The Oscar-nominated performances directed by Clint Eastwood.

I'm not a big believer in that "first nomination is XX years" thing because that gives the Academy too much credit - usually you have a period where they nod you and then a period where they just don't - it's more random imo.

Now, having said that Eastwood is great at getting the performances that serve his film - I like all those performances and don't really begrudge anybody their nod (though I wouldn't have nodded all those - um, Damon for one) and Hackman in Unforgiven is a GOAT level performance to me - all sinister charm and ingratiating smile and manner but cold as ice.......that film has everybody fulfilling his vision perfectly - and I could make a strong argument I think for Richard Harris too there.

Streep gives one of her very best turns for Eastwood too and he directs her and himself the right way imo - very patient so Streep can fill in the blanks, she doesn't have to surround everything with text - the silences there are played really well.