UPDATE - Clint Eastwood Sings And Gets Nominated

Last week when I was so casually disdainful of Clint's singing voice on the score for Gran Torino, I had no idea the title song would be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

Feeling ashamed, I listened again. Still don't like it. BUT I also watched the trailer for the film and I've decided I was far too quick to judge. Parts of the trailer are a little hokey, but dour, curmudgeonly Clint shines through, particularly with this line:

"Ever notice how you come across somebody once in awhile who you shouldn't have messed with? Well, that's me."

Not quite "Make my day, punk.", but I'll take it. I'm sorry I called you senile, Clint, you're as awesome as ever.

-Ashley Herriman - Stark Contributing Writer

Clint Eastwood Sings? Guess So.

(Photo Credit: http://lickerish.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/clint-eastwood.jpg)

I LOVE Clint Eastwood. I always have. It's awkward to admit this publicly, because he's old enough to be my dad (or, uh, grandfather), but to me, he's timeless. He's old Hollywood. A man's man. And, in my defense, this weird affection was born from watching Eastwood's spaghetti westerns when I was a kid – movies originally released in the 1960s when he was only in his 30s. Yeah….it's still creepy, isn't it?

Anyway, Eastwood is back, in his first major acting role since Million Dollar Baby. It's this movie called Gran Torino, which I haven't bothered to learn that much about except I gather it will be released early next year. But as I read on Gawker this morning, Eastwood sings on the score. Apparently this is becoming some sort of trend, with Ed Harris pulling a similar stunt. Whatever, I only have eyes and ears for Clint.

You can listen and judge for yourself on the film's website – play "Gran Torino." Suffice to say, I'm going to pretend this song doesn't exist in order to preserve the illusion that Clint is still the young outlaw I fell in love with all those years ago -- rather than this rasping old man who has obviously plunged headfirst into senility. I'll be watching this trailer for the rest of the day if you need me.

~Ashley Herriman (Stark contributing writer)