Great film directors - one of my favourites!

Clint Eastwood

Why this director?

As he moved from making action films as either a cop or a cowboy actor, Eastwood became more meditative, empathetic and heartfelt as a director. His films are beautifully photographed, his characters are always fully developed and always have a running theme of championing the disaffected and the underdog. His long, lingering shots without any sharp cuts, became reminiscent of the best of Kubrick for me. Eastwood's love of mellow jazz also figure strongly in many of his film's soundtracks and sometimes have him playing piano. A confounding and enigmatic director still producing social commentary and worthy film into his old age

My top three films

The Unforgiven

A slow burning western from 1992 that showed Eastwood at odds with his previous rough persona - now a reluctant ageing former outlaw and regretful killer - a family man wanting to find redemption but who unwillingly finds himself again at the centre of another bloodbath after he takes on one last righteous job. His showdown with a corrupt sheriff played by Gene Hackman is classic good verses evil. Beautifully made with support from Morgan Freeman as his pal and more stable companion.** Won academy awards for best director and best picture,

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson

The NTSB wanted to make ex air force gifted pilot Sully Sullenburger, a scapegoat for landing his plane on the River Hudson in New York after it suffered a catastrophic bird strike. But Sully saved all his passengers by sheer skill... A sombre and studied little known behind the scenes look which Sully actually had to endure after the event, for which he was became a hero by the public and all the plane's passengers. Tom Hanks is as ever absolutely watchable and understated as the pilot, confused and bewildered by the NTSB who wrongly argue he could have got his plane back to an airport without ditching. Sully proves them wrong in what is effectively a courtroom drama from 2016.Won an academy award for best sound editing.

Million Dollar Baby

An 2004 American sports drama film scored by and starring Clint as a cantankerous, under appreciated boxing trainer with a bad reputation. It follows waitress Maggie who against all odds, achieves her dream of becoming a professional. Eastwood directs himself and Hillary Swank as Maggie with great compassion as the two form a complex and deepening bond over time. It earned Swank an academy ward for best actress as the woman fighter and won best picture and best director. Features Morgan Freeman again as Eastwood's more stable sidekick. The ending packs an emotional punch that might leave you in tears

Find out more about the legend himself here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/

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