True Grit (2010)
Rating: Worth my time
See it: in theaters now, or rent it
As you may know, I love Westerns and when I saw previews for True Grit, starring (one of my Boston-boys) Matt Damon, my first thought was, it’s probably a remake. And sure enough, confirmed it with Grandpa, it is.
But that didn’t stop me from checking it out. Just nominated for several 2011 Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role, Jeff Bridges and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit does not disappoint. Mattie Ross is ahead of her time, a fierce 14-year-old who hires a U.S Marshal, Rooster Cogburn, to track down the man who killed her father.
There aren’t many shoot ’em up scences, and it’s not very bloody or violent. Just classic Western-tough-guy talk. There is a suspensful time towards the end of the movie with Mattie, and in the end you do walk away with a ‘What if…” thought.
Definitely, a movie not to miss. I saw it in the theater, but if you can wait, it could be just as good as a rental or on cable.
True Grit (2069)
Rating: Worth my time
See it: on cable, AMC (american movie classics)
Starring John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, Kim Darby as Mattie Ross, Glen Campbell as the Texas Ranger, Robert Duvall as Ned Pepper and Dennis Hopper as Moon Garrett.
After seeing True Grit in the theaters, I couldn’t pass up watching this 1969 version on AMC. I loved it! The first thing I noticed was how the characters were developed in the opening scences. The relationship between Maggie and Rooster and the Ranger is very interesting. Much different than in the 2010 movie, and I think it was done much better. There are amazing shoot ’em up scence (all with G-rating). The one at the dugout is an excellent, wait and see moment; and then in the valley, especially with Wayne holding the reins between his teeth and shooting at the four bandits.
And in the end, Maggie falls into a true hole with rattlesnakes and well, let’s just say someone dies; and this is a much cleaner ending than the 2010 “what if” version.
Check AMC for schedule and DVR it!
