Put “Gran Torino,” “The Wrestler” on Your Must-See List

I'm not much of a moviegoer (I typically wait until they come out on DVD), but every now and then a promo comes along that resonates, and makes a film a "must-see" long before it hits Netflix or Blockbuster.

For me, two films immediately met that criteria: "Gran Torino" and "The Wrestler." I've seen both now, and each exceeded my lofty expectations with Clint Eastwood ("Gran Torino") and Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler") delivering astounding portrayals of their respective characters.

Perhaps the layman's best measuring stick of an actor's performance is acknowledging its greatness, and simply asking yourself, "Could I see anyone else in this role?" When the answer is a quick and emphatic "NO," then you know you've just seen something pretty special. "Gran Torino" is Eastwood's best performance since "Unforgiven" (1992), and it was Bill Simmons' stellar piece for ESPN the Magazine last month that actually compelled me to go see "The Wrestler" at the first opportunity.

I'm no Roger Ebert, but I will recommend without hesitation that you go see these films.

Here's the catch, though. "Gran Torino" is in theaters everywhere; "The Wrestler" isn't. I was lucky enough to see "The Wrestler" while I was in New York, where it screened as part of its limited release by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Snowballing critical acclaim has compelled Fox Searchlight to add more cities to its release, but as of now Myrtle Beach isn't among them. My guess (hope) is that it will be, sooner than later.

If any of our Beach Blog readers knows when/where "The Wrestler" will open in our area, drop us a line and we'll help get the word out!

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