bloodyminded Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 (edited) The indefatigable Coen brothers have remade True Grit. Can't wait for this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8QLMWN0yNs Edited December 8, 2010 by bloodyminded Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Jack Weber Posted December 9, 2010 Report Posted December 9, 2010 I have every intention to see this!!! Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
bloodyminded Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Posted December 9, 2010 I have every intention to see this!!! Me too. I like the Coen's films a lot, so I trust their track record. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Shwa Posted December 9, 2010 Report Posted December 9, 2010 (edited) The Duke and Kim Darby - could it ever be better? The Duke, well, I am sure I have seen most of his movies and still watch them when I get a chance. 'The War Wagon.' Says it all. Two years later along comes 'True Grit.' When I first saw Kim Darby as Miri on the Star Trek episode of the same name, those evil 'grups!' Man on man, she was a hottie - even in the dirty make-up. For a kid in the late 60's of course. Then along came 'True Grit.' OK, it's the Coen Bros, so I am going to begrudingly watch. It will be good like all Coen Bros movies. But let's be perfectly clear here: No one - and mean absolutely no one - could ever replace The Duke. We clear?? BTW - as anyone seen 'The Last Rites of Ransom Pride?' It is a quirkly little flick about the end days of the Wild West that is sort of like Sam Peckinpaw meets David Lynch. Very interesting... Edited December 9, 2010 by Shwa Quote
bloodyminded Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Posted December 9, 2010 The Duke and Kim Darby - could it ever be better? The Duke, well, I am sure I have seen most of his movies and still watch them when I get a chance. 'The War Wagon.' Says it all. Two years later along comes 'True Grit.' When I first saw Kim Darby as Miri on the Star Trek episode of the same name, those evil 'grups!' Man on man, she was a hottie - even in the dirty make-up. For a kid in the late 60's of course. Then along came 'True Grit.' OK, it's the Coen Bros, so I am going to begrudingly watch. It will be good like all Coen Bros movies. But let's be perfectly clear here: No one - and mean absolutely no one - could ever replace The Duke. We clear?? Fair enough! But since the Coens are not, to my knowledge, "remake" types of guys, and because it has been cogently argued (and I think it's a supportable argument) that they are deeply cynical, probably nihilistic, and maybe even misanthropic...I get the feeling this will be more of a revision than a remake. Probably quite a different movie, with more dark comedy, less heart, and more cynicism. But then, who knows? It's educated speculation, but speculation nevertheless. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Jack Weber Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 Saw it last night... Not bad...I don't think it was as good as No Country for Old Men,but it was pretty good.As I understand it,the Coen bros. tried to keep it as close to the original story as possible,so it differed slightly from the John Wayne version... I thought Jeff Brdges was a very good "Rooster" Cogburn.He can really put on that rural Southern accent. Another thing...There is a piano tune in it that I had heared before,but I could'nt remember where...Then it hit me!If anyone has heared the music from the "First Inning" of the Ken Burns Baseball documentary,they'll know it immediately... Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 Saw it last night... Not bad...I don't think it was as good as No Country for Old Men,but it was pretty good. A friend of mine just told me exactly the same thing. But to be fair, No Country is sublime....hard to beat. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
August1991 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) The indefatigable Coen brothers have remade True Grit. Can't wait for this one.Those frauds won't get a cent out of me.I only watched "Old Country For Old men" because it won Best Picture. I hated it - and the Oscars lost in my opinion in this choice. Here's their screenplay history. Fargo was a rip-off of In Cold Blood. The Big Lebowski is a weird version of The Big Sleep. But since these two movies, it's been downhill. ---- I credit the Coen Brothers success to two factors: 1. They know how to borrow originality from the past and present it in a new way. 2. They understand that young men/boys (ie. Avatar) decide the financial success of movies. Moreover, the Coen Brothers have created a J. D. Salinger/Boris Vian franchise - a young guy sees one movie and watches all the others as if it were an insight into life. In this, the Coen Brothers are like Wes Anderson. And why are young women less inclined to be loyal? Why do Hollywood movie producers/directors without original talent seduce young men, but not young women? Why are young women smarter? Edited January 9, 2011 by August1991 Quote
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Those frauds won't get a cent out of me. I only watched "Old Country For Old men" because it won Best Picture. I hated it - and the Oscars lost in my opinion in this choice. What....Rocky, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan--all as derivative as anything you've ever seen in your life--didn't clue you in to the uselessness of the Academy in terms of determining a film's (or director's) worth? Here's their screenplay history. Fargo was a rip-off of In Cold Blood. Fargo is superior to In Cold Blood. The Big Lebowski is a weird version of The Big Sleep. The Big Lebowski is a farcical comedy, and is awesome. And why are young women less inclined to be loyal? Why do Hollywood movie producers/directors without original talent seduce young men, but not young women? Why are young women smarter? Aside from Fargo, the women I know love the Coens' movies. Edited January 9, 2011 by bloodyminded Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
August1991 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) What....Rocky, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan--all as derivative as anything you've ever seen in your life--didn't clue you in to the uselessness of the Academy in terms of determining a film's (or director's) worth?Derivative...But if the Coen Brothers can make a buck, who am I to criticize them? They're like Woody Allen. Years ago, in 1969, a male boomer saw "Play It Again Sam" and loves Woody Allen for his "original insight". Years later, the boomer still pays to see a Woody Allen movie. Wes Anderson and the Coen Brothers aim for the same clientele. Their only problem is that the male adolescent clientele in 2000 is smaller than in 1970. But as I say, I'm impressed when any artist makes a buck in their lifetime. Edited January 9, 2011 by August1991 Quote
Jack Weber Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) What....Rocky, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan--all as derivative as anything you've ever seen in your life--didn't clue you in to the uselessness of the Academy in terms of determining a film's (or director's) worth? Here's their screenplay history. Fargo is superior to In Cold Blood. The Big Lebowski is a farcical comedy, and is awesome. Aside from Fargo, the women I know love the Coens' movies. Um...I liked Rocky! And,I agree, The Big Lebowski is spectacularily hillarious! And my wife loved No Country...She was'nt as fond of True Grit because,in her words,"There was'nt enough action!"... Whatever... Edited January 9, 2011 by Jack Weber Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 Derivative... ?? I'm not sure what, if anything, is implied by your repeating the word I used...but surely to Lord Godzilla you aren't suggesting that Rocky, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan (and the list of Oscar winners could go on) are insightful and original film visions? Are you? But then, you did admire the breathtaking originality of Cats and Dogs.... Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 Um...I liked Rocky! And,I agree, The Big Lebowski is spectacularily hillarious! And my wife love No Country...She was'nt as fond of True Grit because,in her words,"There was'nt enough action!"... Whatever... I liked Rocky too. Hell, I didn't mind Gladiator; and Saving Private Ryan is ok, in my book, if you ignore all the glorious hype about it. I was only suggesting that the Oscars didn't exactly suddenly take a nosedive with the Coens, after decades of impeccable taste as to "originality".... Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Jack Weber Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 ?? I'm not sure what, if anything, is implied by your repeating the word I used...but surely to Lord Godzilla you aren't suggesting that Rocky, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan (and the list of Oscar winners could go on) are insightful and original film visions? Are you? But then, you did admire the breathtaking originality of Cats and Dogs.... Who cares if they're derivative!!! They are all spectacular films!!! August sounds like a single malt scotch drinker turning his nose up at very good blended scotch... I don't get it??? Good scotch is good scotch and good films are good films,the art house crowd be damned! Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 Who cares if they're derivative!!! They are all spectacular films!!! August sounds like a single malt scotch drinker turning his nose up at very good blended scotch... I don't get it??? Good scotch is good scotch and good films are good films,the art house crowd be damned! I agree, but not about August's tastes. He liked Cats and Dogs, after all....not dissing on the movie, just saying high art it ain't. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
August1991 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) I'm not sure what, if anything, is implied by your repeating the word I used...but surely to Lord Godzilla you aren't suggesting that Rocky, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan (and the list of Oscar winners could go on) are insightful and original film visions?BM, I agree. Rocky, Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan are derivative. (BTW, Saving Private Ryan did not win Best Picture.)While derivative, Rocky, Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan were all good movies - Rocky and Saving Private Ryan in particular. ---- The Coen Brothers make derivative movies in the way that posters here sometimes agree, or disagree, with me. ----------- With all this said, now I must go and see this "True Grit" movie and form my own opinion. But as I say, I don't want to give these frauds another cent. I'll buy a ticket in a Cineplex for another movie and see this movie instead. Edited January 9, 2011 by August1991 Quote
Jack Weber Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) I agree, but not about August's tastes. He liked Cats and Dogs, after all....not dissing on the movie, just saying high art it ain't. It's not supposed to be high art... It's a different version of the same novel the John Wayne film was based on... Now,I can't say that it was better or worse,just different.I mean,it's not like the remake of The Planet of the Apes a few years back...That was horrible and unnecessary because the original was a stand alone classic! And if it's high art,and the message is so deep it becomes meaningless,what's the point? Edited January 9, 2011 by Jack Weber Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 BM, I agree. Rocky, Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan are derivative. (BTW, Saving Private Ryan did not win Best Picture.) No, that's why I squeezed in the word "director," rather than correcting my inital error. It's still an oscar win. While derivative, Rocky, Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan were all good movies - Rocky and Saving Private Ryan in particular. They're ok. I actually have serious issues with Private Ryan, a rather banal, faux-sentimental movie bookended by two awesome battle scenes. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
bloodyminded Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Posted January 9, 2011 It's not supposed to be high art... It's a different version of the same novel the John Wayne film was based on... Now,I can't say that it was better or worse,just different.I mean,it's not like the remake of The Planet of the Apes a few years back...That was horrible and unnecessary because the original was a stand alone classic! And if it's high art,and the message is so deep it becomes meaningless,what's the point? I agree. (Also about Planet of the Apes...good lord, what was that? Personally, I don't mind at all the notion of remakes...as long as they're good. I liked Dawn of the Dead with Sarah Polley better than the original...this is considered blasphemy by many horror purists, but dammit, it's how I feel.) Yes, an "art film" can be beset by difficulties, boredom being chief among them. But some great movies really are art films: Apocalypse Now, Godfather 1 and 2, and lots of others. Taxi Driver, there's another. They're not generally termed "art films," but I'd argue that's what they are. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
kimmy Posted January 9, 2011 Report Posted January 9, 2011 With all this said, now I must go and see this "True Grit" movie and form my own opinion. But as I say, I don't want to give these frauds another cent. I'll buy a ticket in a Cineplex for another movie and see this movie instead. You've already formed your opinion, August. You only need to see the movie so that you can tell us *why* it's terrible. -k Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
sharkman Posted January 14, 2011 Report Posted January 14, 2011 The Coen brothers weren't really on my radar. I rented No Country and found it to be a waste of time. I guess maybe I couldn't find anything in common with the killer. Or anything to believe in. Anyway, I went to see True Grit last week and that was an excellent movie. Perhaps it was an excellent novel that the Coen brothers couldn't ruin if they played it straight, which they did. August, I recommend you see Grit if you don't have an attitude about the old West, which ruins it for a friend of mine whenever westerns are playing. All of the acting is quite good, even the young actress, and the story and plot are not tired and old after all these years. Of course the original movie has been popping up on TV since the new one came out, and my wife and I saw it last weekend. I was struck with how superior it was to the typical western of that era. I wish we could have gotten a wide screen version, though. Quote
August1991 Posted January 17, 2011 Report Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) You've already formed your opinion, August. You only need to see the movie so that you can tell us *why* it's terrible.Gimme a break, kimmy.I'm the kinda guy who wants to see the situation, and verify what others say. Trudeau and Levesque: Impressive. Harper and Ignatieff: Not. Dion and Clark: Sad. August, I recommend you see Grit if you don't have an attitude about the old West... My memory of the original True Grit is that the Academy gave John Wayne an Oscar because he had never won and he was dying of cancer. It was a Vanity Oscar.---- But let me see this new version and form my own opinion. In general, I think the Coen Brothers are frauds like Ignatieff. Edited January 17, 2011 by August1991 Quote
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