Winter Classic Draws Boston Movie Stars

The Boston Herald Inside Track has an article posted about the who's who in the Fenway Park stands this coming New Year's Day. Of course all eyes will be on the boys in black and gold this Friday at the Winter Classic, but there will undoubtedly be many looking in the stands for famous faces. It is reported that Mystic River star Tim Robbins will be in attendance. Pat Sajak will be returning to Boston for the game just a few months after filing Wheel of Fortune in town. You know Denis Leary will be there and so will a bunch of the old-school Boston Bruins like Terry O'Reilly for the historic game. To check out the article follow this link. You can also check out a cool web cam of Fenway's transformation at the nhl's site. And to watch the the Flyers get a New Year's Beantown Beatdown, tune into NBC @1pm 1/1/10 for the coverage.

Still the Season for Reindeer Games

Ben Affleck fans, I'm saying that you can get away with watching one of Ben's worst movies for about another week. This week between holidays is time to soak up as much of them as you care to because soon it will be way too late to watch Reindeer Games without getting those "what's wrong with you looks?"

Reindeer Games isn't the only movie that falls into this category... take for instance The Ref. Great movie (to me anyway) set at Christmastime with Bostonian Dennis Leary and Kevin Spacey (star of the hit Boston Movie 21). Or how about Trapped in Paradise with Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz and National Treasure star Nicholas Cage. I love B movies like these but I mean, I can never get anyone to watch them with me except for this one week every year!

So if you're anything like me, go for it. Pop in that old DVD you normally get shunned for watching. Chalk up any looks you get to their diminished yule, and continue to enjoy the holidays!

Worst Movie Ever? At least there were bow and arrows

So after a long and fun filled Christmas day w the family, I sat down late Christmas night to watch my first Blu-ray movie ever. The cover of In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale  looked great and showed Jason Statham who I loved in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Ray Liotta and Bert Reynolds had big parts so the movie had a little promise.

The the story follows a man called Farmer (Jason Statham) who fights for his people and then gets mixed up fighting creatures called Krug. That's about all you need to know (besides there are no Boston connections).


One word: Wow. From the script to the acting, this movie was just bad. It was so bad, it was almost laughable at times. I was going to turn it off but felt it was a badge of courage to watch the entire film. What was worse is the DVD version was extended so the movie ran 165 minutes I will never get back. 


The one saving grace for the movie has great effects so it showed off my new Blu-ray nicely. I also got some tips on how to shoot a bow and arrow which is good for helping my son with his new toy bow and arrow set (seriously).

Thanks Loaded Gun!

A big thank you to LoadedGunBoston.com for their recent shout-out! You guys rock... and our gift certificates rock too! They do make a great present for the Boston Movie Lover in your life! Again, you can now purchase gift certificates for next years' tours here. And of course, check out Loaded Gun Boston for other Boston movie gift ideas and content!

Boston's Knight and Day Trailer Sneak Preview

Seems like Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz just finished wrapping action movie Knight and Day but the studio already has the trailer out. Boston is highlighted in a big way throughout the entire trailer and there are some series action scenes. Looks like Mission Impossible meets a comedic love story.

We'll see how that plays out as Boston has had a few clunkers made the past year. This one looks pretty good as is due in theaters the summer of 2010.

Hollywood in the Hub, December 2009

Blogger, Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  Though the 2009 tour season has ended, we're giving you and yours a chance to enjoy Boston Movie Tours in 2010 with our Gift Certificates... just in time for the holiday season! Boston has seen a number of movies filming this fall, and year as a whole... we're listing the top 9 Boston Movie of 2009!  As we say goodbye to 2009, Tom Cruise says goodbye to Boston to finish filimg Knight & Day elsewhere.  Also, we follow Matt Damon's busy December! And as always, check out our Hollywood in the Hub blog for the latest Boston Movie Tour gossip and insider info! Jeff, Rachel and Dave
December 2009 Gift Certificates Now Available for Theater - On - Wheels Tom Cruise Wraps Filming in Boston for Knight & Day Matt Damon's Busy December Top 9 Boston Movies of 2009 Studios in Plymouth - Between a Rock and a Hard Place Click to view this email in a browser Gift Certificates Now Available for Theatre-On-Wheels Due to popular demand, we are now offering Gift Certificates for our Theatre-On-Wheels Bus Tour!  Just in time for the holiday season, they make the perfect gift for movie lovers and Bostonions.  Order online, and have the recipient make a reservation for the tour of thier choice next season! Take a Boston Movie Tour and we'll blow your mind with the craziest facts that will be sure to come in handy at your local bar's trivia night. THEATER ON WHEELS BUS TOUR - 11AM Saturdays in April 2010 Group/Private Tours - Available anytime. Request a Quote. mailto:groups@bostonmovietours.net Meeting Location (All Tours) - Boston Common Visitor Center For check-in, you can check in at the Boston Common Visitor Center with your Boston Movie Tours guide starting 30 minutes prior start time. Look for the guide in the red shirt. Back to top  Tom Cruise Wraps Boston Filming on Knight & Day Tom Cruise spent about the Autumn months filimng his upcoming effort entitled Knight & Day.  The movie Co-stars Cameron Diaz who actually returned to Boston for this movie after The Box filmed here last year.  Cruise was spotted all around town with wife Katie Holmes  during their stay.  Tom said goodbye to Boston via his blog as he moves onto Europe for more filming.  You can read his blog quote below and keep your eyes peeled for your favorite Boston landmarks in the background of the movie!  You can also see clips of him during filming by clicking his older Boston movie, The Firm. To the wonderful people of Boston, My family and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your warmth and hospitality during our incredible stay here. We absolutely love Boston and will treasure our memories of the freedom trail, the Duck Tours, the museums, restaurants, gorgeous parks and, of course, our unforgettable runs around the St. Charles River. It was an autumn to remember! On behalf of the cast and crew of ‘Knight & Day’ we thank you for being so accommodating, patient and understanding throughout our filming. By lending us the beauty of your city you’ve made this film something truly special. Words can only begin to express our appreciation. I’d like to give a very special ‘shout-out’ to our local crew who were impeccable. It was a great pleasure working with you. Back to top  Matt Damon's Busy December Hometown star Matt Damon has two different but related efforts coming out this December.  We'll first take a look at Invictus.  Directed by Clint Eastwood, the movie chronicles Nelson Mandela's aims at having his South Africa host the World Rugby Cup.  Matt Damon portrays Francois Pienarr, star of the union team.  Mandela is played by Morgan Freeman with Boston movie ties almost as numerous as Damon's, including Glory, Amistad, and Gone Baby Gone.  The movie drops in theatres this weekend and you can watch a youtube trailer here. Damon also teamed up with Freeman for a different kind of historical production.  The People Speak will air on the History Channel this Sunday night.  Damon essentially bankrolled the production from reports and also stars in the docudrama filmed primarily at the Emerson Majestic Theatre in Boston.  In the presentation, Damon renders a Grapes of Wrath speech and even reads the Declaration of Independence.  For more info, visit The People Speak. Back to top a Top 9 Boston Movies of 09! We are wrapping up the year of Boston Movies as your wrapping presents this year... maybe that last minute DVD gift will come from our list for the Boston Movie Fan in your life.  Of course, some of the movies on our list have yet to even hit theatres, but some have can be found in stores by now.  And now, my completely biased list of 2009 Boston Movies!!! #9 The Proposal Ok, not really a romantic comedy kinda guy, so we'll get this one out of the way... it was actually a lot funnier and more enjoyable than I anticipated, and it topped the box office when it hit theatres Spring 09.  Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock work well together, and the footage around the north shore really paints a pretty picture of Alaska (where the movie is set).  It's on the list, and it's on DVD, enjoy! #8 Grown-Ups  (trailer) This movie came to Massachusetts in early 2009 under the working title Lake House and looks to be in instant comedy classic.  The movie is star-studded with comedians including Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Rob Schnieder, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, David Spade, Tim Meadows and Norm McDonald... just to name a few!  The filming went down in East Wareham, Southboro, Marblehead and Essex MA.  The Happy Madison Production will hit theatres in 2010. #7 The Invention of Lying Ricky Gervais basically pulls a Liar Liar Bizarro World in this movie.  It was shot all around Boston, Lowell and Quincy MA.  It also stars Tina Fey and Jonah Hill but again, I'd be lying if I said I loved it. #6 Surrogates Heck Yes Bruce!  Bruce Willis plays a cop in future Boston..... Awesome!  The movie came out early this fall and it was worth it!  Willis first role in a movie actually came in The Verdict (filmed in Boston) and his return to town was a solid effort! #5 The Fighter "Irish" Mickey Ward is portrayed by exactly who he should be, Mark Wahlberg.  He and Christian Bale filmed a large portion of the movie in Lowell and Lexington MA this past year.  Its scheduled to drop in 2010 and should be good. #4 The Zookeeper I know it's gonna be great after the whole lion pit catastrophe and rescue earlier this summer.  It's stories like that that make movies like this legendary!  Anyway, originally under the title of Paul Blart II, The Zookeeper set up shop far from malls at the Franklin Park Zoo.  This summer, stars Kevin James and Joe Rogan actually filmed on the Boston Common.  The movie is going to have talking animals and is on my list of must-sees for next year!  #3 The Company Men Ben, Ben, Ben!  Welcome back to Boston for another movie!  The star studded cast filmed all over Boston and surrounding towns like Burlington and Marblehead early this year.  The story follows the downsizing of a company that Ben Affleck works for.  Also in the flick are Tommy Lee Jones, Craig T. Nelson, Chris Cooper and Kevin Costner.  Coming out next year! #2 Knight & Day From closing down the Zakim Bridge to flubbing on the "Saint" Charles River, Tom Cruise was a busy beantowner this fall.  His spy-comedy has recently moved abroad to continue filming.   #1 The Town Of course... more BEN!  This movie based on the Chuck Hogan novel Prince of Thieves has been filming all over Boston, Charlestown and the Fenway.  Heck, it has to be number one on the list because I saw them filming it on the same block as our Boston Movie Tours Office!  The Ben Affleck sightings make Boston that much cooler of a place!  Check in with us for more info on The Town! Back to top      Studios in Plymouth - Between a Rock and a Hard Place Hollywood in the Hub may take longer than expected.  This past months, numerous stories have chronicled the construction and delays of the prospective Plymouth Rock Studios here in Massachusetts.  Some funding has fallen through, residents are concerns are growing and everything's been more or less put on hold.  Oh No is right!! Below are links to different articles recently published by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald. A grand studio dream runs headlong into reality - The Boston Globe Hollywood Casts Wide Shadow on Bay State - The Boston Herald Studio Project Faces New Queries - The Boston Globe Plymouth Absorbs New about Studio Setback - The Boston Globe   Back to top     We'd Love to Hear from You H Please feel free to contact us at the below email addresses with any comments or suggestions. Also, if you have information you would like to have included in future newsletters, please send it along. We'd love to get your celeb pics, sightings and other movie news. Jeff - jcoveney@bostonmovietours.net Rachel - rcoveney@bostonmovietours.net Dave - daspro@bostonmovietours.net Boston Movie Tours Web Site Sincerely, Jeff and Rachel Coveney Boston Movie Tours Founders	Follow us on: Hot Movie Tour News Now Booking 2010 Group Outings. A record number of corporate and school groups have booked their 2009 outings with Boston Movie Tours. Book Your Group Event         Movie Location of the Month Fenway Park used in The Town. New Boston on DVD : Buy Now (Amazon) Buy Now (Amazon)  Boston - In Theatres Now! The Box with Cameron Diaz Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Boston - Coming Soon! Shutter Island with Leonardo DiCaprio  Can't Get Enough? Read the Hollywood in the Hub blog. Every week our Boston Movie Tours gossip scouts scour the papers, internet, and goings-on in the city to find YOU the hottest, juiciest stories out there. Make sure to check out our blog to stay in the Beantown Hollywood loop!
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Mark Wahlberg - An Entourage Movie Coming?

Nothing like transforming your life's experiences into one of the biggest hits on TV. Apparently Boston local Mark Wahlberg is considering taking Entourage to the next level by bringing it to the big screen. Check out the Wahlberg interview on MTV. Wahlberg has been making the rounds promoting his new movie, The Lovely Bones.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Our Gift Certificates - Make Great Presents!

It's not too late to give the gift of Boston Movie Tours! We now have Gift Certificates available for our Theater-On-Wheels Bus Tours. Order online, then just make a reservation for the tour of your choice next season! We'll show you the best movies Boston has to offer... Buy Now!

Ben Affleck's The Company Men Opens Jan 28th

Before The Company Men hits major theatres, it will have its Sundance Film Festival USA premiere on Jan. 28 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre (Favorite theatre of BMT fan Joey D.) Starring Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner and Chris Cooper, The Company Men follows the lives of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company.

No word if Boston local Affleck will show up for the premiere but if I am a betting man, I’d give it 20% depending on his current projects. Ben, if you are reading, the Celtics are playing the Lakers on the 31st so a front court sighting would give the movie some good exposure on ABC. Feel free to grab an extra ticket for the BMT gang.

Get More Details at the Inside Track

Invictus Boston Connections - Damon, Eastwood and Freeman

Matt Damon's latest movie Invictus is getting rave reviews.  Although the movie about Nelson Mandela and 1995 Rugby World Cup was filmed thousands of miles away, the three lead actors do share a "Back to Bacon" like connection to Beantown. Here's some fodder for your next holiday party.

1. Matt Damon. Damon of course was born in the Boston area and was made famous by his role in Good Will Hunting and later in The Departed. For you Matt Damon fans, there is a great photo gallery of Damon throughout the years on boston.com.

2. Morgan Freeman. Freeman has frequented Boston in Beantown flicks Gone Baby Gone, The Maiden Heist and Amistad. As another tidbit, Damon met Amistad director Steven Spielberg on the set of Amistad which led to Damon's role in Saving Private Ryan

3) Clint Eastwood.  Lastly, Clint Eastwood brought Dennis Lehane's Mystic River to the big screen.

Of the movies about 4 out of 5 received some kind of Oscar recognition (I wouldn't hold your breath on The Maiden Heist.) Only time will tell with Invictus.

Good Will Hunting with Howard Zinn!

The Boston Herald's Inside Track covered the premiere of the History Channel's The People Speak in New York. There's a link to the article below which includes fantastic Good Will Hunting stuff! Matt Damon attended the event with Howard Zinn who, true as G.W.F. fans know, wrote a book that "will knock you on your ass!" This quote obviously from the scene in Robin Williams' office where the two discuss history books, Hunting's preference being Zinn's.

Anyway, a large portion of the History Channel piece was filmed in Boston at the Emerson Majestic Theatre and can be seen this Sunday night.

Full Article

Rescue Me Star Remembers Fallen Cousin

On a more somber Boston Movie Tours note we look at Denis Leary (Monument Ave.) this past week. Leary spoke at the ten year remembrance of the tragic fire responsible for claiming the lives of six brave Worcester fire fighters on December 3rd 1999. His cousin Jerry Lucey along with a childhood friend Lt. Tommy Spencer both died fighting the five-alarm blaze.

Leary currently stars in the hit show Rescue Me along with Boston friend/comedian Lenny Clarke (Monument Ave., What's the Worst That Could Happen, Fever Pitch) and the show chronicles the lives of New York Fire Fighters in a post-9/11 NYC. Leary also heads the Leary Firefighters Foundation responsible for donating millions of dollars to the families of firefighters lost on 9/11 and in the Worcester Fire of 1999.

If you are interested in making a donation, please visit www.learyfirefighters.org

Ben Affleck's Driver Won't Get Any Driving Jobs in Boston

Boston's Ben Affleck ran into some traffic troubles when his driver realized he didn't know how to drive. I don't think Ben will hire the guy to drive stunts in any upcoming movies. Affleck recently completed filming The Town in Boston.

Check out the TMZ video
Ben Affleck -- You'll Get the Horns!

D is for.... Damon Again!

That's right, he's not just a movie star... Matt Damon is lending his acting skills to the History Channel's upcoming December presentation called People Speak. Matt Damon gives a rendering of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. And like the last Damon post, he again teams up with Morgan Freeman for this effort in which actors preform varying classic speeches of our history.

Other performers include Bruce Springsteen, Marisa Tomei, Josh Brolin and Viggo Mortensen. The show premieres Sunday December 13 on the History Channel at 8/7c. To catch a trailer and more details on the People Speak College Tour visit the History Channel's website HERE.

D is for December, Damon!

Happy holidays Damon fanatics! 'Tis the season for hometown heart-throb Matt Damon as he has yet another movie coming out this year. And I know our Boston Movie Tours begin with the Matt Damon Rugby scene on Boston Common from The Departed, but he's at it again!

This time Damon teams up director Clint Eastwood in the upcoming movie called Invictus. The movie chronicles the story of South African President Nelson Mandela and his aims at hosting the Rugby World Cup to arouse patriotism amongst his countrymen. Mandela is played by Morgan Freeman who has actually starred in Boston movies such as Glory, Amistad and Gone Baby Gone.

The movie is slated for release on December 11 and you can watch a youtube trailer by clicking on the movie poster.