True Grit = So good even Armond White likes it! :o

[Great Rumbler]

No one really asked for it and some may resist it, but Joel and Ethan Coen's splendid new adaptation of Charles Portis' novel True Grit rides with the great ones.

"True Grit" is one damned fine western that's better than the original.

A tight, concise Western that pays more homage than it does re-invent the genre, True Grit isn't quite the masterpiece some were expecting, but it's so much fun to watch that many will leave the theater thirsting for more.

The result is one of the most crowd-pleasing films I think the Coens have ever made, accessible and simple and mythic and beautiful..

The Coens don't need to reinvent or deconstruct the Western. This isn't a 21st century take on anything, it's just a damn good Western story told damn well.

The Coens are at the top of their game, honoring the great John Ford with a tip of the hat to Anthony Mann.

12 reviews, all positive. Average score = 8.3/10

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/true-grit-2010/

[Diunx]

Can't wait for the screener

[Great Rumbler]

True Grit speaks to our current moment of vengeful, moral uncertainty. It continues the same revamped Americana that distinguished the Coens' sophisticated remake of The Ladykillers -- a truly original religiouspolitical hybrid.

[Himu]

Armond White

[Great Rumbler]

It's a Christmas miracle!

[Himu]

[Great Rumbler]

So...maybe this is like some kind of reverse troll? People are so accustomed to Armond White panning really good movies and praising really bad ones, so he puts out a review praising True Grit to confuse people and make them question whether it's actually a good movie or not! It's BRILLIANT!

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I actually like Mission to Mars, but not because it's actually a good movie. It's kind of like a big-budget modern take on 50's scifi, which appeals to me in a very basic way. I wouldn't call anyone out for panning it though.

[close]

[Robo]

Or because True Grit is shit.

[Phoenix Dark]

Shake said this is one of the most average, disappointing movies of the year. I'll wait for the DVD

[CajoleJuice]

And I was starting to get excited for this movie, too :'(

[Diunx]

Shake said this is one of the most average, disappointing movies of the year. I'll wait for the DVD

Day one

[Great Rumbler]

Shake said this is one of the most average, disappointing movies of the year. I'll wait for the DVD

Best movie of the year confirmed!

[Great Rumbler]

So, basically, Armond White praise has been overruled by Cheebs/Shake hate. Guess I'll be going to see this next week then!

[recursivelyenumerable]

I don't understand why we need Armond White in a world in which Slavoj Zizek exists.

[drew]

Shake said this is one of the most average, disappointing movies of the year. I'll wait for the DVD

western life revolved around the gun, which is on display front and center in true grit, this is just more anti gun nut FUD and Brady campaign nut hugging from good ole shake

[Bacchus7]

My friend and his friends all thought it blew when they went, and he usually has good taste in movies.

[Eel O'Brian]

Why does everyone reviewing this version feel compelled to take a shot at the 1969 version?  It's an awesome flick.  John Wayne, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper - hell, even Glen Campbell did a pretty good job playing La Boeuf.  Are we not allowed to like both, or something?

[Phoenix Dark]

Why does everyone reviewing this version feel compelled to take a shot at the 1969 version?  It's an awesome flick.  John Wayne, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper - hell, even Glen Campbell did a pretty good job playing La Boeuf.  Are we not allowed to like both, or something?

this this this

I've always gotten a "fuck John Wayne" vibe from those who prefer the more gritty stuff that took more chances (Leone). But even that argument is weak considering Wayne had some unconventional western roles, from True Grit to The Searchers.

[TEEEPO]

I enjoyed the 1969 version whenever i caught it on the tellie but i never managed to see it from beginning to end nor did i ever plan or want to.


I'm not sure exactly what I walked away with after viewing the film but I loved it. The Coen brother have mastered the art of subtly or maybe i'm looking to deep into things but i highly doubt that. Either way, I loved it.

[Eel O'Brian]

yeah, dude could certainly act when he wanted to

[Eel O'Brian]

i don't think he sleepwalks through it, i think he's pretty much playing the character as written in the novel and screenplay - full of bullshit, fat, drunk, getting older and easily winded, but still no one you want to press your luck with

also, i liked one of the changes they made for the 1969 movie better than the novel

spoiler (click to show/hide)

la boeuf dies from his head injury in the movie, lives in the novel

[close]

[Phoenix Dark]

I thought Wayne was great in the role. From what I've seen from the trailers, it looks like Bridges sleepwalks through it. Maybe it's as good as everyone says, but I dunno bros...the teasers/trailers have really turned me off

[Mupepe]

the trailer is amazing.

[Diunx]

smh pd.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Cheebs and The Dark Shake dislike it?  I may just catch this movie tonight.

[ManaByte]

The original True Grit novel is one of the best non-L'Amour Westerns and the original movie really softened it. The remake sticks closer to the novel and turned out better than the original.

[Robo]

also, i liked one of the changes they made for the 1969 movie better than the novel

spoiler (click to show/hide)

la boeuf dies from his head injury in the movie, lives in the novel

[close]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

If he does, it isn't right away, but it isn't clear about what happens to him after Rooster rides off to save the little girl.

[close]

Anyway, I thought it was decent enough, though it isn't much more than an exorbitant display of the Coen's skill at ornate southern dialogue.  Pretty hilarious at times, and certainly enjoyable, but it's no "A Serious Man" or anything.

[Dickie Dee]

True Grit speaks to our current moment of vengeful, moral uncertainty. It continues the same revamped Americana that distinguished the Coens' sophisticated remake of The Ladykillers -- a truly original religiouspolitical hybrid.

Amazing

[Phoenix Dark]

my mom and dad: True Grit was amazing, but not as good as the original. btw we rented Inception and it was horrible

[ManaByte]

Wrong about True Grit. Right about Inception.

[Bebpo]

Saw it, liked it, but felt it lacked the depth of the better Coen bros films.  Would've liked another 45 mins or so to expand on the journey itself and develop the characters a bit more roundly.  Jeff Bridges and the Girl are really the only characters with proper depth.  Still a fun film.  Makes me want to play Red Dead Redemption!

[Mupepe]

I thought it was a perfect length.  Maybe that's because I was uncomfortable as fuck in a packed theater.  But I felt like I knew enough about the characters, the journey and I felt it was all resolved properly (except of course one character).  I loved it.

[BlueTsunami]

I loved it. They really captured what I would think is that desolate feel being out in the wilderness, chance encounters with random people. The violence was sparse but quick and ugly and the quirky dialog kept me really focused on what was being said. The actor playing Mattie was awesome. I loved her.

[Mupepe]

oh.  it was surprisingly hilarious.  wanted to say again, I loved it.