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Gran Torino (2008) -- 9.5/10
This movie could've been perfect, but it needed a strong actor for the pivotal role of Thao, and Bee Vang is not a strong actor.
Glad you liked this one. I think it's a masterpiece and the best film of that year. What a perfect choice for Clint's final screen performance. However, though I agree Bee is not a great actor, that's exactly what Clint wanted, a real kid rather than an actor. He achieved the effect he wanted, so I can't really complain about it. Thao seemed like a real kid who could be living next door to me (as did his sister), and I liked that realism regardless of the less-than-stellar acting chops.
I would also call it a masterpiece. But Vang, to me, just didn't belong in an Eastwood picture, particularly one such as this, where strong acting is needed. I understand what you are saying about Clint wanting a real did rather than an actor, but that's what I loved about the actress who played Thao's sister -- she was very authentically youthful and representative of her culture but also displayed some nuanced acting skills. There were many emotional moments for the character of Thao, and they didn't impact as much because Vang seemed more akin to a high school student performing in local theater. Most of the time he had this wooden, blank look on his face and just recited his lines, and I never got the desired expression and vocal inflection that I felt his part called for. Not only the sister, but Thao's romantic interest and all of the gang members, they all seemed authentically youthful and culturally true but they also brought something to their role. Like the scene where Eastwood is buying Vang his tools at the hardware store, and Vang thanks him, "No really, thank you," and Eastwood offers to shake his hand, that was a moving scene to me, but Vang's recitation of his lines at that moment was completely lifeless. Not that I expected him to be Bee Streep, but I felt the scene would have had more impact if the character seemed more emotionally invested, especially somewhere near the high bar Eastwood was performing at. Anyway, that's just how I see it, Vang didn't end up hurting the picture, he just kept it from being perfect to me, but he was amusing at times. It really was a tremendous picture. For some reason racial-tension movies really move me, they always have, probably because I'm so concerned and passionate about the prevalence of racism in society, but that's a discussion for another time (certainly not on this site!)...
Allardizzle, while we're talking recent Eastwood films, can't remember if you told me before, but I saw The Changeling recently and gave it a 10/10 -- what did you think pray tell? Do you think he's a genius like I do? How about Eastwood's Family O' Dicks in Gran Torino? (Judas Priest!!! His granddaughter was a colossal PsychoHoseBeast) What did you think of his crooning the end title of Gran Torino? Have you heard his marvellously exquisite score to The Changeling? ANSWERS! 
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...but that's what I loved about the actress who played Thao's sister -- she was very authentically youthful and representative of her culture but also displayed some nuanced acting skills.
She is not a trained actress either. It's clear which one of them has more natural ability, eh?
Allardizzle, while we're talking recent Eastwood films, can't remember if you told me before, but I saw The Changeling recently and gave it a 10/10 -- what did you think pray tell? Do you think he's a genius like I do? How about Eastwood's Family O' Dicks in Gran Torino? (Judas Priest!!! His granddaughter was a colossal PsychoHoseBeast) What did you think of his crooning the end title of Gran Torino? Have you heard his marvellously exquisite score to The Changeling? ANSWERS!
Well, I guess we haven't properly discussed Eastwood. He's been my favorite filmmaker for many years. I worship him like the god he is. Love all of his movies except 2. His screen persona, his impeccable gift for storytelling, the beautiful wide cinematography, his work ethic, his understanding of "less is more". He's my filmmaking hero in every regard. I"m such an Eastwood groupie that I have many posters of his films; I think his posters are some of the best ever. My favorite is The Dead Pool. I almost got a tatoo of that image once. Grrrrr.
Changeling was awesome (not to be confused with The Changeling from 1980). I was impressed by it because I was engrossed by the drama and the great look of the film. Few period films in recent years have looked that stunning and that convincing. As for the music, I'm one of the few around here that appreciates Clint's piano tinklings, and I think this score had his best theme since Unforgiven. Love it.
The crooning at the end of Gran Torino...I really like the song, and I'm still trying to get my hands on the rare promo disc of it (I have the score disc, but the song was not included). The version earlier in the film is really effective, and because the music is so sparse, when it IS used, it's very powerful. I was shocked at the end to hear Clint rasping his way through it, but that final moment was so moving, and to hear his voice at that point after the previous scenes...it was a very creative and effective touch.
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Public Enemies (2009) -- 4/10
Very well made, but I just couldn't connect with it.
Strange to hear about 5 seconds of Zimmer's Thin Red Line in the first few minutes of the movie...
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