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I note that the People's list also made mention of Damon's partner-in-crime, Ben Affleck who looks slimmer, more toned, and seems more settled than I've seen him in years. Marriage and family seem to very much agree with him. But marriage to Jennifer Garner would agree with just about any man! Yet he fails to make your list. Por Que?
Seriously though, living in MA, you have to love these guys. They never let you forget where they come from and, in Matt's case in particular, they never seem to stop being in awe of what they get to do for a living. It's so refreshing to see Ben Affleck so grounded again after that horrible misadventure with that other Jenny from the Block. He looked really sharp in "Hollywoodland" and reminded us that he's much smarter than his past film roles. The shift to directing seemed natural and fitting. I wasn't surprised at all by the reviews, all of which say that his sure-handedness behind the camera served "Gone Baby Gone" as well as the performances. Matt continues to be this regular guy who knows his craft and takes it seriously. If you thought his quote at being named Sexiest Man Alive by People was something, you should have read his interview in GQ this past summer. Smart guy. Hell of a nice guy, too.
This is good stuff. Good on the Salon staff for such thoughtful choices. But, if I may point one other obvious mistake, why is Ed Harris not on your list? How can you not notice how he keeps turning up in these great movies, including the aforementioned Affleck debut? Or did you think his turn as director/star in "Pollock" was all he had in him? If you do this list again, you must correct this criminal oversight post haste. I can almost forgive the Ben Affleck snub. His come-to-Jesus has been rather recent. But to pass on Ed Harris almost warrants congressional review.
