True Grit
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Written and Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Based on True Grit by Charles Portis
Starring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper
Paramount Pictures
Originally Released: December 22, 2010

The 2010 adaptation of True Grit by the Coen Brothers is a masterwork of modern filmmaking that handles the original source material with reverence and justice. Accompanied by a cast that collectively puts in stellar and memorable performances, and coupled with some breathtaking camerawork, True Grit is a must-see film.

Set at some point after the American Civil War and facing the turn of the century, the movie follows protagonist Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfield), a 14-year old girl who is both educated and steadfast beyond her years. Following an incident in which her father was murdered by a brigand named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), Mattie, being the most forward-thinking of the remaining family members, takes it upon herself to address her father’s final businesses including his funeral – and her quest for both retribution and justice.

The t-shirt deal of the day over at RIPT Apparel is a True Grit-inspired shirt called “True Grits.”

The tee, by artist Wes M, went on sale at RIPT today, Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at midnight CST, and will continue for 24 hours from then, and once it’s over, it will not be sold on the site anymore.

The design is based on the recent remake of True Grit and centers on the film’s eye patch-wearing main character, played by Jeff Bridges, turning it into an ad for whiskey-flavored grits.

The Social Network over the past couple months has been unabashedly accepting every award and congratulatory remark that has been sent its way. It seemed the film was determined to be held in eminence amongst other films that are in awards contention this year. Since the film opened in early October it has been on an irrepressible ascent, exceeding every other film in critical acclaim (according to the online site Metacritic it scored an impressive 95).

Satisfaction endured on the film’s behalf all the way up until this past Tuesday morning, where David Fincher‘s Facebook film tallied a total of 8 Oscar nominations. You may say such a particular outing is absolutely superb. But taking into consideration the mentality of students attending Harvard University (like those in The Social Network), 8 is somewhat of a disappointment when you can have many more. Such students anticipate nothing but the best. Given the multitude of accolades The Social Network received, a measly 8 nominations simply cannot be adequately embraced.

The nominations for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning, with The Kings Speech leading the list with 12 nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for stars Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, and Geoffrey Rush.

True Grit came in second with 10 nominations, while The Social Network and Inception tied for third place with 8 nods each.

The Disney/Pixar animated sequel Toy Story 3 is up for 5 awards, including both Animated Feature Film and Best Picture.

See the full list of nominees here below.

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre on February 23, 2011, and will be hosted by actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway.

True Grit
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper
Release date: December 22, 2010

Let’s see who justly possesses true grit: Is it the grizzled, one-eyed U.S. marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), whose depleted, wobbly, massive stature is indicative of his many battles with criminals and alcohol? How about LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), a prideful Texas Ranger who has a sinister appearance and a ruthless mentality that conceals a heart of gold? What about the murderous villains such as Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) or Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper)? Unquestionably, all these men have grit, but is it true grit? All of them have been around many years and seen and done many heinous things. They are regular frequenters of this Wild West world that knows of no remorse, killing individuals as if it were a seasonal sport. But what about Matty Ross (Hailee Steinfeld, in a commanding film debut), that 14-year-old girl whose appearance is as pure as the snowfall? Do not let this hide the inner strengths she possesses. She wants to enter this western world of wildness only to avenge the death of her father’s who was killed by Chaney. She has grit for even thinking of entering this environment. And it is true grit because this is a personal journey that she needs to fulfill.

Very furtively True Grit instigates the idea of Matty becoming consumed by vengeance more so than any man in the movie because she is willing to put at risk her purity. She has not yet been tainted by evilness, but she puts herself in a position to be acquainted with it. Joel and Ethan Coen construct a tale of lost innocence by making Matty their center of devotion. Watch her as the Coens do, as she puts herself in the company of men whose innocence was taken away from them a long time ago. They have nothing to lose. She has an abundance to lose.