Heartbreak Ridge

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 5, 1986

DVD Release Date: October 1, 2002

Plot 411: An old war horse whips some unruly Marines into shape despite their slacking ways.

Review: Gunnery Sergeant Highway (Clint Eastwood) avoids forced retirement by being sent back to his old unit. There he is assigned the task of turning a platoon of Marines into real soldiers. The group under his command includes Stitch (Mario Van Peebles), a wannabe rocker, Profile (Tom Villard), a geeky radio man and a muscle-bound Swede (Peter Koch). Highway works to cure their disobedience through routine exercise and keeping them on their toes with his unpredictable behavior. I enjoyed this movie quite a bit despite the fact that there wasn't much action. Even though it's a military flick, most of the movie takes place on base as Highway trains the men. Eastwood is convincing as this old school Marine who seems to clash with the younger men and newer techniques. His age and style are a point of contention for the upper brass.

Watch It: For multiple scenes of Van Peebles singing.

Skip It: If you're looking for a hardcore war movie. I prefer the likes of Apocalypse Now, Saving Private Ryan and Full Metal Jacket.

Blood Work

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 9, 2002

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2002

Plot 411: A heart transplant recipient investigates the circumstances in which his donor was killed.

Review: Clint Eastwood stars as FBI agent Terry McCaleb, who has a heart attack while chasing a suspect down an alley. Two years later, he receives a transplant and is recovering well when his donor's sister visits him on his boat. Graciella (Wanda de Jesus) implores McCaleb to help her get answers about her sister's death. As McCaleb digs deeper into the case, he ruffles the feathers of local law enforcement officers, played by Paul Rodriguez and Dylan Walsh. He also gets a hand from a former colleague, played by Tina Lifford. Anjelica Houston makes a couple of brief appearances as McCaleb's heart doctor and Jeff Daniels is his neighbor. This movie seemed like every other run-of-the-mill cop thriller and wasn't enhanced in any way by Eastwood's star credentials. I didn't realize it was only made in 2002. Instead, I thought it was one of Eastwood's earlier works. This, I suppose, is due in part to the lackluster production quality and special effects. It could've been an '80s classic rather than a turn-of-the-century effort. The pacing was also less than perfect, which made the movie drag for me.

Watch It: To see old Clint in action just like the good old days.

Skip It: Because the requisite love scene was totally unnecessary and came out of no where, in my opinion.

Million Dollar Baby

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 14, 2004

DVD Release Date: July 12, 2005

Plot 411: Against his better judgment, a once-great trainer takes an older female boxer under his wing.

Review: Clint Eastwood stars as Frankie, an aging boxing trainer and gym owner. When Maggie (Hilary Swank) shows up at his gym and asks him to train her, he refuses. She returns every day, proves that she is serious about the training and at last Frank relents. Through their training Maggie is able to learn the skills needed to be a great boxer. As she slowly gains notoriety, she attempts to help her financially struggling family, except they do not appreciate her assistance. Frankie also has a rough relationship with his daughter, and even though he writes to her every week, many of the letters come back unopened. Together Maggie and Frankie find in each other what is truly lacking in their lives and become very close. When tragedy strikes, one asks the other to do something unthinkable. Will their relationships be able to survive the stress? The story is narrated by Frankie's former student Eddie, played by Morgan Freeman. This is a heavy, heavy movie to watch and definitely not for the faint of heart. It confronts many things that are normally taboo in Hollywood flicks. But, I suppose it's Eastwood so he can do whatever he wants. The movie tugs at your heartstrings as well as your moral center. It simply asks you how far you'd go for someone you love. Sometimes the answer will surprise you.

Watch It: For an emotional rollercoaster of a film with powerful performances by Eastwood and Swank.

Skip It: If you're not in the mindset for some inner turmoil.