I recently had the immense pleasure of speaking with one of my all time favorite actors, Titus Welliver, about his prolific and impressive television work. But as accomplished as his TV resume is, the actor has just as distinguished of a film and stage career. Welliver first gained attention in the groundbreaking off-Broadway play “Riff Raff,” which was written, directed and co-starred actor Laurence Fishburne. He would eventually reprise the critically acclaimed role that he originated on stage as the sympathetic drug addict and part-time thief Billy “The Torch’ Murphy in the film adaptation of the play entitled Once in the Life, which also starred Fishburne and marked his feature film directorial debut. In fact, while the actor and I were chatting about the making of Once in the Life and his work in "Riff Raff," which also happens to be my all time favorite stage play, the actor happened to mention that he and Fishburne are discussing doing a revival of the show. “I have to say Laurence and I have been sort of toying with the idea of doing the play again even though it's been about twelve years since we made the film,” Welliver admitted.

While the actor is probably best known for his extensive television work that includes playing Silas Adams on HBO’s Western-based series Deadwood, the pivotal role of Kyle Hollis on the brilliant but short-lived NBC series Life, season three villain Jimmy O’Phelan on FX’s motorcycle gang series Sons of Anarchy, a recurring role on the current Fox series Touch with Kiefer Sutherland, and of course, as the Man in Black (A.K.A. the Smoke Monster) on ABC’s cultural phenomenon Lost. But he’s also appeared in many popular feature films including The Doors, Mobsters, Twisted, Assault on Precinct 13, and most recently Man on a Ledge, which opened on January 27^th and is in theaters now. But his most famous film roles have come from his collaborations with fellow actor and now critically acclaimed writer/director Ben Affleck. Welliver first appeared in Affleck’s Boston-based directorial debut Gone Baby Gone as Lionel McCready, and also appeared as FBI agent Dino Ciampa in The Town (also set in the Boston area) opposite Jon Hamm (TV’s Mad Men). Now, Welliver will achieve the hat trick by also appearing in Affleck’s upcoming third directorial effort Argo, which will be the first of his films, as a director, not set in Massachusetts.

If I had told you, in the summer of 2004, that within eight years, Ben Affleck would be a successful director with two formidable feature films under his belt, you'd probably punch me right in the solar plexus then laugh your ass off.  But here we are, and based on his directorial track record, Affleck's third effort as director seems likely to be a highlight of 2012.  As part of a preview for the year ahead, Warner Bros has released the first official image from Argo, which Affleck both directs and stars in as part of a pretty ridiculous ensemble.  We've previously seen some unofficial photos from the Los Angeles set, but read on for your first bona-fide look Argo, with Affleck very seriously perusing some documents.

Even John Milton, who dictated one of the finest works of poetry ever composed in the English language after literally years of serious work, would probably agree that Casey Affleck knocked it out of the park in his Oscar nominated leading turn in Gone Baby Gone, as directed by his older sibling Ben Affleck.  So assuming he's still alive almost 350 years after the poem's publication, Milton's probably pretty stoked that Affleck is in negotiations to play an angel loyal to god in Paradise Lost, a 3D action epic based on his truly classic work.  Not only that, but the gorgeous Camilla Belle is also likely to join the project as a certain apple-loving young lady who causes humanity's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

If a time traveler from 2003 or 2004 were to suddenly appear in the year 2011, they would no doubt be aghast at any number of developments over the last seven years, including the continued morass in Iraq, the price of gasoline, and the killing of Osama bin Laden.  Probably the most shocking surprise, however, would be the current status of Ben Affleck as not simply a viable leading man, but also a hugely respected writer and director.  Anyone from the overexposed age of Bennifer, Jersey Girl, and Gigli might very well suffer from a physical shock upon learning that Affleck is currently in negotiations with Warner Bros to star and direct the international actioner Line of Sight.

There is something special about Boston. It could be the rich history found in the architecture. Or maybe it is the colorful dialect that is constantly attempted, but seldom achieved by outsiders. Whatever it is, it has drawn filmmakers in hopes to tell a true and honest tale.

This past year two terrific films centered in or around Boston made it to the local cinemas. One is the terrific Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale Golden Globe nominated picture, The Fighter. Next is The Town, another hit for director Ben Affleck. Both films definitely feel like Boston to me, and ironically enough, both will end up on quite a few best of the year lists.

Ben Affleck's The Town just got a new poster, and it's terrifying. If I didn't know any better, I'd think this was a horror movie about a gang of killer nuns who hop out of a truck to mow people down with machine guns. But I do know better, believe it or not, and I realize that this is Affleck's crime drama/love story follow-up to Gone Baby Gone, his surprisingly strong debut effort as director. Still, Affleck is going to be responsible for some serious nightmares... Again...