YEAR: 2008 RATED: R

While I recognize that most critics loved this movie, it just didn't connect for me. Clint Eastwood once again does a terrific directing and acting job, but I had two main problems that I couldn't overlook. The first problem was the acting by almost every other character. At some points I heard others in the audience chuckle because of how fake the acting sounded, and it really hurt the rhythm of the movie. The second problem I had was this was a little too similar to Million Dollar Baby (which I thought was great). I can't give too much away as far as the plot, other than I just didn't think the recipe translated very well in this movie's setting. Not a bad film, just not as great as I was expecting.

Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this small-town drama about a Korean War veteran that is none too pleased with the foreigners who have moved in and slowly taken over his neighborhood. Eastwood is a master at creating compelling dramas with characters that the viewer has a vested interest in and he has done it again with Gran Torino. I found myself dying of laughter but also really moved by the relationship he develops with his young neighbors. In addition to a very strong performance, Eastwood has crafted one of the best character dramas I have seen in some time.

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