True Grit - Great Movie for the Season

Vanity | Dec 23rd, 2010 | Self

[Mariner]

I know, many of you can't bear the idea of somebody, anybody, taking on a role once played by John Wayne. I too was skeptical as I am a devoted Duke fan.

However, I'm also a great fan of Jeff Bridges and the Coen Brothers.

And, I can tell you this: The Dude does The Duke proud.

This is certainly the best Western since Unforgiven and probably in the top 10 ever. Yes, it's far better than the original in every respect.

Acting, dialogue, mood and photography come together to be the best movie the Coen Brothers have made.

It's not a story about vengeance. It's a story about justice. And what a story it is. The final scene before the Coda, when Rooster and Mattie are riding through the night is one of the most heart-wrenching scenes you will see in a movie. Ever.

Both are deserving of Academy Awards, as are the Coen Brothers in multiple categories.

Go see this movie in a theater...soon...

[Larry Lucido]

I've been thinking about seeing this movie. Does it contain; 1) Nudity or explicit stuff of a related nature.

Even if it doesn't, I might still see it.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

“The muscles that close an alligator’s jaws are as strong as steel. The muscles that OPEN them, however, are very weak.”

I remember that scene and I haven’t seen it in 50 years!

Meanwhile, John Wayne’s TG is not the best movie. Cambell is terrible and Oklahoma does not look like the Rocky Mountains!
Saw it last night and I still wanted to puke. When I first saw it 41 years ago I lost my girlfriend that weekend. Probbly something I said about Cambell.

[Mariner]

It does have some graphic violence.

However, it's clean in every other respect. It's PG-13 and would be a plain G were it not for the shooting.

[mad_as_he$$]

Sorry, but I thought it sucked.

[Larry Lucido]

Sorry for the triplicate post. Being fat, drunk and having one eye makes it hard to post.

[norton]

"Brings a tear to my eye every time I think of The Duke riding on top of a tank into that college in Berkley in the '60s. "

What?

[VegasCowboy]

Heading out to see it right now. Can’t wait.

[mad_as_he$$]

Damon is OK as Bourne, after that I could care less.

[Mariner]

Report back!

[Cisco Nix]

Read a book on Reagan a few years ago titled “Reagan’s War” http://www.amazon.com/Reagans-War-Struggle-Triumph-Communism/dp/0385504713

The Author goes into the CPUSA’s involvement in Hollywood and Lloyd and E.G. Robinson are discussed. Few actors were members of the CP back then, mostly it was writers, directors, producers etc. E.G. denounced the CP in 48.

[redshawk]

OK Mariner, you seem to have some of the facts about the wife. However, just so you know, she was also a, “grass widow”.

Yeah you are correct with the boy. Now, what is the Boy's name? I know.

Gosh, being a TrueGrit Purist, I'm starting to bend.

[trisham]

I thought he was good as Bourne. I never really thought much of DiCaprio, but the contrast between him and Damon in "The Departed" was simply stunning, imho.

I do like the Coen brothers movies, for the most part. "Fargo" remains one of my favourites.

[mad_as_he$$]

The Departed is a great movie and Fargo is well Fargo. Leo is a great actor, even if he is a jerk in real life. Catch me if you can was also brilliant.

[Mariner]

I don’t remember their names...I haven’t seen the original in 10 years and the new one doesn’t mention them.

[Neoliberalnot]

I won’t pay to see anything with Matt Damon in it after the smear job he did on Sarah Palin.

[Celtic Cross]

Thanks. Like I said, blood and gore doesn't bother me. So I think it might be a good film to view.

Thanks again :)

[trisham]

Agreed.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Like reality tv, as long as they can just do remakes Hollywood loves it. It costs hardly anything in time or money to regurgitate trash. Creativity is what costs money.****

You mean like the 1931 version of THE MALTESE FALCON (Ricardo Cortez)as compared with the remake, the 1941 version(Humphry Bogart)?

[Inyo-Mono]

“Freighted iron stoves up steeper grades than this.”

“We’ll camp here. Here.”

[norton]

Lots to comment on in this thread:

Yes Craig was a perfect James Bond for this time, he'd have tanked when the original films were made. I'm fine with either he or Connery's portrayals so long as I keep the time frame in mind.
(If for no other reason than costumes have changed totally in the intervening years and today's dress code is far more accurate.}

Remakes are usually an insult. But I enjoy watching Stagecoach in all of it's variations and reinterpretations, so why not True Grit?

Campbell is or was a lame actor and all I need to do to judge his singing is run 'Wichita Line Man' thru my mind and that is settled as well. BUT, to me he was a fine LeBoef because LeBouf was supposed to be a jerk with a self image that finally came to pass.