Ben Affleck On

Ahead of the release of his film, The Town, on DVD and Blu-ray Jan 31, we’ve got an interview with Ben Affleck discussing the Heist movies that inspired his latest crime-thriller.

Ahead of the release of his film, The Town, on DVD and Blu-ray Jan 31, we’ve got an interview with Ben Affleck discussing the Heist movies that inspired his latest crime-thriller.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)

It’s an exceptional film. It’s not sexed up, it’s not glam. You feel like these are real guys, who really are doing this. And the stakes feel kind of dangerous and real in a sort of slightly scary, upsetting way.

Rififi (1955)

There’s an incredible sequence in “Rififi” where there’s no sound during the robbery. It’s just magnificent.

Heat (1995)

When I was interviewing people in prison they referenced “Heat.” And when I was interviewing the FBI, they referenced “Heat.” [It] is the one movie that’s cited as the real thing by people who really do that stuff.

Inception (2010)

It’s the perfect example of story driving the visuals.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

That’s the perfect example of a movie that’s smart and still fun. You
really are having a good time and rooting for these guys, and I think
it spawned a whole sub-genre of movies afterward.

The Bank Job (2008)

It feels gritty and real, but also, it’s also sexy and fun. It was a sense of discovery about England and this era and the sense that they got it right.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

It was the first modern movie that had that incredible twist. That reveal at the end of the movie that was done so expertly, where they threaded it, and you thought you were watching one movie, and at the very end, you realized you were watching a completely different movie. It was magnificent.

The Killing (1956)

It never felt like a movie, it always felt like you were watching something real, a documentary about it. And I think that is the best feeling you can get.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

You never saw much of the robbery itself. And it was just incredible writing. You realized you didn’t need to see guys with explosives, hanging from wires, to feel the tension.

Snatch (2000)

I think Brad Pitt is as good in “Snatch” as anyone’s been in anything. It’s a cool, fun, energetic, gripping movie to watch. And it’s got a great title.

Point Break (1991)

It had this really creative, interesting, visual way that these robberies would happen, that didn’t undermine the film’s sense of realism.

THE TOWN IS AVAILABLE TO OWN ON BLU-RAY AND DVD ON JAN 31. Pre-order yourself a copy here.