And now, the review you've all been waiting for...True Grit
Staring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper, and Josh Brolin
This movie has all the grandeur of a sweeping western while retaining the quirky charm of a Coen Brothers film. This film is not a remake of the movie with John Wayne. Instead, the Coen brothers have gone back to the original novel and crafted a film that creates its own identity. What really shines though is the performances by everyone involved. The actors have taken these iconic characters and made them unique and memorable.The pacing is deliberate but not slow. There’s plenty of wonderful, introspective moments for which the Coen Brothers are famous. And while we enjoy these quiet moments we get to marvel at the m
asterful cinematography.Jeff Bridges took the character of Rooster Cogburn and made it his own. He’s gruff, ornery, and a drunk, but with gun in hand, he possesses a real air of menace. Go ahead and count it – another Oscar nomination.
Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie and she was impressive! Mattie is intelligent, bold, and precocious, and the performance also deserves an Oscar nomination. I’m telling you, this little girl is tough! She is so focused that Mattie will let nothing stand in her way. Only it’s not so much revenge for her father’s death as it is justice.Damon, Pepper, and Brolin are also great. But it is the performance of Bridges and Steinfeld that make this one a winner.
You heard me – it’s a winner. Go see it!!
And hope everyone had an awesome Christmas!
Oh, and we woke up to snow this morning...
I am glad to hear it is different from John Wayne's Rooster...one of my old favorites.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like I'll a new one to add to my favorites list.
Hi Alex .. Happy Boxing Day .. sounds like you boxed hard and thoroughly enjoyed this movie .. thanks.
ReplyDeleteNow - you have snow .. a white morning .. enjoy the rest of the holidays .. Hilary
definitely not my type of movie, since you know I can't stand seeing children put in violent scenes or as action heroes, but I'm glad you had a nice time at the cinema.
ReplyDeleteWe also have lots of snow this Christmas in Europe :)
Alex, I am so glad to hear your review went the way it did. I take it you are a Coen Bros watcher like myself. The trailers for this movies just keep me more intrigued each time I see one. Looking forward to seeing it.
ReplyDeleteGlad also that you had snow. We have snow in Ohio and it's been here since I arrived. It snowed a little yesterday for Christmas and expecting a little more today (fingers crossed).
Merry Christmas!
I've seen the John Wayne's version so many times, thank goodness they have a re make of the film. look forward to seeing that when it comes on our TV screens.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day,
Yvonne.
Actually I am re-watching the original right now just to put me into the right mood to see this new version. It's a good film but dense with dialogue like many of the 'new age' westerns of the time. This is one performance of John Wayne's that I thought he actually did the work. Usually he just fell back on his old ticks and habits that made him such a reliable star. I love 'The Quiet Man' for the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteI am also on a Jeff Bridges kick this week so I am excited to see him in the remake. Have heard good things about both him and the young girl who stars with him. Hope she gets a nice nomination out of this too.
oh i want to see this so bad!
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the few who didn't care for the original. I'm willing to try his since you say it's different.
ReplyDeleteWe got more snow -- oh whoopee! :/
Kenneth Turran of NPR also gave this movie a great review. Thanks for this, I definitely want to see it now.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter told me Steinfeld is one of the young women being considered for The Hunger Games movie. It sounds like she might have the chops to play that gritty character.
ReplyDeleteSnow isn't here yet but we're expecting it soon.
Sounds like this will be a winner at Oscars. I'm glad they didn't try to make it like the original. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. As for the snow, we had a white Christmas and it doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
Thanks for the review! I live in a house of males and this looks like a picture we could all enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful Christmas!
I've never been a fan of westerns but I do want to see True Grit. I loved the first one with John Wayne, and I'm interested in seeing what the Coen brothers did with the material.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
I'm glad to hear it's worth seeing. I read an article about Hailie recently that made me curious (not normally a western fan but DO like Bridges and the Coen brothers). We will probably wait for video, because I only see theater stuff at kid demand, but I do want to see this.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking a lot of stuff from the reviews so I will definitely see it.
ReplyDeleteI heard a bad review. I think I'll trust yours instead. Snow...we still don't have any in the foothills of Colorado. It's all in mountains.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Thank you Alex, I knew this was not going to disappoint! I would be in line right now, if it wasn't for the snow! Whoah...this is the 3rd time this year, my husband has said, "I feel like I'm in Maine"~
ReplyDeleteI love the quirky Coen Brothers; preview alone made me feel like there would be an Oscar Nod. Jeff is really testing the waters, playing
canker sore type characters. Matt had the wit of the old Sundance films. I can't wait...Thanks for your review, I knew it would be great and taunt me even more to want to go!
Hope you n' yours enJOYed a wonderful Christmas~
Thanks for the review!! I think I'm more intrigued with the book. Is that any good?
ReplyDeleteHappy Boxing Day!! Take care
x
I'm seeing it this week, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the review. I probably would have seen it anyway, but now I'm even more excited about it.
Gail, you'll like it.
ReplyDeleteHilary, we definitely have snow.
Chuck, I am indeed a fan. And I expect snow in Ohio - just not here.
Yvonne, you'll enjoy the differences.
Kal, Jeff really made the performance his own - you'll dig it.
Mary, you might like the new one then.
Susan, she certainly has the chops for it!
Mason, it's very original.
Betty, the men will dig it.
TS and Hart, every once in a while, I like a good western, and this fit the bill.
Ella, hope you can get out soon - Bridges pulls off another excellent performance.
Kitty, never read it!
Karen, let me know what you think.
It's on my to-be-seen list >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
That is great to here. Thanks! We are suppose to get something like 15 inches of snow tonight (blizzard).
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review. My husband and I always go to a movie when we are on holidays and this looks like it will fit the bill. Hope you had a great Christmas! - G
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see this. I'm a huge Bridges fan as well as a fan of the original Wayne film. Damon gave a recent interview and said that he saw this and wouldn't change a frame.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to this movie. Thanks for the thumbs up for it.
ReplyDelete......dhole
I'd not heard of this until this post, but I'm gonna look out for it. Coen movies are good choices for me, so this is one for me to see :)
ReplyDeletesounds like it was a good watch. thanks for posting a review.
ReplyDeleteHolly, you have us beat!
ReplyDeleteGeorgina, you enjoy it then.
Melissa, can't beat that endorsement!
Jamie, it's the least quirky of their films, but still laced with their style.
Thanks for the review Alex. Now I'm even more anxious to see True Grit
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see this movie!!! Hope your snow melted. Ours is still dumping.
ReplyDeleteJB is not my favourite actor but the young girl sounds amazing. Thanks for the heads up Alex. But I prefer the King's Speech.
ReplyDeleteFire and Cross
***Confession*** I have never read the book or seen any movie version. I don't know why, but I have this thing against westerns. I've seen a handful that I've enjoyed but they are never anything I seek out.
ReplyDeleteGood review, though!
Happy Snow!
ReplyDeleteIt's just FREEZING cold here. brr.
I'm so glad this movie is GOOD. Definitely on my list to see.
Liza, no we still have snow.
ReplyDeleteEnid, sorry, that's not my type of movie.
Vicki, my wife doesn't like them either, but she enjoyed this one.
Carol, yeah, it's really damn cold here as well!
Thanks for the review, will look it out.
ReplyDeleteStopped by to say hello and to wish you a belated Merry Christmas. Thanks for your support in 2010 x
Thanks for the review... Will be keeping an eye out for this one
ReplyDeleteSounds terrific - might be able to get hubby to go with me to this one! :)
ReplyDeleteGlynis, glad you came by!
ReplyDeleteJemi, hope you're successful.
Thanks so much for the review & glad you enjoyed the remake. But I've always thought that Jeff Bridges is a fine actor & he plays such a variety of characters.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the snow...
Ooo! Now I have to see it. :D Thanks for the review, Alex. Hope you had a great holiday.
ReplyDeleteMy husband really wants to see this one, so I was going for the popcorn. Now your review has me looking forward to the movie, too.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about this film. I know I can count on you for an honest review. Thanks a bunch, Alex!
ReplyDeleteI heard this was good from my sister but I'm like Yvonne. I grew up on the JW version. I'll wait for the DVD version.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are in and safe thanks for letting me know. I wondered about you :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Notes, you'll really like Bridges in this role then.
ReplyDeleteJane, my wife doesn't like westerns, but she enjoyed it.
Jules, it is very different from the John Wayne version, so I don't think it will tarnish the image at all.
It seems like you only go to see movies you really enjoy. I don't think I have read a negative review from you. Maybe that is because you don't review the ones you don't like.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to see this before, but now I really want to see it.
Yay for snow!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby really wants to see this film. I just read him your review. Thanks.
Wow! My father inalaw will be so pleased. He loved the original with Johnny W or was that the Quiet Man?
ReplyDeleteI don't really like these kind of movies but you make it sound so good! I love good acting.
ReplyDeleteCD
The film sounds really great; in fact, your review makes it sound unmissable. I'll definitely have to check it out. A lot of my friends are saying very positive things about it, too! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteIf I have to be honest, I'm not a big fan of Coen Bros and their movies, so I have doubts about this one. Despite my reservations, I'll give it a shot for sure. Otherwise, excellent review, Alex :)
ReplyDeleteSold! I'm going to give it a try when it comes out in Australia--hard to resist a review like this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCheeseboy, I am very selective about what I'll see in the theater. NetFlix is where I take chances, and if I don't like it, I don't review it. Of course, there was Sharktopus...
ReplyDeleteTerry, hope you get to see it then.
Copyboy - both!
Samuel, it's a good, solid flick.
Nebular, it's the least quirky of their films.
I be lookin' forward to seein' this one with my pa forthwith.
ReplyDeleteI'm sold!
ReplyDeleteNot usually my type of movie, but I like the actors! I might have to give this one a try. Thanks for the thorough review and I hope you had a merry Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteSaw the trailer on this one and was blown away by it. The actor that plays Mattie, Hailee Steinfeld is amazing from what I can see.
ReplyDeleteYour review tipped the scales, Alex. I'm going to check this movie out for sure. =)
Edge of Your Seat Romance
Yet another film I haven't heard of! Thanks for the review, Alex.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the snow!
I think I am going to go see it today or tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt's on my list to go see. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteWe went to see Tron yesterday at the IMAX. We all liked it.
No snow around here, but we are getting rain.
Hope your Christmas was marvelous.
I've been looking forward to this film since I first saw the trailer. Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy New Year!
Julie, you too! The actors are what makes this film great.
ReplyDeleteRaquel, she was fantastic.
Talli, I'm flying over there and taking you to a multi-plex!
Chris, let me know what you think!
Helen, I bet Tron was cool in IMAX!
You too, Nicole!
Ahh, thanks so much for giving me something to see!! I have been deprived! Deprived, I say!
ReplyDeleteHello! I was here, asking for friendship. ;) Would you like to follow each others blogs? Advance Happy New Year. :D
ReplyDeleteBased on who was in it, there was no way I'm going to miss it. Your review is the icing on the cake!
ReplyDeletethanks Alex...
I just wrote up a review myself. Great flick.
ReplyDeletePlan on seeing a few of these. True Grit is the one we're most looking forward to seeing. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteSaumya, don't want you to be deprived.
ReplyDeletePat, you will dig it!
PTM, I saw that! Knew you'd enjoy it.
Katherine, enjoy!
I read somewhere that westerns are making a come-back, which is okay with me. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI waited to read your review until I saw the movie, and I agree with everything you've said here. Could be the best movie I saw in 2010.
ReplyDeleteEllie, hope you get to see it.
ReplyDeletePatricia, wasn't it great??? Oscar winner for sure.