Jason Bancroft

Los Angeles

Staff Writer at Ranker

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Articles

10 Matt Damon Movies Where He Plays Characters Who Are Way Over Their Heads

1 day ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

In Ridley Scott's adaptation of Andy Weir's bestseller, Damon portrays Mark Watney, an astronaut accidentally abandoned on Mars who must survive using only his wits and limited supplies. Watney's predicament represents the ultimate "over your head" scenario, stranded 140 million miles from home with resources meant to last only 31 days. Damon's performance brilliantly conveys both the overwhelming terror of the situation and the methodical problem-solving approach Watney adopts to survive.
8 Times Kirsten Dunst Performances Were So Good Even She Didn't Realize What She Accomplished

2 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

What makes her performance special: Dunst's breakthrough role came at the astonishingly young age of 12 when she starred alongside Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in Neil Jordan's Interview with the Vampire. Playing Claudia, a child vampire trapped in a perpetually young body while her mind continues to mature, Dunst delivered a performance of remarkable complexity.
The Cast Of 'Saving Private Ryan' Has Changed A Lot Over The Past 25+ Years

2 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

Steven Spielberg's 1998 war epic Saving Private Ryan revolutionized the war film genre with its unflinchingly realistic portrayal of combat, particularly in its opening D-Day sequence. Released in July 1998, the film assembled an extraordinary ensemble cast that would go on to varied and remarkable careers. The grueling preparation became legendary, with the actors enduring an intense military boot camp that nearly caused a mutiny before filming even began.
Steve Carell Movies That Bombed At The Box Office But Became Cult Classics Fans Now Worship

3 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

Box Office: $11.6 million worldwideWhy it failed financially: This apocalyptic romantic dramedy hit theaters in 2012, pairing Carell with Keira Knightley as unlikely companions during Earth's final days. Audiences weren't quite ready for its unique blend of existential dread and sweet romance, resulting in a mere $11.6 million gross against its $10 million budget. Critics seemed divided, unsure what to make of its tonal shifts between dark comedy and genuine emotion.
Everything We Know About The Grid’s Expansive New Lore In ‘Tron: Ares’

3 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

The world of Tron has captivated audiences since 1982, offering a visually striking digital frontier where programs battle for survival and users become digital gods. Now, after a 15-year hiatus following 2010's Tron: Legacy, Disney is poised to dramatically expand and reimagine this universe with Tron: Ares. Releasing on October 10, 2025, this third installment promises to revolutionize what fans know about the Grid - that luminous digital realm that has become iconic in sci-fi storytelling.
Matt Damon Movies That Completely Wasted His Talent According To Critics

3 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

Matt Damon has built his career on thoughtful performances, smart script choices, and an everyman quality that makes him relatable even in extraordinary circumstances. From his breakout in Good Will Hunting to the Bourne franchise and critical darlings like The Martian, Damon has established himself as one of Hollywood's most reliable leading men. Yet even actors of his caliber occasionally find themselves trapped in projects that fail to utilize their talents effectively.
'The Shining' Was A Bigger Nightmare Behind The Scenes Than Anything On Screen

4 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

All kinds of horrific events occur in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, but the madness didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling. In fact, the horrors that took place behind the scenes may have helped to make the on-screen insanity feel more palpable for viewers. Adapting Stephen King's story took a toll on all involved, and there are plenty of stories about making The Shining that sound absolutely excruciating.
9 Directors Who Brought Out Andrew Garfield's Best Performances

4 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

When Scorsese cast Garfield as Father Sebastião Rodrigues in 2016's Silence, he placed him at the center of one of his most personal and spiritually complex films. The legendary director's methodical approach drew out perhaps Garfield's most physically and emotionally demanding performance to date.
From 'The Sandlot' To 'Zootopia': Kids Movies With Shockingly Great Twists

5 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

Coco begins as a seemingly simple story about Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), but once the young musician finds himself in the Land of the Dead, the tale complicates into an exploration of memory and legacy. At first, Miguel hopes to confirm that famous musician Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt) is his lost great-great-grandfather.
Hidden Details In The 'Top Gun' Franchise Even The Biggest Fans Missed

5 days ago | ranker.com | Jason Bancroft

Top Gun was a classic almost immediately after it was released in the late ‘80s, but that doesn’t mean people still aren't finding new secrets, details, and mistakes in the movie. When Top Gun: Maverick hit theaters in the summer of 2022, fans were given a whole new chapter to cheer for and scrutinize over. Between the two box office hits, there are tons of details you've probably missed, and behind-the-scenes stories that make them even more spectacular.