69 - "Mystic River" (2003)

     On top of being one of the most famous actors of our time, Clint Eastwood has also proven to be a heck of a Director. Three films directed by Clint will appear on this list; an unnamed one to come later, Million Dollar Baby was at 97, and now Mystic River finds its place on the list. Clint is superb at getting actors to perform at the top of their game and this movie is no exception as the cast is led by 3 of Hollywood's biggest stars who all give some of their best performances. Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon star as three childhood friends who grew together in an Irish neighborhood in Boston. They are reunited when Jimmy's (Penn) teenage daughter is murdered. Sean (Bacon) is a detective now and he is assigned to the case. When some evidence turns up that could implicate their friend Dave (Robbins) in the murder, the friendship of the three men is put to the test. Mystic River is a great mystery written by author Dennis Lehane and adapted for the big screen by Brian Helgeland. Sean Penn won the Best Actor Oscar and Tim Robbins took home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for their roles in the film. The movie lost out in the Best Picture category to Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, but I'll take Mystic River any day of the week.