True Grit - Western Frolic with Matt Damon & Jeff Bridges

To avenge the death of her father, head-strong Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) decides to seek the help of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a US marshall with "true grit" to capture Tom Chaney (her father's murderer, played by Josh Brolin). Problem is, Cogburn has taken to his alcohol and his current reprobate character may prove the deed an impossibility, as they had to find him in the tough environs of the craggy and often dangerous Indian territory of the wild west. As Mattie tags along beside Cogburn, they soon find the road arduous; the venture too uncertain. There's another problem: LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), a well-meaning Texas Ranger, is after Chaney too, and he wants him "hanged" elsewhere. Will they ever see eye to eye to capture the slippery Chaney?

This intelligent, often funny Coen Brothers' western is a $100 million box office triumph that provides a harmonious hybrid of great film making and mainstream charm. It boasts of able performances from Bridges, Damon, the sinister Brolin, and the spunky Filipino-American Hailee Steinfeld who gets an Oscar nomination (in a supporting role, though her presence dictates a truly lead presence). Bridges is once again nominated for an Oscar lead, and I can't say I am surprised. Western fun gets the Coen Brothers' treatment.

Texas Ranger LaBoeuf

14 year old Mattie Ross seeks to avenge his father's death by capturing his murderer. Hailee Steinfeld is half-Filipina, and is nominated for an Oscar for her performance here as head-strong Mattie.

Inebriated Rooster Cogburn, true grit and intoxication. Will he deliver?

Mattie helps to feed the hurt LaBoeuf.

The Men Who Stare at Goats - Ending War Through Goats?

Grant Heslov's "The Men Who Stare at Goats" has got to be one of the weirdest films I've ever seen. It seems to be borne out of psychedelia - from the mind of Jon Ronson, author of the novel from which this film was based. Must have been a great novel because the film attracted a stellar cast.

In the film, a reporter (Ewan McGregor) gets more than he bargained for when he unravels a secret psychic military unit whose goal is to end war as we know it. His adventure takes him to Kuwait, with the intention of crossing the border to Iraq to get a Pulitzer caliber story. He meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) who reveals the nature of this secret military unit - with psychic soldiers! Weird? I told you!

George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey star in this comedy adventure that will give you an inkling of what "spaced out" might really mean. Though every one seems to do their best, all the best effort is an exercise in futility when the major story is a big wad of absurdity. Ewan MGregor is such a handsome sight though. Right, Iyaya?

Freedom from all wars! Freedom for the goats?

Marooned in a desert!

Let's make love, not war!

Ewan McGregor

Jeff Bridges Amazes in Crazy Heart

If you can't get a meaty role to play, produce one! This is what several great actors seem to be doing. Charlize Theron does it. Jeff Bridges did it for "Crazy Heart", a movie that will most likely give him the elusive Oscar nod.

In "Crazy Heart", talented country singer Bad Blake (Bridges) is a directionless alcoholic who is coasting on his past glory. He is doing the rounds of honky tonk bars and bowling alleys just to earn his keep. With $10 in his pocket, he heads to Santa Fe (New Mexico) for another gig where he meets a reporter (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Then things start getting interesting when his agent offers an opening act for red-hot country star Tommy (Colin Farrell), an upstart he once "mentored". But his alcohol keeps getting in his way. He shows up at his gigs drunk and he shuttles from one state to the next dazed in his alcohol! Will he ever find salvation from these new found breaks?

Not only is it such a marvel to see Jeff Bridges perform his songs on stage, he wears Bad Blake like his own skin. We've always liked the suave and dapper Jeff Bridges of the past and though he feels under-appreciated, he was never reduced to playing extras. In fact, I just saw him play an eccentric character in a really really weird movie called "The Men Who Stare at Goats" with Ewan McGregor and George Clooney!

Shot in 24 days, with songs all done by Bridges and Colin Farrell themselves, "Crazy Heart" is an amazing film about second chances and redemption.

Jeff Bridges says about aging in the industry: "To get a good script at any age is kind of a rare thing. The movie-going audience is mainly young guys, and (producers) want to target them. It kind of makes sense from their standpoint, but an interesting story is an interesting story. I remember being a younger guy liking to see movies with older folks in them, so that never deterred me."

Jeff Bridges has always been a poster boy. In "Crazy Heart", he deglamorizes himself for a chance to snag an Oscar!

Colin Farrell sings like a pro!