TAG, you're it!

[eustressor]

If Kevin Costner hadn't been available to portray Butch in A Perfect World, who would you like to have seen in the part?

Thanks for the tag, KC

Short answer: No one - cancel the production, gather up the family, and take a vacation trip to Antartica to look at the penguins.

OK, if the show had to go on minus Costner's Oscar-worthy performance, after some consideration, I'm going to reach a little and suggest Robin Williams. No, I don't see Butch tooling around in red suspenders and a rainbow sweater, but I think Williams has displayed an enormous range of acting talent, and sometimes overlooked excellence, over the years. Try as I might, I can't recall ever seeing him play a "tough guy", but I'm certain he could do it. I can easily picture him playing Butch much the way Costner did, although I'm sure there would be a few improvs here and there. Perhaps Williams would play a bit more with the fact that Butch is a very clever fellow, and isn't above having a bit of fun at the expense of those less intelligent. The bond with Phillip might easily have taken on a bit more playful tone as well - generally, the "isn't this fun?" factor already present in Costner's overall performance would perhaps be kicked up one safe notch or two.

If you're having trouble picturing this, consider that fateful moment when Butch turns off Mack's radio and the film slams to a halt as Butch's demons prepare to surface. If everything leading up to this moment has been a just a bit more playful, how much more impact then, when Butch unravels and begins to terrorize Mack's family? How much more gutwrenching when Phillip has to decide whether or not to shoot Butch? How much more tragic, when, just as it seems Butch might survive, he is gunned down by the FBI?

I think Robin Williams could have performed in this movie just as well, if slightly differently, than Kevin Costner did. What little might be lost by the fact Williams' isn't typically regarded as a "hunk" would likely be regained by a climax with even more impact.

Or maybe I'd pick Yahoo Serious... Tags forthcoming -

[mgk]

 

mgk: What's the landscape you feel is used most effectively as a story element in an Eastwood film?

A lot of the landscapes in Eastwood's movies are beautiful but I don't think that quite qualifies as being an "effective story element."  The first movie that came to mind was The Eiger Sanction and, after thinking about it for a while, I don't think there is another Eastwood movie where the landscape is used as such an essential part of the story as this one is.  The story, of course, is built around Hemlock (Eastwood) carrying out his "last" sanction but his target plans a climb to the top of the North Face of Eiger Mountain in Switzerland.  The North Face is 6,000 vertical feet of snow and ice and has claimed the lives of many.  The plot and the tension are carried out under extreme circumstances and the first enemy all of the men have to conquer in order to survive is the mountain itself.  The cinematography beautifully captures every grueling moment spent trying to reach the top.  Without this particular landscape in this particular film, you lose a lot of the story itself.


MC: My answer to your tag last time was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  What did you think of this film?  How would you rate it among Eastwood directed films whether he is in them or not?

Philo: Which film do you think that Eastwood appeared to have the most fun makiing?

[Doug]

Tag to:

Doug-What actor and actress you never would like to see working with Clint?

Oh, boy, you want someone to get mad at me with my answer!    I'd have to say Nicholas Cage.  I can't stand him, can't stand the way he overacts in nearly all his movies.  Although I liked him in The Rock(and I haven't seen his last three movies), so maybe if he were with Clint, he'd be a little more calm, but ...  I wouldn't want to take the risk.  It'd be too likely that he would totally ruin the movie for me.  Nobody get mad at me.  I could have said Vin Diesel, but frankly I've avoided all his movies, so I can't say he irritates me or anything.

[Doug]

Doug - If you could erase one film off of Eastwood's filmography, which one would it be?

I think the world could survive without The Rookie.  If he hadn't directed it, I'd leave it be, but it's embarrassing that he sunk so low with it.  Paint Your Wagon I'd leave just because I think he learned a valuable lesson with that one.

[Doug]

Tags:

mgk: What's the most touching moment in a Dirty Harry film?

Brendan: What's the most outrageously funny moment in a Clint film?  

Matt: I haven't tagged you this game.  Your leprechaun comes to you in a bad mood, and states that Clint hasn't died enough times in his movies, and he's going to magically fix that so that he does die at the end of another movie.  However, he demands that you choose which movie in Clint filmography.  So which one?  

Conan: What's your favorite shoot out in a Clint western?

[mgk]

mgk: What's the most touching moment in a Dirty Harry film?

When I first read your question, I panicked!  I thought I was going to have to choose the most touching moment in any Eastwood film.  Okay, if I'm limited to "Dirty Harry" films then it has to be when Kate is killed in The Enforcer.  Seeing Dirty Harry genuinely care about someone that much was very moving and in the end when he comes back up and stands over her body as the camera pulls back is truly sad.  This scene shows a tender side of Harry that we rarely get to see in any of the other films.

Clyde: I saw your comments in the film discussion on A Perfect World and I saw where you said that you were disappointed in the film when it first came out in the theaters but that it plays much better for you now.  What other Eastwood film do you think you have grown to like more after more than one viewing?

[Brendan]

Brendan: What's the most outrageously funny moment in a Clint film?  

Much like KC's question about the quote that makes me laugh the hardest, this one is tough. I cant really answer it theres just too many moments.

From the stares of Harry as he gets annoyed or fed, to Munny trying to shoot that can. Or from Joe talking about his Mule to Francesca telling Kincad the flowers are posionus, there's just too many great moments in the land of Eastwood the pick just one.

Sorry.

[eustressor]

Tags...

KC - I enjoyed answering your last question so much that I'm lobbing it back at you...sort of. If Gene Hackman had refused to take the part of Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven, and the show had to go on, who would you like to have seen play the part?

Doug - Say you're on the staff at Malpaso (lucky you!). One afternoon, Lenny Niehaus marches out of Clint's office, shouting, "That's it! I'm through! You never let me play!" Clint follows him out and turns to you and says, "Find me a new composer - and I'm not talking about John Williams, either!" Who would you recommend?

[the stranger]

Whoops, thanks for all the private messages, sorry I have not been around that much, but I've been working hard on the Eastwood project for the last 4 months, and it has taken up quite a bit of my time...
and I thought I was going to have a well earned break from all things Eastwood... yeah like  
so 6 Tags! (I think?)
Sorry if the answers are not too in depth, but I'm here at least!
Christopher:
Fav bit of Music from an eastwood film:
I would have to go with the main Titles from Magnum Force, for me it's not only the greatest Eastwood theme, I'd go as far as to say probably one of the greatest main themes from the decade, and there was a lot of great music about, it has everything, but at the same time so unique, I can't top that piece of music.
Thanks for the question Chris.
Philo:
Which soundtrack would I like to see released:
Easy, Lalo Schifrin's Coogan's Bluff, OK, it was released in a very minor way, on a bootleg album, and various bootlegs (of that LP conversion) have been released on CD If I remember right it's only about 7 mins or so, but Lalo MUST get the original masters of this score out, remaster it and give it the full release it deserves, it's a killer score, check out those bongos! In the Track Motorcycle Chase a real kick arse score. I think Lalo has an official web site, maybe we should all hop on over there and let him know our thought?
Thanks Philo.
KC which Prop?
Easy, It would have to be that Poncho, is there anything more Iconic! It's not much to ask is it
Thanks KC.
Conan, Best line from the Man with no name?
Not much time to think about this one Conan, Hmmm
Errrr How about, I don't think it nice you laughing that speach just shifts the whole mood of the film in a second! Love the way Leone cuts in close for that line.
That's my fav line today anyway
Thanks Conan
Doug, fav fun movie:
I suppose it depends on what people see as artistic aspirations The Gauntlet I have always seen as pure escapism, pure comic book style, plus I simply love it to bits! So I suppose I would go with that. If you was looking for a complete no brainer I'd go for Pink Cadillac
 I have a bit of a soft spot for it, and cried laughing at Eastwood as the tobacco chewing dumb ass
Hope this covers it Doug, thanks.
Matt, God, a nice easy one huhh how old, first film etc.
I think I was about 14, I'm sure it was a western on TV think it may have been Fistful of Dollars, Might even had been Two mules for sister sara, I know I got a cassette recorder as a kid, remember the ones which had a mic on a lead, piano key buttons etc.. I remember hearing Morricones music coming from the TV and was completely taken by it, I took the cassette recorder over to the TV and recorded the who film on Audio cassette!
(my family still remember this and still tell these stories in my company to people we meet)  
... they talk with affection about it know though, guess they have realised that their boy is a serious fan / collector and now take quite an interest in it...
Anyway, like Philo, I went to all night showings in and around London seeing a lot of the classic films on the Big Screen, took up serious collecting around the same time as Philo, doing a paper round to give me the money to do so, while I was still at school... this could go on for ages...
The funny thing is, my girl still carries a Clint Eastwood photo in her purse, that I gave her when we were at school together! Arrrrrrrrrrrrr!
But I guess you know the rest of the story Matt!
and I guess I'm an Eastwood lifer!
God bless the people close in my life, they are the real people that have had to put up with it all.
Thanks for the question Matt.

..and thanks Philo! I saw the man as I was coming into work tonight, he kicked my arse into gear to get on the board tonight, I knew I should have hidded behind one of those large pot plants in reception!!
Cheers all!
Will try and think up tags for later
-Stranger-

[MC]

MC: My answer to your tag last time was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  What did you think of this film?  How would you rate it among Eastwood directed films whether he is in them or not?

I thought Midnight was a good movie, but not quite a great one. I enjoyed the performances of Cusack and especially Spacey, the originality of the story, and several of Eastwood's directorial flourishes, but overall the film never quite gelled for me in a way that indicated "classic." However, I've only seen Midnight twice, so perhaps there's still time for it to grow on me some more. It's also one of Clint's funniest movies (thanks largely to the Lady Chablis), in my opinion.

I would rate it somewhere in the middle of Clint's filmography, behind the likes of Play Misty for Me, Josey Wales, Bird, White Hunter, Unforgiven, A Perfect World and Bridges, but ahead of such films as The Rookie, True Crime, Space Cowboys and Blood Work.

[MC]

Tags...

bcm: As a big Bridges fan, what did you think of Eastwood's decision (suggested by Spielberg, I believe) to use the "framing" technique of showing Francesca's children finding her diary and reacting to it? Did you think it slowed down the film's momentum at all, or tipped off the viewer on how they should feel about the affair (outrage, then curiosity, then approval)? Or did you feel that it was an effective technique that ultimately strengthened the film?

Misty71: Since viewing Dirty Harry and becoming a big Eastwood fan, have you watched any Eastwood films that you felt matched (or at least approached) the greatness of the original Dirty Harry?

[Clyde]

Answering two tags.

#1. Clyde - If you could choose any item in any Eastwood film to own, which would it be and why?

Of course it would have to be the poncho.  I know that film critic Gene Siskel owned Travolta's white suit from "Saturday Night Fever" and Dorothy's ruby slippers from Oz are a prized possession of someone, but Clint's poncho is more of an icon than these and most other film memorabilia.  It sure would be something to own.  Besides, on Halloween I've gone to parties as Groucho Marx, Napoleon, and assorted pirates, but I know I'd win first prize if that poncho was in my possession.
Other than the poncho, I wouldn't mind owning the Firefox -- traffic on the roads is hellish where I live.


#2. Clyde - What other Eastwood film do you think you have grown to like more after more than one viewing?

Probably "A Fistful Of Dollars" is a film that I've come to appreciate more upon further viewings.  I'm the biggest
Kurosawa fan there is and a fan of "Yojimbo" and I had a hard time separating Clint's remake from the original.
First time I watched "A Fistful of Dollars" I was constantly saying to myself, "Kurosawa pulled that off better...Mifune played that better."  Plus "Fistful" is the weaker of the Leone trilogy so I just dismissed it as a poor imitation of something better.  I think I've moved past those feelings, and I no longer have any distaste for it at all.  I still feel it's weak in comparison to "Yojimbo" and the other Leone westerns, but I do now feel it is a pretty good film.

two tags:

mgk: Here's a twist on one of your tags.  You're throwing a dinner party for three.  Which two characters from a Clint film do you invite over to have dinner with?

bcm: I'm curious.  For someone who said in a post that "westerns are not a part of my cultural background," I'd sure like to know what do you think of Clint's westerns?  Do you prefer them over other westerns?  Do you prefer Clint's non-westerns? The larger question, however, is how can westerns (with their basic themes of loyalty, courage, duty, honor, friendship, and love for freedom) not be a part of one's cultural background?  (I apologize in advance for this being a none too simple yes or no tag.)

[mgk]

mgk: Here's a twist on one of your tags.  You're throwing a dinner party for three.  Which two characters from a Clint film do you invite over to have dinner with?

I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to invite a character played by Eastwood or not.  If I am allowed then I would love to invite John Wilson (Eastwood) from White Hunter, Black Heart and Gus Malley (Locke) from The Gauntlet.  Then, I think I would just serve dinner and get out of the way.

If I'm not allowed to choose a character played by Eastwood then I think I would choose Aggie (Marsha Mason) from Heartbreak Ridge and Beryl Thibodeaux (Geneviève Bujold) from Tightrope.  Those are two of my favorite female leads in an Eastwood movie and we would just sit down for some "girl talk."

D'Amb: Eastwood has covered just about every genre of film in his career and we've had some discussion here on the board about him doing a science fiction movie.  But, other than a western or a science fiction movie, what genre would you like to see Eastwood do again?  A cop/detective movie, a love story, just a drama similar to A Perfect World, or a comedy/drama like Bronco Billy, or something else entirely?

[Christopher]

Christopher - If you could erase one film off of Eastwood's filmography, which one would it be?

It might not be real fair for me to say it, but I'd probably go with City Heat. The reason why it's not fair is because I haven't seen the movie in a really long time, and I've only seen it that one time. Upon that first (and so far, only) viewing, the movie didn't overly impress me. I don't know what it was about it. I remember commenting to my mom that Reynolds and Eastwood just didn't seem to be the best combination.

[Christopher]

Tagging...

mgk: What was it about Eastwood that made you such a big fan?

[D'Ambrosia]

D'Amb: Eastwood has covered just about every genre of film in his career and we've had some discussion here on the board about him doing a science fiction movie.  But, other than a western or a science fiction movie, what genre would you like to see Eastwood do again?  A cop/detective movie, a love story, just a drama similar to A Perfect World, or a comedy/drama like Bronco Billy, or something else entirely?

Thanks for the tag mgk...

I'd kind of like to see him in another military role.  Not like Heartbreak Ridge or anything, more like a Midway or The Longest Day type of flick as a high ranking general making tough decisions.  Or even a small cameo role as like, say, General Lee in a Civil War movie.  That would be kind of cool.   I hope we haven't seen the last of him on screen, but I have a feeling that the older he gets he will stay behind the scenes more.  I'm sure he'll pop up every now and then...

-Tag coming up...

[Conan]

Matt: Which character from an Eastwood film would you say is most like you?  What traits do you have in common?  (It doesn't have to be an Eastwood character)

I answered a question a little bit like this when I was asked about which character I most identify with, but this is slightly different so I have a different answer.  I would guess Philo Beddoe...He takes care of his body, loves adventure (partly why I travel), chases skirt (thats old-school slang ), is kind of goofy like me (he travels with a orangutang), and though I'm no expert brawler like Philo, I can and have handled myself pretty well.  I don't think I'm a carbon copy of Philo, but I have a good amount in common with the guy, we pretty much have the same outlook on life.

Doug: What's your favorite shoot out in a Clint western?

The end of "For a Few Dollars More".  I can watch it over and over again...


Tags...

Brendan: What is the cheesiest line in a movie that Clint has ever said (not including the harpoon line "he's hanging out, out back" from "The Dead Pool)?

Doug: Who was the best Eastwood sidekick (not including the Dollars trilogy)?

MGK: If you could have been an extra in an Eastwood flick, which movie and which scene would you choose?


  If I get tagged again, I won't be able to answer for about 3.5 weeks.  So I'm not ignoring anyone

[Brendan]

Brendan: What is the cheesiest line in a movie that Clint has ever said (not including the harpoon line "he's hanging out, out back" from "The Dead Pool)?

Ah man. Thats probably the most cheesiest of all his lines. Thats more like an Arnold one liner than anything. "Let off steam Bennet."  

Anyway, probably the this line from Pink Cadillac: "Too much raw dude for ya, huh babe? Well I can dig it. If my life were a movie, there'd be a sign on it saying "Caution, some scenes too intense for younger viewers."

Thats cheesy, but I love it.

Conan - Same question back at yah.  

[mgk]

Tagging...
mgk: What was it about Eastwood that made you such a big fan?

I've been a fan for a really long time but only a serious fan for about a dozen years.  I think I slowly started realizing that Eastwood is a complete filmmaker instead of just an actor or just a director.  With the exception of only two or three movies in the last ten or twelve years, he has just gotten better and better.  As for his acting style, it is very appealing because it is so understated.  When it comes to directing, he just has it all.  But, I think the things I like most about his directing are his ability to develop characters and to build relationships.  He takes his time and that works to his and the movie's advantage.

MGK: If you could have been an extra in an Eastwood flick, which movie and which scene would you choose?

When I first read this, I thought it was going to be easy.  But, as I look through his list of films, it's not so easy.  First, I have to decide which movie I would like to be in and then I have to decide if there is a crowd scene where I can be an extra....hard to find both.  But, I think I would have liked to have been one of the residents of Lago in High Plains Drifter.  The reason I say that is because I think I would have an opportunity to be on the set more and I could not only watch Eastwood act but I could watch his mastery at directing.  I guess I would choose the scene where Stacey Bridges has everyone rounded up in the saloon just before the final shootout.  (More screen time than any other scene. )

Be back in a minute with two tags.

[Conan]

Conan - Same question back at yah.  

  The Harpoon line from the last "Harry" flick, without question.