Sueleen: I agree with you on all counts, having never been an Eastwood fan. My 2nd viewing of BABY made me appreciate his performance that much more. There isn't an overstated moment in it, and he underplays the Haggis humor throughout, making it that much more organic to the character (no "laugh line" readings.)
May I vent about one thing in this Oscar race? The assumption of Foxx winning as Best Actor. I love Chris Rock, but his stating, repeatedly, that not voting for Foxx is tantamount to a racist vote -- that "black people will be upset..." -- doesn't help anyone's cause. Maybe Jamie deserves it, but as much as I think racism is alive and well in America, I don't think it surfaces repeatedly at the Oscars. Let Jamie win fair and square, not because voters must be told, repeatedly, that not to annoint him will mean he's "robbed." People fail to win for lots of reasons every year. If God forbid Jamie doesn't win, it may be for positive (non-Racist) reasons -- like Sueleen's strong pro-Clint feeling. There may be people in Hollywood who are as moved by Eastwood, and if they vote for him,it won't be to hold back a black man.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling