Messages

1

General Discussion / Changeling & Gran Torino 10 Year Anniversaries

« on: August 05, 2018, 06:28:44 PM »

Wow, ten years since the release of these films have gone by already.  I remember hearing the news of production beginning on Changeling.  I had yet to get used to the fact that Eastwood’s starring roles were coming to an end.  Since then, I’ve been able to “improvise, overcome and adapt.”

Four years had passed since Million Dollar Baby and I wasn’t impressed with what Clint had released in the intervening years. 

I wasn’t very impressed with Changeling, either.  That disappointment wouldn’t last long, thankfully, upon the release of Gran Torino.  Hell, the mere mention of another Eastwood starring role made up for everything! 

Gran Torino is a favorite and one of Eastwood’s all time best, successful films.  What a pleasure and relief to see it when it came out!  A friend opined that it seemed like a lot of characters Clint had portrayed were summed up into Walt Kowalski.  I agree with him and that’s one of the things that makes this movie so enjoyable and entertaining.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2

General Discussion / The Dead Pool & Bird 30 Year Anniversaries

« on: August 05, 2018, 06:26:22 PM »

I recently attempted to sit through these again, but couldn’t.  I grew bored with The Dead Pool and stopped watching less than halfway through.  Bird held very little interest to begin with so I let myself become distracted throughout and fell asleep before the conclusion.  I watched the both of these earlier this year, anyway, so no big loss. 

The fifth installment in the Dirty Harry series has a strong beginning, but doesn’t take long to fade into mediocrity.  Being a fan, I enjoyed seeing this for the first time on the big screen.  There are a handful of good moments but overall it lacks the punch of the first three.  It would be great to see Eastwood reprise his iconic role again, obviously retired, possibly working a cold case with flashbacks featuring his son Scott as a younger Harry Callahan. 

As for Bird, well, this film only reinforces my opinion that unless he stars in it, it’s not a true Clint Eastwood movie.  That doesn’t mean I haven’t given them a chance or won’t.  Since Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, I’ve missed just one movie Eastwood directed only in the theater.  To quote the late, great King Of Rock & Roll, “You gotta take the bad with the good.”  Precisely, I agree wholeheartedly.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3

General Discussion / Every Which Way But Loose 40 Year Anniversary

« on: August 05, 2018, 06:23:39 PM »

Comedy is not the first movie genre that comes to mind when Clint Eastwood is mentioned.  He’s become a successful and prolific director, but even after all these years his most popular achievements lie in his western and police movie roles.  Most notably, The Man With No Name and Dirty Harry.

Pairing Eastwood with an orangutan worked like a charm.  The entire cast is amusing and there are a lot of funny sight gags.  Clint’s judgment paid off enormously at the box office and produced an even better sequel. 

I first saw this on cable at my friend Mike Sormanti’s.  He introduced me to other entertaining comedies like Smokey & The Bandit, Up In Smoke and Stir Crazy.  We had fun watching them repeatedly when we could.  I have Mike to thank not only for introducing me to Eastwood films, but comedies as well.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

4

General Discussion / Hang ‘Em High & Coogan’s Bluff 50 Year Anniversaries

« on: August 05, 2018, 06:19:32 PM »

After the massive overseas success of Clint’s first three westerns, which ultimately proved to be as popular in America, it only made sense for his next project to be in the same genre.  His character, Jed Cooper, is a former Marshall that clearly defines which side of the law he’s on. 

I first saw Hang ‘Em High through the eyes of a new fan with high expectations.  I came away let down and disappointed.  A handful of years would go by when I would reluctantly give the film another chance.  My guard was let down, mind on other things and was pleasantly surprised.  I’d been stood up on a date and feeling down when I noticed it playing on tv.  It was the perfect distraction and helped ease my disappointment.  It’s been a favorite ever since.  Of course Clint’s character has the best surname ever. 😎

It took some time for me to appreciate Clint’s first police film, too.  I thought it was good, but not great.  As I’d initially compared Hang ‘Em High to Eastwood’s “Spaghetti Western” trilogy, I had done the same in having high expectations for Coogan’s Bluff after seeing Dirty Harry. 

It would’ve been interesting to see sequels to both of these films, but they do stand alone well enough on their own. 


















Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

5

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: 2018 Movie Discussion

« on: August 02, 2018, 04:10:25 AM »

I saw this with one of my movie buddies this past Tuesday.  They seem to be running out of ideas.  The story wasn’t as good as the previous few prequels, but still plenty of action.  If anything, more action than ever. 




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

6

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Movies I have watched this week

« on: July 23, 2018, 04:37:09 PM »

^
I’ve heard positive and negative about these three films, as well.  As for the first Star Trek movie, I only enjoy small portions.  I find the book and soundtrack far superior and more entertaining.  Paramount redeemed themselves with the story arc that took place in the subsequent three entries.  I went with a friend to see 2010 when it was released in 1984.  That is what prompted my attempt, more than once, years ago to sit through 2001 but just could not.  I can tolerate Star Trek: The Motion Picture because I’m a fan but came away from the recent viewings of 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010: The Year We Make Contact bored and unable to find any redeeming qualities.   I’m glad others are entertained by them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

7

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: What are you listening to right now thread

« on: July 22, 2018, 04:51:49 PM »

I’ve been listening to these on Spotify at the suggestion of a friend.  I like both albums and may be checking out more albums by this band before long.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8

Off-Topic Discussion / 2018 Movie Discussion

« on: July 22, 2018, 04:46:40 PM »

I took Tina to see this Friday night and we enjoyed it very much.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

9

General Discussion / What was the last Eastwood film you watched?

« on: July 20, 2018, 12:01:36 PM »

Wow, this is an eye opener for me.  Thank you, Aline and AKA!  The Enforcer is my 2nd favorite in the series after the original.  Reading your thoughts and opinions on Maxwell is very interesting.  A few years ago I’d probably be hard-pressed to agree with you but you’re absolutely right.  Just think how much more effective the movie would’ve been had Maxwell not been played the way he was.  For the time, though, I guess it was fitting and at least he’s not bad as Mick from Sudden Impact.  I think it’s been about a year since I’ve revisited any of the Dirty Harry films, maybe I will again soon.  Thanks again for your insight.
 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10

Off-Topic Discussion / The Celebrity Obituary Thread

« on: July 19, 2018, 06:48:16 PM »

Rest In Peace, Mr. Cronauer.  God Bless.

Adrian Cronauer, inspiration for Robin Williams' Good Morning, Vietnam' character, dies




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11

Off-Topic Discussion / What are you listening to right now thread

« on: July 19, 2018, 04:20:16 AM »

Listening to these yesterday and today.  Much as I think Kurt Cobain is overrated, he’s no John Lennon, both of these Nirvana albums are among my favorites.  I lean a little more towards Pearl Jams’ Ten because there are two tracks I dislike on Nevermind.  Mostly great music, though.








Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: Movies I have watched this week

« on: July 19, 2018, 04:16:27 AM »

Not good.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

13

Off-Topic Discussion / Movies I have watched this week

« on: July 18, 2018, 03:18:56 PM »

Yes... and the last. 

I swear Robert Wise had Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" in mind when making "Star Trek: The Motion Picture."  There are many similar, long, drawn out boring-ass dull sequences.  The only thing I can appreciate is the link to The King Of Rock & Roll with the film’s iconic orchestral theme.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14

Off-Topic Discussion / Movies I have watched this week

« on: July 16, 2018, 04:01:30 PM »

That...SUCKED




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

15

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: 2018 Movie Discussion

« on: July 11, 2018, 06:22:55 AM »

Yeah, this one kinda sucked.  Disappointing. 




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

16

Off-Topic Discussion / What are you listening to right now thread

« on: July 10, 2018, 09:41:46 AM »

I finally got around to listening to this album recently.  After hearing it for the first time, I come away feeling the same way about it as I do about The White Album by The Beatles.  Half is great music worth hearing repeatedly.  The other half is an annoying cacophony of noise.  As with the The Beatles’ record, The Wall can be reduced to a single, forceful, strong and entertaining single album.  It’s so great utilizing Spotify to do just that.   


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

17

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: The Photographers thread: Show us your stuff!!

« on: July 03, 2018, 07:50:18 AM »

Say hello to Scooter Cooper.  We adopted him for a friend of Tina’s yesterday who’s moving and didn’t want him placed in a shelter.  He’s hypoallergenic so that’s perfect for me since I’m allergic to cats & dogs.  I took these yesterday with my phone. 






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

18

Off-Topic Discussion / Re: The Celebrity Obituary Thread

« on: June 22, 2018, 05:45:44 AM »

Charles Krauthammer, conservative commentator and Pulitzer Prize winner, dead at 68

God Bless.  Rest In Peace.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

19

General Discussion / Re: 3 films to recommend Clint to new viewers

« on: June 20, 2018, 04:47:20 AM »

I would go with A Fistful Of Dollars and Dirty Harry for the first two.  I agree with Matt that it would be better to introduce the Leone westerns with the first one.  If it went over well, the interest would be there to follow up with the sequels.

The same goes for Dirty Harry but I’d suggest only watching the first two sequels before moving on.

For the third film, I’d suggest Any Which Way You Can because it’s more entertaining out of the two “monkey” comedies.  These films do not have to be watched in order. 

To recap:

1. A Fistful Of Dollars
2. Dirty Harry
3. Any Which Way You Can

I may even suggest viewing Dirty Harry first, followed by the western and then the comedy. 

If these went over well, I’d then suggest the police and western sequels and comedy prequel.  I think this would be a great place to start.  🙂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

20

Eastwood News / Re: The Bridges of Madison County to screen in New York, Dec. 22

« on: June 20, 2018, 04:33:47 AM »

I almost missed this one on the big screen.  I don’t mind seeing films alone, as I’d done with White Hunter, Black Heart but just didn’t see myself going this one alone. 

As it turns out, my ex-wife and I were dating when it was brought back due to Streep’s Oscar nomination.  We saw it together and that began a tradition of seeing all of the films he starred in going forward. 

Obviously, that trend ended with Trouble With The Curve.  I plan on taking Tina to see Clint in his next starring role in The Mule. 

The Bridges Of Madison County is one of Eastwood’s best movies, again proving critics wrong as to how talented and versatile he is.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk