Patricia, Every Which Way But Loose was Eastwood's highest grossing movie at that point in his career, indeed for a long while afterwards. And if you play the 'adjusting for inflation' game it may just be Eastwood's most commercially successful picture of all. So describing it as I did seems no more than the truth. Clearly, that's what the public felt. Look, it's just a silly, knockabout comedy (I wouldn't dream of describing it as a masterpiece) but on it's own level it does work. It's professionally made, it's very enjoyable & it was so popular with the public it spawned a sequel. Dismiss it all you like but them's the facts.

@Frankie: Seriously? You're listing "Every Which Way But Loose" as decent entertaining fare? Now that's a die hard Eastwood fan.

Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that Eastwood's recent work has been exceptional, not just for himself but for any living American filmmaker, let's not allow his recent work to obscure the fact that did actually make many great or near great movies during the 20th century.

Namely The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Bird (1988), White Hunter, Black Heart (1999), Unforgiven (1992), A Perfect World (1993) & The Bridges of Madison County (1995) .. for starters.

We can also add to that many fine Eastwood-directed titles such as Play Misty for Me (1971), High Plains Drifter (1972), Breezy (1973), The Gauntlet (1977), Bronco Billy (1981), Honkeytonk Man (1982) & Sudden Impact (1983), Tightrope (1984) & Space Cowboys (2000).

If we add his last six films to the list that's 21 out of the 30 movies Eastwood's directed & that's without counting decent, entertaining fare such as Every Which Way But Loose (1978) & Blood Work (2000). Funny how some continue to insist that he's an 'uneven' director. I'd like to see another working American director with a track record of comparable size to Eastwood's who could boast his level of attainment.

(2003) Mystic River
(2004) Million Dollar Baby
(2006) Flags of our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima
(2008) Changeling, Gran Torino

I'm quite sure that Invictus will be another Oscar-caliber film. It will probably be nominated for Best Picture. Also, I find it fascinating that here again Mr. Eastwood will be examining the issue of race. I like what he had to say in "Gran Torino," I hope this film is as astute and original in its observations (though perhaps without all the racial slurs).

Don't die anytime soon Clint, the century's not over yet.