Thursday, December 30, 2010
It Don't Grit Better Than This....
Kman and I just returned from seeing the new True Grit with Jeff Bridges in the role of Rooster Cogburn, Matt Damon as LaBoeuf, the Texas Ranger, and Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross.
When I first learned the Coen Brothers and Steven Spielberg were planning a remake of the old favorite, I mumbled a bit about leaving well enough alone; the John Wayne version didn't need a remake and besides, who else but the Duke could do Rooster bigger or better?
Well, Mr. Bridges has done bested the Duke. I can't argue that John Wayne was a one-dimensional actor; he has been known for always playing the Duke no matter what the role required- he only knew one kind of manly interpretation. Iconic to the nth degree, movie-goers' decided long ago that any western worth it's whiskey had to have Big John in it.
But the real star of the movie is the young actress, Hailee Steinfeld. She holds her own with the nearly all male cast, and perfectly imbues her role as Mattie. I always enjoyed Kim Darby as Mattie, but she too has to bequeath the old flat-brimmed cowboy hat to Hailee.
If you watched any of HBO's Deadwood, you will feel right at home with the characters almost Shakespearean discourse. While Deadwood's language would often leave you struggling to comprehend, the dialogue in True Grit flows naturally and adds a subtle but delicious nuance to the film. (And certainly not nearly as vulgar as something you would hear out of Al Swearingen.)
If you're wondering if the Coen brothers' adaptation of True Grit is anything as dark as No Country For Old Men, you have no worries. I read somewhere that if No Country deconstructed the western, then True Grit rebuilds it. Great analogy.
Walking back to our truck after the show, Kman and I both agreed that True Grit was the best western we've seen since the Lonesome Dove mini series; we're betting good money this film takes a lot of Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and it will be a shame if Hailee isn't in the running for Best Actress. I enjoyed it so much, I want to see it again before it leaves the big screen.
BUT, minus the gaggle of pre-teen girls and their clueless entourage of goofy boys - who farted, gagged, and whooped through most of the movie. These young girls obviously admired the clothing choices of Las Vegas hookers; what mothers let their 12 or 13 year old daughter go out in public...alone...looking like that? And who would have thought that bunch would be watching a western?
Finally, I'd had enough and so headed down to the concession counter and complained to management about 40 minutes before the end of the movie; should have done it earlier, but I didn't want to miss anything. At least we watched the ending without an excess of rudeness.
When I first learned the Coen Brothers and Steven Spielberg were planning a remake of the old favorite, I mumbled a bit about leaving well enough alone; the John Wayne version didn't need a remake and besides, who else but the Duke could do Rooster bigger or better?
Well, Mr. Bridges has done bested the Duke. I can't argue that John Wayne was a one-dimensional actor; he has been known for always playing the Duke no matter what the role required- he only knew one kind of manly interpretation. Iconic to the nth degree, movie-goers' decided long ago that any western worth it's whiskey had to have Big John in it.
But the real star of the movie is the young actress, Hailee Steinfeld. She holds her own with the nearly all male cast, and perfectly imbues her role as Mattie. I always enjoyed Kim Darby as Mattie, but she too has to bequeath the old flat-brimmed cowboy hat to Hailee.
If you watched any of HBO's Deadwood, you will feel right at home with the characters almost Shakespearean discourse. While Deadwood's language would often leave you struggling to comprehend, the dialogue in True Grit flows naturally and adds a subtle but delicious nuance to the film. (And certainly not nearly as vulgar as something you would hear out of Al Swearingen.)
If you're wondering if the Coen brothers' adaptation of True Grit is anything as dark as No Country For Old Men, you have no worries. I read somewhere that if No Country deconstructed the western, then True Grit rebuilds it. Great analogy.
Walking back to our truck after the show, Kman and I both agreed that True Grit was the best western we've seen since the Lonesome Dove mini series; we're betting good money this film takes a lot of Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and it will be a shame if Hailee isn't in the running for Best Actress. I enjoyed it so much, I want to see it again before it leaves the big screen.
BUT, minus the gaggle of pre-teen girls and their clueless entourage of goofy boys - who farted, gagged, and whooped through most of the movie. These young girls obviously admired the clothing choices of Las Vegas hookers; what mothers let their 12 or 13 year old daughter go out in public...alone...looking like that? And who would have thought that bunch would be watching a western?
Finally, I'd had enough and so headed down to the concession counter and complained to management about 40 minutes before the end of the movie; should have done it earlier, but I didn't want to miss anything. At least we watched the ending without an excess of rudeness.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas, Buckeroos
HOPE EVERYONE GETS A RED RIDER BB GUN AND A TINY TEARS UNDER THE TREE!
NO VACUUM CLEANERS, SANTA.
SEE YA'LL ROUND THE NEW YEAR!
NO VACUUM CLEANERS, SANTA.
SEE YA'LL ROUND THE NEW YEAR!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Ornamentally Speaking
My daughter, who blogs at Three Small Men, just posted the cutest Christmas story. I had to share.
"Naughty with a streak of brilliance" - well said, Mama.
Youngest bloggy daughter has caught the Christmas spirit with lots of giving going on over at the wild wild west...
"Naughty with a streak of brilliance" - well said, Mama.
Youngest bloggy daughter has caught the Christmas spirit with lots of giving going on over at the wild wild west...
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Special Deck the Halls
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Saint Misbehavin'
New movie coming out - biopic of Wavy Gravy (Hugh Romney). Who doesn't love Wavy?
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Cyborg Beetles
Found the following story at Scientific American online. Some day soon, you may actually get to be the proverbial "fly on the wall" during any interesting conversation or event via a minature webcam and your very own cyborg insect. Creepy, no?
In the December 2010 issue of Scientific American University of California, Berkeley, scientists Michel Maharbiz and Hirotaka Sato describe how they combined off-the-shelf computer electronics with nanosurgical skill to create cyborg beetles that are part machine and part insect. During flight, the beetles respond to radio commands from the researchers.
In the series of clips below, the beetles respond to commands to start up and turn left or right. The beetle begins to fly when its optic lobes are stimulated. A right turn occurs when the muscles on the left side of the insect are stimulated. A left turn occurs when the muscles on the right side of the insect are stimulated. These tiny flyers—or more likely their successors—may one day save lives in wars and disasters.
And the Gene Goes On....
My youngest daughter has now begun a blog! You just can't deny DNA...LOL
Introducing, The Good, The Bad and the West. Stop by and say Howdy!
(Okay, Miz LaLa, your turn!)
Introducing, The Good, The Bad and the West. Stop by and say Howdy!
(Okay, Miz LaLa, your turn!)
...The biographical equivalent of 12 hour chili - Sticks to the ribs! -
