Movie Review: True Grit

Most everyone knows my feelings about the Coen brothers. I am not their biggest fan. However, as the opening weekend of True Grit got closer and closer, I kept feeling like I needed to see it. For some reason I had a hunch that I would like this Coen film, and I have to say that following my gut worked out. I really enjoyed it!

I couldn't believe how much fun I had during this movie. I laughed throughout, and I can honestly say that I was not expecting that. Jeff Bridges is was so rough and tough and yet very lovable. I adored his slurred speech and accent for his character. From the very beginning, there was no doubt in my mind that he was a true ace, but it was obvious he had a soft side, too. Matt Damon's Texas Ranger was just the perfect balance of cocky and clueless. He was charming a lot of the time, but then he'd get a little bit in over his head and have to be taken down a few notches. And Hailee Steinfeld was an absolute enigma, the heart of the film! This young gal has never been in a movie before this one, and she blew it out of the water. First time out, and she's an Oscar contender. Talk about batting 1000...or a hole in one... or whatever other sports analogy you can think of that equals perfection. Hailee was absolutely fabulous.

I couldn't believe how easy it was to connect to this movie. Usually, I have found the Coens' films to be cold and detached, however, I really loved the characters and felt linked in. One of the driving forces of the film is Rooster Cogburn's obvious attachment that increases for Mattie throughout the movie. He tries not let her in, but she's so persistent, and so relentlessly and effortlessly awesome, she cracks her way into his heart. Also, the hilarious banter between those two and LaBoeuf is the icing on the cake. Even in moment where I didn't expect and feel it was appropriate to laugh, I had to, because of some of the great one-liners.

"Where's Mr. LaBoeuf? Is he ok?"
"Indeed, even a rock to the head cannot quiet him but for a few minutes."

It's an old fashion western, but doesn't feel dated. I must now eat my words, because lo! and behold, a Coen brothers movie finally exists that I truly enjoyed and want to see again. And, dare I say, I also would like to own this movie one day? I think that might be true as well.

Movie Review: The King's Speech

I went to see this movie with my mother over Christmas break because I knew that we both love Colin Firth. There aren't many women who can resist him as the original screen-Mr. Darcy in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. Also, after his Oscar nomination last year and all the buzz for his role in The King's Speech for this year, I knew I just HAD get on board. (It's been my goal to not fall down on the job this year and actually see as many Oscar movies as possible. I've done well so far!)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie because I hadn't read up on it. I only knew that Helena Bonham Carter was also in it and had some Oscar buzz of her own. Also, somewhere along the line, I heard Geoffrey Rush was in the movie, but I had forgotten that fact until he appeared on screen. (It was quite a happy surprise. I think I may have squeaked in excitement.) This movie was SUCH a delight. It is a period drama, but the history and stress of the surrounding plot is secondary to the human story. This is truly a story about a man who has to overcome a huge struggle and defeat his fear. In doing so, he is able to be the man he needs to be, but also he makes a life long friend. It's very inspiring, and when the credits rolled, I had felt so many emotions throughout: amusement, sadness, empathy, and triumph. It was truly a joy to watch.

Colin Firth's performance was mesmerizing. Of all the actors who could fit in the "Best Actor" category this year, my vote is for Firth to win. He is my personal favorite for that. But the thing that really kept the movie going was the chemistry between Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. Those two together are what make the film so enjoyable and make it easy for us to relate to and love these characters. Not to mention, their banter is hilarious. I would suggest that anyone who wants to see a truly awesome performance and a nice, inspirational film should rush to the theaters to see this one before it is gone. And if it is not near you, Netflix it as soon as you can.

THE BALE (aka: Movie Review: The Fighter)

Happy New Year to you all! I know it's been an eternity since I wrote a real blog with substance, but that ends NOW! Over the break I was able to see a few great movies, and this entry will be dedicated to telling you about the first one, The Fighter.

My friends and I have gotten into the habit of referring to Christian Bale as "The Bale" since he is beyond awesome and mostly rules in all ways possible by a human being. He's stunning to look at, has about a million different dialects and accents he can use, and is enormously talented as an actor. Even his outburst a few years ago was turned into a hilarious and epic dance remix that should be found on youtube. To me, Christian can do no wrong, and never has. Even in movies like Laurel Canyon or Little Women, The Bale can't help but be a true BAMF to the core. Not only does he have more cult classics than most any other actor (American Psycho, Equilibrium, The Newsies, Velvet Goldmine), but he also does pay his dues in indie films like The Machinist and Rescue Dawn. Not to mention, he could drink your milkshake even as a kid (12 years old) when he was hand picked by director Steven Spielberg, and starred in Empire of the Sun. As if that wasn't enough, he also has been a part of the biggest revival of an American icon in film history (at least in my humble opinion) by being Batman, the ULTIMATE hero. Not just anyone can play Batman. And Christian is not just anyone.

However, Christian has never received an Oscar nomination. No... I did not say he's been nominated but never won, he's never even been NOMINATED. The injustice is too cruel. But fear not, there is hope, for I have seen The Fighter and have come to report today that INDEED Christian Bale's performance is OSCAR-LISCIOUS. Get ready Academy, there is no other supporting actor that even compares to this man's rendition of a cracked-out, pseudo-hero brother of a losing boxer. Bale has this tied DOWN. He's won every award for this role so far, and I don't think we'll be seeing the guy slowing down. And it's about TIME, too. Go on wit' ya bad self, Bale, and enjoy the sweet victory. You deserve it!

But seriously, Bale captures this character so well, at the end when they showed us the real person he had portrayed I was shocked. Dicky sounded and acted just like what I had seen Christian play for the last 2 hours. It was said that while he and Mark were filming this movie, they acted so much like the brothers that they were mistaken for the brothers by people who were used to seeing them around town. That is a big testament to what a wonderful job these two actors did in these roles. And I was especially excited, because in each film Christian has been in lately, it seems he's been overshadowed by something or someone else. I believe my exact words as I left this theater were: "Finally, Christian is in a movie were he steals focus!"

As far as plot goes, The Fighter isn't anything ground breaking. You can probably guess how things are going to go. However, even though it was a sports movie with adversity and triumph, a plot we've seen before, I still enjoyed seeing this story play out. The script is good and entertaining, and the acting, as I have said, was superb. My only complaint was that Mark Walberg's character, Mickey, was portrayed as kind of a wimp in life. Not talking boxing, I mean how he let everyone near him push him around. He let his sisters bully him, his mom bully him, he let Dickey walk all over him him, he let his sisters bully his girlfriend. By the end I just wanted to shout at him. Thankfully, in the end, we know how things go for Mickey.

So, if you are in for a movie that gets you jazzed up, go see The Fighter. If nothing else, go to see Christian Bale's most awesome performance to date. Awards season can not be more exciting for me this year!