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Showing posts with the label Clint Eastwood

Million Dollar Baby

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UK Release Date: 14 January 2005 Certification: 12A Director:  Clint Eastwood Cast: Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie, Michael Peña, Hilary Swank Rating: 88% A dramatic, unconventional sports movie. Review: This is my second watch of Million Dollar Baby and that really benefited my viewing experience because I first viewed the film as a sports movie but it's much more than that. Instead of telling the typical underdog tale seen in Rocky , Clint Eastwood focuses on the phenomenal performances and the gut-wrenching story, that is at points tough to watch.  M illion Dollar Baby is a character study and so the acting had to be great to entertain the audience, and each of the three main cast took their performances to another level. Hilary Swank perfectly encapsulates the 'You can do whatever you put your mind to' mindset embodied by Maggie Fitzgerald. She's dogged, determined and most importantly likeable.  Swank, of course, won ...

Mystic River

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UK Release Date: 17 October 2003 Certification: 15 Director: Clint Eastwood Cast: Kevin Bacon, Spencer Treat Clark, Laurence Fishburne, Tom Guiry, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins Rating: 84% We bury our sins, we wash them clean.  Review: Mystic River is an excellent crime thriller directed by filmmaking legend, Clint Eastwood. With three outstanding central performances and a gripping story, the film thoroughly deserves all the praise it received.  Sean Penn delivers such a morally convoluted performance as Jimmy Markum. The former Boston mob boss is put through a family tragedy and Mystic River displays his reaction throughout the movie's run time. His emotions often get the better of him but that's what makes him a relatable character. We, as an audience, understand that he isn't a particularly good man but he is simply trying to do the best for his family. Sean Penn thoroughly deserved the  Oscar for   his  poignant and moving pe...