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Messages - Hocine

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1
Good question and interesting answers too.
I would add that initially and even before making Cry Macho, Clint wanted to make a legal drama anyway: I think of that Clarence Darrow project called Conviction, which did not come to fruition at this point. Juror #2, regarding the synopsis, seems old-fashioned, like many other Clint films. I think that it is a new occasion for Clint to explore and describe the American society through its legal system, its good sides and its dark sides: how does a man deal with the institutions of his country ? And also, how does he deal with his own consciousness ?
Juror #2 is promising and I am happy to see Clint making an other film.

3
This is an interesting debate: what defines an A-list actor ?

About Nicholas Hoult, I agree with AKA23: he is definitely not an A-list actor. Not yet at least. But that could change with the opportunities offered to him. Although he certainly has a background as an actor, he would not be immediately recognizable by the average moviegoer. For instance, I have seen Mad Max: Fury Road and I remember the character he portrayed. But I do not remember the actor behind that character. In my mind, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron are the stars of Mad Max: Fury Road. The same about Paul Walter Hauser: he was not an A-list actor when he was hired for Richard Jewell and I would not consider him as an A-list star today.

I agree with SamanMoradkhani about the fact that the star-system in Hollywood is not as powerful as it used to be in the twentieth century. Nowadays, many people (especially younger generations) who go to movies, do not care about the actors or the filmmakers. I mean they do not even have favorite actors or directors. They are not attracted by an actor in particular but more by a concept developed by a film. I think that James Cameron and Christopher Nolan understand that very well. Most of moviegoers just want to be entertained and to have fun above all. Generally, they choose to see the films which are the most talked in social medias, which are the modern word of mouth. For instance, all the moviegoers who have seen Barbie, have not necessarily seen Babylon or Amsterdam. Then, Margot Robbie is not the main reason of Barbie box office success, although she is an A-list actress today.

I also agree with Gant in many ways: being a good actor is not necessarily being an A-list actor and vice-versa. For instance, Dwayne Johnson is commercially an A-list actor: but is he praised by the critics for his acting performances ? He is an entertainer and a box-office attraction for sure. But that does not make him a gifted actor. He cannot be compared with Leonardo DiCaprio or Matt Damon.

When Clint was a box-office draw from the late 60s to the mid-80s, he was not considered as a good actor but more as an A-list actor, a superstar, a commercial and cultural phenomenon. The critics started to be interested in Clint as a director first, even if they were probably more fascinated by the star than they wanted to admit it.

I think that Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Costner, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper and Tom Hanks are some of the real A-list actors that Clint has directed.

About Clint, he was a real box-office attraction until the mid-90s: In The Line of Fire was probably his last real box-office hit as an actor. Now, he is more considered as a director than as an actor. Of course, The Bridges Of Madison County, Space Cowboys, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino and The Mule did very well at the box-office. But not like In The Line of Fire or Unforgiven with adjusted inflation.

Anyway, I hope that Juror #2 will be a good film first and a decent success at the box-office, to encourage Clint making some other films after this one.


4
Hi everyone,
I am curious to know what do you think of Million Dollar Baby ending: I mean, in your opinion, what happened to Frankie Dunn at the end ?
Thank you

5
You may be right. World of Reel website even thinks that it might go to the next Cannes Film Festival.
Do you think that Juror #2 could be a crowd pleaser, despite the lack of A-list stars ?

6
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/chris-messina-joins-clint-eastwood-juror-no-2-movie-exclusive-1235657462/

Chris Messina has joined the cast. No mention of Eastwood having a role. Really don't think he is going to be in this, which makes me sad. I was looking forward to seeing a final performance, assuming "this is the last one so help me God!" Also, wish that line was actually in "The Mule" and not just in the trailer!

If Clint is not going to be in Juror #2, then let us hope that this will not be his last film.
I also noticed that the line you quoted was not in The Mule but only in the trailer.

Below here is a picture supposed taken yesterday and posted on Twitter. Obviously, I do not know how reliable it is:

https://twitter.com/RealTheClint/status/1725631304853516676


7
In the bmcsavannah Instagram account, it is stated that Juror #2 filming will resume mid-November through mid-December. BMC stand for Bill Marinella Casting.

9
General Discussion / Re: Author Ian Nathan on Clint Eastwood films
« on: November 10, 2023, 04:44:44 PM »
You are welcome :)
Yes, I bought it this Friday
Actually, I have many books on Clint and on films in general


10
General Discussion / Author Ian Nathan on Clint Eastwood films
« on: November 09, 2023, 05:37:44 PM »
A new book on Clint written by Ian Nathan was released a couple months ago.
Here are some of his thoughts on Clint films:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=axtsWGhucrc

https://play.acast.com/s/writers-on-film/clint-eastwood-by-ian-nathan




12
General Discussion / Re: What was the last Eastwood film you watched?
« on: November 07, 2023, 01:02:54 PM »
I've also read this, but think it was Sean Devine, Kevin Bacon's character, who Michael Keaton was the original choice for, who was the police officer, not Dave Boyle.

I agree with Gant. "Mystic River" is one of Eastwood's better director-only films, though I have not read the book. I think I would have liked it better if the acting were a but more subtle. "Mystic River" stands out to me as a bit unusual in Eastwood's filmography, as it has some pretty showy scenes and performances, particularly from Sean Penn, as an example, and Eastwood is known for much more understated acting and direction.

You are absolutely right, AKA23: I wanted to say that Kevin Bacon would have replaced Michael Keaton. Sorry about my mistake. Actually, I think that Kevin Bacon was perfect for the role: his acting performance looks very Eastwoodian in Mystic River. Laurence Fishburne would have replaced Forrest Whitaker, who was the initial choice for playing detective Whitey Powers. Indeed, Sean Penn was very showy, perhaps inspired by the Actors Studio acting method. Sean Penn eventually won his first Best Actor Oscar. I have not read the novel yet.

13
General Discussion / Re: What was the last Eastwood film you watched?
« on: November 06, 2023, 04:07:40 PM »
Mystic River is among the best films directed by Clint. Without The Return of The King at the Oscars competition, Mystic River would have won the Best Picture and the Best Director Oscars. And it should have won the Golden Palm at 2003 Cannes Film Festival. That film is essential in Clint career because it proved that he was able to be a successful director at the box office without Clint the actor. Indeed, the three previous films Clint directed without being the star were box office failures. Actually, only three films directed by Clint and without Clint the star were really successful at the box office: Mystic River, American Sniper and Sully. Mystic River boosted and defined the last part of Clint career.
Most of all, with Mystic River, Clint depicted a depressing, haunting and pessimistic piece of America, eleven years after Unforgiven.

I saw Mystic River when it was released in France, in October 2003. I have seen it many times on dvd.
In 2017, I attended a special screening of Mystic River in Paris, France: cinematographer Tom Stern, who is a good French speaker, was there to present and discuss it.

I do not know if that is true but I recently read something about the casting of Mystic River: Tim Robbins would have replaced actor Michael Keaton, who would have been the initial choice for the role of Dave Boyle. Michael Keaton would have quit the project due to artistic divergences with Clint. 

14
General Discussion / Re: Kyle Eastwood
« on: November 06, 2023, 03:14:36 PM »
I think that you can find that story in the unauthorized biography of Clint, written by Patrick MacGilligan.
In 1984, Kyle was actually 15-16 years old. According that biography, since that incident (the fact Kyle missed out the role), the Coca Cola brand would never appear in a Clint film. In fact, Coca Cola was attached to Columbia Pictures, which owned the Karate Kid film project. But I do not know if that is true.

15
Yes, Escape From Alcatraz was successful at the box office and Clint was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood back in 1979. I agree with you, about how Clint is mostly perceived since Unforgiven. Clint said that he prefers directing to acting. Many people think that he is not much of an actor: I disagree with that idea and think that he is probably a better actor than many people think. Clint just knows his limitations and his audience tastes.

In my opinion, Clint best films of the 70s as an actor are The Outlaw Josey Wales, Dirty Harry, High Plains Drifter, Escape From Alcatraz, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Play Misty For Me, The Beguiled, Magnum Force, The Gauntlet.

The Eiger Sanction is not among his best films. However, the more I see it, the more I like it.
Every Which Way But Loose is one of the rare feel-good films that Clint has made and it is enjoyable, although it is far from being great. At least, it is a lot better than its sequel, Any Which Way You Can.

Kellys Heroes is overall good and entertaining but it looks a little messy, compared to Where Eagles Dare, which is more balanced.

The two Clint worst films from the 70s are Joe Kidd and The Enforcer: although I enjoyed them, they are uneven.

16
Yes, you may be right: Escape From Alcatraz does get overlooked.
But it is still a famous film on the other hand. It seems having been shot in a documentary style.
Even if Escape From Alcatraz were praised by the critics, it is not really considered as the peak of the collaboration between Clint and Don Siegel. The Beguiled and Dirty Harry are considered as that peak.
During Escape From Alcatraz shooting, the relationship between Clint and Don Siegel had evolved, since Clint became a film director himself and had already directed six films. However, Don Siegel was probably the director who challenged Clint the most as an actor. And Escape From Alcatraz remains the last great Clint acting performance under the direction of an other director than himself, along with In the Line of Fire. I consider Tightrope as a film directed by Clint.

I may be wrong but I think that some Clint Eastwood films which were not released by Warner Bros, seem to be overlooked (Hang em High, High Plains Drifter, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot for instance). I even noticed that in the documentaries on Clint, the films he did with Warner Bros are more discussed and analysed than the others.

17
I am happy to report that my interview with Richard Tuggle has been reprinted in issue# 8 of THE SAN FRANCISCAN!
 Bruce Marshall

www.thesanfranciscanmagazine.com

Digital version
https://thesanfranciscanmagazine.com/the-greatest-escape/


Thanks for sharing that interesting interview. It is really a good story.
Escape From Alcatraz remains one of Clint best acting performances and one of his best films as well: when it was released in 1979, Clint received some of the best reviews of his career then.
However, it seems a little forgotten today, compared to some other films.
In my opinion, Escape From Alcatraz was the right film for the final collaboration between Clint and Don Siegel.

18
General Discussion / Re: What was the last Eastwood film you watched?
« on: October 19, 2023, 02:58:39 PM »
Well, Paint Your Wagon remains an experience as uneven as it is: it probably influenced the following films chosen by Clint, who was bored by the five-month-shooting of Paint Your Wagon: one of his mission was to look after Lee Marvin, who was drunk most of the time, like Richard Burton was on Where Eagles Dare set. Clint even rent a farm with some hogs, which kept him busy. Actually, after the Dollars trilogy, agent Leonard Hirshan encouraged and convinced Clint to make some big-budget films with some well-known actors. In Hollywood, Clint had to prove that he was more than a TV actor who made some successful films in Italy. The Dollars trilogy did pretty well at the US box office, especially The Good The Bad And The Ugly. However, Hang em High and Coogans Bluff helped him to legitimate his new star status in America, although he was not really in the same position than Paul Newman or Steve McQueen. Not yet at least. I think that Where Eagles Dare, Paint Your Wagon and Kellys Heroes proved that Clint was not really at his ease with big-budget films and many extras around him. He is still a lot more comfortable and efficient with smaller films, as an actor or as a director. I do not think that Clint wanted to make Charro. He also rejected Mackennas Gold, an expensive western which was a flop: Gregory Peck took the part which was supposed to be Clint role. The key event for Clint career was the foundation of the Malpaso Company in 1967: Clint wanted to develop his own projects and to stay away from big studios executives. 1971 was one of the most important year in Clint career. In many ways, The Beguiled, Play Misty for Me and Dirty Harry will announce the way Clint will work and the kind of projects he will choose in the following years. About Juror #2, Kyle Eastwood has confirmed that Clint will not act in it. Since the actors strike still goes on, I do not know when the filming will be completed. I also hope that Clint will be back as an actor but in an appropriate role.

19
General Discussion / Re: What was the last Eastwood film you watched?
« on: October 14, 2023, 10:26:39 PM »
I feel the same about Wagon, Cadillac, City Heat and The Rookie? I can?t see me ever revisiting these films..
life?s too short 😁 but considering how many films Clint has made that?s a pretty low percentage..
I was a little disappointed with Pale Rider at the time but I enjoy it a lot more now.. same with Firefox for me..
Joe Kidd and Sister Sarah are second tier Eastwood for me but watchable.. I remember seeing Unforgiven on its
release and immediately thinking it was a awesome movie..

I think that Unforgiven and The Outlaw Josey Wales are Clint best American westerns. High Plains Drifter is also great but probably more controversial (the rape scene). I also like Pale Rider, which could be seen as High Plains Drifter soft version. Hang em High is the best Clint American western non directed by himself: it contains all the themes that Clint will develop in his own westerns and even in some of his non western films.

20
General Discussion / Re: What was the last Eastwood film you watched?
« on: October 14, 2023, 10:04:14 PM »
You are welcome, Jed Cooper

Ironically, Clint turned down Charro!, a western eventually played by Elvis Presley and directed by Charles Marquis Warren, who was involved in the Rawhide TV series. It was the only non-singing role played by a bearded Elvis Presley and the film was released in 1969, the year Paint Your Wagon was released, in which Clint played a singing role.
Paint Your Wagon is sometimes introduced as the film which almost ruined Paramount studios: it symbolized the dying Old Hollywood, while some films like Love Story or The Godfather are the films which saved Paramount studios and symbolized the New Hollywood. Clint was a rising star then, and he did not know how long his luck in film business would last: he quickly signed for some films. The Paint your Wagon script Clint signed for was not the same than the one which was shot. Originally, it was supposed to be a more dramatic film than the final product: the script changed and Clint was not happy with that idea. But he was commited to make the film. Anyway, after the Dollars trilogy and before Dirty Harry, Clint made two kinds of films: the big-budget films with famous co-stars (Where Eagles Dare, Paint Your Wagon, Kellys Heroes) and smaller films more character-oriented (Hang em High, Coogans Bluff, Two Mules For Sister Sara, The Beguiled, Play Misty For Me). The second group is by far the better.
The Good The Bad And The Ugly is special to me because I actually discovered Clint with that film.
I was also very familiar with For A Few Dollars More and Hang em High (two of his best westerns) because I had them on VHS. As a kid, I considered The Good The Bad And The Ugly as a Clint film. Today, I am conscious that it is a Sergio Leone film above all. It is still my favorite film, I guess. Clint made so many great films and it is very hard to choose only one film. Clint has a rich career: I cannot reduce it to The Good The Bad And The Ugly, as cherished as it is.

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