Ben's the bigger and better-looking star. And some may say that Casey is not normally cooler; he just had a great run last year with "The Assassination of Jesse James . . ." and "Gone, Baby, Gone" (which was directed by Ben, which makes it his success as much as Casey's).

However, I think Casey has always had the more interesting career, choosing mostly bigger roles in smaller movies ("Desert Blue," "Lonesome Jim") and smaller roles in bigger movies ("Good Will Hunting," "Ocean's" films).

Plus, though Ben's making smarter choices now, for a long while after "Good Will Hunting," he was in some pretty terrible flicks: "Reindeer Games," "Gigli," and "Surviving Christmas," to name a few.

I hope Ben returns to the level of cool he had in Kevin Smith films like "Mallrats" and "Chasing Amy," and in other movies like "Hunting" and "Shakespeare in Love" (he was hysterical in that). But I don't think he's been there for about a decade now, and I think Casey's always been cool.

I disagree about Casey trading in on his name. If that were true, I believe instead of so many thoughtful indies, he would made more big-time popcorn flicks--"Put me in the one where the asteroid is about to hit, and it's up to me to save everyone! I'm an Affleck! I'm a Big Deal." Yes, Matt and Ben definitely had a hand in Casey's being in "Hunting," but other than that, I believe Casey has been determined to carve out a career for himself. He can't help his name is the same as his brother's.

Actually, I think Ben is the one who traded in on a name: the name Oscar. After he and Matt won the screenwriting award for "Hunting," his attitude is the one that seemed to scream, "Put me in the one where the asteroid is about to hit, and it's up to me to save everyone! I'm an Affleck! I'm a Big Deal." Thus, "Armageddon" was born.

I'll say two things in my defense about their personal lives:

1. I am super-excited to see what kind of actor a little Affleck-Phoenix would produce. I think Casey's being married to the sister of River and Joaquin is as cool as it gets!

2. Bennifer.

Ben and Jen 2 do seem happy, but they do not make up for Ben's two-year stint on JLo's arm, both of them showered with bling. That was decidedly uncool. Both he and Jen 1seem to have learned from that media overload and are more low-key in their current relationships. Perhaps Casey learned from his brother, and that's why he's kept his private life private. Still, I think it's much cooler that I don't know a thing about Casey's marriage. Maybe the media just doesn't care, but Casey's not encouraging any attention.

Plus, though Summer is not well known for her acting, it's gotta be in her genes. River AND Joaquin in one family? Can't be a fluke. I still hope those kids become actors!

As for movie choices, I could name Ben's missteps, but they're well enough known. I've already said that he used to be very cool, so I totally agree with your Kevin Smith and "Dazed and Confused" references.

And Casey's career didn't start with "Assassination." "To Die For" and "Desert Blue" are terrific, and he was the best part of the disappointing "Last Kiss." The great thing about Casey is that, after years of slow and steady, his momentum is just now starting. His best is still to come.