February 25, 2012

Day 17: Worst movie adaptation of a book

True Grit (1969)

Ok, before you hit the “unfollow” button, can you just hear me out?  I’m NOT saying this is a bad movie.  Not in the least.  It’s a good movie, even if it’s not one of my favorites.  But it is a bad ADAPTATION of the novel.  It’s interesting to note how close this movie’s script actually is to the 2010 version, which i chose for best book adaptation.  With such similar scripts, how could one be the best adaptation and one be the worst?  Well, I think it all comes down to tone.  The actors in both movies might be saying the same words, but their readings are totally different.  Same goes for the direction.  In the 1969 version, Portis’ style and intentions were completely eclipsed by John Wayne’s hammy personality.  I think the unique story of the novel was simplified to fit the Duke’s persona and legacy.  The film’s creators tried too hard to make True Grit a simple Hollywood western, where good always defeats evil and plucky characters ride off into the sunset after winning the day, and that’s just not what an adaptation of True Grit should be.  At all.  I know it’s just my opinion, but shut up I’m right.

Day 16: Best movie adaptation of a book: True Grit (2010)

Day 15: Best movie musical: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Day 14: Best movie sequel: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Day 13: A movie that makes you think: Do The Right Thing (1989) 

Day 12: Best holiday movie: A Christmas Story (1983)

Day 11: Movie with the most beautiful scenery: Bambi (1942), The Lord of the Rings(2001-2003) 

Day 10: A movie you like with an actor/actress you hate: Matchstick Men (2003)

Day 09: A movie that makes you cry: The Land Before Time (1988)

Day 08: A movie you thought you’d hate but ended up loving: She’s the Man (2006)

Day 07: A movie from your childhood: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986/89)

Day 06: Best love story in film: Jane Eyre (2011)

Day 05: A movie sequel you’d like to see made someday: Peking Opera Blues (1986)

Day 04: A movie you’re embarrassed to admit you like: Underworld (2003)

Day 03: A movie you wish more people had seen: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Day 02: A movie you can recite word for word: Victor Victoria (1982)

Day 01: The first movie you remember seeing: Aladdin (1992)

9:29pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARxH25plM
(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: true grit movies movie challenge john wayne screencaps dvd covers 
February 25, 2012

Day 16: Best movie adaptation of a book

True Grit (2010)

The Charles Portis novel on which the movie is based is quite strange, but it’s an all time favorite of mine.  Its heroine Mattie has one of the strongest and quirkiest narrative voices of any character I’ve ever read, and I can’t think of any better treatment of the “western” genre.  The historical setting and time period of the novel don’t read like a Hollywood backlot at all.  In that way it’s less fantastical than your typical Hollywood-style western, but all the more affecting for its straight up portrayal of a bygone era. (Think of Pirates of the Caribbean versus Master and Commander.) True Grit the novel gives you historical realism, but the kind that’s engaging and darkly humorous instead of dry.

And the 2010 adaptation from the Coen brothers hit every note exactly right.  It preserved the striking tone of the story, but also enhanced it with amazing cinematography and a great score.  The performances were all top notch as well.

Day 15: Best movie musical: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Day 14: Best movie sequel: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Day 13: A movie that makes you think: Do The Right Thing (1989) 

Day 12: Best holiday movie: A Christmas Story (1983)

Day 11: Movie with the most beautiful scenery: Bambi (1942), The Lord of the Rings(2001-2003) 

Day 10: A movie you like with an actor/actress you hate: Matchstick Men (2003)

Day 09: A movie that makes you cry: The Land Before Time (1988)

Day 08: A movie you thought you’d hate but ended up loving: She’s the Man (2006)

Day 07: A movie from your childhood: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986/89)

Day 06: Best love story in film: Jane Eyre (2011)

Day 05: A movie sequel you’d like to see made someday: Peking Opera Blues (1986)

Day 04: A movie you’re embarrassed to admit you like: Underworld (2003)

Day 03: A movie you wish more people had seen: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Day 02: A movie you can recite word for word: Victor Victoria (1982)

Day 01: The first movie you remember seeing: Aladdin (1992)

10:48am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARxG-vp2A
Filed under: movies movie challenge true grit books screencaps coen brothers hailee steinfeld matt damon jeff bridges 
December 22, 2011

12:26pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARxDda6lR
(Notes: 9)
  
Filed under: true grit joe wilson movies unofficial posters illustration art 
November 28, 2011

“True Grit: Mean Business”

This promotional tie-in is really just an advertisement for the film, but the illustration is nice just the same.

11:04am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARxCY2Mo8
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: comics illustration movie tie-ins true grit true grit mean business 
August 29, 2011

Riding and shooting in True Grit (2010).

3:16pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARx8vSx38
(Notes: 21)
  
Filed under: True Grit movies Hailee Steinfeld Jeff Bridges gif my gif Coen brothers 
August 12, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Today’s soundtrack track: River Crossing, by Carter Burwell, from True Grit (2010).  Such a good morning song - it totally makes me want to saddle my horse and ride off into the unknown.  Or at least it would, if I had a horse.

1:34pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARx8EBRbr
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: True Grit movies movie soundtrack soundtrack Carter Burwell 
June 24, 2011
Mattie: I have come to take you back to Fort Smith. Chaney: Well I will not go.  How do you like that? Mattie: There is a posse of officers up there who will force you to go. […] Chaney: I think I will oblige the officers to come after me. [… She shoots him.]  I did not think you would do it! Mattie: Well, what do you think now?

Mattie: I have come to take you back to Fort Smith.

Chaney: Well I will not go.  How do you like that?

Mattie: There is a posse of officers up there who will force you to go. […]

Chaney: I think I will oblige the officers to come after me. [… She shoots him.]  I did not think you would do it!

Mattie: Well, what do you think now?

1:05pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARx6PUMpe
(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: Hailee Steinfeld Josh Brolin True Grit film quotes movies screencaps movie moments 
June 24, 2011
“I misjudged you.  I picked the wrong man.”

“I misjudged you.  I picked the wrong man.”

1:01pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARx6PTrwD
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: Hailee Steinfeld Matt Damon True Grit film quotes movies screencaps movie moments 
June 24, 2011
“Take the girl.  I bow out.”

“Take the girl.  I bow out.”

12:40pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYjARx6PRJL9
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: Hailee Steinfeld Jeff Bridges Matt Damon True Grit film quotes movies screencaps movie moments 
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