The widely anticipated release of Joel and Ethan Coen’s True Grit opens today at theaters nationwide. Not considered, by the Coen brothers anyway, to be a remake of the 1969 version featuring John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby, it purports to remain more faithful to the 1968 novel of the same name by Charles Portis. Since almost everyone in the free world is at least somewhat familiar with the storyline (14 year old girl leaves home to track down her father’s killer, a former hired man named Tom Chaney, who has since joined up with a gang of thieves lead by Lucky Ned Pepper. To aid her, she hires a US deputy marshal, Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn. A Texas ranger, LaBoeuf [pronounced “La Beef”], becomes the third of their party. The story covers the elements of this adventure), this review will cover the quality and value of the 2010 version. In short, this is an excellent, excellent movie. Bridges is powerful as the drunk, irascible Cogburn, while Steinfeld is top-notch as Mattie Ross. Bridges interpretation of Portis’ hero is worthy and screen filling. Whether a blank stare with mouth agape, slurred, guttural speech, point-blank testimony in court, or griping about LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), Bridges is every bit as worthy as The Duke to wear Cogburn’s eye-patch. Josh Brolin (Tom Chaney) plays the part of stupid so well, you’d swear he was a guy you used to work with or live beside. The real shame is that there is so little screen interplay between Cogburn and Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper). Pepper’s Pepper, with spitting, drooling speech spluttering through the worst set of teeth since 30 Days of Night, is as strong as any supporting character of late. It seems Best Supporting Actor nominations usually go to those with large amounts of screen time, but a nod in his direction would surely not be misplaced. As one might expect from a movie shot in Texas and New Mexico, the scenery, when featured, is stunning. Much of the movie, however, takes place at night, in town or in close quarters, so those shots are few. The courtroom scene near the beginning is quite lengthy, which is a direct draw from the book. It works well to explore the Cogburn character, and Mattie’s analyzing of him. Still, there are departures from the book. The tension between Cogburn and LaBoeuf erupts, as in the book, but ends in ways very different. It seems as if the directors went to the trouble of removing him for extended periods to allow the relationship between Cogburn and Mattie to develop more fully. While this might be important, it makes for an entirely different scenario when the two of them happen upon the cabin inhabited by two of Pepper’s gang. The Texas lawman’s decision to leave allows for the introduction of another character (not in the book), whose purpose seems to be little more than another strange personality to meet on the trail. One thing that remains constant is the young 14 year-old Arkansan’s repeated, unintentionally humorous references to her “lawyer Daggett.” The biggest thing I miss from the book, and which I wish the Coen’s would have found a way to work into the film, either through conversation or through narrative pieces, is Mattie’s constant reflection on Scripture and her thoughts on whether a particular person is Methodist, Baptist, Catholic or “Cumberland Presbyterian.” While the biblical overtones are not completely omitted from the movie, neither are they as strong or prominent as in Portis’s work. True Grit, from Paramount Pictures, and Skydance Productions, is rated PG-13 for language (a dozen or so swear words) and violence (by rope, knife and bullet). There is also a segment featuring rattlesnakes. You’ve been warned. True Grit by Charles Portis can be purchased through the link below. You pay the same low Amazon price and I get a small commission.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Winter 2010 concert review
As part of my son’s Christmas gift this year, he and I attended the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Winter 2010 concert in Duluth, GA, last evening. (Okay, I was not part of the gift; I was just the driver.) We started off the night by forgetting the tickets. Thankfully, owing to an early start and a helpful spouse, we did not lose too much time and still made it to the arena in plenty of time. We noticed immediately a very complex stage set up, but neither of us was prepared for the lights, screens, snow and fire that was to follow. Not to mention the amazing music that has made TSO a Christmas crowd favorite. They use enough spots and strobes to kill anyone prone to seizures, enough fire to give a pyromaniac a ten year rush, enough lasers for everyone to receive a free Lasik procedure, and have enough hair onstage to rival any three 80s bands combined. The 2:45 program made it well worth the price of the tickets. TSO was introduced to me a number of years ago while standing in the middle of a Disney Store. A large music screen featured the video of ‘Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24).’ I was captivated by the music more than the content of the video. It remains my favorite work of TSO, and, in my judgment, the best contemporary contribution to the Christmas genre in the last 25 years or more. While I personally do not prefer most of their vocal arrangements, I love their instrumental compositions. [Continued below video…] The concert experience is much more theatrical than I expected. TSO is nothing if not about presentation. If you enjoy symphonic rock, and have never heard the Trans Siberian Orchestra, give them a try. It is likely that you will not be disappointed. You can check tour dates here.
Book recommendations, Days 10, 11, 12, 13
Sorry for the delay in these recent posts. It’s been pretty busy. So, I welcome back the two of you who are still stopping by this website! Today is a miscellaneous kind of day, so these recommendation will not fit any specific category. The first two are books I’ve recommended to those struggling with doubt beyond issues of believing in Christ. These address the issues of the existence of God. As I have written before, both of the authors are atheist/agnostic themselves. They are not exploring the reality of salvation as much as the weakness of New Atheist arguments against the existence of God. The Devil’s Delusion is by David Berlinski. Reason, Faith and Revolution is by Terry Eagleton. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge is for all men. It is not new by any means, but if you are a guy who has not read it, get it. If you are a woman who’s husband has not read it, Christmas time’s a-comin’. (A companion guide Field Manual is also available.) Hitler’s Cross, by Erwin Lutzer, deals with the theological realities of the Third Reich and the failure of the German church (as a whole) to adhere to the scriptural admonition to love one’s neighbor as him or her self.
Book recommendations, Day 9
Today’s recommendation comes from the field of business. This volume is now a few years old, but it has never failed to get a “Thank you” from people to whom I’ve recommended it. The name of the book is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni. From a review by Howard Rothman: Lencioni weaves his lessons around the story of a troubled Silicon Valley firm and its unexpected choice for a new CEO: an old-school manager who had retired from a traditional manufacturing company two years earlier at age 55. Showing exactly how existing personnel failed to function as a unit, and precisely how the new boss worked to reestablish that essential conduct, the book’s first part colorfully illustrates the ways that teamwork can elude even the most dedicated individuals–and be restored by an insightful leader. A second part offers details on Lencioni’s “five dysfunctions” (absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results), along with a questionnaire for readers to use in evaluating their own teams and specifics to help them understand and overcome these common shortcomings. This is highly recommended. If you are involved in group meetings at work, group ministry at church, or group projects at a volunteer group, this book is absolutely indispensable for getting and keeping everyone moving forward.
Book recommendations, Days 6, 7, 8
Sorry for the delay, but it was a very busy weekend with no time to post. I’ve decided to theme this post around apologetics, that is proofs for the Christian faith. Four books will be included. Each is worth the read; any combination would be a great gift. First up is Joan Ball’s Flirting With Faith a review of which can be found in my book reviews. This is a first rate book, helpful to any and all who are struggling with issues of belief. Next is a book that was hugely popular in recent years, Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ. Strobel, also a former atheist like Ball and the next writer, Josh McDowell, is a journalist who undertook to find whether truth supports Christianity. Josh McDowell’s The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict is one of the more comprehensive–some might even say “encyclopedic”–volumes in the field. Contains volumes 1 and 2, with new material for this publication. Finally, a recent work from Christian writer/philosopher Dinesh D’Souza, currently the president of King’s College. D’Souza’s book, What’s So Great About Christianity?, was praised even by a few atheists for its thorough approach.
Book recommendations, Day 5
The Pursuit of God is one of the books that has impacted my life and spiritual growth the most. It falls into the devotional category, and was written by pastor/theologian A. W. Tozer. There are some children running around today, who bear the name Aiden, named after this man whose writing impacted their parents’ lives. If you are looking for a good book to re-ignite your spiritual passion, or a gift to encourage another believer, give this one a try.
Book recommendations, Day 4
Any leader in any church can benefit from reading Earl Creps’s Off Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures for Missional Leaders. Len Sweet of George Fox University writes, “This is one of the most exciting books I have read in years. It shifts our focus form doing church to being church and promises to be a standard reference in all future discussions of missional leadership.” Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Christian Resources says, “Too many of us have made spiritual formation a series of activities and programs; Earl takes us off the map of common practice and into the places where the Spirit is at work.” When I was a pastor, our staff went through this book together, and we were better for it. Off-Road Disciplines gets my highest recommendation.
Book recommendations, Day 3
Only one book for today, but it is a winner. It has been years since I read Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur. It was, and remains, in my estimation, one of the most important Christian novels ever written. It certainly is one of the most important of the last half of the 20th century. If you struggle with legalism or know anyone who does, this is the book you need to get or gift to them.