View Full Version : Movie Clint Eastwood- Best Director of the 21st Century?
WheatsWorshipper
16 Feb 2010, 19:41
I was thinking the other day about how good a director Clint Eastwood is and I then I realised the quality he has made in the 21st Century:
-Mystic River
-Million Dollar Baby
-Flags of Our Fathers
-Letters from Iwo Jima
-Gran Torino
-Invictus(haven't seen it yet but hearing very good things)
It seems that everything he touches turns to gold and I was wondering if anybody agrees that Clint Eastwood is the best director of the 21st century? If not, who do you think is?
flight23
17 Feb 2010, 01:43
-Mystic River
-Million Dollar Baby
-Flags of Our Fathers
-Letters from Iwo Jima
-Gran Torino
-Invictus(haven't seen it yet but hearing very good things)
have only seen mystic river which was a brilliant drama, million dollar baby which i couldn't stand and gran torino which was pretty boring and really cliched
soooooo based on that, im gonna say no
Changeling was another of his recent films that was great too.
Add in other classics like Unforgiven, The Bridges of Madison County, Sudden Impact, Pale Rider, etc... and he'd be right up there.
Definitely the best actor / director of the 21st century IMO (Chaplin close second), however there may be a few pure directors just ahead of him (ie Scorsese, Spielberg, Hitchcock, Kubrick, Coppola, de Mille).
One of the greatest no doubt, probably my favourite, and a director whose movies I never miss.
flight23
17 Feb 2010, 08:32
good call on changeling, great flick, really well shot
JimDocker
17 Feb 2010, 08:37
I have enjoyed a lot of Clint Eastwood films and I am looking forward to Invictus as I remember being very moved at the time of SA's world cup win.
I think some of his films can be a little cliched at times and I cannot believe that The Unforgiven won the Palm D'or given it's Hollywood ending !
Although he has only made 2 films this century that I have seen, my choice would be Jean-Pierre Jeunet for Amelie and A Very Long Engagement. After making Delicatessen, City of the Lost Children and Alien Ressurection in the 90s, his record is very solid. A true artisan.
Dirtywhirl
17 Feb 2010, 08:48
Although he has only made 2 films this century that I have seen, my choice would be Jean-Pierre Jeunet for Amelie and A Very Long Engagement. After making Delicatessen, City of the Lost Children and Alien Ressurection in the 90s, his record is very solid. A true artisan.
A fine choice, love the visual style of his films.
Of Clint's 21st century movies only Iwo Jima and Mystic River are great films in my eyes. I would go with Chris Nolan, has not made a misstep so far and even though 'The Dark Knight' is overrated it's still a great achievement.
Invigoration
17 Feb 2010, 09:57
Would be between the Coen brothers, Christopher Nolan and Eastwood for mine, probably leaning more towards the first two though.
Although I've enjoyed pretty much all of Eastwood's films, he hasn't blown me away like No Country For Old Men or Memento did. Nolan probably takes the cake because he really hasn't missed a beat the whole decade. I'm eagerly anticipating Inception as well, here's to hoping he keeps up this form.
JimDocker
17 Feb 2010, 10:31
I had forgotten about the Coen brothers ! They would certainly be up there and I did not know who Christopher Nolan was until I just read his name here but looking at his filmography, that is very impressive too.
SunKing
17 Feb 2010, 12:00
Add in other classics like Unforgiven, The Bridges of Madison County, Sudden Impact, Pale Rider, etc... and he'd be right up there.
Definitely the best actor / director of the 21st century IMO (Chaplin close second), however there may be a few pure directors just ahead of him (ie Scorsese, Spielberg, Hitchcock, Kubrick, Coppola, de Mille).
As much as I enjoy Sudden Impact not sure it's really a classic ala Dirty Harry.
And Pale Rider is hugely entertaining but it's just an updated Shane.
I'm a huge Eastwood fan -mostly his westerns - but would definately have Spielberg (#1) and Hitchcock (#2) above him as a director overall.
21st Century is a big call considering how many great directors are still to come.
Would be between the Coen brothers, Christopher Nolan and Eastwood for mine, probably leaning more towards the first two though.
Although I've enjoyed pretty much all of Eastwood's films, he hasn't blown me away like No Country For Old Men or Memento did. Nolan probably takes the cake because he really hasn't missed a beat the whole decade. I'm eagerly anticipating Inception as well, here's to hoping he keeps up this form.
This.
I'd add Scorsese though. The Departed, the Aviator two of the better movies of the decade. Gangs of New York, whatever...
I wonder if some of you are mixing up the 20th Century with the 21st Century
Hitchcock, De Mille, Chaplin and others (as mentioned above) worked in the 20th Century, as was a lot of Eastwoods Movies.
cmontommyalvin
17 Feb 2010, 15:49
wes anderson. royal tenenbaums (2000), the life aquatic (2004), darjeeling limited (2008), fantastic mr fox (2010).
david lynch deserves a mention for mulholland drive (2001) alone. my vote for best film of the decade.
can't really comment on clint. i thought million dollar baby was awful. mystic river... meh.
Plugger35
17 Feb 2010, 15:58
This.
I'd add Scorsese though. The Departed, the Aviator two of the better movies of the decade. Gangs of New York, whatever...
Yeah Scorsese would definitely still be up there in terms of the greatest directors so far in the 21st century. He's personally my favourite director of all time.
Obviously a lot of his classics and where he made his name were back in the 20th century, ie. Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull & Goodfellas. However he has still made some great movies in this century. Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed would all be up there with my favourite films of recent times and apparently Shutter Island is getting great reviews as well.
I do enjoy a lot of Clint Eastwood's films as well but I'd put Scorsese ahead of him, both in the 21st century and overall.
Invigoration
17 Feb 2010, 16:25
Chan-wook Park wouldn't be a popular choice, but he has made 3 of my favourite movies this decade, with Old Boy the obvious standout.
WheatsWorshipper
18 Feb 2010, 18:28
To clarify i mean the best director since the year 2000.
Scorsese is my personal favourite as well and I guess I forgot his brilliance in the 21st century after all his movies in the 20th century, Taxi Driver my favourite.
I'd put Eastwood's work over Nolan's work at the moment but I think we are still yet to see Nolan's best. The Dark Knight was a very good film but also very overrated and with his next movie we should be without bias about how good the film really is.
gran torino which was pretty boring and really cliched
I couldnt disagree any more with that statement. I put off watching it for about a year thinking it was gonna be just a Clint Eastwood kickass movie. But the tone through the movie and especially the ending was the first time in a longtime that a movie has hit me so deeply.
People do realise the 20th century ended on December 31 1999?
RobbyRoy
18 Feb 2010, 21:33
I liked Mystic River but the rest haven't blown me away. It's an achievement that he's put out 6 movies since 2003 and they're all quite good (except Million Dollar Baby). But Nolan is probably my pick. I loved two (Memento and TDK) and really liked the other two (The Prestige and Batman Begins). Quality over quantity.
Would be between the Coen brothers, Christopher Nolan and Eastwood for mine, probably leaning more towards the first two though.
Although I've enjoyed pretty much all of Eastwood's films, he hasn't blown me away like No Country For Old Men or Memento did. Nolan probably takes the cake because he really hasn't missed a beat the whole decade. I'm eagerly anticipating Inception as well, here's to hoping he keeps up this form.
Did he do memento? If so he is disqualified for making such an awfully edited movie. I remember getting so frustrated on having to watch every scene twice.
I am not a fan of clint eastwood either, I find all his movies really depressing. I hated mystic river. Million dollar baby was ok but it made me want to run a warm bath at the end of it. Gran torino was boring and a bit ridiculous really. I appreciate that i'm missing something when it comes to his movies because everyone seems to love him.
I've heard excellent things about invictus so am looking forward to seeing this.
Did he do memento? If so he is disqualified for making such an awfully edited movie. I remember getting so frustrated on having to watch every scene twice.
Memento was nominated for an Oscar for editing (and also Screenplay).
Chris Nolan by far for me, although I agree Eastwood's movies this century have been great.
Sir Peter Jackson not too bad with the LOTR trilogy, King Kong and The Lovely Bones too. (plus producing District 9)
Noddy Holder
28 Feb 2010, 18:42
What about M. Night Shyamalan? *end sarcasm*
Eastwood for mine. Loved Mystic River, Gran Torino, Million Dollar Baby and The Changeling. I haven't seen Invictus yet but apparently it's brilliant.
No.
I'd opt for Haneke, but there are number of others that would be worthy of the title. Eastwood is not in that number.
bombermick
1 Mar 2010, 09:37
Gibson would have to be up there for actor/directors as well. The Passion of the Christ and Braveheart are two of the better films of recent times. He's not as prolific as Eastwood, but he has a very good record. I'd probably list the Coen brothers as the world's best.
Memento was nominated for an Oscar for editing (and also Screenplay).
i stand by what i said
rick James
1 Mar 2010, 16:28
Gibson would have to be up there for actor/directors as well. The Passion of the Christ and Braveheart are two of the better films of recent times. He's not as prolific as Eastwood, but he has a very good record. I'd probably list the Coen brothers as the world's best.
Don't forget Apocalypto - absolutely brilliant movie primarily due to Gibson.
Just didn't get the respect it deserved because it came out following his anti-semitic comments.
Bulldog1954
1 Mar 2010, 22:49
Surprised by the criticism of Gran Torino. Fantastic movie
Invigoration
2 Mar 2010, 00:05
Gibson would have to be up there for actor/directors as well. The Passion of the Christ and Braveheart are two of the better films of recent times. He's not as prolific as Eastwood, but he has a very good record. I'd probably list the Coen brothers as the world's best.
Braveheart was made in 1995
happy_eagle
2 Mar 2010, 00:29
Im not sure that Daryl Lorrimer agrees :D
i stand by what i said
Doesn't make it any less ridiculous.
aronofsky's had a good decade too (requiem, fountain, wrestler)
Doesn't make it any less ridiculous.
How can a matter of opinion regarding ART no less be ridiculous?
Don't forget Apocalypto - absolutely brilliant movie primarily due to Gibson.
Just didn't get the respect it deserved because it came out following his anti-semitic comments.True dat
WheatsWorshipper
3 Mar 2010, 18:54
True dat
Yeah I think it's a shame that happened because it will completely change the way he's thought about at the end of his career.
rick James
3 Mar 2010, 19:14
Yeah I think it's a shame that happened because it will completely change the way he's thought about at the end of his career.
I just wish he'd start directing movies again, the man is a ****ing artistic genius.
Though I heard his working on one set in a Mexican prison.
sandeano
3 Mar 2010, 19:38
Personally, I'd give my vote to Claire Denis.
Toothpick Vic
3 Mar 2010, 20:17
I'd still give Scorsese the nod for this one though both Eastwood and the Coens have produced masterpieces. Not quite sure about the hype for Nolan, I think I'd throw Oliver Stone in there before him to be honest but I think the best work for each director would be:
Post 2000:
Scorsese - The Departed (comfortably his best in the 00s)
Eastwood - Mystic River
Coens - No Country for Old Men
Pre 2000:
Scorsese - Goodfellas (plenty to choose from here)
Eastwood - Unforgiven (just beat A Perfect World)
Coens - The Big Lebowski (just beat Fargo)
rick James
3 Mar 2010, 20:20
Good list Toothpick, though I think Jack Nicholson kind of ruined the Departed, he's like a comic actor in it. So I'd take NCFOM ahead of it.
And Unforgiven is just about my favourite movie ever. Lebowski and Goodfellas both up there too. Too hard to call in the 90's imo.
If we're talking "bests from the 90's and 00's" though, I'd say Braveheart/Apocalypto measures up really well with all three of those combination's.
The Great Barry Besanko
3 Mar 2010, 21:12
Can't stand Gibson or his movies. Just seem to be more about him than the point of the movie. Plus his acting is shit.
Coens and Eastwood for me. NCFOM was the best movie in the 00's for me.
Love most of the Coens work.
Unforgiven my favourite Eastwood.
Thought The Departed was good but not great.
Pulp Fiction best 90s movie and I know a lot didn't like it, but I thought Inglorious Bastards was a ripper.
JimDocker
3 Mar 2010, 21:23
Can't stand Gibson or his movies. Just seem to be more about him than the point of the movie. Plus his acting is shit.
Agree entirely. Braveheart has been described as the most historically inaccurate movie of all time, yet it is hailed as a great period piece ? His awful right wing views cause a stench and his anti semitism was there to see in Passion !
Coens and Eastwood for me. NCFOM was the best movie in the 00's for me.
Love most of the Coens work.
Almost agree with that too. I rate The Lives of Others as the best film this decade, with NCFOM a close second.
Unforgiven my favourite Eastwood.
Thought The Departed was good but not great.
Pulp Fiction best 90s movie and I know a lot didn't like it, but I thought Inglorious Bastards was a ripper.
Pulp Fiction remains my favourite film ever.
Back to my earlier call of Jeunet as the best director of this decade, his new film comes out next month.
rick James
3 Mar 2010, 21:31
Can't stand Gibson or his movies. Just seem to be more about him than the point of the movie. Plus his acting is shit.
Coens and Eastwood for me. NCFOM was the best movie in the 00's for me.
Love most of the Coens work.
Unforgiven my favourite Eastwood.
Thought The Departed was good but not great.
Pulp Fiction best 90s movie and I know a lot didn't like it, but I thought Inglorious Bastards was a ripper.
Gibson isn't in Apocalypto...
But anyway, I ,liked the message in Inglourious Basterds, about how Hollywood rewrites History and how we all love gore and violence depending on the target - but it wasn't an easy movie to sit through.
summerthebat
4 Mar 2010, 17:55
Please.
Eastwood is a total goat.
Dirtywhirl
5 Mar 2010, 12:33
I like what Paul Greengrass has done this past decade, not only with the Bourne films but United 93 and Bloody Sunday.
Noddy Holder
5 Mar 2010, 14:09
Please.
Eastwood is a total goat.
No, that would be you.
The Great Barry Besanko
5 Mar 2010, 14:11
Please.
Eastwood is a total goat.
Can you expand. Which movies of his do you think are bad?
Eastwood is a total goat.
Greatest of All Time... you are pretty much spot on.
How can a matter of opinion regarding ART no less be ridiculous?
Because the editing was brilliant... pretty much universally acclaimed.
The problem was your limited brain function in not being able to follow the movie... not the "editing".
WheatsWorshipper
5 Mar 2010, 17:35
Greatest of All Time... you are pretty much spot on.
Nah Scorsese takes that but I reckon Eastwood has his measure in the 2000s
Because the editing was brilliant... pretty much universally acclaimed.
The problem was your limited brain function in not being able to follow the movie... not the "editing".
The editing was different and morons (you) mistook that for creativity. The editing was dreadful, had to sit through every scene TWICE! it was over kill and totally frustrating.
Agree to disagree... IMO it is the reverse chronological order and quality of editing that made the movie as good as it is.
Guess the entire world are morons and you are the only "sensible" one... maybe.
Gran Torino was very overrated. Haven't seen any of the others listed in the OP
Agree to disagree... IMO it is the reverse chronological order and quality of editing that made the movie as good as it is.
Guess the entire world are morons and you are the only "sensible" one... maybe.
lol, you're the one who paid out on me for not liking it. I'm happy to agree to disagree.
There are loads of acclaimed movies which are hated by many.
Hard Ball Get
8 Mar 2010, 08:16
second), however there may be a few pure directors just ahead of him (ie Scorsese, Spielberg, Hitchcock, Kubrick, Coppola, de Mille).
This.
He has some great films but has also made one of my most hated films in Million Dollar Baby. God that was long and boring.
There are loads of acclaimed movies which are hated by many.
This wasn't one of them though, praise was pretty much universal.
Some questioned whether the plot was strong enough to work without being told backwards, but virtually none dissed the editing. Even those who disliked the movie admired the skillful editing.
Only people I know who didn't like it were too stupid to follow what was going on... hence my initial inference.
This wasn't one of them though, praise was pretty much universal.
Some questioned whether the plot was strong enough to work without being told backwards, but virtually none dissed the editing. Even those who disliked the movie admired the skillful editing.
Only people I know who didn't like it were too stupid to follow what was going on... hence my initial inference.
I had no problem following what was going on. As i have said i did not like having to watch every scene twice, it was overkill and frustrating.
"This wasn't one of them" - wtf do you think you are? *shakes head*
Clint is a brilliant director.
out of that list, I love Letters from Iwo Jiwa the best.
"This wasn't one of them" - wtf do you think you are? *shakes head*
:rolleyes:
Someone capable of reading critical reviews.
You may not like this film, but virtually everyone else did.
Do you need this explained more simply for you?
You may not like this film, but virtually everyone else did.
Whilst it did garner some very good reviews, there were a number of critics who correctly called it for what it was - a stock standard crime film wrapped in a rather tedious gimmick.
You are right, of course, in saying that blaming the editor/s for the structure is inane.