Escape From Alcatraz (1979)

[Movie 100 / Day 64]


Escape From Alcatraz is based on the true story of some inmates escaping from Alcatraz, oddly enough.

Stars Clint Eastwood as one of the inmates that escapes.

It's OK, acting is pretty good, but everything moves at a fairly slow pace and really, not that much happens.

My rating: 6.9 / 10
IMDB rating: 7.6 / 10
Running time: 112 mins
IMDB link

Gran Torino (2008)

[Movie 84 / Day 51]


Clint Eastwood stars in this unexpectedly moving story as a gruff Korean War veteran that, despite his racism, befriends a Hmong teenager that tries to steal his beloved 1972 Gran Torino.

Eastwood is brilliant, although I thought the racism went a bit too far - yes, the character refers to Asians as 'gooks' and black people as 'spades' and that is part of who Walt Kowalski is, but sometimes it felt almost like they were throwing in racist insults because they could. I have no problem with racism being depicted in movies, especially when it's integral to the story, but a couple of times it just felt wrong in this.

Still, very enjoyable, if a sad, bittersweet ending.

Apparently, Eastwood has said this will be his last film as an actor. If true, it's a real shame as he's still got it. Still, presumably he will continue to direct and hopefully he'll be tempted back at some point.

My rating: 8.0 / 10
IMDB rating: 8.4 / 10
Running time: 116 mins
IMDB link