Tonight I went to a special advance screening of Clint Eastwood's new film "Gran Torino" and all I can say is wow!!!
This film has stayed with me all night and I can't stop thinking about it...
And I have seen some great Oscar nominated films lately from "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" (with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett) to "Revolutionary Road" (with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio) and "Seven Pounds" (with Will Smith and Rosario Dawson)
Don't get me wrong those films are truly wonderful in their own way but "Gran Torino" in my opinion is the best film I have seen in a very, very long time!
Clint Eastwood has made some amazing films in the last decade or so: "Bridges Of Madison County" "Million Dollar Baby" "Mystic River" "Changeling"... but this is one of his very best!
"Gran Torino" has been snubbed by the Oscars this year... not one single nomination, but that is because it's a film that isn't full of Benjamin Button special effects and it's not the kind of film that the academy chooses (primarily because of the initial behaviour of the lead character) but in my eyes it should have been nominated for best film, best director and best actor. I'm very surprised that the title song wasn't nominated for best original song too.
I was never a fan of Clint Eastwood or his films years ago, but I have found a great respect for him now as an actor and especially as a Writer and Director. His films have such deep heart-felt meanings, there's always a message behind the eyes of the characters and he writes all the wonderful music scores for his films too.
"Gran Torino" starts off quiet and slow and you think you know where it's going but you don't really know until it's all over and you are sitting frozen in the dark cinema just amazed at the wonderful film and it's message of peace and redemption that you have just seen.
As the credits roll there is a wonderful title song by Clint Eastwood and Jamie Cullum (written by Clint Eastwood) and one of the lines is: "Your world is nothing more than all the tiny things you've left behind" a wonderful poetic song - watch and listen to the video of the song here:
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I highly recommend this amazing film! but do as I did: don't read anything about it, nothing about it's plot or story, nothing at all... and just go into the cinema and be awarded and absolutely blown away by a powerhouse acting performance by Clint Eastwood, a performance that will truly break your heart as the credits roll... AMAZING!!!
21 comments:
I have never seen this film but will look out for it.
Nor could I open the link. That sometimes does happen. Never mind.
Left me feeling a tad sad.... Beautiful song, love that line!Didn't know that he wrote music too.
Big hug and cuddles for you and the kids
Looks as if Clint has done it again, though I suspect I shall end up in tears.
Lovely song.
Slumdog Millionaire is my nomination for all the glory.
Hi Brit, Thanks for the recommendation. I used to love going to the pictures but since I moved to Northumberland our nearest cinema is 45 miles away so I hardly ever go! My mum lives quite near to a multiplex though and I went to see Madagascar the other week with Amy!!
I would love to see some the recent films, there seems to be a run of excellent movies on at the moment.
CJ xx
Hi Maggie, Carolina, Moannie & CJ!
Thanks for your messages!
Today I'm still thinking about this wonderful film and it's message of peace, forgiveness and redemption, it's got under my skin and not many films affect me so much in this way, it's just such a beautiful film!
Big Hugs!
Donnie X
We saw slumdog millionaire last week - well worth a watch too. very uplifting. I'll watch out for your recommendation.
Hi MOB,
I really want to see that film Slumdog Millionaire too! as soon as it comes here I will go and see it! It looks wonderful too! X
my oldest daughter told me she wanted to see this film. it's hard to go to a film like this with her because the youngest one has to go, too, and sometimes she gets bored w films like that lol i still need to see slumdog millionaire. i saw benjamin button w my son in vegas...i liked it, but it was a bit long. wanted to see seven pounds, but still haven't. my husband and i always have to take the kids to the movies w us, so it's hard to see films like that :-/
btw, my oldest daughter, who will 12 nxt month, got a little pissed at me when i told her i wanted to see benjamin button (she said she had told me she wanted to see it) lol
Hi ciara,
Yeah it must be very difficult when you have younger children...
You'll have to get the babysitter in and go see "Gran Torino" with your Hubby! It's one not to be missed!
I loved "Seven Pounds" too and cried like a baby!! haha X
Sounds good to me
Us girls were planning a night to the cinema soon so when it comes out ill suggest this one .
Thanks for the reccomendation
ANDRA
Hi Andrea,
I'm sure you will love it!
Big Hug X
Dear Brit, I'm trying to return to the movies, as I've always done before my son's birthday! In the last 10 days, I saw "Se eu fosse você 2" and "Seven Pounds". And this one, with Clint Eastwood, after your post, I'm interested in watch... The last of him I have seen were "As Pontes de Madison" and "Menina de Ouro". And I loved both of them, with special attention to Meryl Streep and Morgan Freeman! Hugs!
Hi Sergio,
I guess for you, having a young Son, it must be much easier to watch Dvd's at home rather than go to the cinema...
I really loved that film "Seven Pounds" it was very sad but beautiful!
This Clint Eastwood one is even better than that one! It is at the cinemas here in Brazil on the 13th February... go see it!
Hugs!
Oh yes, didn't I tell you, my friend? I agree with you - one hundred percent - that this deserved many, many awards. Hollyweird is very touchy about characters who are too "real," though, and Eastwood's character was full of the racial venom that people of that generation were full of. He reminded me of my father so much. The thing is, they sent these young men in to kill people of other races, creeds, and cultures, using the same racial epithets in their military training. It stuck. Shouldn't surprise us.
The movie is amazing. I think I may have to own a copy when it comes out. I cried at the end, did you?
Peace - D
Hi D,
Thanks for your message! I am writing a message for you on your blog so that I don't put a *spoiler* here X
Oh how I agree with you on Gran Torino...I was so upset that it got no nominations because this movie is so worthy of it...my son (who is a journalist)says he doesn't believe the nominators actually even watched the movies they were supposed to...yes, Gran Torino has an oscar nomination in this house, for certain!
xo
Sandi
I can not wait to see that movie, but more importantly I really love your verse. I want to move at my own pace, slowly, slowly now....Lovely!
Hi Sandi,
Yes the Oscar nominators are crazy, but then it's all politics at the end of the day... X
Hi ConverseMomma,
Yes see it as soon as you can!
And thank you so much for the wonderful comment about my verse! X
Great review and along very similar lines to another I read. It seems this may be the Best Film and totally ignored! And I thought they all loved Clint?! Whatever, we will definitely go to see it based on both your recs.
Hi Sarah,
Yeah it was very unfair as I think this is his best film in many years, or his best of all time!
Let me know your opinion when you see it!!
I want to see it Irmao!
It seems a nice film! I started watching Clint's films after Bridges of Madison County.
I would not see the song as I want to be amazed for the first time hahaha.
Abração Irmao!
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