Ha ha, my relationship with Coster is a bit hit-and-miss – I think it depends on the film he's in, actually. Dances With Wolves works well in spite of Costner's leading role; I don't think he's bad, just lacking in the emotional range the film needed (but hey, who am I to criticize – it won a bunch of Oscars). Films like Open Range and Wyatt Earp (a review of the latter of which is coming up here in a few weeks) work WITH Costner's performance ability rather than against it. It's not that I don't like Costner per se, I just think he's suited to a particular kind of role, and often he tries to move too far outside his range as an actor.

Yes, I did see that SBS doco on film (I think it was called "The History of Film" or something equally as grand), but I haven't watched it yet – it's on the DVR waiting for me to spend an hour investing in it. I think it was part 9 or something, so I'd be keen to see the rest of the episodes. Must look for it on DVD.

Yes Rodney, I wholeheartedly agree.

Still, I'm surprised that someone who liked Dances With Wolves could let the presence of Costner sully his appreciation of A Perfect World.

Speaking of which, did you see the thing about silent cinema on SBS last week where they showed a bit of the train station shoot out in The Untouchables while comparing it with the Odessa steps sequence in Potemkin? Made me want to watch the De Palma film again (for the 50th time) …

Some fair points here, Mark. Thanks for stopping by! I agree, Sudden Impact and The Rookie were pretty ordinary, although I remember Firefox a little differently…. maybe it was my youth at the time, but I remember really enjoying it. Maybe I'll have to give it another shot….

To be honest, I was tossing up whether to include Black Hunter White Heart somewhere in the list, but couldn't find room in the films I did include…. and you're right, there's no way I'd exclude Pale Rider at the expense of any of those left aside… 😉 A Perfect World was decent, sure, although I had a bit of a thing against Kevin Costner which sullied my appreciation of it.

I guess what we can draw from this is that as he progressed as a film-maker, through the years, is that he learned and honed his style and methodology, and you'd have to agree that the bulk of his more recent films are superior than those of his earlier CV…. Would you agree, Mark?

Can't agree with that one … The Gauntlet was pretty bad; Firefox was as dull as dishwater and Sudden Impact and The Rookie were simply terrible (and childish to boot).

Interesting list, but Unforgiven would have been my number one and, much to your chagrin I'm sure, I would have pushed Pale Rider out and replaced it with Black Hunter, White Heart. Plus I think Bronco Billy is as good as Josey Wales. Also, and there are many who wouldn't agree, I thought A Perfect World was really good – IMO easily better than the psycho bitch film at number 10. Nevertheless, glad to see Iwo Jima gets a nod before Father Flags …

Two terms I'd use to describe Eastwood's work as a director are sentimental and old fashioned, which is kinda oxymoronic given we are talking about Dirty Harry and Blondie here ….

Oh dude, you really should give this a shot. In fact, I'd love to see St Pauly have a go at reviewing it over at WTF! Tell him I recommended it!

Ha ha, yeah, when I was prepping this list Arnie had just been busted for his infidelity, so it was a refernece that that in a way…. might have lost a bit since it's now many months later…. oh well.

I think you'll enjoy Unforgiven, it's a magnificent film…