True Grit Review

Genres: Action/Adventure, Western,
Running Time: 1 hr. 50 min.
Release Date: December 22nd, 2010 (limited)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense sequences

western violence, disturbing images.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

I viewed the original True Grit film in 1969, so as far as my memory of the film it was John Wayne wearing a patch, a little annoying girl, and him riding his horse with reins in his mouth with guns a blazing. So for me, going in this was just a remake. I was more curious about their adaptation of the film and the Cohen brother’s use of originality in their craft. Comparing and contrasting, seem to have a forty-year gap in film making time, style, cast members, and faded memory.

The opening scene gave us a juxtaposition view of the beauty of the snowflakes in the backdrop, and then the image of the stiffing body of Mattie’s murdered father. One of the film’s enduring strengths was the cinematography. The camera was constantly enhancing the scene, frame by frame.

Ethan and Joel are amongst the finest filmmakers of our time. They have penned and or directed Fargo, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, Oh’ brother where art thou? Barton Fink, and a series of some very weird titles, and some truly clever indie films. They have a go large, or go home attitude about what they do, and how they do it. This film is so well constructed between dramatic, action, clever conversation and comedy. Near its conclusion the Cohen brother’s have a Fargo “Wood chipper moment”, where the audience is a tad stunned by the turn of events, no doubt that most or all were gripping their chairs.

I thought that the cast was great, well all except Matt Damon, I did not think he worked in this period piece. I never bought into his role as the Texas Ranger; he is more a Boston Red Sock. Another confliction was his ability to recover from rather serious tongue injury sustained in the shooting accident. Really? Film is part suspension of disbelief. This seemed like a flash from the “forget what you just saw device” in Men in Black.

The rest of the crew is truly superior, every small bit player well placed, as was Barry Pepper, Josh Brolin (for his 10 minutes), and the extraordinary Hailee Steinfeld, who was cast as Mattie Ross, a young lady looking for revenge for her father’s murder. Steinfeld delivered some of the films best lines and did them with silky smooth skill and machine gun quicks.

Jeff Bridges may have won this year had he not just got done placing an Oscar on his fireplace mantel from last year.
Quite frankly, it didn’t seem like he was acting, he is Lloyd Bridges son for heavens sake, and his use of the language should be all twisted in attitude, it was just who the heck he is. Wasn’t it Denny Green the football coach from the Miller Lite commercials that said: “He was, who we thought he was”? He was absolutely Rooster cast and portrayed. Here Jeff, 2nd place…

Of the top three in the best film race, this has really high likeability. It just doesn’t have much probability, of winning.

The Fighter

Genres: Drama, Adaptation, Biopic and Sports
Running Time: 1 hr. 54 min.
MPAA Rating: R for Language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures


The name of the movie might have had more accuracy, if it had some pullarity to it. As all the central characters were in a fight with something or someone. Only a viewing of this tremendous film could possibly do this opinion justice.

“The Fighter” centers on the incredible comeback of fighter Mickey Ward, who is portrayed by Wahlberg. For boxing fans he is best known for the Gatti and Ward clashes, which were some of the fiercest boxing battles ever fought, and certainly some of the most entertaining fights ever waged.

The film is nearly totally hijacked by Dicky Eklund, his little brother who is expertly portrayed by Christian Bale (Dark Knight and 3:10 to Yuma) in an acting presentation of a lifetime. If he were to lose the supporting Oscar to anyone else, it would be tantamount to the robbing of Fort Knox under an announced attempt. It is not as if Bale plays this character in every movie, this might be best viewed as if one was to take a runway model and turn her into a street performing juggler. This is one the top ten acting portrayals ever.

Mark Wahlberg did a laudable job in his role, which was largely over shadowed by Amy Adams, Bale and Melissa Leo.

The films absolutely captured the Lowell, Mass family and street culture, in its stark candid reality. Between the scenes of Dicky on the street and family in the kitchen at the Ward house, it is just a brilliant piece of celluloid.

David O Russell at the films helm, paces, places and spaces this two-hour film into tour de force. His only prior film, of any notice was ‘Three Kings” a film I totally panned upon its release in 1999. His career is bound to take an up tick with this winner on his now enhanced resume.

Expect that Melissa Leo, Mickey’s mom and the steely scene-stealer, to be giving an acceptance speech on Oscar night. Her career started in 1984 with six episodes on “All My Children” playing Linda Warner. She has since been very, very busy on TV and in Films that I either don’t know or recogonize. I guess ‘Treme” has gotten some attention, I truly had no clue who she was until now. With the Golden Globe and SAG awards in her hands, expect her mantle piece to feature the supporting Oscar. Anyone else could not begin to touch her stellar and gritty performance.

At the risk of taking some heat, this is the best Boxing film to date. Rocky isn’t in the conversation. Anyone might argue that “Raging Bull” is on the Top of that list. Bull did simply did not have the backdrop and character complexion of “The Fighter”.

I still favor ‘The Kings Speech” as the best film, although the fighter might just nose it out as my personal favorite.

Your Body

Remember this: your body is your slave; it works for you. ~

Jack LaLanne

My review of "The Kings Speech"

Genres: Drama and Biopic
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
Release Date: November 26th, 2010 (limited)
MPAA Rating: R for some language.
Distributors: The Weinstein Company

Starring: Colin Firth,Geoffrey Rush,Helena Bonham Carter,Guy Pearce,Timothy Spall
Directed by: Tom Hooper

A wonderfully made film, of the true story of King George VI. it is rare to have a film motivate me to place pen to paper. I have had a nearly decade long sabbatical from something I was once so incredibly passionate about, the joy of reviewing movies. Largely the industry has shifted to extreme violence, social crassness, sexual exploits, and crude sight gags. All one has to do is look at box office success, which is littered by mindless celluloid that has captured the majority of film going audience.

The Kings speech Screenplay was penned by David Seidler. This brilliantly paced and deeply touching effort, was made even more surprising given Seidler's light resume, scattered with mostly animated and forgettable past efforts.

The film directing was lead by Tom Hooper, "HBO John Adams mini-series" with equal eloquence and professionalism. The pacing is seamless, and you do not feel cheated or over cooked. He blends the films magical cast with the true feeling of the apparent agony of the Kings'speaking challenges.

Any great film is fully the burden of the cast to blend greatness or stammer and fail. With the Oscar nominations due out on Tuesday, this cast is sure of two, if not three nominations, for acting. Bonham may be left to cheer for Firth and Rush. if you observe the SAG awards they seem to best foretell the person with the Oscar on Hollywoods gala affair. I like Firth, if I was requested for an early choice.

As I have outlined above, this is splendid film, with all of the components of greatness, not to be missed, even if it is when released for home viewing.

My strongest recommendation for viewing!