2. Unforgiven
In what would eventually begin a new era in Clint Eastwood's career, one of his true benchmark achievements as both an actor and director was brought to us in 1992. Unforgiven, the story of a "retired" old west gun-slinger (Eastwood) who is brought out to avenge the disfigurement of a local prostitute, was a fresh take on the classic tale of revenge and retribution. The film captures the desolate period of the great American western like very few can, with a humanistic, dark and almost cynical approach to the subject, and it pays off brilliantly. Eastwood is commanding as the lead, Will Munny, a man looking to put his dark past behind him, and lead a better life for himself and his family. He is supported by an equally stellar cast of Morgan Freeman, Frances Fisher and Gene Hackman (Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor), who help tell this almost film-noir tale. What makes Unforgiven such an achievement is that it gave audiences a new found respect and appreciation for Eastwood's work, which had begun to falter the last few years previous, as well as re-kindling film audiences with the prospect that the Western genre was far from over. Unforgiven, a film he dedicated to his mentors Don Siegel and Sergio Leone, won Eastwood his first 2 Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.