Coming from the Cohen brothers (Joel and Ethan), True Grit is a very good western. It is based upon the 1968 Charles Portis novel of the same name, the 2010 film version is a humorous, violent and inviting film. Hailee Steinfeld stars as Mattie Ross, with Jeff Bridges as U.S. Marshal 'Rooster' Cogburn.
We are introduced to the film by the narration of Mattie Ross (narrated by Elizabeth Marvel in an adult voice), played by the 14 year old Steinfeld. Ross informs us that her father was murdered by the notorious Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), and that she is out to seek revenge and catch Chaney. She is forced to look for somebody to assist her and is guided to the U.S. Marshal, 'Rooster' Cogburn (Bridges), as the most merciless of her options. Ross also meets Texas Ranger LeBoeuf (Matt Damon), who has been after Chaney and proposes teaming up with Cogburn to help out. After much pleading and work by Ross, Cogburn finally agrees to help out, and the three set off together. They battle the terrain, Chaney's gang, led by 'Lucky' Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper), and themselves as Ross is keen to gain vengeance.
The film is a winner, with an extremely impressive performance by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, backed up by Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. The acting is fantastic, and the direction and writing from the Cohen brothers is crisp. Combined with some classic cinematography, True Grit will capture the viewer and use you well. The particular use of humour within the film is a raging success, and balances out the sombre task at hand for the protagonists.
Four out of Five.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Superbowl Monday
All two of you would know, after reading my previous blog entries I am a Green Bay Packer fan. Possible the biggest fan of them in my house, at least my room. Well, as the rest of you would know, the Packers were in the Superbowl on Australian Monday. I was very excited to watch the telecast of it. There was a problem, I had school.
Being the model student I am, I was forced to attend school by my mother. I was left in a little dilemma, should I find out the score as soon as possible, or wait for the replay on at eight o'clock. I waited, unfortunately. I had to battle my way through school, football training, television, radio, social networking, friends and family, all in my goal to watch the Superbowl replay at 8 pm.
7:20 am - I awoke and left for school shortly after, I watched the Superbowl preview show. Big mistake, I was pretty keen to wag school.
4:10 pm - At a friends house, waiting to head off the footy training, there is a news flash on the tv. I stand up, block my ears and yell out loud knowing they will mention the Superbowl.
6:05 pm - Footy training warm down, somebody says 'Did you see the Superbowl?', 'Who won?'. I blocked my ears once again, yet after i unblocked them, somebody said 'Green Bay Packers.'
8:00 pm - The replay starts on ESPN, Green Bay take an early lead.
12:34 am - The Packers win the replay, and i make a status update about it. I go to bed smiling.
Being the model student I am, I was forced to attend school by my mother. I was left in a little dilemma, should I find out the score as soon as possible, or wait for the replay on at eight o'clock. I waited, unfortunately. I had to battle my way through school, football training, television, radio, social networking, friends and family, all in my goal to watch the Superbowl replay at 8 pm.
7:20 am - I awoke and left for school shortly after, I watched the Superbowl preview show. Big mistake, I was pretty keen to wag school.
4:10 pm - At a friends house, waiting to head off the footy training, there is a news flash on the tv. I stand up, block my ears and yell out loud knowing they will mention the Superbowl.
6:05 pm - Footy training warm down, somebody says 'Did you see the Superbowl?', 'Who won?'. I blocked my ears once again, yet after i unblocked them, somebody said 'Green Bay Packers.'
8:00 pm - The replay starts on ESPN, Green Bay take an early lead.
12:34 am - The Packers win the replay, and i make a status update about it. I go to bed smiling.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Fighter - Review
Not exactly what you expect when you buy a movie ticket to see a boxing film, The Fighter is a triumph of gritty working class cinema, where the actors try their best, the director tries his best and the film works. The film's genre changes a little throughout the film as it morphs between the documentary that is being filmed early, yet remains a solid drama of family values and conflicts.
Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is a struggling walterweight boxer from the town of Lowell, he is mentored and trained by his brother, and former big time boxer, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). Ward is known as a 'stepping stone' boxer, who is used by bigger boxers to make up easy victories. Micky is managed by his mother Alice (Melissa Leo). Dicky has a heavy crack addiction and is being filmed by HBO in a documentary as he prepares for a 'comeback'. Micky only wants to become a great boxer and make the big time, and with help from his girlfriend, Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), begins to look outside his small town and big family. Micky is always wanting a crack at the big time, and to do so he may have to hurt those who he is closest to.
The Fighter basically belongs to the actors. Although David O. Russell does a solid effort as the director, and the script is very good, this is an acting film. One highlight of the film is the lack of boxing, as it focuses on the lives of it's characters outside the ring. Wahlberg is terrific as the leading man Micky, yet Bale steals every scene. He performs brilliantly as Dicky, and should win the Academy Award for his performance. Bale dominates every scene and proves he is a sensational actor in his own right. Adams is also surprisingly fantastic as Charlene, while Leo also is excellent as she strives towards her own Oscar. The Fighter is a little bit slow in the beginning, yet it breaks into stride perfectly towards the middle and finish of the film. Well worth watching, even for those who are not into violence, as the fighting is limited.
Three and a Half out of Five.
Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is a struggling walterweight boxer from the town of Lowell, he is mentored and trained by his brother, and former big time boxer, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). Ward is known as a 'stepping stone' boxer, who is used by bigger boxers to make up easy victories. Micky is managed by his mother Alice (Melissa Leo). Dicky has a heavy crack addiction and is being filmed by HBO in a documentary as he prepares for a 'comeback'. Micky only wants to become a great boxer and make the big time, and with help from his girlfriend, Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), begins to look outside his small town and big family. Micky is always wanting a crack at the big time, and to do so he may have to hurt those who he is closest to.
The Fighter basically belongs to the actors. Although David O. Russell does a solid effort as the director, and the script is very good, this is an acting film. One highlight of the film is the lack of boxing, as it focuses on the lives of it's characters outside the ring. Wahlberg is terrific as the leading man Micky, yet Bale steals every scene. He performs brilliantly as Dicky, and should win the Academy Award for his performance. Bale dominates every scene and proves he is a sensational actor in his own right. Adams is also surprisingly fantastic as Charlene, while Leo also is excellent as she strives towards her own Oscar. The Fighter is a little bit slow in the beginning, yet it breaks into stride perfectly towards the middle and finish of the film. Well worth watching, even for those who are not into violence, as the fighting is limited.
Three and a Half out of Five.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The slice of fortune
I'm a gonna let you finish, but my mother makes the most delicious vanilla slice of all time. Of all time. Not that I like to brag on behalf of other people, but it is quite brilliant. The pink icing on top, is as much about presentation as taste, although it is rather sweet. Underneath the icing is a layer of biscuit, which leads the teeth into the best part. The vanilla custard is what i imagine heaven to be like. Soft, delicious, light and delicious. I think it is delicious. The slice is finished with another layer of biscuit, helping for holding.
It is fair to say the mouth watering slice is magnificent. Glorious, majestic, beautiful, wonderful, good, nice, terrific, never better and perfect. I like to think the slice was modelled after me, with it's dashing good looks and fantastic personality. In fact, I know it was modelled after me, because everybody loves it so much. Particularly the ladies. Therefore the slice is just so good that I cannot forget it, the slice is much like a Paul Chapman football performance. It takes no nonsense, it delivers on a regular basis, and it is a champion. But really, it is just a slice.
It is fair to say the mouth watering slice is magnificent. Glorious, majestic, beautiful, wonderful, good, nice, terrific, never better and perfect. I like to think the slice was modelled after me, with it's dashing good looks and fantastic personality. In fact, I know it was modelled after me, because everybody loves it so much. Particularly the ladies. Therefore the slice is just so good that I cannot forget it, the slice is much like a Paul Chapman football performance. It takes no nonsense, it delivers on a regular basis, and it is a champion. But really, it is just a slice.
Friday, February 4, 2011
School
Well it has been almost three weeks since my last blog entry, and for all one of you who are reading this, sorry. Sorry you are missing out on my intelligent, brilliant, amazing insights. But, here is something for you finally.
Today, i returned to school for the second last year of High School. Lots of fun. Anyway, I only have four subjects this year, so I am pretty relaxed about my thousands of frees i have every day. But what i am not relaxed about is the disgraceful prejudice and disaster that has come my way. The utter distain that has been heading my way for the past two years now.
Everything is going wrong for me, and i have nobody to blame but everyone but me. It can't be my fault, so i have to blame someone else for having a bottom locker. Being a reasonably tall student, i am shattered that i have to bend down, ALL the way to reach the bottom.
Without doubt, i am considering faking a back injury just so i can get a top locker. But until then, i will have to do my homework, do my downball and dominate the bottom locker.
Today, i returned to school for the second last year of High School. Lots of fun. Anyway, I only have four subjects this year, so I am pretty relaxed about my thousands of frees i have every day. But what i am not relaxed about is the disgraceful prejudice and disaster that has come my way. The utter distain that has been heading my way for the past two years now.
Everything is going wrong for me, and i have nobody to blame but everyone but me. It can't be my fault, so i have to blame someone else for having a bottom locker. Being a reasonably tall student, i am shattered that i have to bend down, ALL the way to reach the bottom.
Without doubt, i am considering faking a back injury just so i can get a top locker. But until then, i will have to do my homework, do my downball and dominate the bottom locker.
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