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.

Hereafter - Clint Eastwood & Matt Damon Tackle the Afterlife

"Hereafter" is not Clint Eastwood's strongest movie in terms of narrative coherence, but that doesn't mean it is devoid of the iconic director's penchant to weave some of the most heart tugging tales in cinema. In fact, the story of twins Marcus and Jason, who survive a negligent mother, just about broke my heart to pieces.

The film has 3 stories set in 3 separate countries (US, France, UK): Matt Damon is George, a reluctant psychic who tries hard to fend off the pleadings of desperate strangers wishing to "connect" with their dear departed. One day, he meets a charming girl while taking a culinary class, but would knowledge of his "special gift" bring them together?

Spoilers!

Meanwhile, Marie Lelay (Cecile de France, who was with Jackie Chan in "Around the World in 80 Days" and the psychological drama "A Secret") is back from a devastating holiday where she almost died from a tsunami. She drowns and dies - but is revived. Soon, "visions" from her death gradually consume her. Her high-flying broadcast job is slowly slipping away from her grasp. Finally, there's the tale of twins (my favorite part) Marcus and Jason. When Jason dies from a road accident while getting away from the neighborhood bullies, Marcus' life downspirals. He is placed in foster care while her mother is trying to rehabilitate herself. Marcus is compelled to seek closure from his brother's abrupt goodbye. But how does one seek resolutions from a dead loved one? By desperately meeting every dubious psychic in the city. One day, he comes across an American psychic's website.

As narrative exigency would have it, George finds himself in London where he meets Marie touring her book. Young Marcus, meanwhile, finds George and stalks him outside his hotel room. Later that night, Marcus gets an audience with George who begrudgingly agrees to see him.

The serendipitous meeting of these three characters felt a bit maneuvered. After all, coincidences like this only happens in movies, right? But even French film master Jean-Luc Godard ("Breathless", "Band of Outsiders") shares his thoughts on such stories. In "Alphaville", Godard says: "Sometimes, reality is too complex for oral communication, but legend embodies it in a form which enables it to spread all over the world." Tales solely based on coincidences don't usually make the most logically sumptuous stories, but sometimes, a simple leap of faith is all that's required to transcend the inadequacies of a well intentioned narrative.

Twins Frankie and George McLaren play Marcus and Jason, separated by tragedy.

George Lonegan (Matt Damon) survives death and soon gets visions from the departed.

Cecile de France is popular TV presenter Marie Lelay who survives the tsunami.

Iconic actor/director Clint Eastwood instructs one of the McLaren twins.

Matt Damon's having a ball! The sun shines brightly over Damon country!

Clint Eastwood Makes Nelson Mandela Proud

After several years of being a political prisoner, Nelson Mandela becomes a free man in South Africa. The winds of change have swept throughout the globe and Mandela wins the national elections to lead the Apartheid-torn country.

In a stroke of genius, he comes up with a brilliant idea of uniting a racially tense nation - through sports! He turns the losing national rugby team around and rally them into their winning form. In "Invictus", Director Clint Eastwood weaves a heart-warming tale of change and patriotism that should teach Manny Pacquiao a lesson on real nationalism. Just play your game - the one you are good and admired at! Don't be a singer when you can't sing! Don't be an actor when you can't even enunciate well. And finally, don't be a politician. You can serve the needy in more effective avenues.

Matt Damon spins.

"Wanna play rugby in the rain?" invites Matt (who has a convincingly consistent African accent in "Invictus").