Synopses & Reviews
Now a two-time Academy Award winner for best director, twice winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for best director, and recipient of countless other critics prizes and nominations in multiple capacities, Clint Eastwood stands alongside Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as one of the finest directors working in modern cinema. Here, John Foote examines the long, impressive, and unlikely film career of a man who fought against expectations to forge his own way and become one of this generation's finest filmmakers. Each chapter examines a different film, beginning with
Play Misty for Me (1971) and
High Plains Drifter (1973) and extending to his 21st-century films Space CowboyS≪/i> (2000),
Blood Work (2002),
Mystic River (2003),
Million Dollar Baby (2004), Flags of Our FatherS≪/i> (2006),
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), and
Changeling (2008). This book is, in the author's own words, a study of how Eastwood managed to quietly get to this level—and a celebration of his gifts as an artist. Eastwood has evolved not only as a director, but also as an actor, a screenwriter, a producer, and a score composer, to become one of the most revered figures in Hollywood.
Perhaps it is because he started out in Hollywood with such little influence on the final product that he now demonstrates such a strong desire to collaborate with others and provide help wherever he can. In addition to casting off his reputation as a hack and accumulating two Oscar nominations for Best Actor over the past 15 years, he has guided other actors to no less than three Academy Award wins. The executives love him because he has made them money over the years—occasionally even making one for them in exchange for financial backing on other projects. Critics love him because of the care he takes in creating his films. Audiences love him because he has never lost his sense of entertainment, even as his artistry has matured.
Review
"Arguing that Clint Eastwood stands alongside martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as one of the finest directors working in modern American film, Foote (director, Toronto Film School) examines each film Eastwood has directed, from Play Misty for Me in 1971 to Changeling in 2008. Each film chapter contains a detailed synopsis and analysis of its critical reception, along with behind-the-scenes details on cast and shooting. A filmography and a list of award and nominations are included. Foote teaches film history and genre study." - Reference & Research Book News
Synopsis
In Clint Eastwood's early directorial efforts, there was little to suggest that he would become the guiding force behind such sublime works as Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, and Letters from Iwo Jima. Yet before our eyes Eastwood has evolved not only as a director, but also as an actor, a screenwriter, a producer, and a score composer. Now a two time Academy Award winner for best director, twice winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for best director, and recipient of countless other prizes and nominations in multiple capacities, Eastwood stands alongside Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as one of the finest directors working in modern cinema. In fact, "director" seems a paltry title for this comprehensive filmmaker, whom critics, audiences, and artistic collaborators can all appreciate in equal measure.
Synopsis
Foote examines Clint Eastwood's entire body of work and chronicles his transition from a B-actor to a respected filmmaker.
Synopsis
Now a two-time Academy Award winner for best director, twice winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for best director, and recipient of countless other critics prizes and nominations in multiple capacities, Clint Eastwood stands alongside Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as one of the finest directors working in modern cinema. Here, John Foote examines the long, impressive, and unlikely film career of a man who fought against expectations to forge his own way and become one of this generation's finest filmmakers. Each chapter examines a different film, beginning with Play Misty for Me (1971) and High Plains Drifter (1973) and extending to his 21st-century films Space Cowboys (2000), Blood Work (2002), Mystic River (2003), Million Dollar Baby (2004), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), and Changeling (2008). This book is, in the author's own words, "a study of how Eastwood managed to quietly get to this level--and a celebration of his gifts as an artist."
About the Author
JOHN H. FOOTE is Director of the Toronto Film School, where he also teaches film history and genre study. He is a nationally known film critic and historian, who writes regularly for Life and Fashion Magazine and the Metroland syndicate. He is also a frequent guest on CBC Newsworld and Durham Today.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1 Play Misty for Me (1971)
2 High Plains Drifter (1973)
3 Breezy (1973)
4 The Eiger Sanction (1975)
5 The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
6 The Gauntlet (1977)
7 Bronco Billy (1980)
8 Firefox (1982)
9 Honky Tonk Man (1982)
10 Sudden Impact (1983)
11 Pale Rider (1985)
12 Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
13 Bird (1988)
14 The Rookie (1990)
15 White Hunter Black Heart (1990)
16 Unforgiven (1992)
17 A Perfect World (1993)
18 The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
19 Absolute Power (1997)
20 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
21 True Crime (1999)
2000 AND BEYOND
22 Space Cowboys (2000)
23 Blood Work (2002)
24 Mystic River (2003)
25 Million Dollar Baby (2004)
26 Flags of Our Fathers (2006
27 Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
28 Changeling (2008)
Awards and Nominations