Gran Torino - Page 6 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Sandy G · #76 01-17-2009, 05:36 PM

I thought "Bronco Billy" stunk, too, the 1st time I saw it, but after seeing it umpteen times on HBO, I came to like it pretty well.

donoghue · #77 01-17-2009, 05:56 PM

Cool story 6cats. From what I saw of the trailer Eastwood indeed looks his age in this movie so I don't see any reason to fuss about believability. If he had gobs of makeup and his hair colored, wore sunglasses, and threw around make my day type lines towards gangbangers that would be pretty corny but I think some of us would get a kick out of it anyway.

Stillone · #78 01-17-2009, 06:15 PM

I saw the movie last week and both my wife and I liked it a lot. The place was full of people of all ages. He fit the part perfect, it needed to be somebody his age to play the role. Yeah a lot of the parts were in the trailers, but if you think you know what is going on from the trailers you will probably be off a bit. There is a lot more to the movie than an old guy with a gun. We all know somebody this totally racist. How he pulled it off without offending everyone and making it somewhat "humorous", it part of the magic.

MikeO · #79 01-17-2009, 10:48 PM

One of the best movies I have seen in a long time. In my mind it was not so much about violence as it is about changing times and how different generations see the world in different ways. Eastwood's character draws his morality, for better and worse, from the past. Racist views towards other cultures on one hand but also representative of our hard-working parents (or grandparents) who built the US after the Second World War into one of the greatest countries on earth. He comes from the working class (auto worker) and spent fifty years working to build his idea of a good life. He is having a difficult time dealing with a generation that does not seem to share the same values as his own.

His children and grandchildren, while not major characters in the film, are definitely much more from today's world. On the one hand they find his racist views offensive and point out he is still "living in the 50s" , but they are also a generation of the "entitled" who really did not have to struggle for anything in life. High-paying jobs, fancy foreign cars, and kids who seem to have little respect for their elders.

Added to the mix is a family of immigrants who live next door to Eastwood who in the end seem to share much more of his values than his own family.

While the plot of the movie revolves somewhat around gangs in the inner city, this movie is much more than a Clint Eastwood kick ass movie. It is a simple movie that seems to be both a criticism of modern life but at the same time giving some hope that things aren't always as bad as we think.

Vintage Pete · #80 01-17-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tensleep

I'm with you on this one, although I haven't seen Gran Torino yet. "Unforgiven" - what a great western!

Let's not forget "The Outlaw Josey Wales"....

Pete

pioneervato · #81 01-17-2009, 11:27 PM

I saw it on opening day and enjoyed it very much except for the butt-wipe sitting in from of me who made sure he laughed the loudest. So much so I missed some of the dialogue in the movie.

Duane · #82 01-18-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeO

One of the best movies I have seen in a long time. In my mind it was not so much about violence as it is about changing times and how different generations see the world in different ways. Eastwood's character draws his morality, for better and worse, from the past. Racist views towards other cultures on one hand but also representative of our hard-working parents (or grandparents) who built the US after the Second World War into one of the greatest countries on earth. He comes from the working class (auto worker) and spent fifty years working to build his idea of a good life. He is having a difficult time dealing with a generation that does not seem to share the same values as his own.

His children and grandchildren, while not major characters in the film, are definitely much more from today's world. On the one hand they find his racist views offensive and point out he is still "living in the 50s" , but they are also a generation of the "entitled" who really did not have to struggle for anything in life. High-paying jobs, fancy foreign cars, and kids who seem to have little respect for their elders.

Added to the mix is a family of immigrants who live next door to Eastwood who in the end seem to share much more of his values than his own family.

While the plot of the movie revolves somewhat around gangs in the inner city, this movie is much more than a Clint Eastwood kick ass movie. It is a simple movie that seems to be both a criticism of modern life but at the same time giving some hope that things aren't always as bad as we think.

Excellent synopsis.

Duane · #83 01-18-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Let's not forget "The Outlaw Josey Wales"....

Pete

My all time favorite Eastwood movie.

stereofanboy · #84 01-18-2009, 08:59 AM

Do you like any AC DC songs? Chances are you like most of them. How about Dean Koontz books? Same deal. Both have had a lot of success while giving a lot of pleasure over the years. Clint Eastwood may seem to be somewhat of a "one note" actor, the role he most often plays may be the role of Clint Eastwood. The truth is that no one can play Clint Eastwood as well as Clint Eastwood although there are very many who try. Just because he is capable of performing convincingly in other types of roles doesn't mean that they are as comfortable a fit or that his fans would appreciate them as much. As far as attracting new fans, a lot of them would likely overlook such an attempt simply because Clint was involved. Will I see Gran Torino? Hell yeah! Will I see it in a theater? Hell no! I haven't seen a movie in a theater in years and suspect I never will again.

Vintage Pete · #85 01-18-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane

My all time favorite Eastwood movie.

Bounty Hunter: "A man's got to make a living somehow...."

Eastwood: "Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy...."

Pete

mjquinn · #86 01-18-2009, 10:07 PM

351 Cleveland?

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundmotor

Gran Torino

Let's hear it for Clint.

"Get off my lawn!"

If any line had the potential for another "Go ahead, make my day." moment I'd say it is this one.

mjquinn · #87 01-18-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimfet

I can't think of the name. But it seems like it's gonna be like that old Charles Bronson movie where he goes and cleanes up a neigborhood

Death Wish

mjquinn · #88 01-18-2009, 10:18 PM

Plus 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane

If he had the phone turned off in the first place,he wouldn't have had to deal with the calls...

This is probably the biggest reason why I stopped going to theaters.The arrogant and inconsiderate few that ruin it for others. Cell phone users are the worst.

soundmotor · #89 01-19-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dew042

Pretty clear you haven't seen the movie, but clearly have an opinion despite that.

Finally got to see 'Gran Torino' last night. Took my 16YO & he liked it as much as I did which was a lot.

MarantZappa · #90 01-19-2009, 04:38 PM

I saw it a few days ago. It wasn't what I expected, and come to think of it, I didn't know what I expected. In any case, I liked it. It was very well made and full of subtlety. I wouldn't call it an action movie (which I think I expected); it's more of a character study. Like I said, lots of subtlety, nothing's blatantly pointed out as in lesser movies. You have to think a little while you're watching it to put everything in it's place, and I've been considering seeing it again.