Welcome to theWest

By Eion O’Neil Staff Writer

To the younger generation, the film True Grit may seem like a new take on the Western genre but in fact the Coen brothers’ (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) latest film is an updated and impressively produced adaptation of the novel and John Wayne film of the same name.

Unlike most other Western films, the protagonist is a 14-year-old girl named Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) who sets out to avenge her father’s death.

While in town in Arkansas, wrapping her father’s affairs in which she heckles with businessmen and carries out seemingly masculine tasks for the time of the film, she also looks to find the perfect U.S. Marshal that will find her father’s killer, a ruthless man named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) who killed him and stole his horse and possessions.

She is given a few names of marshals that could take up the case and ultimately decides that she is going with an equally ruthless, one-eyed marshal named Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) whose sight problem is not his only character flaw.

Also in town is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) who is searching for Chaney for committing a crime in that state.

After twisting Cogburn’s arm and paying him a $50 fee, the U.S. Marshal takes on the case, reluctantly, with Ranger

LaBoeuf and Mattie in tow.

The two men brush off the girl until she ultimately proves herself to them and they bond.

The film’s trailer makes it out to be a shoot ‘em up kind of film but in reality it is more of a novel come to life than a stereotypical gun-drawn western.

The film itself is drawn out and moviegoers who are looking for constant moments of excitement might get bored rather quickly but if they stick with the story, they’ll be rewarded.

The ending of the film is also a bit of an emotional surprise.

This is a warning to the members of macho nation, you will cry and it’s okay to do so.

The final scenes don’t exactly depict the cowboys going off into the sunset in a stereotypical way.

The acting in the film is solid, although at some points, Hailee Steinfeld’s performance is exaggerated and it seems like she is acting more in a middle school play than a blockbuster film.

Those moments, however, are few and far between and it appears that Steinfeld will be a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood in the coming years.

Damon, who has done wonders in films such as The Departed and The Bourne Supremacy, is hardly present in his role as Ranger LaBoeuf.

Damon, undoubtedly, is the arrogant, pompous ranger that his counterpart despsises.

Bridges, who also worked with the Coen Brothers in the 1998 film, The Big Lebowski, is back with the sibling team for a reason.

What’s that reason, you ask? He’s fantastic as Rooster Cogburn and highlights his flaws to a “T.”

Cogburn is an alcoholic and Bridges certainly puts on a show with his antics.

Everything from shooting at the glass bottles in the air to the stupor is believable.

Anyone can be drunk but it takes a special type of acting to play drunk and Bridges nails it.

While the film has been out since before Christmas, local theaters such as Clearview’s Anthony Wayne and the UA King of Prussia still have showtimes available.

If you do ultimately miss this film in theatres, add it to your Netflix or rent it at Blockbuster.

It’s worth every moment even if right away it does not seem it.

Jets soar past patriots

The New York Jets advanced to their second-consecutive A.F.C. Championship game after squashing the New England Patriots, 28-21. Coach Rex Ryan said the Jan. 16 game was the secondmost important game in the team’s franchise history, second only to the Jets’ appearance in Superbowl III. Quarterback Mark Sanchez led the team in an underdog victory after a commanding performance in the fourth quarter, completing a fade to receiver Santonio Holmes to bring the team to 21-11. Bart Scott, Jets linebacker, was ecstatic after the win during an interview with Sal Palaontonio. He claimed that nobody believed in them and now they proved that they can beat the best. Along with the great rivalry between these two powerful organizations, the game was also significant due to the amount of trash talking that occured before the game. Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie called out Tom Brady by calling him a profane word. Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker was removied from his starting position by Coach Bill Belichick after he participated in the some press conference antics earlier in the week. From the very beginning it was a game to remember. The Jets now face Pittsburgh for the A.F.C. Championship, and potentially their first Superbowl since 1968. Read Original Story at NYTimes | Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011

Clippers Cut lakers streak short

The Clippers managed to put a halt on the Laker’s seven-game winning streak, winning 99-92. The win was tainted, however, as competition between Blake Griffin and Lamar Odom escalated into a brawl resulting in four ejections. Griffin scored 18 points and 15 rebounds while Eric Gordon walked away with 30 points. Despite Kobe Bryant’s 27 points and nine rebounds, the Lakers couldn’t touch the Clippers in the fourth quarter. The win marks the Clippers’ ninth consecutive win in 13 games. Read Original Story at SportsIllustrated | Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011

FranCisCo signs with phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies bypassed salary arbitration to sign outfielder Ben Francisco to a one-year, $1.175 million contract. Francisco, 29, swung .268 with a total of six home runs and 28 RBIs in last season’s 88 games. He has accumulated a .263 batting average, 39 home runs and 140 RBIs in his career. Francisco’s new contract with the Phillies includes performance and award bonuses. “I feel like I can go out there and do great things,” said Francisco. “I want to go out there and show them that I can.” Kyle Kendrick, right-hander for the Phillies, is now the sole team member up for salary arbitration. Read Original Story at MLB.com | Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011

Flyers hold onto lead to beat rangers

The Philadelphia Flyers hosted New York Rangers Sunday night and skated away with a 3-2 win late in the third period. After leading into the third period of the game 3-0 with goals scored by Jeff Carter, Ville Leino, and captain Mike Richards, the Fly-boys watched that the lead slowly diminish when the Rangers Wojtek Wolski and Derek Stepan each scored a goal against goaltender Brian Boucher to make it a one goal game late in the period. However, Philadelphia was able to hold off the Rangers and continue on their battle to become first in the league over the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver leads the league with a total of 64 points while the Philadelphia Flyers are right on their tail with a total of 63. The Flyers have five more upcoming games before the NHL All Star break the last weekend of January. Read original story from NHL.com | Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011

washington state suspends reggie Moore

Head coach Ken Bone has indefinitely suspended Reggie Moore, point guard for the Washington State Cougars. Moore received two misdemeanor citations in December for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The citations came after a Dec. 11 search of Moore’s dorm room, according to Whitman County Prosectors. Moore faces charges that carry minimums of one day in jail and fines ranging from $250-$5000. Read original story from ESPN | Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011

Joe Cahill staff writer