The Director's Series: Clint Eastwood, No. 1


Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman
Director: Clint Eastwood
About: Eastwood has had a long and varied career as an actor and director. Honestly, this film might be the pinnacle of both. On the surface, it's an underdog sports story. And it works beautifully as that for the first hour. But then it shifts to something more powerful and more personal. It's a beautiful exploration of faith, of found family, and of a specific issue of the right to die. That undoubtedly turned some off. But I think this film handles it beautifully and is a powerful, and emotional experience. It's one of the best films I've seen and a worthy entry to this list. It's easily my favorite of Eastwood's films and one that showcases both his incredible talent as a director and as a performer. It's a masterpiece.

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