Demure Thoughts links to a good run down on the craptastic new Clint Eastwood film "Million Dollar Baby."
I have to agree with the reviewer's conclusion on Eastwood-directed films:
Bonus reason- and this applies to almost all Clint Eastwood directed movies - just because a movie is slow and humorless and depressing and badly shot doesn't mean it's art. It means its slow and humorless and depressing and badly shot.
When Library of Congress recently added "Unforgiven" to the National Film Registry, all I could think is that they must be running out of good movies to archive. It's the film equivalant of Wham! getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"Culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," my ass. It bored me to tears.
Posted by floridacracker at January 12, 2005 09:30 PMWell, if you are talkin' bout Unforgiven, just consider this a Southern tribute. :)
oej
Keep on keeping on.
Posted by: oej at January 12, 2005 11:01 PMI liked Unforgiven. I thought it had very few flaws. I thought it held together far better than a lot of other acclaimed films.
Posted by: James at January 13, 2005 01:26 AMI thought Unforgiven was just an ok western.
But then again I don't care if most of what Eastwood puts out is artsy crap, he directed The Outlaw Josey Wales, and I consider that one your better westerns.
Posted by: Dave M at January 13, 2005 10:06 AMOk, you liked the White House Barney movies, but hated Unforgiven. I'm starting to seriously question your judgment.
I didn't hate it. I was bored by it. Bored, bored, bored. Pale Rider I enjoyed.
My whole squad about keeled over from shock and horror once when I said I was sick of Robert DeNiro.
None of this crap is holy.
I'm sorry, but I have a big grin on my face any time The Duck of Death is on-screen in UNFORGIVEN.
I didn't care much for PALE RIDER. I thought it was too close to HIGH PLANES DRIFTER (angry ghost comes back to avenge his death and save the downtrodden). But I always smile when in PALE RIDER when the lead bad guy says "Sacramento ain't worth moose piss!" (I lived there for many years.)
Posted by: James at January 14, 2005 10:51 AMI'm only referring to those movies that Clint himself directed.
What's the duck of death, James?
Posted by: Donnah at January 14, 2005 10:54 AMIt's from Unforgiven.
INT. COUNTY OFFICE - NIGHT
CLOSE ON A BOOK
The lurid cover, "The Duke of Death" by W. W. Beauchamp.
Little Bill is looking at the cover, his feet propped on his desk in the county office.
It is night and the office is lit with an oil lamp.
LITTLE BILL
That is you there, ain't it, Bob? The Duck of Death?
WW
Uh... Duke.
LITTLE BILL
Oh yeah... Duke. Well, Bob, you
always was hell an' Jesus with a
pistol... but seven of 'em, an'
you protectin' the lady too...
How'd you do it?
English Bob just turns his malignant stare away but WWscrews up his courage and asserts himself... sort of.
WW
Uh... It's... uh... generally
considered desirable in the
publishing business to... ah...
take certain license in depicting
the cover scene... for... ah...
purposes involving the... ah,
market place.
LITTLE BILL
Well, Mister Beauchamp... from
what I read of this here book,
I'd have to say the writin' ain't
a whole lot different from the pitcher.
WW
Uh... I can assure you, Mister
Daggett... the events described
within are based... on the accounts
of eye witnesses and...
LITTLE BILL
(opening the book)
Meaning the duck himself, I guess.
WW
Duke.
LITTLE BILL
Duck, I says.
Now I remember. Thanks, James.
Posted by: Donnah at January 16, 2005 01:35 PM