True Grit (2010)

Let me start off by saying WOW, I really really enjoyed this movie. I have seen the original and I do not think it would be fair to compare the two. My husband has helped me fall in love with John Wayne; we must own at least 20 of his movies, of which I have watched them all.

I say that it would not be fair to compare the two because, at the time the original was made movies didn't show people getting shot in the face, or fingers getting lopped off. Movies weren't as realistic as they are now, so this 2010 version had the luxury of being more true to the book, than the 1969 version.

Starring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, and surprisingly enough Matt Damon. Let's go character by character this time shall we? 

Jeff Bridges shared the Duke's character of Rooster Cogburn; it wasn't the same at all. Bridges made it his own and did a wonderful job turning Rooster in something only the Coen brothers could dream up. I love the Duke but I don't imagine real cowboys looking as clean-shaven or as sharp as he. Bridges' Cogburn was nasty, drunk, and believable. The Duke's rendition was a little on the softer side.

Steinfeld, who at only 15 took my breath away, played Mattie. She reminded me of a young Judy Garland. I only hope she does as well, minus the drugs and terrible life.

 

Matt Damon, umm where the hell did this come from? In the original I thought LaBouf was a background character at the most, Damon brought it to life. All I thought I knew about Damon has changed; he is really someone to keep your eye on.

As you can tell I have a lot to say about this film, which is because it was truly a joy to watch. It had everything in it you would hope of a classic western, comedy, blood, gore, a damsel in distress, and the good guy always wins. If you aren't sure what the next film you should see is, let me tell you it's True Grit.

Also, please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

#5 The Social Network (2010)

I know last time we ended with considering a Star Trek movie, and I did consider it. Then I decided that if you wanted to read my Star Trek blog you would, and that it wouldn't be fair to my Treky fans out there. Also, I didn't get a chance to watch it, not that I would really need to watch it again to blog about it. I have seen all of the TNG movies so many times I know them by heart.

Anyways.... The Social Network starring Jesse Eisenberg, you know the curly haired kid from Zombieland? Ooo Zombieland was a good one, mental note. 

Also unfortunately starring Justin Timberlake. I know this was supposed to be his big break-out role as a serious actor, but I wasn't convinced. I think he did a terrible job, and ruined every scene he was in for me. If you ask me he should just go back to what he knows.  

Overall the movie was good, I guess. I don't think it will deserve the Academy Award it most undoubtedly will receive. I think the movie made Mark Zuckerberg look like a creepy jerk. I have seen almost all the videos available of his lectures at various meetings at colleges and have always found him to be a well spoken person.

He is likened to Rainman in this movie, which I refuse to believe is true. I know you have to have that certain something about you to be able to start something like Facebook, but that does not always include being a hermit like asshole. I don't know I think this movie just rubbed me the wrong way somehow. I think Eisenberg did an amazing job, not as Zuckerberg but at changing his demeanor, he is almost always a nerd, but this time he played an outright jerk as well.

I haven't gotten to TV yet, and that is not without trying. There has been very little good TV lately, if it's out there I must be missing it because pickings are slim. I will keep you updated on that front.

On a final note, to those of you who emailed me about the buried kitty pic from last week. Let us not be stupid, no kitties are hurt in the making of this blog.

#4 Buried (2010)

Sometimes I truly wish I could enjoy a film without putting so much thought into it. I fear yet again I have put way too much thought into a silly movie. Also on a different note, my husband brought to my attention all of the massive typos in the third addition to this blog, my sincerest apologies to all of you. Now if you don't mind back to the business at hand.

Buried (2010) starring Ryan Reynolds, who I usually enjoy. At least I thought so, until the one part I apparently do enjoy is missing :

This film wanted to have a political statement, it really did. Reynolds put extra emphasis on IRAQ every time he said it, the word government was dropped often and still this was not as politically oriented as they obviously wanted to be. It is hard to make a political statement about a war when it becomes so obvious that the writer knows nothing about the war except one area where the war is happening, and various names of state departments.

Besides that I thought it was a good movie, I think that a better statement that was made was about governmental bureaucracy in America. I think the events that unfolded in this film are a very realistic possibility if someone was buried alive by terrorists which saddens me.

I thought Reynolds' acting was to be expected, and I was curious why he was chosen for this film. He is usually in films for exactly what I have come to look forward to, his crazy body, and occasionally he brings back the goofy guy from Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place, but almost never is he the serious actor. I don't think I've ever seen him as the serious actor basing nothing on his looks.

  I thought the filming of this was clever and never felt like it was filmed anywhere besides the interior of a coffin, I felt claustrophobic just watching. The dialogue left something to be desired, but over all the film was okay. It's definitely a renter, I'm glad I didn't spend $10 to watch a guy in a box on a movie screen. More of the movie was dark than not. I was comfortable spending $1 at the Redbox for this one, and glad I didn't get this in blu-ray.

For next week I have been considering discussing Star Trek (TNG): First Contact, it's my favorite. But we will see.

#3 Beneath the Planet of the Apes

Yes an older film again, get over it I have decided that I want to write about what I like.

Anyways, Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) it is defiantly my favorite of the Planet of the Apes series. I watched it a few nights ago while avoiding filling out my college graduation application.

I have seen this movie approximately 10 times in the past 5 years, it is something I can have on and not really think about while I do other things, but if I feel like looking at the screen something interesting is happening. But this was the first time I think I have sat and actually given it my full attention, and somethings bothered me.

First, Nova. You know the hot babe from the first one, Charlton Heston's girlfriend. Well in this movie it seems like she was James Francisus's but whatever.
Anyway, what the hell is she supposed to be thinking is happening during all of this? And I thought in post-apocalyptic worlds women are usually a commodity. And she is the only woman running around in her skivvies, blindly following handsome men around like a lost puppy? In Beneath the Planet she has lost her "Taylor" in a manner that doesn't completely get explained, luckily she finds a man that looks like it could be his twin and is in the exact same situation. So that problem is solved, but then they go looking for him. What is Nova thinking at this point, mind you she doesn't speak besides saying, Nova, and Taylor. Does she know they are looking for Taylor? What does she think is happening when they are kidnapped by the mutant underground people worshiping an A-bomb? It must be a lonely existence. Somehow she has managed to join the blond striking men cult, it is confusing. This all shouldn't be scary for her as she was born into this, yet she seems just as confused as Taylor and Brent, but that's probably because she thinks they are the crazy ones. Of course monkeys are in charge, who would you put in charge?

Why wouldn't future people be able to speak? I can understand loosing the ability to write or most advanced ways of thinking, but the spoken word? That doesn't make any since to me. I get when they are captured they are not allowed to speak but we see them running in packs, surely they must communicate some how.

And another thing why does Taylor keep Nova around anyway? I get she's hot but seriously he's got more in common with the monkeys. What was so wrong with Dr. Zira? I mean she had a rockin body for a monkey, and besides the hairiness what is the difference if your hitting it doggy style? Ok sorry I am taking this completely off track.

Last thing, Brent was sent on a rescue mission to find Taylor. This is a ridiculous idea, Taylor was supposed to be in hyper sleep for 8 years while he traveled, then I assume, he was supposed to be on whatever planet for some sort of time, with an additional 8 years return time. How would they know he was lost? The time space continuum never made since to me, so maybe someone else can explain that one. This just seems off I guess.

I want to apologize for waiting so long to post this, I've been distracted by uselessness lately.