Ever since I watched No Country For Old Men I have been nearly addicted to the Western genre. That's not to say I have watched Westerns nonstop, but I have watched more Western movies in the last couple years than I have throughout the rest of my life.
When I heard the Coen Brothers were making another Western, I was really excited. Of course, I read up on the movie and found out it is based off of a book called True Grit by Charles Portis. I also found out John Wayne starred in another film adaptation of the book and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film. When I learned there was one book, and two movies to be based off of it - one starring the most renowned Western actor, the other adapted by and directed by one of the best duos in the movie business - I had to see how they all matched up against one another.
I first saw the 2010 film. My brother Geoff and I went to see it in the theaters. The first thing you notice is this film is no No Country For Old Men, which is perfectly okay. There is music, and a narrative, and humor, all absent in the Coen Brothers's previous film. However, the story goes along nicely, is not complicated, is very funny, well acted, and indulges us with a great ending. However, It wasn't mind blowing like No Country For Old Men, so it wasn't everything that was expected. A great movie that I expect to do well at the Oscars, but won't be surprised if it does not win Best Picture. I hope it does, though.
Next I read the book. There isn't much to say about the book that I haven't said about the latest film. It is funny, entertaining, exciting - a well written piece of American literature. Why is this book neglected in schools? I do not know. I enjoyed reading it, and it's the second novel I have read by my own freewill and conviction since...well, at least since high school.
This morning I watched the earlier film adaptation of the book. For a 1960's Western not directed by Sergio Leone, I was very impressed. I think I laughed just as much watching this film as the more recent version. Also, the 1969 version features famed actors Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper, and the aforementioned John Wayne. I don't know how famous Duvall and Hopper were in 1969, but it was great to see those icons play their roles.
Well, after reading the book and watching both films, the natural question is which one follows the book more closely? Which one does the book more justice? Well, I can honestly say the 1969 film follows the book more closely. Since I watched the 2010 movie first and then read the book, as I was reading I was waiting for certain things to happen. Some things did not happen. It became disappointing the Coen Brothers left certain parts of the book out, or added their own parts. One of the main things they changed affects the story completely (not the end result, but the story as it goes along) is LaBoeuf breaking off from Mattie and Rooster, then rejoining them as he is met by Ned Pepper and his gang at the little holdout when the shootout from the cliffs takes place. In the novel, LaBoeuf is always with the other two on the journey, and he shoots at the bandits from the cliffs on the other side of the valley. He never bites part of his tongue off, but gets splinters and lead lodged into his arm. The earlier film does a much better job staying accurate to the novel in that aspect of the story, and others.
In the end, after all is said and done, I love this story. Both films are great as movies - entertaining, funny, great cast and acting. The novel is great as well. It is a story that you care about, and for someone who has not read much throughout my life, I will read it over and over.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Haricut
Well, as you can see, I got a haircut. I had grown out my beard since mid October, and my hair longer than I have in six years. Also this week, I should be getting a car this week. Going to go car shopping with Geoff on Saturday morning. I hope I can find something good, at least good enough to get me to and survive in Florida.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
New Year Update
Well, since I've posted last a lot of things have changed or happened. First off, I got a second job working with my brother at Sony for PS3 technical support. I enjoy it, but it is hard to have two jobs, work about 60 hours a week, and work everyday. It's worth it so far, but the real payoff is going to be when I have enough saved to move down to Florida.
I also "left" BYU-I. I never liked it there, I never wanted to go there, and I never should have. After taking some classes for my major (history education), I realized I didn't want to be a teacher. I still don't really know what I want to do, so I'm taking a break from school until I can manage a plan. I of course had to move out of school housing, so I eventually moved across the street from my bro, and live with a co-worker from Sony. Things are going well, we just need some ladies to visit.
Some sweet/crazy trips have also taken place, as well. The first was the best, to sunny Florida in May. I went to see Polethe get married. It was great to see her again (2nd time in person, but we're such good friends), and to see her family again. Her husband is a great (and of course, lucky) guy, and has an awesome family. The Fishers are totally cool.
Also on the trip, I got to see some mission amigos. No one was as special to see as my favorite two Colombianas, Daniela and Lili. They are the best! Dani took me to Opa with some friends for some Greek food, and some great...entertainment. Her friends are pretty cool, but it sure is hard to be involved when everything is in Spanish. She and me had to cancel the trip to Miami, so we went to Blue Springs State Park instead. An amazing, beautiful place. I wish I had gone there on my mission, except that wouldn't be good because I'd want to go into the water. We had some fun at another birthday party, and another birthday party. I think that made three. It was fun. (Also cried like crazy watching the last episode of LOST. I was so emotional for weeks)
In the summer I went with Zack and some of his friends to a place by Rexburg called Packsaddle Lake. It's a place not even my friend Cort has heard about, so I don't think too many people know about it. It's about an hour hike in, not too bad. The lake is small, and extremely cold, being up in the mountains. There is a rope swing, a log used as a diving board, and enough camping spaces for a small group. There was a group up there for Girls' Camp actually, so that would be the second time I've been to GC. I hope to go back there this summer (the lake, not Girls' Camp).
For my birthday, I went down to Logan to spend it with my friend Paola. It was great. We had a good time together after her being home in DR all summer. I went down a couple weeks later and we went to an Ogden Raptors baseball game. Then we went to The Pie by Weber State. It was a great date. In November I went down for her birthday. We mostly just talked, sat around, ate, and watched TV. Always worth the drive.
In October, Daniela surprised me by going to Washington with her mom. I was able to leave for home that night, see them the next day, and take them around some amazing places in Seattle. I always wanted to have them visit Seattle, and it was an amazing trip home. They met my mom and little brothers, and we went up to the Seattle Temple for a bit. Then to Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, and the pier, eating no where else but Ivar's. It was only for a day, but the best trip to Seattle in a long time. I hope they can visit for longer next time.
For Christmas, the whole family was together for the first time since Spring of 2009. Not an extreme amount of time, but long enough. It was nice to have everyone in town. I had to work a lot, so I didn't get to spend as much time as I wanted with them, but it was enough.
And now it's 2011. Hopefully this year will be better than last, even though last year seems like it wasn't all that bad. Things to look out for: buying a new (for me) car, saving up some cash, completing my AA degree at BCC (finally, after 7 years), and moving to Florida. I hope to move out of here before it gets too cold next year. Also, my little bro. will be baptized this year. Not much else is planned or expected, so we'll see how it goes.
I also "left" BYU-I. I never liked it there, I never wanted to go there, and I never should have. After taking some classes for my major (history education), I realized I didn't want to be a teacher. I still don't really know what I want to do, so I'm taking a break from school until I can manage a plan. I of course had to move out of school housing, so I eventually moved across the street from my bro, and live with a co-worker from Sony. Things are going well, we just need some ladies to visit.
Some sweet/crazy trips have also taken place, as well. The first was the best, to sunny Florida in May. I went to see Polethe get married. It was great to see her again (2nd time in person, but we're such good friends), and to see her family again. Her husband is a great (and of course, lucky) guy, and has an awesome family. The Fishers are totally cool.
Also on the trip, I got to see some mission amigos. No one was as special to see as my favorite two Colombianas, Daniela and Lili. They are the best! Dani took me to Opa with some friends for some Greek food, and some great...entertainment. Her friends are pretty cool, but it sure is hard to be involved when everything is in Spanish. She and me had to cancel the trip to Miami, so we went to Blue Springs State Park instead. An amazing, beautiful place. I wish I had gone there on my mission, except that wouldn't be good because I'd want to go into the water. We had some fun at another birthday party, and another birthday party. I think that made three. It was fun. (Also cried like crazy watching the last episode of LOST. I was so emotional for weeks)
In the summer I went with Zack and some of his friends to a place by Rexburg called Packsaddle Lake. It's a place not even my friend Cort has heard about, so I don't think too many people know about it. It's about an hour hike in, not too bad. The lake is small, and extremely cold, being up in the mountains. There is a rope swing, a log used as a diving board, and enough camping spaces for a small group. There was a group up there for Girls' Camp actually, so that would be the second time I've been to GC. I hope to go back there this summer (the lake, not Girls' Camp).
For my birthday, I went down to Logan to spend it with my friend Paola. It was great. We had a good time together after her being home in DR all summer. I went down a couple weeks later and we went to an Ogden Raptors baseball game. Then we went to The Pie by Weber State. It was a great date. In November I went down for her birthday. We mostly just talked, sat around, ate, and watched TV. Always worth the drive.
In October, Daniela surprised me by going to Washington with her mom. I was able to leave for home that night, see them the next day, and take them around some amazing places in Seattle. I always wanted to have them visit Seattle, and it was an amazing trip home. They met my mom and little brothers, and we went up to the Seattle Temple for a bit. Then to Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, and the pier, eating no where else but Ivar's. It was only for a day, but the best trip to Seattle in a long time. I hope they can visit for longer next time.
For Christmas, the whole family was together for the first time since Spring of 2009. Not an extreme amount of time, but long enough. It was nice to have everyone in town. I had to work a lot, so I didn't get to spend as much time as I wanted with them, but it was enough.
And now it's 2011. Hopefully this year will be better than last, even though last year seems like it wasn't all that bad. Things to look out for: buying a new (for me) car, saving up some cash, completing my AA degree at BCC (finally, after 7 years), and moving to Florida. I hope to move out of here before it gets too cold next year. Also, my little bro. will be baptized this year. Not much else is planned or expected, so we'll see how it goes.
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