Western - Did It Suck Movie Reviews

Archive for the ‘Western’ Category

True Grit

December 29th, 2010 | Author: Dan Kersey

Did It Suck Review: 5 Stars Time: 1hr 50min‎‎ Rated: 14-A

It’s about why you kill someone rather than who you killed

True Grit is a 2010 American Western film written and directed by the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of Charles Portis‘ 1968 novel of the same name, which was previously adapted for film in 1969 starring John Wayne. The film stars Jeff Bridges as U.S. Marshal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn along with Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.

Did It Suck? True Grit may be the best movie of 2010, and is certainly the best Western in many years. The script was nothing short of brilliance.

Jeff Bridges gave the performance of his career in what could have easily unwound into a ridiculous stereotype performance.

The first thing you notice about this film is that the Coen’s set out to make it something deeper than a bunch of gunfights tied together by some throw-away dialog. We expect this of Western’s, so it’s a bit of a shock at first. You are inclined to tune out the courtroom scene at the beginning, thinking that it’s filler. Instead, you are delivered stunning dialog that provides some incredible insight into the key character of Rooster Cogburn.

Matt Damon’s performance was surprisingly fresh. You forget all about Jason Bourne from the very first scene. He plays an awkward, yet proud and enthusiastic Texas ranger who is a little more naive than his years should suggest. You feel like you grow a little wiser as his character does the same on the screen ahead.

The young actress Hailee Steinfeld was 13 when she acted her 14 year old character (rather than the typical 22 year old playing 14). Her performance was stunning. She plays a believably smart young lady who outwits nearly everyone in her path. I haven’t been as pleasantly surprised by acting brilliance like this from a young prodigy since Haley Joel Osment in Sixth Sense or Dakota Fanning in everything (up until those ridiculous genre-crushing vampire movies that must not be named).

This is not the True Grit of another generation, it stands alone, and will perhaps be remembered as one of the greatest Westerns ever made and definitely Worth a Ticket.

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- Paul Holmes / Idea Zone

Posted in Drama, Western | 1 Comment »

Jonah Hex

June 29th, 2010 | Author: Dan Kersey

Review: 2.5 Stars Rated: 14-A

When the dead start talking you know that Jonah Hex is close by or making a big mess somewhere.

Plot: Jonah Hex is a 2010 American post-Civil War antihero Western film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Under Warner Bros., the film is directed by Jimmy Hayward and stars Josh Brolinas the title character, Jonah Hex, and also stars John Malkovich, Michael Fassbender, and Megan Fox. During the American Civil War, Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) fought on the side of the Confederacy until betraying his commanding officer, Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich) to save a hospital and killing Turnbull’s son in the process. A vengeful Turnbull and his right-hand man, Burke (Michael Fassbender), burn down Jonah’s house with his wife and son still inside. Jonah Hex is left with a disfigured face and a half dead soul.

Did It Suck? Okay, yes, this was a horrible, cheesy, badly directed film with a story that leaves you going, huh? But …. it was still entertaining enough that I still enjoyed it. I will say for sure that this is defiantly a Wait For The DVD film. I’m also going to say that anyone around 20 and under will probably like this film just for the big explosions and Megan Fox. Who BTW was constantly filmed under a soft-light/filtered lens, that was so obvious, it was laughable. I’m not exactly sure why I like this movie because there was not a lot to like; in fact it really underachieved almost every aspect. The acting was okay, the try-hard comedy was bad, but the pace of the film was good and kept my interest enough to enjoy it even amongst its downfalls.

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- Dan Kersey

Posted in Action, Adventure, Western | 1 Comment »