Clint Eastwood

Whether in front or behind the camera, Clint Eastwood has been a real gem (the term "Diamond in the Rough" could not be more appropriate) . Making movies that address sweeping social issues like, is it stealing if you take gold bullion from Nazis caches and save the human rights for those who are deserving, his movies' focus have aged along with the man. He seems to have adapted a more sensitive view of humanity using his insight to show things are not always black and white. His two films showing the battle of Iwo Jima from both sides are a prime example.

"The Good The Bad And The Ugly" [1966] Who would have thought it would take an Italian director to breathe life into a fading genre, one that is as American as mom's apple pie. Sergio Leone did it with his "Man With No Name" trilogy as well as giving the world a Clint Eastwood different from the one that was offered on TV's "Rawhide". I really did not think much of this movie at first, it was my brother that really got me to appreciate it and just about everything by Leone.

"Dirty Harry" [1971] As much as I like this one and I'm not sure that I can justify the must see status. It certainly must have something if it could have spawned 4 sequels and tag lines that will be remembered for generations to come. "Feel Luck, well do you punk" and "Go ahead. Make my day" Who hasn't used them , themselves at least a dozen times in their lives.

"High Plains Drifter" [1972] A supernatural western. It seems to be a ghost story set in a small town that would not support their local sheriff. When he returns, apparently unrecognizable as the murdered law man , the drifter comes to get vengeance on those that killed him, putting the town through hell in the process.

"The Outlaw Josey Wales" [1976] Another "Vengeance is mine" tale that puts Clint in the saddle to fight for the Confederacy since Union troops, murdered his wife and child and burned down his house. It's not so much about fighting in the war as it is about trying to put it behind him when the war is over.

Unforgiven [1992]: This seems to be the point where Clint has begun to mellow. A western with a conscience. Not the first one that examined the validity of "Western Justice" (I would probably guess 'The Ox-Bow Incident" holds that honor) but certainly one of the more grizzled. Eastwood's ex-gunslinger turned widower pig farmer, Billy Muny, is old and tired but still leaves his motherless son behind when offered a bounty for killing a couple of guys that disfigured a prostitute. Three ride in to do the job, (Clint, Morgan Freeman and a wannabe that doesn't really have the stones for the job), one rides out and that one is Muny.

Million Dollar Baby [2004] A grizzled trainer takes a chance managing a young female boxer, that has all the heart necessary to go to the top. Hilary Swank, perfects the Hicksville accent and Morgan Freeman plays the sidekick that is probably more of a direct line to the trainers heart.

A guilty pleasure not listed "Kelly's Heroes" 1970.