Cinema Society

GRAN TORINO

Average
Rating

3.8

Tuesday, January 06, 2009, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

7:00PM: Cinema Chat with Andy, Auditorium 4

7:10PM: Introduction, Auditorium 4

7:20PM: Introduction, Auditorium 5

7:30PM: GRAN TORINO, Auditoriums 4 & 5

Discussion will follow screening in Auditorium 4

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

Clint Eastwood stars in the drama GRAN TORINO, marking his first film role since MILLION DOLLAR BABY. Eastwood also directs the film in which he plays Walt Kowalski, an iron-willed veteran living in a changing world, who is forced by his immigrant neighbors to confront his own long-held prejudices.

Based on an original screenplay by Nick Schenk, GRAN TORINO, a Warner Brothers Release, opens commercially in San Diego on January 9th.

Rated R for language throughout, and some violence.

Running Time: 116 Minutes

Send a Comment

14-Jan-09: M.Roe - Rating: 4

I recently heard Steven Spielberg say that one of his "dream actors" to direct would be Clint Eastwood and I think Clint should let him, however, if he doesn't I will be satisfied with this movie being Mr. Eastwood's last acting film. I think Mr. Kowalski sums up all of Clint Eastwood's past characters and being that Clint tends to be on the understated sided I think this "small" film with mostly non-actors with a profound message is the way go......Despite any flaws this film might have had they are forgivable for the story is meaningful and stern and for the acting alone by Clint.

In this film there is a clear route to the ends justify the means...what better way for a man like Mr. Kowalski to come to the end of his life then to "die in battle" to "throw himself on the grenade".....to save the lives of others.

8-Jan-09: Wally - Rating: 4

Serious, yet a lot of laughs. Ending I saw coming as soon as Clint did his rough-up of the gang member. It didn't matter. Kowalski being read by the priest next door was great.

Wonder how the writer came up with " Kowalski"?

It was a name from Barry Newman's " Vanishing Point" It had a similar ending.

7-Jan-09: jh - Rating: 4

Pretty good film, but a great experience. GRAN TORINO disappointed in a few ways, most notably acting and editing. The amateurs were indeed "amateurish", but perhaps this added to the realism of the story. Whose blood was on the floor of the garage and which term the priest chose, "Walt" or "Mr. Kowalski", seemed to be editing issues. On the other side of the equal sign were the subject of gangs and Mr. Eastwood. The Jets and the Sharks have yet to resolve their differences, and now there's trouble between the Hmongs and the Mexicans. Clint, as always, was great.

7-Jan-09: EBee - Rating: 4

I thought this was a really good film. The scenes at the barber shop were classic! There were a few moments where you could tell the actors were not as polished, such as the street corner scene and the dialog in the beginning between the brothers. Even Clint's growl seemed a bit forced. BUT, having said that, you really did get swept up in the story and some of the best parts were when no words were spoken. It felt very real and not "once upon a time" or fictionalized. You could see the ending coming from a mile away, but it did not make it any less flinch-worthy. I say "SEE IT"

7-Jan-09: JFY - Rating: 3

First off let me say that I enjoyed the film, all the laughter at the inappropriate language, a decent story idea, and Clint's acting. And I understand and appreciate Clint's use of first time actors but wow the acting of a number of the supporting cast was really weak, even cringe worthy in a number of scenes. Most notably any scene that needed intense emotion (i.e. when Thoa is locked in the basement or the scene where he's interacting with the police, also Sue's scene with the three street thugs; in a number of her scenes much of her dialogue seemed mumbled and rushed (and I really wanted to hear what she was saying)). The weak acting was just a little too disctracting to make this a really good film.