The Town (2010)

Ben Affleck directs and stars in a bank heist picture set in Charlestown, Mass., the capital of bank heists, with average results. Affleck can’t find the right tone for the film or his complicated character, and only Blake Lively gives an interesting performance.

d: Ben Affleck | imdb.com | trailer | My bank was robbed.
You dummies shot a guard. | I never asked you to. | Six inches

Extract (2009)

Mike Judge (“Office Space”) captures more mundane workplace moments, but there isn’t enough smart satire to sustain the film. Jason Bateman owns an extract flavoring company and resides in a sexless marriage (to Kristen Wiig). Ben Affleck plays his druggie pal.

d: Mike Judge | imdb.com | trailer | Brad Chavez | Stupid Brad
“Film Forum with Beavis and Butthead”

State of Play (2009)

Russell Crowe is a journalist investigating congressman and old college buddy Ben Affleck in an implausible political thriller and an unrealistic homage to newspapers with too many twists. Jason Bateman is the highlight as a sleazy public relations man.

d: Kevin Macdonald | imdb.com | trailer | questioning Domenic

He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)

Ginnifer Goodwin — a cute, desperate gal — can’t get a second date in a movie that plays like a too-sweet sitcom with hugs and lessons. It’s just not believable that Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly and Drew Barrymore could be so insecure.

d: Ken Kwapis | imdb.com | trailer | He’s never going to call you.