Green Zone
To celebrate the powerhouse duo that is Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon re-teaming for their latest electrifying thriller Green Zone (hitting screens March 12th) we thought we would pick the top five Director & Actor teams that have rocked our cinematic world!
In at number one, with no favouritism whatsoever: Paul Greengrass/Matt Damon.
So, Greengrass previously directed Damon in the smash-hit Bourne films: Bourne Supremacy (2004) and Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and their latest partnership sees Damon in Green Zone as Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller leading a team of Army inspectors who are dispatched to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert.
Rocketing from one booby-trapped and treacherous site to the next, the men search for deadly chemical agents but stumble instead upon an elaborate cover-up that inverts the purpose of their mission. Spun by operatives with intersecting agendas, Miller must hunt through covert and faulty intelligence hidden on foreign soil for answers that will either clear a rogue regime or escalate a war in an unstable region.
And at this blistering time and in this combustible place, he will find the most elusive weapon of all is the truth… Get. In. Volved. Out 12th March.
We hear a potential new Bourne film is on the cards as Matt Damon said about Greengrass and a new Bourne movie - “I talk to him all the time. I wouldn't do it without him.” Say it’s so!
In at number two: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.
These two wiley-haird cats have worked on a mamouth seven films together so far, all equally quirky and fantastic! Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), Sweeney Todd (2007) and Alice in Wonderland (2010).
True fact: Johnny Depp is a godfather of Burton's son. Possible not true fact, but interesting all-the-same: It's said that when they work together on a film, which happens a lot, when Burton is giving his pet actor direction, the crew can't actually understand what they're saying to each other…
Quote time! Mr Depp on working with Tim Burton: “For me, working with Tim is like going home. It is a house made of risk, but in that risk, there is comfort. Great comfort. There are no safety nets - for anyone - but that is how you were raised in that house” – “He is a brother, a friend, my godson's father.
"He is a unique and brave soul, someone that I would go to the ends of the earth for, and I know, full and well, he would do the same for me.” Johnny, we would go to the end of the world for you…
In at number three: Quite possibly two of the coolest men to ever walk the planet, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro.
The two New Yorkers have worked on a mammoth eight films together, the main genre if them being good old crime thrillers: Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), New York, New York (1977), Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1982), Goodfellas (1990), Cape Fear (1991) and the incredible Casino (1995).
New York, New York, was the lesser know collaboration between the pair and sadly was a box office failure grossing $13 million, $1 million less than its budget. But the pair bounced back in 1980 with boxing movie ‘Raging Bull’, which is widely regarded as Scorsese's best movie.
Wonder how Leo DiCaprio feels about that, as a fellow Scorsese protégé… Tough, we say, Scorsese and De Niro look like they are in the Mafia and we don’t want to say ‘Hello to their little friends’…
In at number four: The legend that is Ridley Scott and the talented beard-loving Russell Crowe.
Granted, Russell Crowe does walk around with a face like a slapped ar*e, we can forgive him as the man can act like a mo-fo!
Originally, Mel Gibson was offered the part of Maximus in Gladiator but the fool turned it down. Good times for Mr Crowe though, who was then cast and from which began one of the best director/actor collaborations of late. Since Gladiator in 2000, the powerhouse duo smashed the box-office with a further three films: A Good Year (2006), American Gangster (2007) and Body Of Lies (2008).
Ridley Scott said: “He'll (Crowe) complain about things always for the right reasons, which is always the script; he doesn't have a problem with my process. He loves the fact that I move really fast and know exactly what I'm going to do."
Robin Hood (2010) is their next film set for success, and although there are rumours surrounding the stability of their relationship, there is no doubting they make great films.
In at Number five: Brit’s very own Guy Ritchie and Mark Strong.
Granted they may not be on an epic scale just yet, having worked on three films together so far, the three they have worked on have been pretty awesome: Revolver (2005/I), RocknRolla (2008) and Sherlock Holmes (2009). But, we loves an underdog and we must support our own.
Although Mark strong is known for playing hardnuts, he is quite possibly the nicest man in showbiz - so for that we give him our number 5 slot. Guy Ritchie married Madonna and anyone who can put up with that hot-mess excuse for a woman deserves some sort of recognition.
Green Zone is released 12th March.
Tagged in Matt Damon