True Grit (2010)
Directed by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Length: 110 minutes
Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images
Once upon a time in a wild land called Hollywood, the Western genre - with tales of cowboys and outlaws, women and drink, Indians and sheriffs - ruled the silverscreen. Since the greats like Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns (For a Few Dollars More; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly), John Wayne's instantly recognizable drawl, Clint Eastwood's storied career sporting spurs, and more, the Western genre has largely gone the way of the dinosaurs. That is to say, most modern film viewers are not fans of the "old-time Westerns." When the Coen brothers, famous for their critically acclaimed yet challenging art films, announced their intentions to re-make the classic 1969 Western True Grit, many wondered what the hell was happening. Perhaps more famous as the only role John Wayne won an Oscar for, would this modern version prove to be another Coen art project? Or would audiences be reintroduced to the Western genre and its great history?
True Grit focuses on Mattie Ross, phenomenally played by 14-year old newcomer Hailee Steinfeld (Sons of Tuscon, Summer Camp), a precocious and persistent young lady intent on avenging the murder of her father by Tom Chaney, an all to brief performance by Josh Brolin (Men in Black III, Jonah Hex). In order to track Chaney and bring him to justice, Mattie hires drunk, fat, and cantankerous U.S. Marshall Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn, the amazing Jeff Bridges (TRON: Legacy, Pablo) once again showing his immense talent. Additionally, Matt Damon (The Adjustment Bureau, Hereafter) as the braggadocious Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, pronounced "la beef", joins the crew in hopes of capturing Chaney for the murder of a Texas senator.
While Steinfeld's first major performance as Mattie Ross is incredible considering her relative inexperience, there is no denying the brilliance of Jeff Bridges. Literally replacing an actor in an legendary and award winning role can be daunting for any performer, but Bridges has succeeded in making Rooster Cogburn his own. The drunken buffoon made the film feel more like a comedy about a washed-up Marshall and less prone to the stereotypical Western cliches. Bridges may not win Best Actor for the second year in a row at the upcoming Oscars, but his performance is without a doubt one of the best of the year.
The Coen brothers have managed to avoid making a film that feels "too artsy" as so many of their films often do (look no further than last year's Jewish culture satire A Serious Man). In fact, though deemed a Western, the feeling is more comedy than traditional Western. While all the elements necessary to the genre are present, True Grit is a tremendously accessible film that can be enjoyed by all types, critics and casual movie goers alike. Be sure to catch this one as soon as you can!
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote:
Cross-examining lawyer: "So, you say that when Amos Wharton raised his axe, you backed away from him?"
Rooster Cogburn: "That's right."
Cross-examining lawyer: "In what direction were you going?"
Rooster Cogburn: "Backwards. I always go backwards when I back up."
Oscar Nominations:
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Best Achievement in Directing - Ethan & Joel Coen
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Best Motion Picture
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Jeff Bridges
Best Supporting Actress - Hailee Steinfeld
Best Adapted Screenplay
The King's Speech (2010)
Directed by Tom Hooper
Length: 118 minutes
Rated R for some language
Hollywood loves a film about personal triumphs. Just think about films in the past that have won or competed for several Oscars: Forrest Gump, Rain Man, The Elephant Man, My Left Foot, etc. While The King's Speech is less about physical deformities and more about Freudian psychological trauma leading to disabilities, the latest uplifting tale of King George VI's struggles with a terrible stutter promise to contend for several golden statues. But is The King's Speech another example of Oscar love for a stuffy British drama? Unfortunately, it would seem so.
Colin Firth (Main Street; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) continues to amaze with another award worthy performance as King George VI. A former British naval officer, "Berty," as his family affectionately calls him, is forced to become king when his older brother vacates the throne for a twice divorced American. However, Berty has a crippling stutter that often incites more snickering and doubting than patriotism. With the imminent threat of war with Germany (WWII) and the responsibilities of being a member of the British royal family, Berty seeks the help of a speech therapist, a former actor Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush (The Warrior's Way, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides). With an unorthodox methodology consisting of cursing and singing, can Logue help Berty lead the British Empire into war?
Without a doubt, the main focus of the film is the relationship between King George VI and Logue. This humorous and sometimes intense friendship makes up the majority of the film. While watching a member of the British royalty curse for the first time with great zeal is quite funny, The King's Speech definitely feels "British" throughout - stuffy and a bit rigid. Several critics have stated how accessible the film is to the masses but be warned this is still very much a period piece.
So is the film worthy of all the Oscar buzz? Not really. That isn't to say the film is not enjoyable, but best picture it is not. Firth is once again worthy of the critical praise for his portrayal of King George VI; however, his nominated role for last year's A Single Man seemed to be the more award worthy performance. Additionally, Rush fills the "funny sideman" role well with his eccentric turn as the king's speech therapist. Bottom line, the film is certainly enjoyable. But let's pump the brakes when it comes to the Oscar buzz.
Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote:
Lionel Logue: "Do you know the 'f' word?"
King George VI: "Ffff...fornication?"
Oscar Winners
Best Motion Picture
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Colin FirthBest Achievement in Directing - Tom HooperBest Original Screenplay
Oscar Nominations:
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Original Score
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Best Supporting Actor - Geoffrey Rush
Best Supporting Actress - Helen Bonham Carter
Black Swan (2010)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Length: 108 minutes
Rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language, and some drug use
Oh, Darren Aronofsky, how your films continue to excite, terrify, and confuse. Anyone expecting a petite and pretty film about ballet is sorely mistaken as Aronofsky has quickly developed a reputation for his David Lynch-esq films consisting of dark imagery, gritty performances, and manic storytelling. While Black Swan may confuse or deter the average movie goer, film aficionados will appreciate this beautifully executed piece of art.
Natalie Portman (No Strings Attached, Thor) brilliantly portrays Nina Sayers - a sweet, virginal, repressed ballet dancer that strives for perfection and eloquence. Nina's ballet company announces they will perform a new rendition of the classic Swan Lake - with the lead playing both the innocent White Swan and the dangerous and sultry Black Swan. Though Nina displays why she is the perfect choice for the White Swan, can she become her evil alter-ego the Black Swan?
Black Swan serves as a giant metaphor for the lengths artist go to in order to embody their characters - essentially, a look into method acting if you will. Portman's amazing turn as Nina is the stuff Hollywood immortalizes for ages. Living at home with an overbearing and obsessive mother, Nina struggles to find her inner Black Swan stymied by her own innocence and her mother's constant meddling. When you can't even masturbate because your mother is sleeping in your room, you know you have problems. The brilliance of Portman's portrayal is the gradual transformation Nina undergoes from the innocent White Swan to the dangerous and frightening Black Swan. The last ten minutes of the film are spent in a split-persona haze with the audience left grasping for a ledge on which to hang.
Darren Aronofsky may not make films for the average man or woman (an attribute soon to change as he prepares to direct The Wolverine), but passing on Black Swan simply because you may not "get it" would be a travesty. Natalie Portman is amazing, brilliant, and downright scary at times in her best role yet. The level of dedication illustrated by Portman alone should entice you (Portman reportedly trained for over a year for the role). Give Black Swan a try, if only to admire the sure to be nominated performance by Portman. Who knows, you may discover you're a fan of the ballet after all!
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote:
Thomas: "I have a little homework assignment for you. I want you to go home and touch yourself."
Oscar Winners
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Natalie Portman
Oscar Nominations:
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Directing - Darren Aronofsky
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Motion Picture
