Posted on 12/30/2010 1:12:53 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Each year the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) nominates 10 films in its Golden Globe competition for best motion picture, five in the drama category, five in the musical or comedy category.
This year, the HFPA chose not to nominate a film that was more powerful than any of the dramas selected and funnier than any of the comedies, the Coen brothers' "True Grit."
In fact, "True Grit," the year's best movie and one of the best Westerns ever made, received not a single nomination for anything – not supporting actress, not screenplay, not anything. If ever a sign were needed that Europe was a lost cause, this may be it.
There had been earlier warnings, among others the 20-minute standing ovation at Cannes in 2004 for Michael Moore's dreadful agitprop, "Fahrenheit 9/11," or the Nobel Peace Prize for Al Gore's already camp classic, "An Inconvenient Truth."
If I might speculate, the Europeans likely slighted "True Grit" for its unapologetic celebration of republican virtue. I refer here to those virtues necessary to build a successful republic: self-reliance, resourcefulness, strength, competence, charity, piety.
Unfortunately, these virtues are as alien to our own president as they are to the Europeans, which may explain why Barack Obama's approval ratings in Europe still hover in the 90 percent range.
"In America," said Obama upon his return from the putative Million Man March in 1995, "we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know, we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with both guns blazing."
Obama had other plans for America. "Individual actions, individual dreams, are not sufficient," he continued. "We must unite in collective action, build collective institutions and organizations." V. I. Lenin could not have said it better himself.....
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” is the constant background music to the entire show. I was very surprised....and delighted.
Obama, Palin and Pelosi.
Oh man, I pretty much have to agree with that one. I cut my teeth on Fistful of Dollars, High Plains Drifter, Hang Em High, Josey Wales all the way up to Unforgiven. I had to get a little older to appreciate John Wayne.
Me, too. Glenn could sing Galveston...but couldn 't spell it!
We saw our only live attendance at a real theater for this year on Christmas day. True Grit was worth the effort, both for good acting and the dialog which was of particular interest to me. Quaint and serious and no words wasted. Public opinion and enjoyment of this family movie will provide the Oscar this movie warrants.
The remake was great! I know the remake followed the book, but I have to admit, I liked the ending in the John Wayne version better than the remake.
“Stop by and see and old, fat man some day!”
I first heard Iris in 1993, when she opened for Nanci Griffith (despite her politics, I always go to hear Nanci Griffith). I purchased Iris's "Infamous Angel" CD at the t-shirt/CD booth when leaving the concert.
She has a distinctive accent now . . . but in 1993, when she was a young girl from a tiny hollow in West Virginia . . . well, I'd never heard anything like it. Still haven't.
True Grit wasn’t screened early enough.
You can when the film he was in was mediocre which was the case with True Grit.
True Grit is an awesome movie. I found it much better than the original. The Coen brothers (who’ve made some of my all time favorites like “Fargo,” “Oh, Brother where art Thou,” “No Country for Old Men,” etc.) are true masters of modern movie making.
This movie isn’t so much a remake as it is an homage to the original. It should be the picture of the year. By far.
For the most compelling evidence of Hollywood mediocrity, look no farther than Nicholas Cage....
Yes, Campbell was terrible. Wasn’t it Robert Duval who said, “Pretty big talk for a one-eyed fat man”? Never liked the girl in the original. Have only seen trailers but new girl is much better.
Have heard complaints that the new one was filmed in NM (and there are very pretty parts of NM) and the original was filmed around Ouray, CO which was better than wherever in NM the new one was filmed.
The GG is just a whore fest anyways and the Cohen's do not prostitute their “wares” in front of the HFPA.
Haven’t seen either the remake or the original.
One I did like better than the original is Ocean’s 11. I saw both and the remake is a better heist.
The original was cool until they got bottled up in Vegas.
Does Obama have a 90% approval rating in Europe?
Of course they do.The men carry “man bags”.More like fag bags.
That question merits two answers.
First, I don't know, but I'd seriously doubt it in absence of verifiable proof. Even the Euro-presstitudes (O's #1 cheerleader squad) have started to turn on him.
Second, using the term "approval rating" is a red herring. O was not elected by the Euros, they are not governed by him or directly affected by his political decisions. So they cannot "approve" or "disapprove" of him in the usual sense of that term (used on purpose no doubt, to muddy the waters). Rather, he may enjoy a certain "popularity," like some show business person. So friggin' what.
If you go back to the page the link to this article was posted on, you'll see a thread a couple of topics up - Obama is still the most popular politician in the US. Why slam on the Euros then?
This film has passed the hundred million dollar mark in domestic box office receipts, the first western since Unforgiven to do so, a sure sign that it resonates with viewers. I recommend it highly.
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