Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood...the Man, the Myth, the Legend...and he is all of those things as well as an acting, directing, composing and producing phenomenon. Here is an actor/director who made his career just doing what he likes and being true to his beliefs on what it takes to be great, and he has been prominently successful simply because he wasn't afraid to try different things and think outside the box.

He was born on May 31st, 1930, and just recently turned 91 years old. However, he is down the list of the oldest actors still acting today, there are a few ahead of him, but he is one of the truest actors to his craft. He built his career on being different, and taking chances because he knew that you don't get where he is by following the industry standard. I have yet to see his latest movie "Cry Macho" but I am looking forward to it, because he is a great actor even in his 90's, and he has been directing his own films since 1971 starting with his iconic film that portrayed him in a completely different role from his "macho man" status with "Play Misty For Me". He started his acting debut in the tv series Rawhide, then went on to a string of Sergio Leon films like "A Fist Full of Dollars", "For A Few Dollars More", and "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" in which he played the man with no name. These started the "spaghetti western" era(nickname due to their Italian production). In 1968 he started his own production company "Malpaso" and began making his own films such as "Hang em' High" "High Plains Drifter", "The Outlaw Josie Wales" and "Pale Rider" which he produced, directed and starred in. These films got him national attention but he didn't really jump onto the scene with a bang until Dirty Harry found his way into our hearts. This is where his acting career (I feel) really took off and we fell in love with the tough gritty character Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry where he played a tough San Francisco Cop who didn't take shit from anyone, not even his bosses. This became a popular hit film and it is still referenced to this day, with the lines in the movie he made famous like " “I know what you’re thinking. ‘Did he fire six shots or only five’? Well to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I kind of lost track myself. But being that this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well do ya, punk?" and of course "well, go ahead, make my day", the delivery was key in making that sound just as badass as it did when HE did it, I have since heard others try and they unfortunately pale in comparison.

I still love these movies, and sometimes when I feel like watching someone give out some old fashioned "kick ass" justice, I watch this movie! It just makes me feel good sometimes to see real justice done to the bad guys, instead of the bad guys being "victims" now...ok, now that I got that out...moving on.

Clint Eastwood has and always will be the badass good guy that you root for in all his movies, he was that one guy who (in all his westerns) stood up for the tiny towns being bullied by the gang of bad guys. He not only handled those issues with quiet complacency, he walked away with dignity, and never expected a thing in return. I wish we saw more of that today. He also did his best not to let any innocents get hurt in the process! He protected and served without getting paid to do it, and showed people that you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. He also believes that if you don't show that your willing to help yourself by putting in the work, why should anyone else help you...then your just playing the victim, and we all know he has never been a victim, he worked hard for what he has, and is a proud man. The world is changing around us daily, were becoming more sensitive to it and it's inhabitants all the time. Violent movies are becoming less about life lessons, and more about blowing shit up and killing people for...well sometimes I am not sure what the narrative or storyline is. John Wick is the last real crusader these days, and even he was fighting to protect...well...himself. I can't remember the last real cowboy movie like the ones Eastwood made. I wish there were more morally good movies out today. I just miss the good old movie days.

My proverbial hat is off to you Mr. Eastwood, you have my upmost respect for all you have done and continue to do for the film industry. Thank you.

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