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SUNDAY AM: Despite winter storms, the post holiday climate proved favorable for movie openers this weekend. Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino finally went wide into 2,808 theaters in its 5th week of release, and the actor/director showed he can make not just an Oscar-buzzed film but also a wildly popular offering. His Warner Bros pic made $9.6M million Friday and $12M Saturday, so it should end Sunday with close to $29M which would make this double the weekend debut of his biggest hits. Its new cume is nearly $40M. The No. 2 and No. 3 pics were both horror films. Fox should be ashamed of itself for making Bride Wars, as well as Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson (also a producer) for starring in such a sexist piece of nonsense. (Feel free to disagree. But you're wrong.) The movie, which pits two BFFs against each other because their weddings are scheduled on the same day, opened to $8M from 3,226 venues Friday and $8.4M Saturday for what will be a $21.5M weekend. And Rogue Pictures/Universal's scarer The Unborn playing in 2,356 runs debuted with $8.2M Friday and $7.6M Saturday for a $21.1M weekend. Studio insiders claim The Unborn's negative cost was only $16M. TriStar/Sony's African-American melodrama Not Easily Broken adapted from the book by renowned pastor T.D. Jakes managed to come in #8 despite only 724 plays with a solid $2 million Friday and $2.2M Saturday for a $5.6M weekend. The studio claims the film was produced for $5M and earned back more than its negative cost in its first three days.
The rest of the Top 10 had few surprises:
4. Marley And Me (Fox), 3,478 Locations, $11.3M weekend, $123.7M cume
5. Benjamin Button (Paramount), 2,947 Locations, $9.4M weekend, $94.3M cume
6. Bedtime Stories (Disney), 3,511 Locations, $9M weekend, $97.6M cume
7. Valkyrie (MGM/UA), 2838 Locations, $6.6M weekend, $71.5M cume
9. Yes Man (Warner Bros), 2,955 Locations, $6.1M weekend, $89.3M cume
10. Seven Pounds (Sony), 2,456 Locations, $3.9M weekend, $66.8M cume
Other Oscar-Touted Films...
Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight), 601 Locations, $3.7M weekend, $34M cume
Doubt (Miramax), 1,287 Locations, $2.4M weekend, $22.9M cume
Milk (Focus), 295 Locations, $1.3M weekend, Cume $19.1M cume
The Reader (Weinstein Co), 507 Locations, $1.3M weekend, $5.4M cume
Frost/Nixon (Imagine/Universal), 205 Locations, $912K weekend, $7.7M cume
Revolutionary Road (Par Vantage), 135 Locations, $1.4M weekend, $3.1M cume
The Wrestler (Fox Searchlight), 60 Locations, $873K weekend, cume $2.8M
Defiance (Paramount Vantage), 2 Locations, $66K weekend, $307K cume
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It’s incredible that Eastwood could be pushing a $30m opening at his age. Talk about staying power.
wow horror rules!!!
can’t wait for the next friday the 13th movie!
If Tom Cruise is such a great actor, why didn’t he master a German accent for the part in Valkyrie? Especially from those characters who were entrenched in the Hitler machine.
Too distracting for me to go see.
How many 78 yr old actors could open a movie with over $30 million in business! NO ONE other that Eastwood! The film is terrific and will be a BIG favorite among anyone would likes Clint! Its a MUST see!I must say I LOVED it!
Chuck
Funny that the majority of critics find Bride Wars horrible and mysogynistic but the majority of women (taken from forum comments, reviews and conversations) found it to be entertaining fluff. Just goes to show ya that feminists have as little problem dismissing the opinions of the majority of their “sisters” as some men do. This small cadre of white women have distorted a good cause. Sometimes even the brightest and strongest woman can be silly, whimsical and, yes, vapid. It’s in all of us, men and women. So, sorry Ms. Finke, you are wrong. The rest of the women are right.
Clint was definitely worth the price of admission! Not for kids due to language but definitely had people laughing at the way Americana still is in some places. God Bless Walt Kowalski!
This is an outstanding movie, Clint goes out is true style.
Oh lighten up. Bride wars is intended purely for entertainment.
Sexist?
What kind a of a bubble are you living in, anyway?
Great! GT was the best film of 2008!
You can call Bride Wars a crappy movie, but sexist?? Where do you get that? No, not all women are like that, but there are definitely some out there. I know several women who have been OBSESSED with their weddings pretty much since birth, and would probably behave similarly.
I am glad to see Clint Eastwood raking in another big success. His next film should be about fighting Islamo-fascists.
Along with Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson is one of the all-time worst actresses. Overrated as a groupie in that movie a while back as well. She sure doesn’t have her mother’s charisma and – like Kidman- I’m willing to bet she’s never had an acting lesson in her life.
The jury is still out on Hathaway, who – having attended Vassar College- appears at least to have some intelligence.
Wow! Gran Torino is one of the greatest movies every made. Clint Eastwood gave an awesome performance. Everyone needs to see this piece picture as soon as possible. Gran Torino and Eastwood should be a shoe in to walk away with best picture and best actor.
Fox should be ashamed of themselves for making Bride Wars because it’s sexist but Gran Torino is OK with you?
I haven’t seen a movie (Gran Torino) with so many racist and sexist comments since Raging Bull, but it was a great movie.
Hey, It’s “art”: respect it for what it is.
Maybe you just don’t like Fox for some reason.
By the way, Clint Eastwood is a registered Republican if that alters your perspective a bit.
You can bet Hathaway is not too thrilled that this movie is being released right now.
Fox should be ashamed of itself for making Bride Wars, as well as Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson (also a producer) for starring in such a sexist piece of nonsense.
I Agree also the movie is awful.
As far as Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino I am going to see it today everyone I know who has seen it
liked it I am glad its number #1.
“Feel free to disagree. But you’re wrong.” …and you are “right” ???
asonishing and revealing line Nikki. so why not get a studio job approving or disapproving projects if your tastes are so “right” ?
its just movies Nikki.
personally i dont intend to see because its nt my cup o tea but how does that give you the knowlwedge to say others are “wrong” ?
Nikki Finke has no right what-so-ever to make her judgmental statements like she did re: “Bride Wars”. It’s precisely this sort of smarminess that de-values and degrades civil discourse. No longer do we believe what this person has to say as we might have earlier.
I think that Gran Torino’s multiplier might not be as good as a normal film because of the NFL playoffs. Those should keep a lot of guys in the house, and I’m seeing a final weekend tally of $27 million.
If you want, check out my box office blog: The Box Office Junkie
This was one of the best Clint Eastwood movies ever, and to top it off, he not only starred but produced.
You could see the old Dirty Harry type of Eastwood in it, then a gradual turn towards a more caring individual.
My wife was in tears at the end!
OSCAR!!!!!
OSCAR!!!!!
OSCAR!!!!!
Clint is one of the best and last true talented actors in the profession.
When has Fox ever been ashamed of anything they’ve put out? They’re making Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, for the love of God.
Nice to see that audiences still respect Eastwood, and that he still respects the audience.
As for Bride Wars… well, that’s what I call a “What Were They Thinking?” kind of a film. How did the writer pitch it: “We get two popular female stars, and make them act like two loathsome, selfish, dim-witted, psychos over a situation that can be solved in about 2 minutes.”
It probably did well because a lot of people thought of it as counter programming to Torino and the Unborn, without paying much attention to the negative buzz. That won’t last beyond the opening weekend though.
Gran Torino is one hell of a film. Clint should live for another hundred years so he can make 50 more films.
I saw Valkrie yesterday and thought it was a very powerful movie. Of course, no movie caan catch the detail and sweep of an event like the July 20th Plot, but it sure caught the drama. For me, good movie are the ones that make me think about them, for the next day or so, and this one did. There were some historical glitches (use of P-51s in early ‘43), but it was an ovarall good flick.
Clint Eastwood, An M-1 & 1911, Gran Torino has to be
good!
Just saw Grand Toreno. Best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Complex and enjoyable plot on several levels. Also, it is not a politically correct movie which even made it so much better. I’m buying the DVD on this one.
Nikki,
Not that your opinion doesn’t matter, but it doesn’t.
Bride Wars, Confessions of Shopaholic – already relics of empty, vicious, consumerist Bush-era bullshit.
It’s like watching the results of a roto-rooter unclogging of the last days of pre-meltdown, pre-wake up call America.
Of course Hollywood should be ashamed, but it never is. That sleazy beast will wake up when people decide to quit paying for this entertainment-free programming. Who exactly is laying out fourteen dollars to watch a Kate Hudson production?
Here’s to 09 and much uplift
I don’t think Bride Wars is sexist. That kind of stuff is always happening on shows like Bridezilla, which document how some women get so obsessed with their wedding that they go insane. But I agree Fox should be ashamed of making it just because it looks like trash.
Why is Bride Wars sexist…cuz it’s true? Another clueless lib-bot
Is it just me, or could you give the tag line for “The Unborn” to “Bride Wars” and it wouldn’t make much difference?
The only movie more sexist than “Bride Wars” is “Not Easily Broken”. I can’t wait for the day when African American films can get out of the early seventies concerning subject matter.
I’m starting to miss the “gangster” hip-hop AA movies now. Oh wait, they’re back. “Notorious” is coming out. Can you imagine some little old lady wandering into this thinking it’s a re-relase of Hitchcocks film?
Glad to see Gran Turino doing well… maybe now some of the other Oscar buzzers will get wide releases.
As for Nikki referring to Bride Wars as a horror film… love it. I knew there was a reason I get my industry news here.
Gran Torino is one of the best movies I’ve seen in years.
Re: Bride Wars. What can you say to an arrogant, humorless, uppity “critic”, but…get a life and another job…if that’s possible for you.
Inklin
Gran Torino is one of the biggest crowd-pleasers I’ve seen in a while. There was an unsual blend of young and old in my showing, with the ethnicity spectrum also covered, and the roof was blown off the auditorium by a laughter eruption whenever there was a racially hurtful utterance. I think it just goes to show that the agendas of the finger waggers in the media to indoctrinate us into having a hypersensitive PC mindset have failed. Maybe nothing bridges the gaps of ethnical division like choosing not to react with funeral solemnity towards fun being poked at our trifling differences. Aside from the humor aspect of the film, it’s a rewarding journey the Eastwood character undergoes as he befriends the diverse neighbors next door who initially represent everything in the world that has fueled his misanthropic bigotry. I especially liked how he took the directionless male youth of the family under his wing to show him the ways of being a real man in a neutered world. Also, I’m calling it right now: Clint is taking home Best Actor this year. This is one of his most memorable roles ever.
I just saw Gran Torino and loved it. It reminded me of Clints great spaghetti westerns he did in the late 60’s. It is the best movie I have seen in a long time. It takes a lot for me to put the money out for a movie. The next movie on my list is Defiance.
I am not surprised at Clint’s success because the Gran Torino was such a great car (just kiddin’). Actually it is a tribute to Clint as a storyteller and movie maker that he can get people out to watch his movies when they are notably absent nudity and gore.
If Clint stars in a movie with a gun, people will attend.
Tell Nikki to take a hike. If the movie company wants to spend the money and the folks want to see the movie, then let them. The brides flik is just for fun not for sustainable whirled peas.
Who’s the idiot that approved the making of “Bride Wars”? And where’s the artistic pride from writers, directors, actors, producers? How can any of the people involved be proud of that crap they just released?
The best line in Gran Torino is when Clint says, “I have more in common with these gooks than my own family,” and he means it.
I just saw Gran Torino,,,,
Great movie! I cannot wait to buy it.
Chris
Wouldn’t see Hathaway in anything after the stupid remark about Rick Warren giving the prayer at O’Bama’s bash. Shame on her.
Clint Eastwood; not famous, not a celebrity, not a star for the sake of being a star. A movie actor, a leading man, a great actor, a true movie star, so few left these days. He could go down as America’s greatest actor, or director, ever. Certainly he is the best ever, to do both.
BRIDE WARS was one of the worst movies ever made. Ever. Fox shamelessly promoted so much so that every time I saw yet another advertisement with a horrible looking Candice Bergen I got angry enough to turn off TV. They’re trying to emulate some of the better Romantic Comedies (like My Best Friend’s Wedding, or Four Weddings and A Funeral) with a pat, badly acted, non-story.
Shame on you Elizabeth Gabler!
Wally Lind – I too checked out Valkyrie yesterday and really enjoyed myself. I wonder what all the fuss was about, because it flowed nicely, looked great and the performances were fine. That’s all I can ask for when I pay almost twelve bucks to see a film. (too much money IMO)
Clint Eastwood is the MAN. Even at 78 years old, he is still the FUCKING MAN. I could only hope to aspire to even a fraction of his manliness.
I love a good feud movie, but if the best Bride Wars can offer is a retread of the ol’ “bad tan” gag and a hair dye set piece, sexism is the least of it’s worries.
gran torino is a very good movie. for the person who said ” by the way, Clint Eastwood is a registered republican”. What difference does that make? A dumb thing to say
Gran Torino was a great movie which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I have to admit I’m a little bit surprised that no one seems to be connecting the dots and recognizing that it is essentially Million Dollar Baby, Part 2. Old grizzled pro (in this case “problem-solver” instead of “boxing coach” reluctantly agrees to take younger female (in this case both boy and girl) under his wing, initially regrets his decision when things go wrong (girl gets raped and beaten instead of girl gets paralyzed) and then tries to make things right. The only thing missing is a Morgan Freeman character, although one could argue that the girl in Gran Torino kind of plays a dual-role. Anywho, great movie.
As for the comment that Fox should be ashamed for making a sexist film, I guess my question is: why? It’s a business. They’re MAKING a product and distributing it for sale to the public. I’m not even going to get into whether it’s sexist or not, but even assuming it is, what is there to be ashamed of? If the public is willing to pay for it, then it was ultimately a great business decision. I would think your venom would be more appropriately directed to the audience that is clearly more than happy to pay for CONSUMING what you deem to be a sexist product.
Grand Torino was GREAT! Clint Was great. Those talking about racism just don’t get it. The guy died for those gooks next door. I grew up in Detroit and that’s how people talk. I doesn’t mean anything. The Hmongs and the Polack proved it.
The Brides War movie was mindless fun, “popcorn entertainment” Me and my friends had a good time. Not sexists. Lighten up.
Gran Torino deserves its success. It’s not only very entertaining, but also thought provoking. Sure to spark debate. Go Clint!
No surprise that Clint’s movie is doing real business when it’s pretty much the only real movie in theaters right now. Plus Clint’s a real star. Not one of these dime a dozen starlets and pretty boys who can’t act past their fake tans and fake tits. Quality does occasionally trump shit.
Bride Wars? LMFAO! Was the director of that turd deliberately working to make the otherwise pretty Hudson and Hathaway look like ugly trailer trash? Seems so.
“Do you feel lucky punk?” – 1970s
“Go ahead, make my day.” – 1980s
“We all have it coming, kid.” – 1990s
“Get off my lawn.” – 2000s
I guess Nikki has no problem with Clint playing to the sexist stereotype of men/guns/violence but is outraged that Fox produces a “sexist piece of nonsense” about women going loco over their wedding plans.
I have not enjoyed Clint in a role this much since he starred in the film “Outlaw Josie Wales” many years ago. His gruff character in this new film is classic Eastwood and he still is great with that unforgettable growl & scowl. Excellent theme song as credits roll, even Clint sings (believe it or not) for the 1st 45 seconds or so. Theme song is quite a haunting tune albeit all about a subject Ford’s “Gran Torino.” Don’t see the film is easily offended by language & bigoted characters aimed (in this case) at Asians.
Tbonestk @1:50:
So you saw the movie? ….That’s what I thought. For your information, it was one of the better chick flicks I’ve seen. The theater was filled with laughter and girls having fun. Why are so many people on their high horses about a chick flick comedy? For God’s sake, put things in perspective, people! And you men out there–we won’t comment on your stupid war and gross-out movies if you will stop commenting on OUR movies. We don’t expect you dudes to like them. Ladies, see Bride Wars and decide for yourselves. If you’re similar to the folks in the theater I went to, you’ll laugh and enjoy it for what it is–a temporary escape from everyday reality.
Have’nt seen Torino yet, but the guy above was right, any movie with Clint, guns and some kind of beef has got to be good. Stood the test of time with that recepie….
how can you call a movie that is going to make 23 million crap? as a movie fan i like any movie that comes out who cares what the reviews say cause they no nothing… if it is somthing i want to see than i will spend the money for it
Bride Wars, Bedtime Stories and Yes Man? People have taste where thet sit. thank you, Mr. Eastwood, for offering a provocative, intelligent movie amidst all the usual and oh-so-predictable crap.
We saw Grand Torina today in Salisbury NC. Audience was packed and full of Yankke rednecks who seemed to enjoy the racial epithets a bit too much. Wa a little scary being among them Eastwood was OK but half the actors a were not actors, so awful they were distracting especially the Asian ones. A big disappointment!
JUST SAW GRAN T LAST NIGHT MY FRIENDS AND I LOVED IT! WE LAUGHED WE CRIED WHAT ELSE DO WANT FROM A MOVIE. WE WERE NOT IN THE SAME CONDITION AT THE END OF THE MOVIE AS WE WERE AT THE BEGINING OF IT.THAT’S GOOD STORY-TELLING AND EASTWOOD KNOWS HOW TO DO IT. THAT’S BECAUSE HE’S IN TOUCH WITH THE WORLD AS IT IS NOT THE THE WORLD AS THE PINHEADED FAIRYLAND ELITISTS OF HOLLYWEIRD WISH’S IT WAS.KEEP MAKING MOVIES BROTHER EASTWOOD. WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE THEM. WE ALSO NEED THEM. KEEP PUNCHING!
I am more surprised on the success of THE UNBORN. After flop-after-flop of horror films for the past couple of years, it seems like audiences are game again after THE STRANGERS, THE HAPPENING and the success of THE UNBORN. I guess we will see if the trend continues. A horror flick comes out EACH WEEK for the next 4! MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D, THE UNINVITED, UNDERWORLD 3 and FRIDAY THE 13TH. I would place my money on THE UNINVITED being the flop out of them all though.
While liking Gran Torino on a technical level, man, do I have major issues with it. It suffers from the “Dances with Wolves” disease in that it’s trying to be PC in a way, but in the end it all comes down to a white man saving the minorities from, essentially, themselves. Although it was at least somewhat ironic about it, e.g. in the way it uses language, but still…
It’s interesting how this, The Wrestler and JCVD are all dealing with actors trying to cope with their “star” personas in way while making amends. Might be a theme here.
Freedom of artistic expression, even if YOU think it is crap, is still valid. Hollywood puts out many different types of movies (yeah, a lot of it is junk…in my opinion), because not everyone is into seeing the same types of genre. (duh) If you want to see a film that is really interesting and poignant, try “Once”. I watched it last night on DVD. It got some well deserved buzz at Sundance. We need to get over ourselves, and just enjoy movies for what they are. “Why so serious…?”(thank you Joker)
Went to see Gran Torino on the only theatre screen in town thats showing it. I was there by 6:30 but the 7:00 showing was already sold out.
Clint Eastwood once again proves what Good Acting is in this classic Eastwood film, I loved it!
Gran Torino was great! I watched it myself and watched it a second time with my wife. She loved it too.
Years ago they asked the popular Bulgarian journalist Kevork Kevorkian what was his take on interviewing people. He answered he thought he imagined himself handing a flower in a boxing glove. He was always polite and fair, but tough in his interviewing questions. I think this is a great metaphore for the character – a boxing glove handing out a flower. I don’t want to spoil it – go see it and you will understand. I think this movie is the the closest a movie can be to a beautiful poem. Peace!
I went with my elderly dad to see Gran Torino. My dad is the same age as Walt Kowalski / Clint Eastwood. My father really identified with that character and he said he knew many Walt Kowalski’s in his lifetime. This movie is not like Death Wish, Dirty Harry or any other movie for that matter. A far better story than most others. Yes there are guns, there are gangs, but most of all there is Eastwood.
The story was great, the acting was good (excellent by Eastwood) and Eastwood really hit on the “what ever happened to the good old days” feelings of the older generation and how those who feel that way can change the world of the people they come in contact with. Walt Kowalski’s life is like so many in that we learn and can change even as we get towards the end of our lives.
A great human nature story that shows that you can make a difference no matter how old you are.
I just hope this is not Eastwood’s Shootist (John Wayne’s last movie). May Clint make many more. GO ahead…make my day.
I just saw it tonight. Awesome movie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad Eastwood movie. Mortgage your house and go see it.
Gran Torino was great. In addition to Clint, the Hmong actors were excellent. Believe it or not, the San Fransicko Chronicle did not like it. Big surprise! Not milky enough
Re:Fox should be ashamed of itself for making Bride Wars, as well as Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson (also a producer) for starring in such a sexist piece of nonsense. (Feel free to disagree. But you’re wrong.)
Screw you & your Political Correctness.
Get a life!
GRAND TORINO OSCAR!!!!
WHEN COULD WE EXPECT TO HAVE ****GRAN TORINO ***AT OUR MOVIE THEATERS IN TORONTO AND OTHER CITIES, IN ONTARIO CANADA. IT SURE WOULD BE A BIG HIT. CLINT IS WELL RESPECTED IN THE COLD NORTH. THANK YOU KINDLY.
I’ve seen “Gran Torino” 3 times, I love it.
Grand Torino–great entertainment-audience actually clapped at the end–nuff said–go see it.
i went to see grand torino for my husband but i ended up loving the film. it’s awesome!!!
Who should be more ashamed? Fox for making such drivel, or young American women everywhere for paying to see it? The “blushing bride” is an uniquely American, chauvinistic fairy-tale, and it sells.
I loved this movie. The theatre was packed (only 3 open seats) and you could hear the audience sniffling..not a dry eye in the house. It was a great film.
I am not surprized at all. Mr Eastwood has been giving us, AA++ material for decades. He has set the bar aufully high, for the other clowns that call themselves actors.
There’s nothing surprising about it. Clint’s the man. His age is irrelevant. Reject today’s chronological snobbery. No, the new is not equivalent to the good. This Brave New World’s myth of progress is a sham. Reject it. Google for my amazon page on this with these words:
Resist the Brave New World.
I say all this at 36 years old.
hooray for clint. what a blast to watch that movie. classic clint. dont know who wrote the plot. but in todays time its a perfect fit. old versus new. old being a crachity old man finding himself just before he dies. i saw people all over the theator crying. if he does not win another oscar then screw hollywood. as for the non-pc how refreshing to actually hear what is being said every day in places like this. churches and police useless what a waste of communities thanks to the dole. he ended his life in honor and left his greedy kids with nothing! how refreshing that was.
“Bride Wars, Confessions of Shopaholic – already relics of empty, vicious, consumerist Bush-era bullshit.” GeorgeStevensJr
Yes, Bride wars is bushes fault!!!!
Gran Torino is an AWESOME movie. Thanks for more brilliance Clint. : )
I like Eastwood and have seen all of his movies. But, it really sucks to see movie ratings based solely on box office receipts!
Thank God for the posters here on this site, as the article critiques nothing about Gran Torino, and I wouldn’t otherwise go to see it without the help of movie going peers.
Thanks…
I just saw Gran Torino this afternoon with my husband who owned a 1972 fire engine red Gran Torino in college and would die to have it back!
GREAT MOVIE!!!! Laughed my ass off and loved the story.
Clint Eastwood has delivered his BEST performance yet.
No it is not politically correct. Who cares! Hollywood needs to make more movies like this.
Great performance. Can’t wait to buy this DVD!!
What are you kidding? This is movie about a racist that is dying and wants to go out in a blaze of glory … nothing more … it is not much of a stretch to see Clint in this role and the supporting cast is simply terrible.
Sorry – Grade: C
His early westerns were better than this ….
Clint rocks, there is no way other than to say it. Look at some of the other older actors who are banding together and making stupid movies a la bucket list, etc. At least Clint has kept his cool and level headed judgment on what to make and what not to make. He hasn’t cluttered up the shelves with a lot of crap movies which is really saying something. Also he still is making art. Which is in and of itself, rare. No one compares to Clint; he is a national icon. I agree with the other poster — let’s start a movement for a clint movie about Islamofascism versus America…
I was reading the paper and the critics were dissin Eastwood and his new movie. They were wrong, as usual.It`s a great movie and a $30m opening is proof.
Anyone that says Gran Torino is a great film, did not see it. This horrible, predictable, non believable film SUCKED!!! Another Hollywood insult to the movie going public. Please don’t waste your money on this film. Clint really sold out on this one. It was really sad to see that this lousy movie is what he considers his last. He’s going out with a bomb?
Just saw Gran Torino and loved it.A very good story. A good Clint Eastwood movie. Oscar’s???
Saw Gran Torino tonight—it’s about time again we get something worth seeing. How many times do I have to watch the Dark Knight until something good worth going to the movies for—tonight I stopped. hehe.
Clint fires on all cylinders. Anyone who needs lessons on being a man must watch this movie. I hope this movie is recognized for the multiple story lines it details. When I buy the DVD I’ll place it right next to Crash.
For Bloggy, why should anyone be ashamed of putting out Alvin and The Chipmunks 1, 2 or 3? There are children in this world and movies should be made for them as well as adults.
I am 52 years old as of Christmas Eve, 2008 and I still have an old Alvin and the Chipmunks Album from the early 1960s.
Pick on someone your own size and age and leave children’s movies alone. You obviously do not have children.
Wow, defending Bride Wars and hating on Nikki for calling it like it is (or having an opinion, whichever offends you more)? I suppose you all come from the era when women weren’t aloud to read literature because ideas were too inflammatory to their delicate systems. Hell, all we care about is shopping and planning our weddings right, hence the script for Sex and the City. I guess that’s what Hollywood thinks now because women are flocking to the theaters to numbly consume this shit. The cover of Ms. magazine has a picture of our future president stating, “This is what a feminist looks like.” Great, let’s all stop thinking and go shop because the far superior males will pat us on the head and won’t think we’re “hot” or “sexy” if we speak when not spoken to. Progress? Change? Hooray!
Funny that the Golden Age had romantic comedies starring those uppity women such as Catherine Hepburn or Lauren Bacall. But they could never be on the cover of Maxim so forget about it…
The “idiots” who approved the making of Bride Wars are the same “idiots” who will be laughing all the way to the bank when it turns a profit. “Proud” has nothing to do with it. Don’t blame the people making the movies. Blame the audiences who keep going to see them.
Once the public stops paying for crap, it will stop being produced.
The belief that the film industry was at one time about art first and money second is a false one. It’s a business, just like everything else.
Gran Torino is a damn good movie. Surprisingly funny and poignant. I don’t usually cry in a movie, but I had tears in my eyes as the closing song played during the credits at the end. Clint sings a part, which is ok, but then it goes into a more musical rendition that really hit me…
BBBROWN….
what the hell does Eastwood’s political affiliation have to do with his movie making? Alter our perspective about what? are you saying only democrats make good movies or because he’s a republican there is some agenda to Gran Torino. Hell… it’s just Dirty Harry 30 years later!!
Well gerri-berri maybe you should see it before you dis it!
Wow are like most of these reviewers in like in high school. Yes Clint Eastwood rocks and always has, but reading this reviews is like so shallow no wonder this country has gone down the tubes….jesus!
I am tired of Clint Eastwood
Yeah, here’s a pitch – “Angry Old White Man cleans up this g-d multi-cultural society of ours by threatening the threatening minorities.”
Screw Clint and these bigoted white men who love him.
We should have moved past this point by now.
Clint Eastwood equals one cool, calm, collected, polictically INCORRECT American Hero. God Bless him!
Clint Eastwood is one of the few actors left in Hollywood that I would pay to see.
He portrays everything that IS American. I like to see him – and Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson – go to Washington and ‘Make Our Day’ by cleaning up the corruption. Violence wouldn’t be necessary…just his voice and his demeanor would suffice.
I’d vote for him. We need ‘Dirty Harry’ in Washington!
Another slap in the puss of the “politically correct” drones that try to dominate the entertainment media. Good work Clint. Just another reason Ebert is irrelevant and a joke.
Saw this with my wife Friday and we loved it!!! Grand Torino is one of Clint’s all-time finest films (I’ve seen ALL of them many times over). He had more lines in this flick than his last 10 movies combined. I have to admit we were laughing our butts off at all the racial slurs. He’s plays an old crusty war veteran that is very Pro-American. LOL! Reminded me a little bit of my Grandfathers, one was a Paratrooper, and the other a Pilot in WWII. Way to go Clint! You or Heath Ledger had better win the Oscar! RIP Heath! Another Great performance as the Joker in the Dark Knight!
Seems like Jan is the old-citizen’s month..isn’t?
Last year was ‘The Bucket List’ with Jack & Morgan & now we have Clint with GT.
So we have fanboys, fangirls and perhaps we shd coined a new term for old folks…’fanold’?
LOL
By the way, GT is the deserving champ. Any movies with Clint in it is a def must see. Only when he directs others (and not being in his own movies) is where the movie disappoints. I am talking about the likes of Changeling & Mystic River, among others. Just something personal…
is this a discussion thread, or is it a bulletin for rant?
gran torino was spectacular, but id imagine that bride wars would be — at the least — marginally fun. hathaway and hudson are way charming. ill watch, just like most other people, for a chuckle, and not some sweeping statement on the state of eccentric actors in the wedding economy.
Gran Torino is an inspired work of art!
Clint show us once again that he’s tha man!
Now get off of my yard slope.
GT was worth every dime it earned at its opening. The only bad news is that at 78 Eastwood says this is his last film.
Gran Torino had to be one of the worst movies I have seen
in a while. What was he thinking to use that ending. Im
not saying this just to be different but the acting was terrible, It was Clint playing his typical role. Most A list actors in America get lazy and don’t push themselves. Want to see acting at its best watch Richard
Jenkins in “The Visitor
Just saw Grand Toreno last week. Best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Great acting and very funny and its brutal honesty it is not a politically correct movie. After seeing the box office totals last weeks in like the 60 theaters it was playing in and just smoking every movie on a theater gross bases. I was sure it was going to do well this weekend. Clints got a winner with this one. I plan on seeing this one again!!!!!!
Gran Torino has so much to say about this country we live in. Gang bangers, screwed up selfish undisiplined kids, people not standing up for what is right, how political correctness has destroyed our ability to actually judge people on who they are rather then what they say. A masterpeice. BBBROWN said in a post Eastwood is a registered republican. Damn right he is.
Best Clint movie ever!
1. Lost in suburbia last weekend and the most packed movie? Slumdog Millionaire. Couple seats way up front. Packed.
2. What’s all the talk about Eastwood “going out”? Isn’t his mom in her 90s? He could be making movies for another 20 yrs!
3. Moral – tell a d_ _ n good story and they will come.
My teenage son and I went to see Gran Torino last night and we both gave it a big thumbs up! This film is by far the best movie to come out of Hollyweird in years! If Clint doesn’t get best actor for 2008, then we’ll know for certain that the Academy Awards have completely been taken over by those neo-socialist, PC-spouting, Sean Penn-elevating, Al Gore-worshipping, Michael Moore-loving swine that are crippling this country!!!
Don’t ever do blogs.But this is one great movie.
Sure reminded me,of my dad,other friends,dad’s.
In a age of crap like “Bride Wars”,this was a
breath of fresh air.This movie,shows,we all have
to learn,to get along.
GT was typical Eastwood. Great to see Clint back on the big screen. Clint has a new fan now, my 18 year old daughter. Both her and my wife, like most women in the theater, had tears in their eyes when the movie ended.
Clint Eastwood was fabulous.
Clint – YOU are truly an American hero !!!
Gran Torino is an Oscar winning movie, great story, acting, etc. Was at a packed theater with all races and everyone loved it. And there is a great twist at the end, which no one has mentioned. THANK YOU CLINT EASTWOOD FOR YOUR UNBELIEVABLE CAREER !!!
I was able to see Gran Torino Saturday. It is a surprising film. It is humble, simple, yet complex. It is a great film. I really enjoyed that it accurately depicts the culture that I’m from. Hurray for Eastwood.
Funny I can’t think of 1 actor today that’ll have the same talent and staying power as Clint in his 70’s. I don’t even want to see Brad Pitt’s or Tom Cruise’s movies that they make today, let alone what they will be making in 20 years.
Clint is talent! Thank god for it!
Gran Torino for the sweep
Clint has produced one of the most memorable characters since Archie Bunker. This film is a must see because the storyline is a fnatastic blend of tradition and modernization of Americana. I admit I teared up at the closing scenes ………
The movie was “vintage” Eastwood but lesson–redemption for unkindness towards others who are different.
As for Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia–I loved this movie–so much history which helps young people to become interested–I thought the acting was great and what super entertainment–that’s what I thought movies were about–if we wanted bad news we could watch tv–Looking forward to BrideWars–that’s entertainment, Folks!
It was quite an excellent movie.
Dirty Harry meets Archie Bunker.
Way to go Clint.
I’d watch Clint Eastwood just sitting in a chair – the guy is one of a vanishing breed of American men – manly, not PC, tough, strong and sexy. So sad that the new generation of actors are what we used to call sissies – i.e., Jude Law, Brad Pitt, etc. Clint, may you live many, many more years and produce many more movies.
Clint Eastwood should easily win the oscar for best actor. Eastwood is totally believable in the movie even though this is a totally different type of character he has every played. Awesome move! A must see!
GT was outstanding. Yes, there was some bad acting, but Eastwood was one of the only professional actors in the film…and his performance was EPIC. If you’re easily offended, this film isn’t for you. But writing from the liberal Mecca of Boulder, CO — the theaters are packed and the audiences are loving it. And yes, we liked Milk too.
Gran Torino! Fantastic! I wonder what Spike Lee will have to say about this one. Mr. Eastwood was very PC in producing such an ethnically diverse film.
now surely with the result for GT fox searchlight should grow some balls and give the wrestler a wide release ASAP. with the buzz surrounding it i bet it would do similsr numbers
I am a white female teacher who saw the previews to Gran Torino, and felt that if any of my minority students saw it, they would be offended.
I suspect many of the posters who gave this movie a high rating are white, also. Go see a hip-hop movie with an all-AA cast, in a theater where you are the minority and then tell us how you feel about it.
In addition, the movie seems to portray that more violence is needed to end violence. Isn’t that what we as American people have been complaining about with the current administration?
Gran Torino is a great movie. I just hope it’s not Clint’s last. No one in Hollywood today can come close to Clint in acting talent or story telling.
Most of what Hollywood puts out today is pure crap.
Clint fans will not want to miss Grand Torino.
The PC crowd, looking to be offended, will not.
I can’t remember the last time I saw a good movie, this is the real deal.
Bride Wars made millions but shows like Arrested Development couldn’t sustain viewers??? This solidifies the fact that most Americans have NO taste.
Re: Gran Torino, as a self proclaimed and proud “lefty elitist liberal” (yep – Ivy League educated too), I have to say I absolutely loved the film. There are some stories that are universally appealing and this is one. The best film I have seen in a while. Clint was great as expected but the supporting cast was great as well. I don’t know what the other posters are talking about who disliked the Hmoung (sp?) supporting cast – they were excellent. A thought-provoking, entertaining and entirely enjoyable film…..just what the doctor ordered for these times. Thank you Clint!
Went with my 32 year old daughter and we both looked at each other at the end and stated this was the best film we’ve seen in ages. If Clint doesn’t get best actor, best movie, and the supporting actor/actress for the cast, at the minimum, then SOMETHING is wrong. I was in tears. The violence/language totally fit in with the plot. Yes, a lot of racist comments. It fit the character. I have watched Clint Eastwood during the years and always said he was the best. I now realize that I did not truly mean those comments until I saw this movie. Gran Torino is the best that Clint has ever done. He is getting better with age and I’m so thankful!
Elaine,
I am an african american woman and I LOVED Gran Torino. One of the most HONEST portrayals of race relations I have ever seen. We, as in black people, know that there are far more characters like Walt Kowalski out there than PC Hollywood wants to admit.
Please let those who are offended actually BE offended before you tell us how we should fell.
Thanks.
To the white female teacher re: Gran Torino…I teach students from the mean streets of a major urban area. Yes, my dear, violence is sometimes needed. It was needed to stop Hitler, Pol Pot, and the Japanese. If you don’t know this, I hope you don’t teach social studies. It is also needed to protect my minority students from the predations of other people.
Tad, I doubt you even saw the movie. It is a story of love and redemption starring a (GASP) bitter old white man.
GT is a very good movie. One of the best I’ve seen in a while. No one gets pandered to. Most of the characters are unappealing until you get to know them.
Political correctness is the belief that there is a magic way of picking up a turd by the “clean” end. Screw PC and the sand-irritated people who worship it.
RoughBoy has it right:
“It was quite an excellent movie.
Dirty Harry meets Archie Bunker.
Way to go Clint.”
Scowling Clint Eastwood with a rifle in his hand. For how many years have people waited for that iconic image, and not for a downbeat Western?
Hey Elaine,
You miss the point. Violence must be used when confronting violent animals! You can’t hold hands with them and say please stop or kum ba yah. This guy fought and died to save those people the same way our soldiers are fighting the animals that want to kill you and me and dying to free the Afghanistans and Iraqis under our “current administration”! Haven’t you noticed that we have not been attacked in eight years? Or do you think the enemy thought only to hit the twin towers,the Pentagon and stop there?
It dosen’t sruprise me that you are a teacher. It’s just a crime that you will influence young minds with your PC crap!
Bride Wars is #3 this weekend.
Serves that sexist movie right. Also, why on earth would they make this movie, when fewer and fewer people are getting married ? Fewer than fifty per cent of adults in this country are married. This movie is more suited to the fifties. Why didn’t they do something about women fighting over the right to run for President…
Everyone needs a Walt in their neighborhood.
God bless all the Walt’s in the world.
I say, Walt for President!
And watch those Islamic Jihad shake in their sandals.
God help us with Osama, oops, I mean Obama!
This movie was awesome! Noone could have played the role better! The movie was funny, sad, and real all intermeshed into one great film. I have not bought a movie for a long time, but I look forward to its release, because I will purchase it. Not only will I purchase it, I will be returning to the theatre for a second viewing-it was that good!
All these posts about how GT is bigoted and wrong are absolutely horrible. has anyone took 1/2 a sec to realize that its A MOVIE not an autobiography. i mean if we were to look at every movie and try to place it into a political view or put an answer to any moral issue in movies, then they wouldnt be called movies they would be called documentary’s. And what about all the sci-fi movies?? what about the 3 nazi movies coming out in a months time? should we condem these because they arent correct?, no we should look at these movies as movies and nothing more. For all you PC morons who have nothing more to do than complain about a nation not conforming to your liking can go sit on a pole. take all your negative comments and give them to Al Gore and his “movies”.
Gran Torino shows America what we have to do to stop these punk gangs from running amok!! The justice system benefits the gangs. Let’s take back our cities & communities….Git-R-Done!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ HB
Funny you call the Asians and Arabs animals. People like you use code words like “American” and “politically incorrect”
a lot. But we know what you mean…to you it means “white” and “racist without consequences”
Let the old ideas die with the old generation
And kudos to the poster who said that Hollywood is once agin telling us a white man is needed to solve the problems of minorities. As in Dances with wolves and Dangerous Minds – it’s just silly, stop it
Screw the old ways. welcome to the future
Gran Torino is every bit as good as anything that came out this year. Go see it! Clint says it’s his last but don’t bet on it. He’s still at the top of his game.
Bride Wars? I haven’t seen it, but the reviewer should lighten up, it’s a comedy.
To HB,
WTC 7 you fool!!!
Gran Torino was the best film I have seen in a very long time. Clint Eastwood proves he still has it as a film maker and a star.
Walt is my hero. It is amazing to me how quickly we forget about those who have proctected us in the past and because they may not be PC we dismiss them as if they don’t exist. His racist comments not considered acceptable these days were somthing that was part of his generation. It was great to see a man still act like a man. Today’s youth are stuck with little punk gangsta’s who wouldn’t know a real hero if they bit them in the rear.
Go see this movie, you will be glad you did. Clint, keep up the fantastic work!
From the box-office stats above, it’s clear that MILK is yet another leftist political dud raved about by critics, but which the public shuns. Ditto FROST/NIXON.
I liked Grand Toreno. It was a great movie and I have always been a Clint Eastwood fan since I was a kid. I don’t look for it to win any awards, just because the Hollywood types would rather see something like “Milk” win. Of course they have never really got it, and still don’t seen to understand what normal Americans like. A movie that makes you laugh and cry and root for the underdog. I don’t go to the movies to feel weird and uncomfortable. Do you?
Elaine, your minority students are tougher and more openminded about life than you think. Don’t shelter them from the realities of life, exposing them only to an unreal PC paradigm. They will recognize racial bigotry for what it is, because the black version of it is thriving in their own communties. Let them see what’s truly out there and then let them grow from the experience.
CinemaScore (audiences who’ve seen the movie and are asked to grade them) gave Bride Wars an A-. So are 500 people wrong, and you are right, Nikki? I’ll trust the people any day over a so-called expert. Gran Torino had an A and Unborn B-.
Good job for being a true American Clint just seen the movie and i am a true Clint fan its one of the best movies i have ever seen and any one that says it was bad is a fool Hollywood should take heed.
Eastwood gives a great performance in a good movie. I also believe he’ll win Best Actor in a nod to sentiment, just like John Wayne won for “True Grit.” I loved GT all the way until Clint started watbling the theme over end credits. I could have done without that.
Also, will Anne Hathaway suffer the “Norbit” effect? Will trashy reviews for “BW” cost her Oscar chances for “Rachel . . .”? Stay tuned!
Yes, Clint Eastwood IS the man. Chew on this: he made hit movies over 40 years ago, and still turns out movies that are well-written, and acted, and have something to say. Many of them are still classics, and will be for decades.
Bride Wars is, as someone noted, a relic from the conspicuous consumption era. It was created by some committee (”ooh. Let’s make a chick flick. I’ll be about bridezillas…”) to capitalize on the stupidity and reflex buying of some demographic of the movie audience. Can’t wait to see how much its box office drops off by next week.
Just got back from “Gran Torino” which was sold out. A great movie of coming to terms and sacrifice. Clint is powerful as Kowalski who is an archetypical example of a true American. No wonder this movie is doing as well as it is, and astonishing as it may seem, will probably go a long way in improving Hmong/White Anglo-Saxon relationships.
Clint – Make my day. One more Dirty Harry movie!
Gran Torino has just been released where I live. Plan to see it asap and there is no surprise to me that this movie is already No 1. Clint knows how to make movies that really entertain.
EASTWOOD 2012, A WINNER FOR SURE
Anne Hathaway has such beautiful shining eyes. Probably because they reflect off the polished, empty inside of her skull.
Eastwood is perhaps the last remnant of old Hollywood , the loss of which those of us over 50 remember and mourn. MY 18 YO son was entranced by GT, and a little saddened with what his generation has to live for entertainment. As in many of the posted comments, may Eastwood live, be well, and produce for many more years.
Hey TAD,
I never referred to Asians or Arabs as animals.Those who cannot coexist with in a civil way in a civilization are animals, no matter what color or race.
Try learning what kinds of atrocities that urban ethnic street gangs and Islamic fundamental terrorists do,such as beheadings,cutting off genitalia,chopping off limbs or fingers or tounges, etc.These are animals!Whether they are black,white or green!
And mikemur,
When you refer to WTC 7, it only shows you are a Bush hating conspiracy theorist which makes you not just a fool but an idiot!
I am a hispanic native to this wonderful land in my middle 60’s and I absolutely loved this movie. In fact I am going to see it again. I will be back in the theater this next week
Incredible this man and the movie. I absolutely loved this movie and I will go see this again
Gran Torino. Great movie. Up until the part where the Asians in his neighborhood talk to the police after the climatic scene. That would never happen in the real world.
Other than that…an entertaining film.
Liberals are so dumb when they say stuff like “I wouldn’t let my students watch it because they might be offended”. Thank God I’m not a liberal. And I’m a minority to boot. Go figure.
I went to see Valkyrie this week end with friends–we were all once Tom Cruise fans but no one could really get into it—I’m not sure he will draw me to one of his pictures again.
Wow Eastwood does more with 1.5 hours of film than spike lee has done with his whole career and I like spike lee except for his race bate remarks to clint following flags or our fathers. Clint nails hypocricy like no other film maker. loved the scene with the wanna be white rapper dude so so true. He is genuinely the scariest 78 yr old man ever on film and we need more of him. Favorite Clint movie of all time still Outlaw Josy Wells a must see for any fan of his films and the first he directed and stared in. BTY Clint is a Libertarian but of late the Republicans have been more attractive to them then the dems. Libertarians are hard to find but worth the search!
Some people seem to misjudge GT. It is certainly not PC in some ways, yet it also makes some excellent points about bigotry. For instance, his (and our) bigotry was rooted in the way he processed his life experiences. He was able to overcome at least some of his bigotry through his (somewhat unwilling) interaction with those who are different. Personal relationships sometimes stand above group directed prejudice. How does a person move beyond the attitude, “I don’t like those people, but that guy is alright.” to see a whole group as just people. The film’s attitude toward the church is also misjudged by some. The priest moved from hollywood’s typical treatment of clergy to a more sympathetic view as Eastwood began to understand the priest’s motives. The director’s cut of Eastwood laid out in a “crucifix” position, head down (as Peter requested because he didn’t feel worthy of dying in the same manner as Christ) was a brilliant comment on both ultimate sacrifice and Walt’s final change of heart toward all the things he had grown to hate. Great movie.
JohnnyR, you beat me to it.
After I saw Gran Torino I was reminded of the dumbass comment made by Spike Lee toward Eastwood.
Then Clint makes “Changeling” and now “Gran Torino” a #1 movie. Spike made “Miracle at St, Anna.” A flop and loser.
I was so embarrassed by Spike for his race-baiting comments. Eastwood has never shown himself to be anything but a fair-minded person and an exemplary filmmaker. Just ask Morgan Freeman.
I think Spike is a good director and I hope he learned something here because I think his best work is yet to come. Please Spike, leave the politics for the bullshit people. Make your statements with your films.
Like Clint did.
I went with my buddy to see Gran Torino Friday. We were shocked that it was sold out on 2 screens and so we bought a later show and snuck into Valkyrie to kill time. That actually wasn’t that bad and we are going to drop the $10 and see it Monday night. Would have gone earlier but the NFL Playoffs were on. Go Eagles!
How many males have seen BW? If they did see the movie, why?
I am American-born Hispanic and I loved GT, even though Walt specified in his will for Toad not to chop up the Gran Torino like the “beaners” might do! We had a pretty diverse audience and they all laughed at the moments that probably make the PC crowd uncomfortable. Why? I don’t know, but perhaps a laugh of relief after all the corseted PC-ness of these times?
Elaine – stop trying to protect thinking people from finding out what the real world is like.
Tad – Go see the movie and then comment.
viva la clint , i saw gran torino and it blew me away , its nice to see there are still americans out there who dont suscribe to the obamacrats agenda. clint is a real american and a real man , not afraid to say what everyone else is thinking no matter how many time the thought police on the left tell us it is wrong ( and god forbid hurtful )oh and clint singing at the end is the cherry on top of an already glorious career . heres to hoping he sticks around and keeps on sticking it to the man ( yes the left is now the man )
Gran Torino is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time!!
For those of you that don’t know…..this movie was shot in Detroit and the Hmong girl is from Lansing. (my hometown) What an awesome experience for her!! I am sure she is the envy of all her classmates!
My grandfather was Walt. He watched his Highland Park (CA) neighborhood devolve from a peaceful Los Angeles suburb to one that eventually experienced a drive by shooting. Sunday dinners at his house were a lesson in how to be un-politically correct long before the term became part of the lexicon. Yeh, Walt is a real guy who in many neighborhoods has passed on now. They fought for their country, then watched as the whiners, crooks and p/c crowd took it apart bit by bit.
The Great White Father saves the poor Asians, protects the weak and backs off some blacks on a corner by calling them “spooks” (not the “N” word because that would be wrong)
Enjoy this movie and Clint’s condescending fake liberalism.
January 20th is coming.
to the ones harping on about Clint’s age, albeit they think it’s awesome…. Re-read or re-watch the interviews he gave re: the ageism he had to endure when he tried to get SPACE COWBOYS made. This industry is just ridiculous in that respect. Going on and on about the man’s age is only re-inforcing that ageism. Get over it already.
That Eastwood’s made two very good movies in 2008, now that’s something worth noting.
I love GRAN TORINO. To whoever thinks it’s about “a white guy saving some minority – from themselves”:
Kowalski went in unarmed b/c he knew that was the only way to get the police to do their job, there had to be a *Caucasian* victim. Not to mention that he was mourning AND carried a lot of guilt and wanted to offer his (already sick) pound of flesh. I thought they made it very clear that being a hero was not his goal. He didn’t see himself that way and did say so.
BRIDE WARS — oh boy. Terrible writers who were too lazy to at least sell the most ridiculous of premises in a somewhat convincing way. Without that, nobody buys the ending, either. Second suitor coming out of left field? Haven’t seen that in a while.
I knew what I was getting myself into, so it wasn’t as painful as it might be to some others. Unoriginal, unfunny and superlame as it might be, in its defense I could say that at least it did not feel quite as offensive on all fronts as THE WOMEN, for example.
Don’t know what Candice Bergen was thinking, but then her role was the fun part.
That anyone would compare Sex & the City: The Movie to this flick blows my mind.
Being a middle aged man, I went to see “Gran Torino” at the 11 AM Saturday show thinking I’d be the only one there. I was surprised to see the lot full and 15-20 high schoolers getting tickets. Since this is a big theater, I thought they were there for something else. At the popcorn line I held back as the kids were all anxious to get to their seats, but they cleared a lane for me and let me go ahead! I was 30 minutes early and surprised to see people already there. I found my seat and watched as the kids came in and found theirs. After this outstanding movie was over and we were leaving, all the kids were raving how cool Clint Eastwood is and how great Walt Kowalski is. A real man. This is a tremendous movie.
Now, BRIDE WARS may be sexist, but if you are going to make a claim like that, please, explain how.
If you are going to make a charge like this, explain it.
Oh, and Elaine,
I was in the theatres for GRAN TORINO and I saw a pretty diverse audience that enjoyed it.
You sound like another white person getting offended for minorities. Sounds like YOU are the racist.
re Bride Ways,
My first comment was either gobbled up or I did something wrong.
BRIDE WARS does look like a poorly written film aimed for females. Sexist? Perhaps. If using a stereotype about women and/or men in a movie is sexist then the great comedy A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM should be banned.
Stock characters (or, as sometimes called, stereotypes) can work well, if they can be universalized to someone we all know.
Case: EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. We all know somebody like Marie who is just INSANE when it comes to meals and homekeeping, we all know a Deborah who cannot cook and has a temper problem (my Mom), and we all know a Robert, the lonely, mopey brother who hasn’t had quite the success or parental attention of his/her sibling.
In FUNNY THING, you have Domina, a dominating wife who bosses everyone around (tell me you don’t know someone like this). The men don’t get much better treatment, her husband, Senex, constantly fantasizes about escaping his wife’s insanity. How many times have you seen an elderly couple where the wife is talking like a chatterbox that won’t quit while the husband is as silent as a Navy SEAL approaching it’s target.
Well written stock characters can be funny because we all know someone like them or we can relate to them, though they may be taken to an extreme, because either we know someone like them or we are like them.
Poorly written stock characters become offensive stereotypes that are at best mere annoyances to the audience. I expect BRIDE WARS to follow this.
Clint Eastwood used his outward crankiness to come across as tough and yet also heroic at the same time, well done i’d say
Just got back from GT – FAB movie!!! Grew up in a midwest town that had a large Hmong and Loa population, found it very intresting in terms of learning some more culture. The movie eas great and Clint was great. To all those who found the movie to racist and not PC nough – perhaps they should be more aware – Elaine and Tad should perhaps see the movie, and I am not a Republican, you would be hard pressed to find a more Libral far left card carring Dem. My husband and I felt this was the best drama we have seen. I hope this movie gets Clint his oscar for best actor, Great movie will see it again, to those few who thought the Hmong actors were not good, you are so wrong.
Go Clint!
This is soooo wrong, Grand Torino Blows the doors off all the other Nominations.You can tell Hollywood is still Very liberal and Pro gay.Milk was an average movie and it is doing very poor at the box office.
Clint Eastwood has a box office draw that extends several decades. Although Gran Torino is Clint Eastwood’s highest grossing movie, adjusted for inflation his movie “Any Which Way But Loose” grossed over $300 million at the box office.