Hollywood: Are Two J-Fleck Movies Too Many?

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck will costar in two movies this year scheduled to be released just three months apart

NEWSWEEK, April 14 issue — Just in case you need more of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in your life, the couple will costar in two moviesthis year. Unfortunately, they’re scheduled to be released just three months apart, begging the obvious questions: Can they both make a profit? And is either any good?

AFFLECK AND LOPEZ fell in love last year while making “Gigli,” a dramatic comedy about gangsters. Directed by Martin Brest (whose previous outing, “Meet Joe Black,” flopped), the $54 million film began suffering from negative buzz last fall after test-screening audiences hated the ending, in which Affleck’s character (pronounced Jee-lee) died. Revolution Studios, which financed the film, forked over about $1 million for a three-day reshoot. Last week a test screening of the new version inspired a scathing review on the Ain’t It Cool News Web site—and a heated moment between Brest and Revolution head Joe Roth over the pace of the movie’s final 25 minutes. After a three-day standoff, Brest headed back to the editing room to tighten the final segment.

Meanwhile, Affleck and Lopez’s other project, the romantic drama “Jersey Girl,” had been basking in good early buzz. This sparked speculation that its director, Kevin Smith, had somehow planted the Ain’t It Cool review as sabotage. Those close to both projects describe this theory as “paranoid” and “ridiculous.” (Smith has been a close friend of Affleck’s since the two made “Chasing Amy” years ago, and even helped Affleck and Matt Damon get their “Good Will Hunting” script into Miramax’s hands.) What’s more, the fates of “Gigli” and “Jersey Girl” are actually tied together—if audiences balk at the first flick this summer, they may boycott the second film come fall. Revolution contends that “Gigli” will be vindicated. “The picture will speak for itself,” says executive Tom Sherak. “This is a really smart summer movie. It’s not a fastball down the middle. It’s not ‘The Hulk.’ It’s a curveball.” Here’s hoping it’s over the plate.

Hey folks, Harry here… here’s a long in coming set report on JERSEY GIRL, the next Kevin Smith movie – a film that is set to move Kevin in a new direction. Now the film is mostly complete, I’ve heard from the voices out there that the film is Kevin’s best, that Affleck is remarkable and in his best form yet and that the movie is gorgeous due to Vilmos’ stunning cinematography. Sounds good to me, the only problem I see, is I’m not seeing it right now! Here ya go…

Hi Harry,

huge fan of the site, first time i have something to contribute. I’ve been sitting on this one for a while, but i think its time to file this report for all the Kevin Smith fans. I was fortunate enough to spend a few days on the set of the upcoming Kevin Smith pic (the first not of the Jay and Silent Bob series) Jersey Girl.

The film stars Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and an adorable little girl (the Jersey Girl in question) Raquel Castro. It also stars George Carlin, Mike Starr, Stephen Root, and of course elven princess, Liv Tyler (who by the way is done no justice by film, i was blown away by how beautiful she was in person).

the majority of filming went on in Philly and south jersey, where the scene in question was shot at Paulsboro high school. There is a picture of Betty Aberlin of Mister Rogers fame as the school teacher on the newsaskew site here.

now onto the scene. I am not going to give too much away as the running joke in the scene is very funny, and will definitely be spoiled if you know its going to happen. But the premise of the scene is this: a parent-student talent show/pageant type thing. At this point the jersey girl (Affleck’s daughter in the film) is about seven. all of the acts that precede her’s are conformist to say the least, but little Gertie Trinke is not afraid to take risks in her performance, with a little help from the likes of George Carlin (grandpa trinke), liv tyler, mike starr and stephen root.

there were two things that struck me most about my experience on the set. One: Raquel Castro. what a presence! that little girl commands the attention of everyone around her (when the camera is rolling AND when it isn’t). Now im not going to make any predictions, but this little girl could be the biggest child star since Haley Joel (What have you done for me since AI) Osmet. And with a late fall release, look for an oscar push for this film.

the second thing that really struck me was the cinematographer: Vilmos Zsigmond. This guy has got his shit together. Im serious, he got what he wanted with every shot, and if he didn’t, they did it over until Vilmos was happy. he seemed very confident in everything he did, every shot choice and camera placement. every lighting change, he had to have it all perfect. look for this to be the best Kevin smith film (at least visually).

I think that this is a very courageous step in a good direction for a talented film maker. It will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen from Kevin smith (almost no cursing! Affleck whispered shit in the scene i saw), a PG 13 rating (most likely) and a family oriented plot. It seemed like Kevin was working very hard to expand his versatility on this one. So if you’re looking for dick and fart jokes this ain’t the film to see, but if you’re looking for a talented director pushing at least his personal limits on film, i think this will a very rewarding film. In the end it will be the film that people argue which was better: jersey girl or chasing amy.

well you’ve got Affleck in both, but at least it aint armaggedon.

My latest mantra is “If JERRY MAGUIRE can work at 2:18, we can work at 2:18 …” but that might just be the high (and laze) of wrapping up a first cut talking. We’ll see. Regardless, the movie can now be watched end-to-end, without me stopping every few scenes to explain to the viewer what happens next (now I only have to stop once).

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Anybody who incorporates “Snootchie Bootchies!” into their Internet postings or daily conversations might wanna wait for the CLERKS cartoon flick (which — take this as promise or a threat — is next for us) and skip this one. I’ll save you the time of having to post this on our Web-board and let you know that I understand you feel I’m a “pussy,” a “sell-out,” “I’ve lost it” (whatever “it” was), and I “eat cok.” You’re not going to change my mind about the flick; I just love it too much.

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The Next Flick. Now that we’re wrapped on JERSEY GIRL, I keep getting this “What’re you doing next?” shit. Aside from the CLERKS cartoon movie (which, once I’m done writing, is out of my hands and into the hands of the directors/animators), truth is, I’m not sure. There are a few options (FLETCH WON – but only if they let Lee play Fletch; this sci-fi thing I’ve been toying with, and a pair of comic-book flicks: one that’s very close to my heart and one that would be completely out of left field) but I’ve yet to figure it out. For the first time in the nearly 10 years we’ve been doing this, I find myself at the end of one movie, not knowing what the next one will be. No complaints, mind you; it’s actually kind of nice. But weird. Maybe it’s time for a vacation finally.

Wishing on stars and seeing a few

The filming of “Jersey Girl” brings movie magic to fans in Paulsboro, Gloucester County.

By Sara Isadora Mancuso
Inquirer Suburban Staff

PAULSBORO – Police Chief Ken Ridinger’s headphones hung off his neck as he stood behind the yellow crime tape keeping cameras, reporters and fans from creeping into off-limit blue tents and trailers.

“He’s really knocking it down in this scene,” Ridinger said as Ben Affleck’s lines for Jersey Girl filtered into his ears.

Yesterday’s sprinkle went unnoticed by the 80 or so fans praying for a star sighting as they lined the sidewalks across from Paulsboro’s municipal building on Delaware Street. Mothers and fathers with babies in arms, teens, and shop owners huddled together, waiting for a wave from Jennifer Lopez or Affleck, the stars of the $35 million Miramax movie.

The dramatic comedy stars real-life sweethearts Affleck and Lopez as newlyweds with a newborn. The story is set in Highlands, Monmouth County, but Paulsboro is doubling for the coastal town, where director Kevin Smith, of the 1994 sleeper hit Clerks, grew up.

During the fans’ stake-out, which for some started at 8 a.m., disposable cameras never left their sides, and pens and paper for autographs stayed gripped in hands, wet from rain.

They had a great view of Affleck – his stand-in, at least – clad in black-and-white Adidas pants outside the back doors to Borough Hall.

Eventually, the fans’ screams were answered.

Only partly.

J. Lo was off-set, in New York for the MTV Video Music Awards.

But Affleck walked down Delaware Street around lunchtime after portraying a New York City entertainment publicist in a scene. In Jersey Girl, George Carlin plays Affleck’s father, a municipal employee.

Back on Delaware, traffic crawled while Affleck spoke on a fan’s cell phone; doled out hugs, kisses and autographs; and posed for pictures.

A few hours before, real Borough Council members signed autographs before heading into Borough Hall for a scene with Affleck.

Councilman John Gentile took the seat he always uses at borough meetings. “We were just sitting there being ourselves. Then Ben Affleck appears,” he said, incredulous.

Inside, municipal business was slow. Borough Clerk Kathy VanScoy, a movie star for a day, slipped in and out of the office. Her hair, usually long and flowing, was fashioned with bobby pins in a loose bun, and her makeup had just been done at Hill Studio, Mayor John Burzichelli’s production studio.

Robert “Ratface” Holtzman, a production designer who has worked with Smith and Burzichelli, scouted Gloucester City, Collingswood and other towns before settling on Paulsboro, known for its high school wrestling championships, oil refineries, and borough pride.

“Paulsboro is a diamond in the rough,” Holtzman said.

He had been searching the area for a Craftsman house like those that could be mail-ordered from the Sears catalog in the 1930s.

“I found the perfect house and the perfect street,” Holtzman said.

No, he’s not releasing the particulars.

During the next few weeks, more cast members will be filmed in the borough. They began their 10-week shoot in the Philadelphia area Monday.

The crew and cast, which includes Liv Tyler, also will be at Paulsboro High School and Loudenslager Elementary School in the coming weeks.

For now, the movie crew is getting comfortable shopping in Gloucester County thrift stores and restaurants.

Weiss True Value in Paulsboro has supplied the set dressers with lightbulbs, tools and tape – sometimes three or four times a day.

“They’re down-to-earth, regular, cool people,” manager Phil Weiss said.

The fans were a different story. Dana Truhan and her best friend, Emily Buffington, both 18, were gushing when they entered Gervasi’s Restaurant after taking pictures with Affleck.

“People were screaming his name,” Buffington said. “And we were just like….”