If you’ve been let down in a major way by most recent films, then get ready for Ben Affleck in a 1979 long, long shaggy haircut to transport  you into the middle of the Iranian hostage crisis, that rocks the American nation, before many of you were born.

The times are incredibly tense as the Iranians revolt against the American propped-up Shah (King) of Iran, and Iranians storm the American Embassy, taking 52 American employees hostage.

Just as the tear gas is flying and rioters run rampant through the embassy, six terrified and mostly young staffers escape out the back door and eventually make it into the brave arms of the Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor (Victor Garber), who hides them with his wife in his personal residence.

The terrifying problem is that if they are discovered, the six, plus Ken and his wife, will no doubt be executed as “spies” by the zealous Iranians.

Guess what? No one in the top American government echelon and CIA has any idea of how to get the six hiding employees out safely…and days are ticking away. The Iranians are figuring out that six employees are missing and they are on the hunt.

Enter hero and brillant real-life CIA extraction expert, Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), who comes up with the best “idea” to rescue the six. His idea is so completely wacky that the only hope is that the Iranians will never figure it out.

Mendez concocts a plan where he and the six pose as a Canadian film director and crew, planning to start and shoot a Star Wars knockoff, fan fiction film in Iran, called Argo.

He recruits an Oscar-winning makeup artist (John Goodman) and big time hollywood producer (Alan Arkin), and together the three hilariously hold an Argo casting call, create storyboards, get press and notoriety, open an LA office, create buzz in Hollywood and produce phoney posters and business cards.

Affleck effectively cuts between the trio’s ludicrous preparations and the real life terror that the American hostages are undergoing at the American Embassy — including mock executions — and the desperation that the six are feeling as they realize, they may never escape Iran alive.

You can imagine that their fears aren’t exactly calmed when Tony Mendez arrives at Ken Taylor’s house one day and explains his cooky plan to get them out. From there on, it’s an incredibly nail-biting, suspense-filled hour, as the steely Mendez forces them to execute his plan step by step.

Of course, there are plenty of unforeseen complications standing in the way between Mendez and the six escaping alive on a Swiss air commercial flight — which is the plan.

It’s film and storytelling at its best. And just remember that this all REALLY happened.

I myself have even met him, Taylor, several times (he was rewarded for his courage by being subsequently named Canadian Ambassador to the US) in the ensuing years. But I never realized the extent of how he and his wife risked their lives to save six Americans.

Do go to see Argo as soon as you can, HollywoodLifers! There’s even a quick peek at Affleck’s impressive abs, so the film truly has it all!

– Bonnie Fuller

More Ben Affleck news:

1. Ben Affleck Takes Daughters Violet & Seraphina Shopping — Cute Pic
2. Ben Affleck Takes His Family To BFF Matt Damon’s Pool Party — Cute Pic
3. Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner — Fight Over Fourth Kid

Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, and the rest of ‘The Big Lebowski’ cast reunite for a special Q&A at the annual Lebowski Fest to promote the film’s release on Blu-Ray!

There was nothing to ‘mark zero’ at last night’s annual Lebowski Fest at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.  A tradition that started as a bowling party and film screening by two avid fans from Louisville, KY in 2002, Lebowski Fest has grown as an international event.  To commemorate the release of the film for its first time on Blu-Ray, fans dressed as The Dude, Walter, Maude, Donnie, Jesus, the cableguy, and even a Creedence mix-tape to come out and witness this monumental reunion!

The evening’s introductions were given by the founders of Lebowski Fest — who came all the way from Louisville — dressed as bowling pins.  The duo brought out the moderator for the Q&A, senior writer for Entertainment Weekly and self-acclaimed ‘achiever,’ Clark Collis.  Collis introduced the cast of the cult film on stage, starting with music archivist T Bone Burnett, followed by John Turturro, Julianne Moore, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and ‘his dudeness,’ Jeff Bridges.

Amidst the audience yelling at Steve Buscemi that he’s ‘way out of his element,’ screaming ‘the dude abides’ at Jeff Bridges, and of course blatantly shouting ‘coitus’ at Julianne Moore, the cast discussed their favorite moments on set, taking home mementos from the film (does Jeff Bridges really need three bowling pin hats?), as well as the legacy that the film has gained over the past decade.

The Big Lebowski Limited Edition Blu-Ray contains features that every fan needs to see!  It includes a photo book comprised and taken by Jeff Bridges himself, cast commentary about the characters, making-of the flying carpet and dream sequences, a cast discussion of where ‘The Dude’ is now, and much, much more!

Don’t enter a world of pain — check out the entire Q&A session here and buy the Blu-Ray today!

– Michael Emer

Thin is definitely in, BFFs. A brand-new photo of yo-yo dieter Kirstie Alley reveals that the actress has dropped an incredible 50 lbs… and she’s not alone! Kelly Osbourne, Jennifer Hudson, Drew Carey and a slew of other celebs have really gotten serious about their health lately, and their hot new bodies reveal their hard work has seriously paid off.

Here’s how some of our fave celebs dropped weight, and how they plan to keep it off:

1. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo recently dropped 20 lbs by working out for 45 minutes a day. As for her diet, the reality TV mom says it’s all about portion control. “I eat what I want,” she says. “I just eat the bad things earlier on in the day,” she tells People. “If I want a piece of cheesecake, I have half instead of a whole.”
2. Kelly Osbourne credits her stint on Dancing with the Stars for kicking off her incredible weight loss — and she’s lost 50 lbs over the past three years! In a recent interview, she revealed that she does three hour-long workouts per week, followed by 30-minute treadmill sessions.
3. The Price is Right host Drew Carey found motivation in his fiancée’s 5-year-old son. When he realized he couldn’t keep up with little Connor, Drew knew it was time to hit the gym. “Eating crappy food is not a reward,” Drew says. “It’s a punishment.”