL

8:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre

Followed by Q&A with Kevin Smith. Ticket prices: $30 ($25 for AFS members) for orchestra seats, which include a post-party at the Coppertank Brewing Company, 504 Trinity Street. $20 ($15 for AFS members) for mezzanine seats and $15 ($10 for AFS members) for balcony seats.

Tickets will go on sale to AFS members on Thursday, March 4, 2004.

Tickets can only be purchased via the Paramount Box Office, in person, showing your membership card. Each member can buy up to 4 tickets. Standard box office hours are noon-5:30 p.m. As of March 8, any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public. (AFS members will still receive a discount after March 8.)

A note about the logistics on the night of the event. SXSW badgeholders will have access to the event on a first-come, first served basis. To gain entry to the event, you will be waiting in line with them. There is no need to show up early, since your ticket, which you purchased in advance, guarantees your seat. Doors will open at 8 p.m.

JERSEY GIRL is about newlywed and young father Ollie’s perfect life being upended by tragedy, landing him in the new role of single father. Forced to move back in with his father he struggles to find his legs in this new life that has sprung up around him. With the help of a beautiful young woman and his daughter he begins to realize that sometimes you have to forget about what you thought you were and just accept who you are.

Additional and updated information can be found online at http://www.austinfilm.org/premieres/jerseygirl.asp

Proceeds benefit the artistic and educational programs of the Austin Film Society.

BEN Affleck can sing? Playing a dad widowed after the death of Jennifer Lopez’s character, the actor reveals surprising vocal talent in “Jersey Girl,” Post movie critic Lou Lumenick reports. Affleck warbles a number in a grade-school production of “Sweeney Todd,” along with Liv Tyler as his new girlfriend. “That’s really them singing,” insists director Kevin Smith, whose flick opens March 26. “Considering her lineage, it wasn’t surprising that Liv [daughter of rocker Steven Tyler] has great pipes. But Affleck’s the shocker. If they ever revive ‘Starlight Express,’ he should strap on some skates and take to the stage.”

Joey Lauren Adams, right, talks about “Lovin’ Up A Storm,” a new movie she wrote about growing up in Arkansas, as her sister, Kelly Adams, looks on Sunday, Feb 29, 2004, in Little Rock, Ark. Adams, who can be seen in the films “Chasing Amy” and “Dazed and Confused,” plans on filming the movie in her hometown of North Little Rock. (AP Photo/Neemah Aaron)

AT: How do you feel about JERSEY GIRL as a project thus far?

LT: I’m very excited, and was very flattered that Kevin wanted me to be a part of it. I’ve been enjoying working with Kevin, particularly because he’s such a great writer. You keep discovering things, and it continues to be fresh and interesting as you perform. He’s very natural, and he writes things in a way people actually speak, so it’s great to be able to speak those words.

AT: Can you tell me a little bit about the rehearsal process? I’ve heard Kevin’s a stickler when it comes to rehearsal…

LT: [Smiles] I had to skip out of the rehearsal process. I was in London doing post-production work on LOTR. I just had to come and work right away on my first day.

AT: You’re crossing from THE LORD OF THE RINGS, which has a huge fan base that borders sometimes on near-religious fanaticism…

LT: Not unlike Kevin’s world…[Laughs]

AT: That’s sort of what I was getting at. What’s it like to be at the center of that kind of a loyal, or some would say rabid, community of fans? Is it intimidating? Do you ever regret being part of something that’s such a juggernaut, like LOTR?

LT: There was lots of weird stuff on the internet before the movie came out. I went and looked at one of the websites, and I was so bummed out because they were saying things that were really mean about me.

AT: Like what?

LT: Well, they weren’t anything to do with the movie, they were like personal attacks, like I was the spoiled daughter of a rock star, that I was too Hollywood to play Arwen. Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I’m far from a spoiled daughter of a rock star…I didn’t actually know who my dad was until I was an older kid. I didn’t have a very easy upbringing…but then when the movie came out the criticism sort of died down. Then I realized that the fans are quite picky about everything…there wasn’t really a time where they picked on me any more than anyone else.

Many making a date with this ‘Girl’

PAULSBORO — Gary Stevenson, fire chief of the Paulsboro Fire Company, visited the Hill Studio Box Office Saturday afternoon to buy his tickets to the special sneak preview of the movie Jersey Girl on March 10 at Paulsboro High School.

When asked who would accompany him to the highly anticipated occasion, Stevenson replied coolly, “Well, Jennifer.”

As in Lopez.

But while stars of the movie J-Lo and Ben Affleck may not make it to the premiere –and surely Stevenson will bring his wife –the Paulsboro red carpet is expected to be rolled out for Director/Producer Kevin Smith.

Paulsboro residents lined up Saturday morning to purchase tickets at the Hill Studio Box Office window, which hasn’t been open for ticket sales since 1973, according to owner and borough Mayor John Burzichelli.

“We decided to open ticket sales up to Paulsboro residents, only, to start,” Burzichelli said, adding that about 400 tickets had been sold by noon Saturday. “If there is anything left after today we’ll open the box office Monday for everyone.”

Paulsboro Printers designed official tickets that were sold Saturday, complete with the movie title and raised borough seal.

Tom Richardson, a 28-year-old IT Specialist and volunteer coach at Paulsboro High School, bought his two tickets and is excited to bring his girlfriend to Paulsboro for the special night.

“She’s from Voorhees, so she always hears everything about Paulsboro,” Richardson said. “It will be neat to try to see my cousin’s house on Thompson Street, where they filmed.”

While the movie was being filmed throughout Paulsboro, the cast signed a white leather fire helmet for the Paulsboro Fire Department.

Chief Stevenson said the helmet, with special messages inked by the stars, will be on display the night of the screening and soon after will be auctioned on eBay to raise money for lifesaving equipment for the firefighters.

“I had aspirations to go to Hollywood or New York for movies,” said Judy MacKenzie, chair of the event. “I ended up staying here for my family and couldn’t go to the movies, but the movies came to me. This is all very surreal.”

MacKenzie also said there is talk of a press tour with celebrities and national media personalities making its way through the borough before the premiere, which is March 9 in New York City, but nothing has been confirmed.