It would be a stretch to say that the release of a Ben Affleck movie ever qualified as an event. Even in the late 1990s and the early 2000s — the post-Good Will Hunting window during which he was most plausibly anointed for stardom — Affleck tended to be recklessly productive in a way that […]

It would be a stretch to say that the release of a Ben Affleck movie ever qualified as an event. Even in the late 1990s and the early 2000s — the post-Good Will Hunting window during which he was most plausibly anointed for stardom — Affleck tended to be recklessly productive in a way that diluted his brand. Was Forces of Nature (1999) an event? Was Changing Lanes (2002) a big deal? Was there a lot of press surrounding Paycheck (2003)? I am purposely omitting the flat-out bombs (Reindeer Games [2000], Gigli [2003], Jersey Girl [2004]) that Affleck has long seemed drawn to with alarming frequency.