Which Is The Best True Grit Movie?

The very original True Grit was a serial story which appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in 1968. It was eventually redone in book form with a slightly different storyline by the author, Charles Portis.

The first movie was made in 1969 and starred John Wayne, in his only Oscar-winning performance in which Roger Ebert said that Wayne displayed "a quiet confidence that grows out of 40 years of acting." A sequel called Rooster Cogburn followed in 1975.

The second version of True Grit arrived at screens in North America on December 22, 2010 and featured Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. It also features Matt Damon and Josh Brolin . People wondered if this movie could live up to the reputation of the original.

As always, a movie remake stirs up emotions. Some people love the original and hate to see it redone. Others are curious about how a remake might turn out. On this page, watch the movie trailers for both movies, learn a bit more about them and take the opportunity at the end to share your opinion on which is better, the 1969 or the 2010 version of True Grit.

JOHN WAYNE'S TRUE GRIT (1969)

FAST FACTS (1969)

Cast: John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper

Original Release Date: June 11, 1969

Rating: G - General

Studio: Warner Brothers

Run Time: 127 minutes

Awards: John Wayne won his only Academy Award in this movie when he played the U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn

1969 MOVIE TRAILER

THE 1969 MOVIE IS THE BEST - LINKS (PROOF!)

New York Times 1969 True Grit Movie Review

"True Grit, which opened at the Radio City Music Hall yesterday, comes very close to being as good as we remember certain movies of our childhood to have been...a marvelously rambling frontier fable packed with extraordinary incidents..."

True Grit 1969 Movie Review by Roger Ebert

"Wayne, in fact, towers over this special movie. He is not playing the same Western role he always plays. Instead, he can play Rooster because of all the Western roles he has played. He brings an ease and authority to the character..." 

Order your copy of John Wayne's True Grit here on Amazon.

JEFF BRIDGES' TRUE GRIT 2010

FAST FACTS (2010)

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld, Barry Pepper

Original Release Date: December 22, 2010

Rating: PG-13

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Run Time: 111 minutes

Awards: This version of True Grit was nominated for ten Academy Awards but won none.

2010 MOVIE TRAILER

THE 2010 MOVIE IS THE BEST - A link that helps make this case...

Review of True Grit (2010) by Cinema Blend

"Cogburn does have grit, but the movie's title is really a reference to the fortitude of a teenage girl. Bathed in the stunning cinematography of long-time Coen brothers collaborator Roger Deakins and a beautiful score by Carter Burwell...

Order your copy of the 2010 version of True Grit here on Amazon.

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TRUE GRIT 2-MOVIE COLLECTION

I am not sure when it was released but if you are a fan of these movies or if you just want to watch them, they are now available in a single Blu-ray collection. Have both for a great price!

Buy your True Grit 2-Movie Collection here on Amazon.

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Okay, it's time. No waffling. This is it. Which True Grit movie is the best? This is where you get to have your say. If you have seen both versions of the movie, please be sure to share your opinion here. If you love one and can't imagine the other, say so, too! Which is better?

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

MORE JOHN WAYNE:

John Wayne Movies on Blu-ray

John Wayne Coffee Mugs

MICHAEL JACKSON'S VISION

MTV and Michael Jackson arrived on the North American scene at pretty much the same time and they were perfectly suited to each other. Jackson used MTV from the very beginning to share his visual style and his music where people could hear and see his music. He started thinking of his songs as scripts and created stories out of them and called them 'short films' rather than 'music videos.'

The first music video to be initiated into the Library of Congress National Film Registry was Michael Jackson's Thriller. That song had a huge impact at the time of its release. I remember staying home the night that video was released to watch it on television and being totally amazed by it.

VIDEO TRAILER

Michael Jackson's Vision was released on November 22, 2010. It contains all 35 of Michael's videos that were created when he was working as a solo performer. Ten of them appear on DVD for the first time ever. The videos have been restored and remastered so that you will get the best audio and visual impact from them. It includes a bonus DVD with seven more videos with other artists that include The Jacksons performing "Enjoy Yourself," Paul McCartney performing "Say Say Say" and the video that had never been seen before, "One More Chance."

FAST FACTIONS ABOUT VISION

ACTOR: Michael Jackson
FORMAT: DVD. Vision is NOT being released on blu-ray at this time.
NUMBER OF DISCS: 3
RATED: NR (Not Rated)
STUDIO: Sony Legacy
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2010
DVD RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2010
RUN TIME: 4.5 hours

This package reflects Michael Jackson's vision. Fans are definitely going to want this DVD set in their collection. Unfortunately for those of you who are looking for the Blu-ray version of Vision, it does appear that Vision is not being released on Blu-ray.

Viewer and Jackson fan Kaio says, "If you're a fan of Michael Jackson, then you can't go wrong with this beautiful DVD box set...I know this is something I'll treasure forever. The words "special" and "genius" are bandied about far too freely, but in this instance, the man truly lives up to the meaning of those words, and then some!" 

Click here to order your copy of Michael Jackson's Vision from Amazon.

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

MORE MICHAEL JACKSON READING

Michael Jackson The Experience Video Game
A very exciting combination, Michael Jackson's The Experience will allow you to learn Jackson's dance moves and choreography and to sing along. Read my complete review of Michael Jackson The Experience at this link.

The Official Michael Jackson Opus (Book)
The Official Michael Jackson Opus is a magnificent book dedicated to one of the best singers, song writers and dancers of all time. Learn more here...

Planet Earth & Blue Planet Seas of Life Special Collector's Edition

This set bundles together The Planet Earth series and The Blue Planet Seas of Life and features 190 minutes of special features.

Planet Earth shares action and intimate wilderness scenes; mountains and rivers; tough habitats where the creatures of the earth struggle to survive.

The Blue Planet: Seas of Life is a beautiful exploration of the marine world sharing "the mysteries of the deep, coastline populations, sea mammals, tidal and climatic influences, and the complete biological system that relies on and revolves around the world's oceans." This series won two Emmy's for Outstanding Cinematography Non-Fiction and Outstanding Music Composition.

Order your copy of The Blue Planet Seas of Life from Amazon.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Author's Note: This page first published elsewhere in 2010.

Planet Earth Complete Series Boxed Set

"Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never experience anywhere else." As this quote from the BBC says, Planet Earth will take you to some pretty impossible, truly amazing locations. It will share with you both rare action scenes and intimate moments in the wilderness. You will travel through the mountains and the rivers and you will see Earth's hardest habitats where creatures are trying to survive.

Planet Earth: The Complete Series took five years and $25 million dollars to make. It took 2,000 days and 200 sites. It took 40 cameramen and a lot of high definition technology.

Was it worth it? Most definitely, the resulting television series is considered stunning and may quite possibly be the best nature series on earth. People do rave about it.

Planet Earth: The Complete Series is an 11-part high-definition BBC production that includes these episodes: From Pole to Pole, Mountains, Fresh Water, Caves, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Great Plains, Jungles, Shallow Seas, Seasonal Forests, Ocean Deep. It also includes 110 minutes of behind-the-scenes information with a ten minute segment devoted to each episode. Plus, it includes a feature called Planet Earth: The Future which is a three-part, 2 1/2-hour series that looks at what is coming in the world for endangered animals, endangered habitats and even ourselves.

Amazon customer Igor Mencos raves about the quality, saying he had seen it on DVD and that the Blu-ray was even better than he expected it would be. Customer Lee says simply, "It does not get any better than this" and warns that once you start watching you won't be able to stop. Finally, Brundogg says the series is "absolutely amazing."

You can learn more about or buy your copy of Planet Earth from Amazon by clicking right here. It is available on Amazon Video but actually less expensive at this moment on blu-ray disc.

Are you a Planet Earth fan?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda


Quick Links:

Order your copy of PLANET EARTH from Amazon.
The Imax Ultimate Collection Boxed Set 
Africa: The Serengeti Imax Nature Documentary
Alaska: Spirit of the Wild Review 

Author's Note: This page first published elsewhere in 2010.

Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection on Blu-ray

What Bond fan would not love to upgrade their James Bond movie collection with this blu-ray boxed set?

Issued in 2012, it features all of the Bond movies. That means a whopping 50 years worth of movies.

Travel with Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig on their adventures as 007.

Amazon customer reviews are mostly positive with the review voted most helpful saying that Never Say Never Again is excluded supposedly because it was not a part of the original series.  Take a peek at the advertisement for the set:

I know that the boxed set would make a spectacular gift for the dad who lives in our house and for any dad or man who loves James Bond and wants to own the movies on blu-ray disc.

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your Bond 50 set from Amazon.

The Beatles Remastered

September 9, 2009 saw the remaster and re-release of The Beatles music collection in stereo and mono sound and some called it Christmas in September.  

The set was officially endorsed by both surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and it was definitely one of the musical events of the year.

When the remastered stereo and mono boxed sets were released in 2009, it was four decades after the height of popularity of The Beatles but that did not matter because the world still loved (and still loves) The Beatles. 

If you were not previously aware of this set and you love The Beatles, you will get a feeling for its power when you watch The Beatles remasters video trailer:

  

The initial run of the boxed sets was so successful that it sold out right away but it is readily available now on Amazon by clicking right here.  I do not remember the original retail price but expect you will have to pay a premium if you want to own a  new set and that you may be able to save a bit of money if you choose a used set from one of the resellers on Amazon.

When this set was released, the Beatles were the second best-selling artist of the decade, the 2000's. The release of these remastered albums surely helped keep them in that spot, if it did not propel them to the top. 

Are you a Beatles fan? Does it matter to you that The Beatles library has been remastered?

Brenda

Treasures By Brenda

You never know what I

might have in store for you!

Quick Links:

Check out both of the Beatles remastered recordings on Amazon by clicking right here.

Read more about the The Beatles Stereo Box Set and The Beatles Mono Boxed Set.

Upstairs Downstairs (2011) Period Drama

As a fan of period drama movies, I’m always on the lookout for more good programs. This past week, I discovered Upstairs Downstairs (2011) and just now discovered that it is a continuation of the 1970s TV series, which I have not watched.

I enjoyed this newer version of Upstairs Downstairs, even without having seen the original programs. It was an entertaining look into the life of the aristocrats and the servants of 1936 England and consists of three one-hour episodes.

 I’m sure that if you enjoy period dramas like Downton Abbey and you are looking for more similar programs, that you will enjoy this one. Take a peek at the trailer:



Personally, I’ll be looking for the original series, which ran from 1971 to 1975 and which I see is available in a boxed set called Upstairs, Downstairs: The Complete Series.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Order the 2011 version of Upstairs Downstairs.
Order Upstairs, Downstairs: The Complete Original Series.

Harry Potter Wizards Definitive Blu-ray Movie Collection (2012)

It's coming, it's coming! The Harry Potter Definitive Blu-ray Movie Collection is coming.

Although Warner Brothers has not told us WHEN it will be released, they have released enough information to make it available for pre-order, which means that you can buy your complete Harry Potter movie boxed set right now on Amazon. You'll have to wait, of course, until Warner Brothers actually releases it to take delivery but you won't be charged when you order and you will be protected by Amazon's product price protection. You'll also receive FREE shipping on this amazing movie set.

Be aware that it is possible to own all of the Harry Potter movies on a lesser set set that is available right now. It retails for less than $80 right now and includes all of the movies but will not include all of the extras nor special features of the definitive edition.

Which set you choose will, of course, be totally up to you and your budget. The definitive edition or the ordinary boxed set? You cannot go wrong in either case if you are building your blu-ray movie collection and you love Harry Potter.

Learn more about the definitive Harry Potter movie set by on Amazon by clicking right here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Hallmark Hall of Fame Timeless Treasures DVD Collection (2011)

The second of two collections, Hallmark Hall of Fame Timeless Treasures delivers three more of the best Hallmark movies.  This triple feature set is being offered on a 'limited time' basis and includes The Magic of Ordinary Days, Sarah Plain and Tall and What the Deaf Man Heard.  I have seen and enjoyed all of these movies.

It is worth noting that What The Deaf Man Heard earned a place on my page about The Best Hallmark Movies Ever.

The Magic of Ordinary Days and Sarah Plain and Tall are both also well loved Hallmark movies.

I aplaud Hallmark's choice of movies in this triple feature. Anyone who loves Hallmark films will appreciate this collection.

See you
at the movies!

Brenda

Quick Link:

Order your copy of Hallmark Hall of Fame Timeless Treasures from Amazon.

Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas Collection DVD (2011)

Hallmark Hall of Fame movies are, in my opinion, the best of the Hallmark movies so it is very interesting and definitely very well timed that Hallmark is offering for a limited time two Triple Feature Collections.

This set is the Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas Collection.  It includes thee fantastic Christmas-themed movies: A Dog Named Christmas, November Christmas and A Season For Miracles. The first two I have seen and loved. The last I have yet to see but A Season For Miracles has  only perfect five-star reviews from the customers on Amazon.

You can order your copy of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas Collection from Amazon by clicking here. It would definitely be a gift any Hallmark movie lover would like to find under the Christmas tree.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

A Dog Named Christmas Movie Review.
November Christmas Movie Review.

The Lion King Trilogy 2011

This fall, Disney is bringing The Lion King out of The Vault. However, they are first bringing a new and different version, a 3D version, to movie theatres for two weeks before they re-releases the movie on blu-ray disc, blu-ray 3D and DVD.

The blu-ray version will be available for purchase on October 4, 2011; the DVD version on November 14, 2011.

All of the versions, of course, are available for purchase already from Amazon by clicking right here.

The Lion King Trilogy, as shown here, is the package that caught my eye.

It includes four movies: the original 2D versions of The Lion King, The Lion King 1 1/2 and The Lion King 2, a digital copy of The Lion King PLUS the brand-new version, The Lion King in 3D.

The trilogy set is packed with special features including those that come with The Lion King blu-ray release:  new deleted scenes, an extended version of The Morning Report, never seen bloopers, Disney Second Screen, Pride of The Lion King, The Lion King: A Memoir - Don Hahn, Disney Sing-Along, an interactive gallery, an audio commentary and Disney's Virtual Vault: Classic DVD Features Powered by BD-Live.

It also includes special features with the two other movies.

The Lion King 1-1/2 features Timon and Pumbaa's Vacation Safari, deleted scenes, Timon: Behind the Legend, Before the Beginning: The Making of The Lion King 1 ½ and a music video.

The Lion King 2 features include Timon and Pumbaa's Insectapedia, an animated short called One by One, Proud of Simba's Pride, Timon and Pumbaa: Find Out Why and a music video.

Amazon already has the trilogy boxed set discounted. I will not quote the price here because it is subject to change but I will say that the sale price is pretty good when you consider what is included with this attractively packaged, eight-disc gift set. When you look at the prices of the three individual Lion King movies on DVD right now, this boxed set becomes a very good deal indeed. (And do not forget that Amazon will ship it for FREE.)

If you want to upgrade your copy of The Lion King or perhaps buy it for the first time on blu-ray, I think The Lion King Trilogy is the way to go.  It is way too soon to be thinking of next Christmas but I would be willing to bet that this will be a top-rated movie gift choice next Christmas.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy The Lion King Trilogy from Amazon.

 

Harry Potter Movie List and Marathon

Are you having or hosting a Harry Potter movie marathon? I have heard rumblings around my house about having one although I'm not sure if it will happen or not.  The 17-year old who proposed the idea  is keen and he did once live through a Lord of the Rings movie marathon so it is not impossible although likely improbable that he will do the same with HP.

I have been reading a story from 2010 about Moira MacDonald, a lady who writes for the Ottawa Citizen. She held a HP movie marathon before the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.  It took her about 15 hours to make it through all six movies, allowing about 10 minutes as a break between movies. Of course, if you are contemplating a Harry Potter marathon now you will have to add the latest Harry Potter movie -- Deathly Hallows Part 1 -- or about 146 minutes making the total time for a Harry Potter marathon excluding the next and last Harry Potter movie a whopping 17.5 hours.

In case you need a reminder, the seven Harry Potter movies are:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I (2010)

And yes, if you want to buy all of the movies released to date,  they are available together in a boxed set called Harry Potter Years 1-7, Part 1, which is shown here. Amazon has the set on sale at almost 40 percent off and will ship it to you for free.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Link:

Buy all of the Harry Potter movies in a convenient and economical boxed set.

Elizabeth Taylor The Signature Movie Collection

If you are looking for some of Elizabeth Taylor's best movies, you may want to consider buying a boxed set like the Elizabeth Taylor Signature Collection.  It contains four interesting and noteworthy films, including National Velvet, Father of the Bride, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Butterfield 8. 

National Velvet is the movie that launched the 12 year old Elizabeth Taylor to stardom, although it was not her first movie. This movie was so well received that it planted Taylor firmly in the hearts of movie goers everywhere.

Father of the Bride features Elizabeth Taylor with another legendary actor, Spencer Tracy. This movie had such a good story that it launched almost as many remakes as Taylor had marriages.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof features Elizabeth Taylor with Paul Newman, a pairing I am anxious to see. Nominated for six Academy Awards, this movie was one of the films that saw Taylor moving on to adult roles.

Finally, Butterfield 8 saw Taylor nominated for and WIN her first of two Academy Awards.  It is a story taken from a 1935 book written by John O'Hara, which was in turn based on a true story -- that of a 1920's New York City call girl.  Amazon customer reviewer Michael C. Smith sums Taylor's performance up, calling it a PERFECT Oscar scene and adding that Taylor "gave it to us with both barrels blazing."

Individually some of these DVDs are very inexpensive. However, the presence of Butterfield 8 makes this set worth buying because Butterfield 8 alone is selling for about $50 used and even more if you find a new copy.  If you are interested in purchasing BUtterfield 8, buying the entire Elizabeth Taylor Signature Movie Collection from Amazon by clicking here may be the best way to do it because it adds four movies to your collection for not much more than the price of one. 

And by the way, I have been unable to find any Elizabeth Taylor movies on blu-ray. If you find one that I've missed, I would be thrilled to hear about it.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Read more about The Best Elizabeth Taylor Movies.