Jeff Bridges is NOT John Wayne

They just had to do it. They just couldn't leave it alone. Hollywood is going for broke and about to ruin a great film because someone thinks they can do it better than the original.

It's a trip on the revisionist wave that is modern Hollywood. This time around we are going to be treated to a "new" look at John Wayne's oscar winning performance in True Grit. Likely the film is being redone because most younger movie audiences have never seen the original, which fans of Wayne love. You can include me in the latter.

The original film was released in 1969, based on the novel of the same name from 1968. It featured Wayne, Glen Campbell, and Kim Darby. The basic premise goes, a drifter kills a father in the old 1880 west. His daughter goes to hire a marshal to gain revenge by bringing the man to justice (a trial). The daughter is highly religious and very sheltered. She also is stubborn.

She hires a notorious Marshal by the name of Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne), known for catching criminals as often as killing them. Along the way they meet up with a Texas Ranger after the same man (and the reward for him).

In attempting to capture the fugitive, who has joined a vicious band of outlaws, Maggie learns the meaning of 'true grit' and comes to respect Cogburn despite his flaws (an alcoholic and constant use of profanity).

It's a good film, the following video clip may give you an idea of how the film went. (Yes, that is a very young Robert Duvall)


But the new version, set to come out in December of 2010, won't be the same story. This time the story will be from the view of Maggie. It will depict a far different view of Cogburn (as played by Jeff Bridges) and the Ranger (to be Matt Damon). It will seek to convey a moral message, and be far more funny at points.

In essence it will ruin the film. Because Bridges is a good actor, but he does not convey the charisma or character of Wayne. Nor does he resemble an image of a world-weary wilderness hardened cowboy.

The same can be said of Matt Damon. he can do action, and drama. He is talented. But he does not convey an image of the old west. Perhaps makeup and the proper scenery can change that view. But I doubt it.

The bottom line is why are they remaking the film? Why must modern directors and movie studios insist on trying to remake classics with the thought that they can do it better? Because they never do. Not in the revisioned Psycho, or Halloween, or Hills Have Eyes, or Speed Racer, or I Am Legened, or Pink Panther, ect. Perhaps lighting strikes once in every 100 tries, like with The Fly, but it is so rare as to not be worth the attempt.

Classics aren't there to be "improved upon". Let's just enjoy them for what they are.

Modern Rodeo - a cityboy's question

I was having a conversation the other day with a friend of mine when the subject of cowboys and rodeos came up. Now this is a subject of interest for me in that I love to see if people understand the meaning of the word cowboy.

“The term itself, cowboy, is a direct reference to Black African Americans that dealt with cattle. As time has passed the term has been usurped to become heroes of the Old West, Mr. John Wayne being a popular symbol.”

But the conversation quickly tyurned to the sport of rodeo. And I admit that I was at a loss at this point. Being a city boy, and from the Northeast, there was little chance that I’d ever see a rodeo.

So after the conversation wi went to Youtube, to see what was the interest. And I found this on my first try.



Hardly an inspiring video. It does not bring up thoughts of enthusiasim in my mind, and did not reflect my firneds excitement at all.

So in further looking around I decided to look at Professional Bull Riders (PBR) which I recalled hearing about on ESPN. I found this piece that occurred at Madison Square Garden if you can believe it.



The part that really caught my attention what first the concept that bull riding is an extreme sport. Somehow that connection does not work for me. But I can see how its just commercial enough to try to sell the sport to younger viewers.

The other thing I notice is that the video tries extremely hard to shed the traditional view of cowboys and rodeo, in favor of a more commercial image. The mix of pop music, MTV style editing, action orientation, and celebrity interview all smack of Hollywood polish and drawing ADHD eyeballs.

Is this really the appeal of modern rodeos? Is this the best the sport offers? Because the romanticized image works far better for me. And that at least makes the first video somewhat less …guilty I suppose. Because the PBR seems so brutal in comparison.

But is that just what this cityboy sees?

This Memorial Weekend - 5.25.2007.1

Let’s talk movies and icons as we enter this Memorial Day weekend. In terms of movies there is only one to discuss, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. I saw the movie, and it was great. There is a lot going on, everywhere in this movie. There are few scenes that slow down in any respect. That’s a bit of a shame as the scenery is phenomenal. I’m not a big fan of CGI, but it’s used so well and believably in this film that you forget its computer made.

Then again, you also forget that you are watching actors. It feels like these are living personalities we are glimpsing, as they spin in a vortex of chaos. Often you will ask the same question as several characters, ‘Does Jack have a plan, or is he winging it?’ There is no way to be sure, but he’s obviously influenced the thinking of every major character in the film. I don’t know if it’s in the Pirates Codex, and I won’t ask Captain Tigue, but everyone is out to do what’s right for them. The chaos and double-dealing this causes is remarkable.

Don’t worry about following it all, there is too much to catch it all. But then again you’ll have too much fun watching the action to really care. And there are enough questions left at the end to easily justify another movie. My guess, and this may seem like a bit of a spoiler, is that Hector [his first name is mentioned only once] will be going after Jack as Jack goes after a treasure to fulfill his new goal.

See the movie, its well worth the money to see it on the big screen.

As I mention the big screen, I want to mention someone that has filled it for decades and is still revered decades after his death. I mean no other than Mr. John Wayne. Yesterday was the anniversary of what would have been his 100th birthday.

There are few movie icons that reach the stature that this one man holds. I am a fan, and unlike Public Enemy, I do feel he is an American hero. Mr. Wayne embodied an image of direct honesty and determination, a purity of action that few ever match. Without flash or ego, Mr. Wayne became a symbol of America that endures today as much as 50 years ago.

He was the spirit of the American soldier, refusing to give up the fight and more than capable of winning. He stood as tall as the American flag, and was unwavering in the pursuit of justice. In many ways he was the best image of what America could be. And he highlighted our flaws without shoving them down our throats.

Some may not like Mr. Wayne. Some could disagree with the image he portrayed. Yes, there were many African Americans in the old west [where do you think the term cowboy comes from?] and very few in his films. Yet there were some, which is more than most movies of this type. And real Indians played their roles, as often as not friends of his character and highly respected for their beliefs. Few movies of the old west portrayed American Indians as anything more than a caricature, and several of the ones that did starred Mr. Wayne.

But it’s Memorial Day weekend. We seek to salute our servicemen and women. We remember that they have given their lives and limbs to provide us the life we have today. As flawed as America may be, or has been, it still is the greatest nation in the world. There is no other nation in the world with the degree of freedom and privileges we enjoy here. And we can only have that because of those that fought, bled and died before us and today.

Regardless if you agree with our current wars, our Commander-and-Chief, or our reason to start fighting [this though questionable is moot as we are fighting now. The focus on how we got here is just a political stump point that does not advance our position today] the fact is that without those brave and dedicated individuals standing in the face of evil and anti-America forces, we could not have anything we take for granted today. That includes this blog, movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, the SUV or Hummer you might want or drive, the home you live in, and the quality of everything else that is here.

So take a moment this weekend, see a John Wayne film [especially those when he is shown as a serviceman] and remember the indomitable spirit that is America and our servicemen and women. Then go see the fruit of those sacrifices in the image of Mr. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.

To my fellow Marines, Semper Fidelis. To all veterans, thank you. To those volunteers in the military today, bless you and be well.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Dennis Miller, Yvonne De Carlo, and Golf changes - 1.10.2007.1

A mixed day of information today. I’ll get into my further thoughts on the debacle that is Mr. Donald Trump vs. Ms. Rosie O’Donnell in a subsequent post. I’ll simply state that at this point it has more attention than it ever deserved.

On a higher note, there is news that Mr. Dennis Miller will be starting a radio show soon. This is a great thing as I find him talented. While I connect more with, and find funnier, Mr. Chris Rock there is no question of the abilities of Mr. Miller. He hits the high ground in an arena of comedy that generally goes for the low-brow. There’s nothing wrong with the comedy of Mr. Ron White (who I think is also funny), or Larry the cable guy. I just like to enjoy a conversation that has a bit more depth from time to time.

Similar to the aforementioned Mr. Rock, and Mr. Steven Wright, having to think about the joke isn’t a bad thing. I like that some comedians respect and expect that there is an audience that can grasp a complex subject and the jokes about it. Those comedians are few these days. Mr. Wright is unseen these days, Mr. Rock is working on other projects more than his stand-up, and Mr. George Carlin is getting up there in age. Mr. Miller is the only choice and it’s not a bad one. If you haven’t seen his work before, you may want to get a tape of his early work on Saturday Night Live. Or just listen to his radio show once it hits the air.

In sad news, which there has been too much of lately, I send condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Yvonne De Carlo. Many of the younger readers may not realize who this is, but I think TVland or Nick at Nite carries a show that they may recognize her face from. Ms. De Carlo played the character Lilly Munster on the show The Munsters. While this may be her most immediately recognizable role she had many others. Ms. De Carlo was a Canadian that played a Hebrew wife to Moses (Mr. Charleston Heston) in the classic and impressive The Ten Commandments. Her career started in 1941 and continued until 1995 including many roles in westerns including a favorite of mine McLintock! [Yes I am a fan of Mr. John Wayne] I’m sorry to know that she has passed but glad that she has a body of work that will live on for many more generations to come.

For the golfers out there some news that may have been missed. It seems the PGA thinks that instituting a points program similar to the one in NASCAR will help draw more interest to the game. It seems that the 4 big majors are not enough of a draw, and the multiple other matches are not interesting enough. It’s pure money talking, which will screw up the game without a question in my mind. Going for the ratings may be great for physical competition sports but I don’t see it for golf. It’s a sport of individuals, with the majors being the reward. A points competition should not be more important than a major, nor equal to it. If joe average isn’t watching I doubt if a 37 match scoreboard will be a draw. It may help Vegas, a whole new thing to put odds on, but that’s about it.

Some things shouldn’t be about the profit. Profit is a good thing and it’s great as a secondary goal, but it shouldn’t be the drive. Mr. Tiger Woods is after the legacy of a legend, not the money. Many newer or younger players are out to become Mr. Woods or try to surpass him. It’s not about money. When kids say they “want to be like Mike” they mean the ability of Mr. Jordan, not his money.
The focus on money always trickles down to the players. It always dilutes the game and lessens the quality. Baseball used to be a game of greats, now I find it a battle of businesses. The same can be said of basketball, players forsaking educations and self-discipline for a grab at the cash. Golf would be unwatchable if it forgets it’s a gentlemen’s game. Even worse it could be unplayable as etiquette-less players storm courses with dreams of cash. Profit isn’t worth that to me.

This is what I think, what do you think?