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Post by markpatrus on Sept 28, 2010 13:53:04 GMT -5
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Post by sloanrodgers on Oct 3, 2010 17:30:38 GMT -5
It looks good to me also, but I think it will be hard to top The Duke in this particular role.
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Post by markpatrus on Oct 4, 2010 9:34:15 GMT -5
Me thinks the Coen brothers intend for this remake to be closer to the book.
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Post by Hiram on Oct 5, 2010 15:19:05 GMT -5
I've never been able to watch True Grit from start to finish. Personally, its too painful watching Glen Campbell try to act. He makes Bill Daniel look like Laurence Olivier in comparison. As for Kim Darby, I'm sure she's a good person, but I never liked her as an actress on either the big or small screen.
The Duke is simply, well he's the Duke. A great Rooster Cogburn, but not an Oscar-worthy performance. Sands of Iwo Jima, The Quiet Man, The Searchers, each deserved the Academy Award and highlighted the acting ability and screen presence that Wayne possessed.
Jeff Bridges is one helluva actor, the Dude can act, he's a man for his time and place (Big Lebowski reference), and by the way, he's been doing it for 40 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
So I am most definitely looking forward to seeing the Coen Bros. version of Grit.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Oct 5, 2010 16:07:05 GMT -5
I liked John Wayne in a lot of his later films, but in my opinion he wasn't a great actor. He was pretty much always playing different facets of himself. I just think he stretched his acting chops a little in playing a funny, one-eyed, drunken, has-been U.S. Marshal. I also thought Glenn Campbell was terrible, but they're always trying to turn pop or country music stars into actors. Bridges is without a doubt one of our greatest living actors and sometimes I don't even recognize him until he speaks with his distinctive voice. I think he'll do great job in True Grit, but The Duke will probably always be Rooster Cogburn to me. We'll see how it goes.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 5, 2010 17:46:27 GMT -5
The Oscars have always been an extremely poor barometer of which movies or performances were "good," "great," or the "best" of any years. There are few things more pretentious than the annual "meat parade" (as George C. Scott called it) when the awards are given out. The history of Oscar is more distinguished by what's been ignored or overlooked than by what has won.
Wayne's award followed a massive publicity campaign that included cover features on "Time" and other mags harping away about how Hollywood owed him an award. Wayne made the rounds of the late-night TV shows, where the pliable hosts dutifully parroted what was being printed about Hollywood's "shame" in having so long ignored the Duke. He won; a token award for a good, but not great performance, after his very best ones (as Hiram pointed out) had gone by the wayside. The same year, Redford and Newman appeared in "Butch & Sundance," and Dustin Hoffman in "Midnight Cowboy"; it was there turn to be brushed aside. In fact, Newman's Oscar history is the same as Wayne's. All of his best performances went "unawarded," but toward the end he, too, was given a token Oscar for "Color of Money"; a forgettable movie and performance.
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Post by TRK on Oct 5, 2010 19:05:26 GMT -5
I saw one of several trailers for the remake of True Grit today. Jeff Bridges's Rooster Cogburn looks pretty gnarly and talks like he's suffered a mild stroke (or maybe has a terminally distended jaw from too much chewing tobacco). The Mattie character seems very young but pretty believable, unlike her predecessor in the original TG. I gladly accept everything the Coens dish out, and this one looks like a possible winner.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Oct 5, 2010 21:29:19 GMT -5
I love the Coen Brothers too. I've been a fan since they shot part of their first movie thriller Blood Simple here in Austin in 84. They bought or rented a house near ours and filmed the scenes of John Getz's home there. Neighborhood spectators were kept at bay during the brief filming by some dogs, so nobody saw much of the production. Frances McDormond's apartment was in an old abandoned building downtown, where they later set up a Manpower office. It was a pretty novel event during a time when no movies were filmed here. Sorry to get off topic, just remembering.
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Post by martyb on Oct 6, 2010 0:16:01 GMT -5
I think this remake of “True Grit” will be an excellent film. Bridges is a top drawer actor. Like Wayne, however, he doesn’t seem to want to look like ‘Rooster’Cogburn. According to the book Cogburn was a big, stout man with a huge ‘handlebar’ mustache. Wayne went clean shaven, Bridges goes with a scruffy beard. You gotta ask why. It seems that this new movie is a labor of love. They claim they have followed the book a lot closer and, from the look of their set design and the trailer they seem to have hit pay dirt.
Now that being said…unlike other folks, I'm proud to say, I love John Wayne.
First because my father (who was a 6’4” Irish Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army) looked and sounded like a bald headed John Wayne. I always heard and saw my Dad in the man. In “The Searchers” John Wayne gives a dead-on impression of my father and brother Mike could not watch it for years after Dad passed away. For that reason alone it was many years before I appreciated John Wayne the actor.
Secondly, John Wayne is the epitome of manhood (assertiveness and/or standing up for one's rights, responsibility, selflessness, a general code of ethics, morality, sincerity, and respect).
I have to agree with Steven Spielberg who, when asked by Johnny Carson,“What is the best motion picture ever made?, replied, “The Searchers”. Spielberg went on to say that the script, direction, acting (especially Wayne), editing and photography were perfect and impeccable. Imagine how hilarious the wimpy leading men of today with their pale smooth skin and three days growth on their face growling out “That’ll be the day.” would be.
As a small example of his acting prowess…in “The Quiet Man” when the reverend’s wife gives Waynes character a Primrose. Wayne, responding in an embarassed and natural way, says, “That’s dam…dar…awfully nice of you.” That is acting.
Imagine Brad Pitt playing Sergeant Stryker or Tom Dunston in “Red River” and how about one of the so-called ‘heart-throbs’ from “Twilight” playing Captain York or Ethan Edwards. John Wayne made over 250 films. I doubt I would watch 200 of them. Wayne was a good actor in a lot of bad, mediocre and, yes, some good films. When John Wayne was used as a commodity to sell ‘John Wayne’ films the result was normally poor. Look at “Rio Bravo” a good film and it’s remake “Rio Lobo” an abysmal film and you will know what I’m talking about. However, he was also a great actor in some great films...those I watch.
Most importantly to me...John Wayne was a man…a man all men wanted to emulate. Many could not and cannot be the type of man John Wayne exemplified. To this end they mock him and ridicule his persona. Why? Quite simply they can’t walk the walk and they can’t even talk the talk. My biggest regret when I retired in 2004 from 37 years in the military was that I would leave a society that embraced his ethos to a civilian world that hated honor, morality, ethics and service. Take a good hard look at those that can’t stand John Wayne and ask yourself…what is it they really can’t stand.
When Wayne was dying many Hollywood celebrities testified before Congress to have a Gold Medal given to John Wayne. Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen O’Hara were most eloquent. However it was the testimony of Robert Aldrich, a big Liberal and then president of the Directors Guild of America that struck me… he said: "It is important for you to know that I am a registered Democrat and, to my knowledge, share none of the political views espoused by Duke. However, whether he is ill disposed or healthy, John Wayne is far beyond the normal political sharp shooting in this community. Because of his courage, his dignity, his integrity, and because of his talents as an actor, his strength as a leader, his warmth as a human being throughout his illustrious career, he is entitled to a unique spot in our hearts and minds. In this industry, we often judge people, sometimes unfairly, by asking whether they have paid their dues. John Wayne has paid his dues over and over, and I'm proud to consider him a friend and am very much in favor of my Government recognizing in some important fashion the contribution that Mr. Wayne has made."
Hear hear!
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Post by gtj222 on Oct 6, 2010 20:04:39 GMT -5
Hear Hear!!!! Long live John Wayne!!!
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Post by sloanrodgers on Oct 6, 2010 20:43:05 GMT -5
Now that being said…unlike other folks, I'm proud to say, I love John Wayne. First because my father (who was a 6’4” Irish Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army) looked and sounded like a bald headed John Wayne. I always heard and saw my Dad in the man. In “The Searchers” John Wayne gives a dead-on impression of my father and brother Mike could not watch it for years after Dad passed away. For that reason alone it was many years before I appreciated John Wayne the actor. Secondly, John Wayne is the epitome of manhood (assertiveness and/or standing up for one's rights, responsibility, selflessness, a general code of ethics, morality, sincerity, and respect). I have to agree with Steven Spielberg who, when asked by Johnny Carson,“What is the best motion picture ever made?, replied, “The Searchers”. Spielberg went on to say that the script, direction, acting (especially Wayne), editing and photography were perfect and impeccable. Imagine how hilarious the wimpy leading men of today with their pale smooth skin and three days growth on their face growling out “That’ll be the day.” would be. As a small example of his acting prowess…in “The Quiet Man” when the reverend’s wife gives Waynes character a Primrose. Wayne, responding in an embarassed and natural way, says, “That’s dam…dar…awfully nice of you.” That is acting. Imagine Brad Pitt playing Sergeant Stryker or Tom Dunston in “Red River” and how about one of the so-called ‘heart-throbs’ from “Twilight” playing Captain York or Ethan Edwards. John Wayne made over 250 films. I doubt I would watch 200 of them. Wayne was a good actor in a lot of bad, mediocre and, yes, some good films. When John Wayne was used as a commodity to sell ‘John Wayne’ films the result was normally poor. Look at “Rio Bravo” a good film and it’s remake “Rio Lobo” an abysmal film and you will know what I’m talking about. However, he was also a great actor in some great films...those I watch. Most importantly to me...John Wayne was a man…a man all men wanted to emulate. Many could not and cannot be the type of man John Wayne exemplified. To this end they mock him and ridicule his persona. Why? Quite simply they can’t walk the walk and they can’t even talk the talk. My biggest regret when I retired in 2004 from 37 years in the military was that I would leave a society that embraced his ethos to a civilian world that hated honor, morality, ethics and service. Take a good hard look at those that can’t stand John Wayne and ask yourself…what is it they really can’t stand. When Wayne was dying many Hollywood celebrities testified before Congress to have a Gold Medal given to John Wayne. Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen O’Hara were most eloquent. However it was the testimony of Robert Aldrich, a big Liberal and then president of the Directors Guild of America that struck me… he said: "It is important for you to know that I am a registered Democrat and, to my knowledge, share none of the political views espoused by Duke. However, whether he is ill disposed or healthy, John Wayne is far beyond the normal political sharp shooting in this community. Because of his courage, his dignity, his integrity, and because of his talents as an actor, his strength as a leader, his warmth as a human being throughout his illustrious career, he is entitled to a unique spot in our hearts and minds. In this industry, we often judge people, sometimes unfairly, by asking whether they have paid their dues. John Wayne has paid his dues over and over, and I'm proud to consider him a friend and am very much in favor of my Government recognizing in some important fashion the contribution that Mr. Wayne has made." Hear hear! This is going way off topic again since this thread was an intended discussion on the True Grit (old and new) films, not on the career and persona of John Wayne. That would take a book or at least another thread on here. I don't believe anyone on here hates John Wayne or all of his movies. We just have different opinions on his acting abilities and his place in American cinema. There's no doubt that Wayne's body of work in several great films (Red River, The Searchers, The Quiet Man, etc.), his real and projected persona have earned him the title of an American icon. I have several John Wayne films on DVD, a commemorative mug and photos of me in front of his big airport statue. The Duke was a larger than life character, but that does not mean he wasn't flawed with the occasional crack in his mythic armor. Wayne had what are now considered controversial opinions on politics, minorities, women, The Civil Rights Movement, McCarthyism, etc. and he wasn't afraid to express his views to anyone, even the media. He was a man of his time who doesn't always live up to his later legend, but very few heroes do when placed under a microscope. I never thought to emulate John Wayne by becoming an actor, supporting republican causes, various wars or most of his accomplishments. I just did what came naturally to me with my own values and different heroes, which hopefully brought me to the same moral high ground with others.
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Post by martyb on Oct 6, 2010 21:28:31 GMT -5
Don't misunderstand my message. My remarks were not directed at any one on this board I was expressing an opinion about people I have met outside this forum. I mentioned, however, in my remarks that there were some horrible movies made by the man.
What I really meant to address was what Wayne the 'icon' means as far as masculinity...assertiveness and/or standing up for one's rights, responsibility, selflessness, a general code of ethics, morality, sincerity, and respect...I too did not agree with everything he stood for politically or most particularly his support of McCarthy and Nixon.
We do however, live in a society that seeks to emasculate men, I truly refuse to abide by that. I am not a bigot or a misogynist but neither am I weak, dependent and without any clear cut sense of right and wrong.
Again my comments are not directed at anyone on this forum. I guess I should have just said, "I think the new 'True Grit' will be another western classic and Bridges has definitely proved himself in the Western Film Genre but I still enjoyed the hell out of John Wayne's 'True Grit'." The best analogy I can give is I really enjoyed Disney's 'Treasure Island' with Robert Newton, but being a great fan of the book I really think the Charlton Heston version of 'Treasure Island' is superior.
So, no offense was intended to anyone.
P.S. I think the type of individual I was talking about would never be on a forum about the Alamo.
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Post by TRK on Oct 7, 2010 8:10:48 GMT -5
I don't think any offense was given, or any taken by anybody on this board. However, any further discussion of John Wayne as a personality/actor/celebrity/etc. would be better served by a separate thread in the "Off Topic" subforum.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Oct 7, 2010 20:17:00 GMT -5
No problem Marty. One thing I liked about the original True Grit was the snappy dialogue between Wayne and Miss Darby and other minor characters like horse seller Strother Martin. Imagine a young woman during that time period talking down gunfighters and a young actress with the role of a lifetime in her first real movie. It may not have been completely authentic, but I found the language of True Grit very entertaining and in my opinion it has stood the test of time.
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Post by martyb on Oct 7, 2010 21:59:44 GMT -5
One note about the language in the book. It is a very good example of how people of the late 19th century spoke.
John Wayne's 'True Grit' movie kept a lot of it intact in the script. I hope the remake gives as good a lesson on how our ancestor's spoke. I remember telling some of our fresh fish reenactors, who wanted to engage in Civil War first person, to watch True Grit and emulate the dialog. They would frown and say the spoken words were 'wooden' or 'stilted', and I would say...exactly.
I really think, from the reviews I've read, that Bridges has done a bang up job of portraying ol' Rooster and the girl is supposed to be right up there with him.
By the way, a word about old Glenn Cambell. he wasn't much of an actor but based on his Texas Ranger character in the book, he did a serviceable job. I wonder if this LaBoef dies at the end?
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