Juror #2-Clint Eastwood retires

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“Juror #2” marks Clint Eastwood’s final film before his retirement.  The studio he works for – Warner Bros. – decided to give it a “limited release” in 2024.   (It’s already out on DVD and streaming.)  I’ve heard a few reasons for this.  His last movie “Cry Macho” underperformed.  Eastwood’s Republican leanings turned off some in the film industry.  There are no major stars; Eastwood is the director.  But, as we’ve seen recently, the woke “Snow White” failed at the box office, while “A Working Man” and “The Last Supper” (a Jesus movie) were #1 and #2 moneymakers.

If “Juror #2” had been released correctly, it would have found its audience.  Instead, it will be remembered for what it is:  the last picture Clint Eastwood directed.

“Juror #2” isn’t flashy or self-important.  It tells its story in a straight-forward way, that is, what happens when a juror finds out the trial he serves for its the crime he actually committed.  This is the entire premise.  I’m not giving out any spoilers.

Star Nicholas Hoult (as Justin Kemp:  juror #2) gives a slow-burn performance.  He is the good guy who did the wrong thing.

Toni Collette plays the prosecution assistant D.A.

Kiefer Sutherland is Larry, Justin’s friend and lawyer who advises him to say nothing.

J.K. Simmons

Worthy of note:  J.K. Simmons (former Oscar winner for “Whiplash’)  as “Harold”, one of the jurors who is a former detective.

Indictive of what I’m saying, “Juror #2” grossed well internationally.  Here in the states, it was released in less than fifty theaters.  I would surmise Eastwood’s enemies deliberately made sure it wasn’t allowed to become a hit in the waning days of the Biden Administration.

Text © 2025 – EricReports

Highly Recommended Viewing – The 15:17 to Paris

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David Cassidy’s Last Performance

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Video is by Cal Vid on YouTube  (2-18-2017)

Singer David Cassidy announced his retirement Monday after a disastrous performance in Agoura Hills, California.  Cassidy slurred, stumbled off-stage and forgot some of the words to his songs.  Accordingly, he has been diagnosed with dementia, a form of mental illness, causing memory loss.

David Cassidy is best known for his starring role in “The Partridge Family” (1969 – 1974.)  Video posted by partridgefamily4ever on YouTube.

During the mid 1970’s, he temporarily retired after a girl was crushed to death, due to a mob of stampeding fans.  He resumed singing in the 90’s to mixed success, along with some DUI-drug related arrests.

David Cassidy’s father, Jack Cassidy was also an actor and singer, performing on stage and screen.  One of his best roles (shortly before his death) was in “The Eiger Sanction” (1974), as a homosexual assassin.

Image result for images, jack cassidy and clint eastwood in the eiger santion With co-star Clint Eastwood.

Real life tragedy struck when he was found burned to death – the result of falling asleep while smoking.

Jack Cassidy (1927-1976)

Text © 2017 – ERN

Eric Reports Recommended Films

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Text (C) 2014 – Eric Reports

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Suspiria – 1977

Italian giallo director Dario Argento’s masterpiece.  Girl (Jessica Harper) enrolls in a school for dance, then slowly begins to discover that it’s a cult of witches.  (Partially based on a true story.)  Blood-red Technicolor rolls off the screen.  The extreme style + beautiful camera work and direction – put current horror films to shame.

Suspiria (1976)

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Magnum Force – 1973

Second of the “Dirty Harry” film series.  Detective Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) uncovers a death squad of fanatical cops who execute criminals that slip through the justice system.  The absolute flip-side of the first Dirty Harry movie and every bit as good.

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Seconds – 1966

A middle-aged businessman finds a second chance for a new life.  Sound too good to be true?  Nightmarish black & white cinematography by James Wong Howe, bleak, hopeless story by David Ely and razor-sharp direction by John Frankenheimer.  Intelligent sci-fi that was way ahead of its time.

A still from Joel Frankenheimer's 1966 film "Seconds."

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Macbeth – 1971

Whoever said Shakespeare was boring, never saw this version of “Macbeth”.  Directed by Roman Polanski, a few years after his wife and unborn son were murdered by the “Manson Family” and it shows.  Bloody, bloody violence and a foreboding sense of disaster.  Polanski said he was only giving the public what was expected of him.  Rich, dynamic performance by star Jon Finch.untitled

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The Shootist – 1976

Last, best performance by John Wayne as an aging gunfighter dying of cancer.  Great all-star cast, Richard Boone is especially good.  Don Siegel directs; based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout.  Despoite the sad theme, “The Shootist” remains upbeat.  A fitting tribute to the Duke, who died from cancer three years later.

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My Name is Nobody – 1974

Comedy-western starring Henry Fonda and Terrence Hill.  Based on a idea by Sergio Leone.  Memorable music composed by Ennio Morricone.

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The Manchurian Candidate – 1962

Forget the lame 2004 remake.  Returning Korean War POWs all have the same recurring nightmare.  What’s the connection?  Set against the Cold War-McCarthy Era, this fictional story proves more true every day:  how a Communist agent could one day occupy the White House.  Frank Sinatra-Lawrence Harvey-Angela Lansbury, all excellent.  John Frankenheimer directs, based on Richard Condon’s novel.

The Manchurian Candidate’ from page to screen (twice)

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Sisters – 1973

Director Brian de Palma’s first horror-suspense film.  Story about separated Siamese twins (the Blanchion sisters) both played by Margot Kidder.  Which one is the psychotic killer?  Loud, pulsating score by the man who composed “Psycho” – Bernard Herrmann.

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