Do you remember how, in one of the many mundane updates we received on Ben Affleck moving out from his family’s home, there was the source quote from People Magazine that “The family house is for Jen and the kids now, Ben won’t have any things at the house?” To me that sounded like Jen drawing a very definite line in the sand, although that quote was buried in a bunch of other ones about how they’re getting along great, there’s no hurry, this is proceeding as planned and they’re putting their kids first. Well according to The National Enquirer (I know, but this has a grain of truth), Jen is the one who kicked Ben out finally and insisted he didn’t keep any of his junk in the guesthouse where he was living, and she’s now turning it into a dojo for her kids to practice karate. That sounds really cool actually. I guess they have enough space in their huge main house that they don’t need a separate guest house too. *sigh*
Jennifer Garner is eliminating every last iota of Ben Affleck’s memory from her once-shared home – by transforming his old guesthouse into a dojo for her and their children…
“Jen’s had the kids learning karate since they were 4 years old. She wants to install a dojo so they can have private lessons and sparring at home,” one confidant revealed. “Her intention is for the kids to be skilled in self-defense.”
Unfortunately for Ben – who used to take his children to karate class regularly – he’ll have to ask Jen for permission to watch them in action while at home!
“Jen had to lay down the law and virtually force Ben off the property – which is a bummer for him because he misses the kids and kept awkwardly hanging around,” another source tattled.
[From The National Enquirer, print edition]
If this is accurate that’s a nice idea for the kids and a feature of the home they will probably use and remember from their childhoods. When we were kids my dad surprised us with this really cool platform and playground over our big sandbox. It was like a little play area for us and we had so much fun with it both in the summer and the winter, when we would jump off of it into the snow. I have so many fond memories of that. Instead of a little playhouse or playset, the Garner-Affleck kids are getting a freaking dojo to practice karate! I hope they set it up like a cool Japanese playhouse with little mats on the floor, those privacy screens and Japanese tea sets so they can play tea. I want to go there now.
Oh and adding another layer to this potential dynamic where Jen finally, ultimately had enough and kicked Ben out, Ben recently said he would like to direct Jen in a movie. The thing is, he was asked about directing women and he volunteered that he would like to direct Jen specifically. It’s not like he was asked specifically about her, he was thinking about her and mentioned her name. So now that she put her foot down it sounds like he’s pining for what could have been. It figures.
Jen went to church alone with the kids on Sunday. The photos of Ben with the kids are from 5-7. Jen is also shown at Colbert on 5-19. Credit: WENN.com and Pacific Coast News
Jen was an action star for awhile, does she do karate or martial arts?
As I recall she did a bit as a kid and then picked up some training for Alias. So in short, no she’s never seriously practiced martial arts.
I’ve trained for over 20 years so I’ve seen the great, the good, and the not so good at all. I’d rank her stuff in the “good” range. Nothing special. She did the choreography well but really wasn’t anything that stood out. Great that her kids started so young, hope they stick with it.
hmm interesting. I wonder if she’ll pick it up with a dojo on site?
How do you pick out who is actually good?
“How do you pick out who is actually good?”
That’s an excellent question, it’s hard to explain honestly. There’s a speed and commitment to the movements that’s hard to fake. Real martial arts are designed to go through a target or be so quick the snap of motion is incredibly powerful, and without that full motion it’s very hard for it not to just look like a dance.
I can think of a few examples. The best women I’ve seen are probably Michelle Yeoh and Gina Carano (but she started as a fighter so I probably should not count her). For an action star Scarlet Johanssen has great stunt women but she herself is not good. But in fairness I don’t think she’s ever claimed to be and props to her for letting the professionals do what they do best.
Among the men, RDJ has had previous training as has Christian Bale so they are pretty good. Chris Evans is OK but nothing special but his stuntman is great!! I hate when Captain America’s helmet comes off because that means we are no longer seeing the stuntman fight. The surprise to me was Charlie Cox on Daredevil. He’s had no previous training and of course his stuntmen do the main fighting but when it is him he’s actually quite good! Some people just have a knack for it.
Oh this is excellent, and with examples, which are my fave. Not even lying, am a nerd.
I really liked the Daredevil fight scenes because they all got tired, and the fighting changes. I LOVE Ong Bak, but Tony Jaa was also fighter to begin with.
How do you feel about Jason Statham?
Jason Statham, I almost forgot! Yes he’s quite good. He’s had training (Kung Fu and definitely kickboxing) and took up MMA to stay in shape. I actually think they use too much editing and quick cutting on him in most movies that means he really doesn’t get to show his stuff. The less elaborate fights are where you can really see his skill!
If true, the dojo is a great idea. For me, fitness needs to involve some sort of skill building, dancing, martial arts, etc. Setting her kids up for building that muscle memory is a smart choice.
I really want to like Jennifer but can’t get past the min-van vibe. As a woman who will never procreate I lose interest in the overly kid-centric interviews some celebs give.
….”“Jen had to lay down the law and virtually force Ben off the property “….
I’m more ready to believe he couldn’t wait longer to leave…
I don’t believe she kicked him out from anywhere.
why is the daughter wearing a green hairnet thing?
Ya. That’s what I was wondering. Did she get a summer job at McDees in front of the fryer?
A dojo sounds fun! Also, don’t do a movie with him, Jen! Ben Affleck has such creepy vibes to me now, post-the nanny story and I hate his new face.
Natl enquirer comes up with interesting stuff. The quote about Ben wanting to direct Jen is interesting. I thought that in the past it was he who did not want to direct her, be in a movie with her. I actually think that line is a bit of payback (positive) to her. She supported his career for years while he rebuilt it and she raised their children. Maybe if he says he wants her in one of his movies that gives her a higher profile to be hired by other directors. If they were ever to truly be able to do it (ie a summer filming with family watching the kids during filming), I think it would create an interest , especially if the film was actually a good movie. Around the lines of they are divorced but work together – what will that look like interest. Imagine the promo tour:)
I agree. I’ve always found weird yet understandable how he never wanted to include her in his films. Collaborations with partners are the most usual thing among Hollywood couples, specially when they share an artistic affinity. Which is not the case of these two, or better: in Ben’s head his wife didn’t have what it takes to be included in his movies and didn’t have the talent to attire the recognition and the status he’s always been so eager to get in the industry. (he has a mediocre talent as an actor and a decent talent as a director, and yet he’s always been thirsty to be respected) IMO he’s always looked down on her, professionally, and probably was just one of the things that caused conflict on their relationship, among all the other bigger issues, of course. Hence this weird statement about directing her.l He’s probably trying to mend things. I bet he will never actually cast her in his movies, though. Just words.
I wonder if he will bring the new girlfriend to the Red Nose event. I think he will feel more settled when he can go public.
I wonder also if she’ll show up then. CDAN “revealed” the blind item about him still seeing the nanny. If that’s the case, he may bring out a different woman as a smoke screen.
Do you really think that his new woman is the nanny? I just can’t wrap my head around that. Why, after all this time? I feel like it was just a webloid clickbait that won’t die.
Hopefully not, on so many levels. It would be horrific for his children, plus his sobriety (didn’t we see a pic of her bringing him a wine bottle). While I’d say it would be completely out of the question for most people, Ben has showed many times over his extremely poor (to put it nicely) judgement. No argument, it does bring the clicks.
There has been twitter chatter for months about him still seeing the Nanny on the VERY down low. I did not see this blind on CDAN but if it has a reveal its pretty much confirmed to be accurate. Surprisingly these blinds are pretty much on the money.
This couple are the gift that never gave in the first place. I honestly hate-read these articles just so I can comment on how dull they both are. Tragic I know 😉
No but honestly, how can two people be so boring? Can you imagine family dinners?
Jen: (clearing throat) “So Ben…how’s filming going on Batman?”
Ben: *grunts and swigs beer*
That is honestly the vibe I get from these two. Jen eternally, passive aggressively perky and fake congenial…Ben permanently cranky, smelly and hungover.
I wonder how her parents can stand to be around him…
She learned her doormat techniques from somewhere. Why do I get the feeling that her parents have a similar type of relationship? One is the selfish workaholic, the other gets to be the resentful martyr. Just a hunch.
I see the amateur psychologists are out in force…
I mean, cool, but I just finished reading “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” yesterday and there are so many offhand references to dojos in that book that I couldn’t help but snicker reading this post title.
A dojo is a great idea, but can’t they take lessons with other kids in a community dojo too?
I was unimpressed with his declaration about wanting to direct Jen in a movie. He’s still desperately grabbing for any kind of good PR that he can post-rehab and post-nanny. Then he swings for the fences by laying down the best excuse ever, one that she can’t even dispute: the kids. That’s just a great built-in excuse for never hiring her for the next 10-15 years. He is so, so slippery. We all know that he’s found every girlfriend, hookup (and WIFE) on a movie set. Of course he doesn’t want Jen hanging around. He wants to film sex scenes with beautiful actresses all day and all night. That’s when he escapes his home life. He could very easily give her a supporting role in a film that shoots in LA and let her work hours when the kids are in school. As an Oscar-winning director, he can make that happen. But he won’t, and it’s clear why. But of course the fraus on the internet foamed over that “super sweet” compliment.
I noticed that, too, that he just stated the perfect excuse to never hire her. Her career is totally over anyway. Her latest movie opened in one theater last week and made $14k. I wonder how much she regrets forfeiting her once-decent career for the guy who would NEVER do the same or even 25% of the same, for her.
I don’t think she gave up her career for him. She had children and decided to put her focus as a mom first. She did help his career, and for that I hope she is paid handsomely in their settlement.
Wakefield actually was very well reviewed. It’s an indie with nothing behind it.
I saw that Wakefield hit all of the big festivals last year but no one wanted it. As for your other point, I think Jen must have her regrets. I think at least part of the reason she gave up doing any decent work was due to being Mrs. Ben Affleck and all of the attention (that she loved) and status that went with it. Then her marriage imploded publicly for once and ended up being a joke. I guess the money that she’ll get in the settlement will be nice? but she’d probably feel better if she were still relevant outside of her divorce. Every article that I’ve read about her movie included the divorce, like she’s not relevant unless they remind people that she was once married to Ben. He’ll remarry and then it’ll be that woman’s turn to take all of the credit for turning his life around (again) and getting him back on track.
Wakefield will open in other cinemas over the next two weeks. There will be one next to where I live and hoping to see it. It is something different. It reminds me of the movie Amelie, a French movie. A movie like this is not really for commercial release. Hard to sell since it is not for wide audience.
He says that he’d love to direct a “really cool” female-driven movie with Jen but then in the next breath explains why it will never, ever happen. LOL I can’t believe that anyone still buys what he’s selling. The entire point of his statement was to get some of his lady fanbase back after all his shenanigans, and it looks like it worked. People bought it, hook line and sinker. You haven’t figured this shyster out yet? I think Jen has but she’s one of the few.
IFC bought Wakefield and The Tribes Of Palos Verdes. Both indie movies. Does this mean that TPV will also have a small limited release? Why make movies if you are not sure that you will get a distributor? Can someone explain how this works?
IFC doesn’t do big releases/wide distribution. If Wakefield only got 1 theater and has Bryan Cranston in it, I wonder if Tribes will even get that before going straight to VOD.
From what I’ve seen/read so far, and the casting, Tribes looks like it’ll be bad. Might have been ok as a network TV movie. JG was perfect in 13 GO 30, but I don’t think she has a lot of range. I don’t mean this as an insult at all, but I think her look (cutesy/dimply and baby voice) limits her options.
And I don’t think their drama is over at all. I think if/when Ben trots out a girlfriend, that’s not going to go down well with her, particularly if he gets sober long term and gets in shape. I remember the story in Page Six about her calling Ben from her cell on the Alias set while Scott Foley was standing right there fuming. It said she thrived on drama. I think this is counter to her public image, but If you look at their marriage, it seems on point.
I don’t know about the drama now. That was 15 years ago. She is a mom of 3 now with a very different career. For all we know she already has a new significant other. I totally thought they were going to get back together, but with the actual divorce filing and him moving out – it’s over. And she looks really happy about that. (Hope she gets the money she deserves from him) She did the interview with Colbert not one mention of him. Though I thought that whole hot babysitter conversation – really awkward.
I’m curious as to what was the occasion her parents and Ben’s mom were in town – and they all go to church together except him.
The “hot nanny” comment was very awkward. What was her response? “Yeah, that didn’t go over very well” or something…
Personally, I think her parents were in town to babysit the kids while Jen was in NYC. Maybe they were leaving before Ben picked the kids up for his day with them? Who knows, Ben is just doing his own thing these days. I think he’s even basically given up the whole church stroll for press stuff.
Did you see the YouTube project she did several years ago called Selena I think it was. She was awesome in that. I do agree that her recent movies do not show any range, but I think she can bring it if she has the right role. Like her clothes she just never seems to nail the right ones.
I didn’t see Selina, but I’ll try to watch it. I’ll admit, I was surprisingly impressed with her in Danny Collins, which I ended up liking a lot more than I expected. She had a small, supporting role as Al Pacino’s daughter-in-law. She really toned down the baby voice and her acting was down to earth, genuine – not a lot of awkward and overdone facial and mouth expressions, which sometimes bug me about her acting.
I think she is extremely passive aggressive/manipulative and he is a weak man with lots of bad habits.
It all seems to be winding down for ol’ Jen. I’ve noticed that her pap strolls haven’t been posted on Daily Mail as much, and the ones that make it often feature Ben. They don’t get as many comments anymore, either, and it’s always the same anti-Ben people who sound about 65 years old and are posting from flyover states. She doesn’t have any good, even mid-level projects, let alone anything high-profile. Unless she hooks another celeb, I see her drifting off into Just Another Hollywood Divorcee Land.
do you reckon she would be ok with that, though? i see her doing more charity stuff as her kids a bit older.
is she a good actress, btw? i have never seen a movie with her in it.
A few months ago, she had lunch with Ron Howard. and a Vanity Fair editor was also there. (And of course, somehow the paps showed up to capture the whole thing.too!) Thought that might have been related to a movie, but who knows. Nothing listed on IMDb.
As we know in business not every meeting ends with a deal. I would think with krista there – maybe some article on Gary marshal.
She could get a TV or streaming series easily if that’s what she wanted. I think TV is more demanding than she wants with 3 kids that she has primary custody of. I think, since Hollywood doesn’t see actresses as desirable past 40 as anything more than mothers or wives (of 60 year olds-to be the wife of a 40 something you have to be in your 20s) and they are not making any studio movies that are not big franchises any more -she is going the indie route which is fine- she doesn’t have to worry about money. What bugs me is that she had to get her parents here to watch the kids for the few days she was in New York? I guess she REALLY doesn’t trust ole Benny to ever take care of them when she’s away. Speaks volumes of what a mess he’s become.
I just think the simple fact is, her film career never amounted to anything substantial and big-time directors are not checking for her. And even though TV has had a surge as of late, with more film actors doing series and miniseries, it’s still regarded as lesser. She’ll keep plugging away at below-average movies that no studio buys and no one sees until there literally is nothing left for her. I don’t really think much of her as an actor. She doesn’t have any range at all and the baby voice does nothing to help her cause. Shrug.
It wouldn’t surprise me if she wanted additional supervision beyond Ben while she was away, but are we really sure that was the case? Her parents might have come in on the weekend because she was back in LA by Friday. There are pictures on Zimbio of her out during the day with Nicole and Sam, etc. Strangely, DM didn’t post the pics – odd for them, but maybe they’re not getting the clicks now that the divorce drama seems to be over. Her parents seem frail, especially her mom. Three young kids seems like a lot to handle, but I guess there are nannies to help.
She probably called her parents and her ex mother in law to watch the kids because she doesn’t want the kids to see that their former nanny is sleeping at their dad’s new house now… what a shock that would be, and confusing AF for those kids.
As far as Ben name dropping Jen and saying he would direct her but can’t because someone has to take care of their kids, whatever, he’s just throwing her a bone trying to make up for telling his PR peeps to leak to TMZ on the eve of Jen’s birthday that not only was he moving out he was also dating someone too. What a douchebag move, a very deliberate move on Ben’s part to drop it on his ex’s birthday. Since then the few details we’re getting post divorce filing is very clear, these two want nothing to do with each other. I don’t know why Ben even bothers mentioning Jen, to make it look like he’s the “cool ex” whatever, nothing that Ben says about Jen is genuine it’s not coming from a place of “love and respect” it’s more “how is this going to make me look” little does he know that after diddling the nanny nothing he does can wipe that douche away.