As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the F.B.I. Agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
A police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation.
On his first day on the job as a Los Angeles narcotics officer, a rookie cop goes beyond a full work day in training within the narcotics division of the L.A.P.D. with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears to be.
Director:
Antoine Fuqua
Stars:
Denzel Washington,
Ethan Hawke,
Scott Glenn
Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.
An airline pilot saves almost all his passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashed, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling.
Director:
Robert Zemeckis
Stars:
Denzel Washington,
Nadine Velazquez,
Don Cheadle
After a ferry is bombed in New Orleans, an A.T.F. agent joins a unique investigation using experimental surveillance technology to find the bomber, but soon finds himself becoming obsessed with one of the victims.
Director:
Tony Scott
Stars:
Denzel Washington,
Paula Patton,
Jim Caviezel
Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day's work for dispatcher Walter Garber into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.
Director:
Tony Scott
Stars:
Denzel Washington,
John Travolta,
Luis Guzmán
With an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, a veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock to prevent a catastrophe.
Director:
Tony Scott
Stars:
Denzel Washington,
Chris Pine,
Rosario Dawson
The Charlestown neighborhood of Boston is renowned for churning out a high number of armed robbers, generation after generation. These robbers never leave their Charlestown life on their own volition, the neighborhood where there is an unwritten code to protect that lifestyle. Such robbers include friends Doug MacRay, James Coughlin, Albert 'Gloansy' Magloan and Desmond Elden. Doug and James in particular treat each other like family, as the Coughlins have realistically been as such to Doug since Doug's mother ran off and Doug's father, Stephen MacRay, was sent to prison. James' single mother sister, the drugged out Krista Coughlin, and Doug have a casual sexual relationship. The foursome carry out a mostly successful bank robbery, but due to circumstances take the bank manager, Claire Keesey, hostage for a short period before releasing her physically unharmed. They find out that Claire lives in Charlestown, so they want to ensure that she did not see anything that could incriminate ...Written by
Huggo
This film boasts three past and present Marvel alumni. Ben Affleck played the title character in Daredevil (2003) Jeremy Renner went on to portray Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Rebecca Hall played Maya Hansen in Iron Man 3 (2013). See more »
Goofs
When Special Agent Frawley reviews Claire Keesey's case file, the report says the crime occurred in September 2011. It also states that Keesey was born on May 19, 1978, and is 30 years old. If the crime occurred in September 2011, this would make her character 33 years old. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Doug MacRay:
[narrating]
Driver's name is Arthur Shea. Former Metro Police officer, fifty-seven years old. Soon as his partner leaves with the coal bag, Artie cracks a Herald, and he don't look up 'til the guy gets back. Marty Maguire. Cummins Armored courier. Five-ten, two-twenty, fifty-two years old. Picks up every Wednesday and Friday at exactly 8:12, makes a hundred and ten dollars a day, carries a Sig nine. And he's about to get robbed.
[...] See more »
Crazy Credits
There are no opening credits beyond the production logos and the title. See more »
Alternate Versions
The 152-minute extended cut has the following additions and changes:
When Frawley and Dino examine the burnt-out getaway car, Dino says that he's also from Charlestown and although there are witnesses, the police are unlikely to get a single response. Frawley deduces that the robbery gang are a new band since he had put away most of the professional gangs away in jail.
During Frawley's interrogation with Claire, he reveals more details including robbery statistics including bank robbery being a common thing in Charlestown. However, her question of whether she can get a lawyer has been removed. Doug and James try to replace the robbed money by buying marijuana from a dealer and selling to another dealer.
Since the visit to the drug dealer has been shown, Frawley's briefing to the team has been replaced with more shots in the casino and Doug's team taking drugs.
When Doug and Krista talk in the bar, there's more dialogue by her that makes her character more unappealing and establishing her as a xenophobic.
James stops Krista from hitting Doug before the latter leaves for home. While watching Heat on television, Krista shows up at his apartment before segmenting into the sex scene. Doug later plays puck briefly.
The first date between Doug and Claire has been removed in place of a new scene where Claire tells Doug that during the robbery, her assistant manager David was hit by James' rifle butt many times that he had to go for an eye surgery. They head to the hospital to see him.
At the hospital, David is revealed to be permanently blind on one eye, as a result of James' outburst of violence. A police officer on duty rants about robbers that makes Doug more aggrieved.
A 4-minute scene between Doug and Claire after the restaurant (he learns that the owner is also a friend that uses to play ice hockey with him). He explains about the definition of the slang "Tunie" but lies about his parents, while Claire says she's from Marblehead. Doug also points out that juveniles hold robbers of high-regard like rock stars.
Frawley meets Claire again because of missing information, specifically she didn't tell him that she lives in Charlestown, and intimidating her for being suspicious.
Doug and James beat the two gangsters that harassed Claire. They make it look like a drug deal gone wrong. More beatings on Alex. (note: this pays off more significantly at the end of the Alternate cut)
Extra line by Doug to James: "You hate prison but you can't wait to get caught."
Extra line by James during the second robbery: "He didn't want to end up on the wall of the VFW."
Before Gloansy's turn in the interrogation scene, James calls for lawyer, and Doug deliberately speaks too fast and fuzzily on the microphone.
The scene where Doug gives Claire a necklace (actually a robbed loot) and her quitting the job plays out differently. In the new cut, it takes place at a park. Now she says that she had voluntarily quit her post and plans to be teacher or a social worker in Charlestown. However she remains uncertain of him as she is unsure whether he was involved in the attack of the two of her molesters. Frawley becomes more suspicious of her when he sees the necklace after being asked to leave.
Doug berates James for accepting another job from Fergus, but is told he's can't simply leave because of Krista and her daughter. When he doesn't see himself as a father (because of her going out with a lot of men), they fight. James then recalls of Brendan, a man killed by Doug able to walk away after being shot.
Now that the relationship between him and Claire has crashed, Doug gets some cocaine, sits in an abandoned vehicle and fires his gun until blank. This scene is meant to show that his abstinence is over and he is ready for one final heist plus his resolve to kill Fergus. He meets Krista again to tell her that he will disappear for a while after the job.
Frawley narrates the jury of the hug contest story to Krista. This scene shows a contrast of reaction between Claire's (natural) and Krista's (mimic / artificial ).
The robbery team's diversion is restored. Dez the decoy, takes the company car home for the weekend, while an FBI-agent (as a jogger) plants the transmitter in the van. This pays off moments later in an added scene when Frawley and Dino fell for it.
James explains why he couldn't quit his crimes. Doug bids goodbye in contempt.
During the robbery, Desmond calls Doug a coward for suggesting to surrender.
CCTV shots during Doug and Fergus' shootout.
The final exchange between Frawley and Claire has been moved up and has dialogue, making him more distrustful of her.
Whatcha Say
Written by Sean Kingston (as Kisean Anderson), Jason Derulo (as Jason Desrouleaux), Imogen Heap, J.R. Rotem (as Jonathan Rotem)
Performed by Jason Derulo
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Contains a sample of "Hide and Seek"
Performed by Imogen Heap
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Limited and J Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing See more »
In "The Town," Ben Affleck plays Doug, the brains behind an Irish mob that robs banks and plans heists all around the Boston area. After their last huge bank job, Doug learns from his colleague, James (James Coughlin), that the female bank manager, Claire (Rebecca Hall) from the bank lives a few blocks away from where the mob meets. This is when Doug decides to investigate Claire and see what she knows about him and the other members of his crew. Along the way, Doug falls in love with Claire as the FBI is slowly investigating him and his fellow mob members to see where they are going to strike next. It's only a matter of time before the FBI comes after Doug and it's now up to Doug to decide whether it's the mob life or love....
I have to admit when I first saw the trailers for "The Town" I wasn't really that impressed with it. Sure it looked like a solid action movie about bank-robbers but the trailers just seemed to give away too much. When "The Town" was actually released in theaters I didn't have a chance to see it because it was released during a time where for some reason, which I am not sure of, I didn't see any films. I did however, read the reviews for the film and they were nothing but extreme positives. I tried to see the film in theaters but like most things nowadays it didn't last more than a few weeks at the local theaters. I decided to buy the flick on Blu Ray and finally sat down last night to watch it...
There is so much good to say about "The Town" but it's hard to pick where to start. The easiest place to start is with Ben Affleck so I am going to start there. As many may know already, Affleck directed, co-wrote, and starred in this film. Unlike most people, I never really disliked Affleck even though earlier in his career, he had a few stinkers ("Gigli," "Daredevil," and "Jersey Girl" all come to mind) but I figured he just hasn't found the right fit yet. In "The Town" Ben Affleck shows off just how solid of an actor he can be with the right material. He plays the tough Irish mob leader to perfection. I am talking everything from the accent to the mannerisms; Affleck just nails it.
Along with the acting, his eye as a director is also rather solid. This is Affleck's second directorial endeavor and its surprisingly better than his first, which is saying a lot. "Gone Baby Gone" was well reviewed by critics and audience members alike and many were shocked to learn that Affleck directed that flick. "The Town" is rated even higher by both categories of people. Affleck knows his way behind the scenes capturing raw emotion, realistic and gritty violence, and truly showing his audience he knows how to make his cast act out their roles to near perfection. Affleck's dark and corrupt vision of Boston reminded me of something Martin Scorsese would have created. If Affleck keeps this up, you never know but he might just become the next Scorsese.
Besides Affleck providing a solid performance, there are several other names that deserve some recognition here. Rebecca Hall is absolutely terrific as the bank manager and Doug's love interest. It's was interesting to see a smaller name in such a big role but it worked to the films advantage. She seemed perfect to play an out of town girl, who gets involved with someone has sleazy and shady as Doug. Jon Hamm did a perfect job as the lead FBI agent. I haven't seen him in many other projects but his mannerisms fit my ideal image of a FBI agent. Jeremy Renner, who played James was just nuts! He played this whacked out character perfectly. The guy seemed to not care about anything and anyone but did it in such a believable fashion. He truly was a demented and troubled soul in the film and really acted his heart out to show that. The one person I do have to say didn't really wow me was Blake Lively. I will admit it was nice seeing her play a really dark and gritty role, which is out of her normal character but she wasn't convincing to me. I just had a hard time believing her as a trashy person. As a whore, I can see but the white trash thing didn't work for me. I am sure many would disagree but trashy I couldn't picture.
All in all, I really don't have anything bad to say about "The Town." It was a solid film all around. The pacing was perfect, the acting was solid, and the direction was superb. This movie may soon be placed in the same category where such movies like "Goodfellas," "Casino," and "Reservoir Dogs" now sit. It will not shock me if this film holds up over the years and becomes known as a cult classic. The film may be too violent or gritty for some but for those who like raw and gritty dramas will probably be adding "The Town" to their favorites list.
MovieManMenzel's final rating for "The Town" is a solid 8 out of 10. A ton of kudos points are in order for Affleck and the entire cast of this film.
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In "The Town," Ben Affleck plays Doug, the brains behind an Irish mob that robs banks and plans heists all around the Boston area. After their last huge bank job, Doug learns from his colleague, James (James Coughlin), that the female bank manager, Claire (Rebecca Hall) from the bank lives a few blocks away from where the mob meets. This is when Doug decides to investigate Claire and see what she knows about him and the other members of his crew. Along the way, Doug falls in love with Claire as the FBI is slowly investigating him and his fellow mob members to see where they are going to strike next. It's only a matter of time before the FBI comes after Doug and it's now up to Doug to decide whether it's the mob life or love....
I have to admit when I first saw the trailers for "The Town" I wasn't really that impressed with it. Sure it looked like a solid action movie about bank-robbers but the trailers just seemed to give away too much. When "The Town" was actually released in theaters I didn't have a chance to see it because it was released during a time where for some reason, which I am not sure of, I didn't see any films. I did however, read the reviews for the film and they were nothing but extreme positives. I tried to see the film in theaters but like most things nowadays it didn't last more than a few weeks at the local theaters. I decided to buy the flick on Blu Ray and finally sat down last night to watch it...
There is so much good to say about "The Town" but it's hard to pick where to start. The easiest place to start is with Ben Affleck so I am going to start there. As many may know already, Affleck directed, co-wrote, and starred in this film. Unlike most people, I never really disliked Affleck even though earlier in his career, he had a few stinkers ("Gigli," "Daredevil," and "Jersey Girl" all come to mind) but I figured he just hasn't found the right fit yet. In "The Town" Ben Affleck shows off just how solid of an actor he can be with the right material. He plays the tough Irish mob leader to perfection. I am talking everything from the accent to the mannerisms; Affleck just nails it.
Along with the acting, his eye as a director is also rather solid. This is Affleck's second directorial endeavor and its surprisingly better than his first, which is saying a lot. "Gone Baby Gone" was well reviewed by critics and audience members alike and many were shocked to learn that Affleck directed that flick. "The Town" is rated even higher by both categories of people. Affleck knows his way behind the scenes capturing raw emotion, realistic and gritty violence, and truly showing his audience he knows how to make his cast act out their roles to near perfection. Affleck's dark and corrupt vision of Boston reminded me of something Martin Scorsese would have created. If Affleck keeps this up, you never know but he might just become the next Scorsese.
Besides Affleck providing a solid performance, there are several other names that deserve some recognition here. Rebecca Hall is absolutely terrific as the bank manager and Doug's love interest. It's was interesting to see a smaller name in such a big role but it worked to the films advantage. She seemed perfect to play an out of town girl, who gets involved with someone has sleazy and shady as Doug. Jon Hamm did a perfect job as the lead FBI agent. I haven't seen him in many other projects but his mannerisms fit my ideal image of a FBI agent. Jeremy Renner, who played James was just nuts! He played this whacked out character perfectly. The guy seemed to not care about anything and anyone but did it in such a believable fashion. He truly was a demented and troubled soul in the film and really acted his heart out to show that. The one person I do have to say didn't really wow me was Blake Lively. I will admit it was nice seeing her play a really dark and gritty role, which is out of her normal character but she wasn't convincing to me. I just had a hard time believing her as a trashy person. As a whore, I can see but the white trash thing didn't work for me. I am sure many would disagree but trashy I couldn't picture.
All in all, I really don't have anything bad to say about "The Town." It was a solid film all around. The pacing was perfect, the acting was solid, and the direction was superb. This movie may soon be placed in the same category where such movies like "Goodfellas," "Casino," and "Reservoir Dogs" now sit. It will not shock me if this film holds up over the years and becomes known as a cult classic. The film may be too violent or gritty for some but for those who like raw and gritty dramas will probably be adding "The Town" to their favorites list.
MovieManMenzel's final rating for "The Town" is a solid 8 out of 10. A ton of kudos points are in order for Affleck and the entire cast of this film.