Gran Torino

Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood in 2008. He also stars.

Widower and Korean War vet is disgruntled by society in general and specifically about how ethnic his old neighborhood has become. After a teenager from next door tries to steal Eastwood's vintage '72 Gran Torino, the boy's family, especially his sister, wins Eastwood over to the extent that he befriends them.

At times comic, at times tragic, Gran Torino is a little heavy handed. But Eastwood and the entire supporting cast are fine and the film won me over just for its message and heart.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/

Unforgiven

Clint Eastwood directed this taut western. 1992 film stars Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris.

Maimed prostitute and her co-workers put out a bounty on the two cowboys who disfigured her. Two aging gunfighters and a young upstart set out to avenge her and collect the money.

Great drama that explores the morality of an immoral West and also depicts a quest for redemption by many characters on many levels.

An outstanding film made even better by its stars. Gene Hackman is superb as Little Bill, the town's lawman who lives outside the law. Richard Harris has a cameo as "English Bob", a notorious gunman.

But it's Clint Eastwood who carries the film with a silent brooding and determination that lets us in on the torment he feels for the death and destruction he has caused in the past and the loathing he has towards the job at hand.

Great western, great drama. Not to be missed.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105695/

Kelly's Heroes

1970 Brian G. Hutton film stars Clint Eastwood, Donald Southerland, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, and Donald Southerland.

Group of soldiers during World War Two deceide to forego their R & R and go behind the lines on their own to pull off a heist...stealing gold the Germans are guarding in an occupied town.

Combination of a standard war action film and comedy gets absurd at times...but that's what I like about it.

Look for Sutherland as a hippyish tank commander in a comic turn that adds an element of craziness to the whole escapade.

Long, but fun.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

1997 film directed by Clint Eastwood stars Kevin Spacey and John Cusack.

Reporter (Cusack) covering Christmas party by Savannah society host Spacey finds that his mild human interest story becomes much more interesting when there is a murder that night and Spacey is the suspect.

Good feel for the Southern atmosphere and some interesting elements of homosexual intrigues, voodoo, and more.

Somewhat long and rambles some, but different and interesting. Good cast is admirable.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119668/

Bronco Billy

This 1980 film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood has its uneven moments but is still worth a viewing.

Former shoe salesman from New Jersey (Eastwood) reinvents himself as a cowboy and takes his cheesy wild west show on the road with a group of misfits. Unable to make ends meet, he still keeps the show going to entertain the "young buckaroos".

Things are complicated along the way when co-star Sondra Locke, as a spoiled, rich heiress is forced to tag along with the show.

Despite some sub-plots that get in the way, this film is funny, quirky, and a tribute to anyone who ever thought about giving it all up to live the life you've only dreamed of living.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080472/