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Jed Cooper
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« Reply #55 on: September 24, 2011, 08:33:36 AM » |
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To date, Eastwood has directed ten films in which he did not star. This includes the soon to be released biopic J. Edgar. Out of the other nine I have seen, I only enjoyed Mystic River. Changeling was okay. As for the rest, I don't care for them. Until recently, I gave these films the benefit of the doubt. After seeing Invictus, I vowed not to spend money on a film Eastwood is associated with unless he stars in it. My instincts paid off upon seeing Hereafter, borrowed from my local library. This is how I will end up viewing J. Edgar. I've mentioned this elsewhere on the discussion board (no, no double-posting here!), if Mr. Eastwood were to star in another western I'd be the first in line. Don't tell me it's too late because he's too old because it's not and he isn't! Sure, it's too late to strap on a .44 Magnum for another Dirty Harry sequel but Clint can ride the western frontier once again. Also, I firmly believe Clint could direct an entertaining action-thriller (yes, without starring in it). After all, he's starred in numerous action movies in the past, so why not direct one? I know the answer to that so you don't have to tell me. He's doing what he wants to do and he's entitled to it. Just as I'm entitled to my opinion regarding 99% of the films he directs but does not star in. I just don't like them. So, unless he steps in front of the camera again I won't be seeing his work on the big screen. In the meantime, in order to see his acting I'll have to settle for home viewing or if I'm lucky, a re-release of Dirty Harry or another of his starring-roles on the big screen. There may be a potential upside to this. With Clint possibly retiring from acting, I may come to enjoy movies I currently loathe such as Where Eagles Dare, Kelly's Heroes and Pale Rider......aaahhh, no, scratch that. Won't happen. He can direct, produce, compose, whatever. It doesn't matter. I say once again, to me, a Clint Eastwood movie *STARS* Clint Eastwood. No way around that. Long after he's gone, sure, he'll be remembered for his directorial accomplishments but not so much as for his starring roles. No sir, Mr. Eastwood, a true American iconic legend will be remembered much more so for the movies he starred in. I already miss it.   |
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« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 06:30:07 AM by Jed Cooper »
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Jed Cooper
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« Reply #57 on: September 25, 2011, 05:27:41 AM » |
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 Quite definitive post Brian Cooper, but that is your opinion ... and maybe am I wrong : isn't "Pale Rider" a western movie? True, Sylvie, but nobody produces 100% perfection. Impossible. Much as I love music by The Beatles, I don't love every album by them; The "White" Album being a perfect example. As big a fan I am of Elvis, I don't love every single recording he made. No, really! I love the original Star Trek series but they weren't perfect, either. I can't stand their 3rd and final television season and hate their 1st and 5th movies. So, that being said, the same goes for Eastwood's western movie output. Like Two Mules For Sister Sara and Joe Kidd, I don't enjoy Pale Rider. However, there's the Leone Trilogy, Hang 'Em High, High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales and Unforgiven. These seven are not only among my most favorite Eastwood westerns, but all-time favorites as well. Not bad, eh?      |
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« Last Edit: January 07, 2012, 10:14:25 PM by Jed Cooper »
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Sylvie
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« Reply #58 on: September 25, 2011, 09:35:22 AM » |
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True, Sylvie, but nobody produces 100% perfection. Impossible.
I understood what you said Brian ... and that is exactly why I never say that I hate something that is "cultural" : a book, a film, a play, a record, a group, a singer, a sculpture, a painting ... To give you an exemple : I've never liked the "Dance With Wolves" movie that so many people, critics like so much . But I can explain why ! And it is a masterpiece for a lot of people ! But when my daughter Alison went to the same University I studied in in the past, when she met a fabulous American Teacher completly fascinated by the American Natives, I said to my Girl :"watch this movie ! and have your own opinion, now that you know many other things about History, about the mentality of that time !". In that case, I wouldn't have liked to say : "no no it's a stupid movie !" ... and she liked the film ... and gave me her own arguments !!! I would concider myself as very "proud of myself" to only say something as categoristic as that ! To me, the movies made by Mr Eastwood, where he did not have a part in them, are fabulous, I only did not like the last "Hereafter", strangely too "French styled" to me, even if some scenes were great ... And I must add that I am particularly happy to have loved "Letters From Iwo Jima" presented by the "Man Himself" in Lyon, and very happy to have read recently that it was his most personnal movie, the one he would have liked to see met a lot of success. To me, the parts he plays in so many movies, and not only Dirty Harry or Leone ones, show how sensible he is as a Man, a Father, a Lover ... And that is why he came behind the camera, thanks for us : because he's got so many things, so many feelings to show us, to explain too because he is getting old, that is not a secret, because he has lived so many experiences, has met so many people from his youth, in the Cinema world of course, but outside too, in the World. An Artist has got this only aim in life : show something, deeply felt in him/her ... So to me, his work when he is not an actor but "only" the film maker is amazing, fantastic, and always opened on the next one. And always an exciting "rendez vous" for me, from the first time I saw him on bigscreen when I was a child, with my Dad ; and when I saw him for the first time, so many years ago, alone in the theatre, and it was "Pale Rider". Will he be recognize as a film maker, as "only" the Dirty Harry policeman, the Blondin cow boy "long after he's gone" as you wrote ? I don't care ... to me he will always represent a fascinating connection with the Cinema as an Art , a real positive shock in my Life , the intense and unique feeling that we often share the same opinions on life, especially on the kids loneliness, the so called "loosers" that everyone can meet in his own life ... the reason why I've been on this Board for so many years  , to share thoughts and ideas, and fulfill my mind and soul with the sparkling and moving small jewels he gives us in his films ... (... and if I would have liked to write in a more "fluide" English sometimes ) |
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« Last Edit: September 25, 2011, 10:00:42 AM by Sylvie »
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"If she looks back, that means she's interested . Come on now, give me a little look. One little glance back..." 2007 Movie journal |
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Jed Cooper
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« Reply #59 on: September 25, 2011, 10:09:06 AM » |
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Hi Sylvie, Thank you so much for your insightful input. I find it extremely interesting. I have nothing but the utmost respect for other's opinions, even when they don't agree with mine. Life's to short for that kind of pettiness. In a nutshell, all I'm saying is that my preference is to see Clint acting, not directing only. Sure, perhaps 'hate' is too harsh but my take on that is this: You become a fan of something for a reason. You love it and come to expect similar output on a regular basis. It becomes personal. Of course, this is impossible so when the inevitable disappointment happens comes some resentment and perhaps a little anger. I am, of course, only speaking for myself but I am sure there are those who can relate. The first Eastwood movie I saw on the big screen after becoming a die-hard fan (although I'd seen maybe 1 or 2 prior) is Firefox*. WOW! Talk about a letdown! I was furious! I was bored and yes, sorry, hated that movie to death. My hopes were so high and that plane flew out of control, crashed into a mountainside and plumeted to the sea! Well, you get the picture (pun intended). *I enjoyed reading the Firefox and Firefox Down! novels by Craig Thomas, very much. Still, I remained a true fan and continued to seek out other Eastwood films I'd not yet seen on television. There were highs and lows there but deliverance came in the form of Sudden Impact (even though it's no longer a favorite Dirty Harry movie for me but that's a whole nother story!). When I first saw that I loved it and returned to see it twice. It's a good thing I missed Honkytonk Man due to limited release. When I came across that movie on cable I laughed at Eastwood singing. I did come to enjoy it over time, though. What I said was he will be remembered for his directorial accomplishments but more so for his acting roles, not only. Sorry for any misunderstanding. By the way, I had no problem understanding your post.  Thanks again, Syvlie |
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« Last Edit: January 07, 2012, 10:15:22 PM by Jed Cooper »
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