Gran Torino

So what is this one about?
I am gonna let the preview speak for itself, so watch it...

Now, I will tell you that the preview made me expect the movie to be very different than it was. It was so endlessly more enjoyable than I expected. The real description on Netflix says,

Crusty, inflexible Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) must confront his Hmong immigrant neighbors – and his own long-held prejudices – when the family's teen son, Thao, tries to steal Walt's beloved 1972 Gran Torino. Walt soon assumes the unlikely role of guardian angel to young Tao and his sister, who are vulnerable to disturbing gang influences in this intimate drama from 78-year-old director Eastwood.

And AFI describes the film as one of the 10 best of 2008. They say,

GRAN TORINO is a cultural landmark in the grand and glorious career of an American master—Clint Eastwood. As director and leading man, Eastwood examines his own iconography to tell a timely tale of crossing cultural boundaries, the enduring legacy of racism and the cost of poverty in our country's neglected industrial cities. Though born from "Harry Callahan," Eastwood's "Walt Kowalski" reflects a more complicated definition of what it is to be a hero in today's world. Watching a screen legend embody the times and triumph with such comic, tragic and cinematic flair is a thrill audiences will long remember as witness to film history.

And how much did I pay to watch?
Hmm, lets think. I saw it at Cinema DeLux with Erik and we saw it in the director's hall. I think those tickets cost like $13?

Whatever it cost, it was totally worth it. Totally.

And what did I think?
Well, like I have already said, not only was it not what I expected, but it was utterly amazing. But, what else did I think about it?

I thought Clint Eastwood was amazing. I haven't seen many movies that he has been in, but he was just fantastic. His character, I am sure, wasn't supposed to be that funny, but he was! The movie was so unexpectedly hilarious.

Honestly, the descriptions above (you know, the three of them) give you an idea of what the movie is about, but because this one is so good and so unexpectedly good, I feel like I don't want to give anything away.

Well, I take that back. The song in the closing credits was sung by Clint Eastwood, and it is a little bizarre.

Seriously, just go see it. You wont regret it.

So what is the rating? (out of 10)
Gran Torino is the absolute best movie I have seen in years. Probably since Downfall. Honestly, it wasn't what I expected, but I was so engaged as a viewer--amused, crushed, empathetic. It was fantastic.

10, 10, 10, 10, 10.