Which Is The Best True Grit Movie?

The very original True Grit was a serial story which appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in 1968. It was eventually redone in book form with a slightly different storyline by the author, Charles Portis.

The first movie was made in 1969 and starred John Wayne, in his only Oscar-winning performance in which Roger Ebert said that Wayne displayed "a quiet confidence that grows out of 40 years of acting." A sequel called Rooster Cogburn followed in 1975.

The second version of True Grit arrived at screens in North America on December 22, 2010 and featured Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. It also features Matt Damon and Josh Brolin . People wondered if this movie could live up to the reputation of the original.

As always, a movie remake stirs up emotions. Some people love the original and hate to see it redone. Others are curious about how a remake might turn out. On this page, watch the movie trailers for both movies, learn a bit more about them and take the opportunity at the end to share your opinion on which is better, the 1969 or the 2010 version of True Grit.

JOHN WAYNE'S TRUE GRIT (1969)

FAST FACTS (1969)

Cast: John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper

Original Release Date: June 11, 1969

Rating: G - General

Studio: Warner Brothers

Run Time: 127 minutes

Awards: John Wayne won his only Academy Award in this movie when he played the U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn

1969 MOVIE TRAILER

THE 1969 MOVIE IS THE BEST - LINKS (PROOF!)

New York Times 1969 True Grit Movie Review

"True Grit, which opened at the Radio City Music Hall yesterday, comes very close to being as good as we remember certain movies of our childhood to have been...a marvelously rambling frontier fable packed with extraordinary incidents..."

True Grit 1969 Movie Review by Roger Ebert

"Wayne, in fact, towers over this special movie. He is not playing the same Western role he always plays. Instead, he can play Rooster because of all the Western roles he has played. He brings an ease and authority to the character..." 

Order your copy of John Wayne's True Grit here on Amazon.

JEFF BRIDGES' TRUE GRIT 2010

FAST FACTS (2010)

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld, Barry Pepper

Original Release Date: December 22, 2010

Rating: PG-13

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Run Time: 111 minutes

Awards: This version of True Grit was nominated for ten Academy Awards but won none.

2010 MOVIE TRAILER

THE 2010 MOVIE IS THE BEST - A link that helps make this case...

Review of True Grit (2010) by Cinema Blend

"Cogburn does have grit, but the movie's title is really a reference to the fortitude of a teenage girl. Bathed in the stunning cinematography of long-time Coen brothers collaborator Roger Deakins and a beautiful score by Carter Burwell...

Order your copy of the 2010 version of True Grit here on Amazon.

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TRUE GRIT 2-MOVIE COLLECTION

I am not sure when it was released but if you are a fan of these movies or if you just want to watch them, they are now available in a single Blu-ray collection. Have both for a great price!

Buy your True Grit 2-Movie Collection here on Amazon.

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Okay, it's time. No waffling. This is it. Which True Grit movie is the best? This is where you get to have your say. If you have seen both versions of the movie, please be sure to share your opinion here. If you love one and can't imagine the other, say so, too! Which is better?

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

MORE JOHN WAYNE:

John Wayne Movies on Blu-ray

John Wayne Coffee Mugs

How to Build A Polar Express Gift Set

The Polar Express is a great story that particular appealed to my train-loving sons when they were young. If we had young boys to buy a Christmas gift for now, I would consider putting together a gift set with The Polar Express theme. In that set, you would definitely find a hardcover copy of the book plus a Blu-ray or DVD copy of the movie, a magical bell and even some hot chocolate...

On this page, find inspiration to put together your Polar Express gift set for someone whom you know would love to add The Polar Express to their collection.

THE BOOK BY CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG

No doubt that if you are reading this page you are already aware of the popular 1985 children’s book, The Polar Express. The now-classic Christmas story told within the pages of this book was written and illustrated by award-winning children’s author Chris Van Allsburg. It’s a peaceful Christmas story of a young boy being whisked away on a train to the north pole with Santa Claus. Our family discovered this book, right around when it was published in 1985 and shortly before Chris Van Allsburg won a Caldecott Medal for his story. Find your copy of The Polar Express book here on Amazon.

THE MOVIE WITH TOM HANKS

In 2004, The Polar Express was made into an animated movie that was the first all-digital capture film ever made. The film starred Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, and Eddie Deezen and featured Tom Hanks in six different roles. It was released on DVD in 2005. 

The Polar Express story presented in the movie remains true to the book, including the bittersweet ending:

"At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

Find your copy of The Polar Express movie (shown above) here from Amazon on either DVD or Blu-ray disc.

SANTA'S BELL ORNAMENT

We believe that every child, or even those who are children at heart, who loves the Polar Express story should own a sleigh bell. The bell pictured here is the official Hallmark bell for The Polar Express story. It is a perfect add on to your gift set! I love the quality and the price point. You will find your Hallmark Polar Express sleigh bell here on Amazon.

HALLMARK'S BELIEVE SANTA CLAUS

Released by Hallmark in 2004, Hallmark's The Polar Express BELIEVE Santa Claus would definitely be a thrilling and unexpected gift idea for any fan, young or young at heart! Now out of production, the best place to find your BELIEVE Santa Claus is here on eBay. As I look today, there are both new and used Santas available.

HOT CHOCOLATE

Finally, hot chocolate is a required addition because of the Hot Chocolate scene in the movie. There are oodles of options for hot chocolate on Amazon. I looked just now and see some great deals on Swiss Miss with or without marshmallows. I also see Nestle, Ghirardelli, Starbucks, Tim Hortons and more. Click here to see for yourself all of the hot chocolate available on Amazon.

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

Movie Treasures By Brenda

MORE POLAR EXPRESS IDEAS:

Discover Hallmark's The Polar Express Hot Chocolate Coffee Mugs
What would be more exciting than having a cup of hot chocolate in an exact replica of the Polar Express' hot chocolate cup and saucer?

Wizard of Oz Book & Movie T-Shirt

Love this Wizard of Oz t-shirt and the vintage-style image that shares the book and the movie versions of the iconic story. You will love the Tinman, Scarecrow, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), the Wizard and the Cowardly Lion. It’s a lightweight, classically fitted t-shirt available for men, women and children though I am featuring the female style here on this page. It's available is sizes small through 3XLarge. 

What fan of this story wouldn't love this t-shirt. You will find this Wizard of Oz book and movie themed t-shirt here, on Amazon.

See you

at the movies!

Brenda

MORE WIZARD OF OZ READING:

Find a few Wizard of Oz items in my eBay store.

Discover Why  Ruby Slippers Are So Popular.

The Wizard of Oz. One of the Best Blu-ray Movies Ever.

Wicked Flying Monkeys Coffee Mug

Pumpkin Juice Recipes for Harry Potter Fans

HAVE YOU HEARD OF PUMPKIN JUICE? WHAT IS PUMPKIN JUICE?

Pumpkin juice is, as my son was quick to point out, juice made from a pumpkin. However, the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWOHP) in Orlando, Florida has taken the interest in this unusual beverage to new heights because pumpkin juice is one of the beverages you can purchase when you visit the theme park.

In Harry Potter's world this juice a cold drink that is served at any time to wizards and students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry . It is a juice that is consumed like orange juice is by muggles.

At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter you can buy attractively bottled juice that tastes, some say, like pumpkin pie cider. You can also buy a slightly different version of this drink called Pumpkin Fizz at Hogsmeade's The Three Broomsticks pub.

If, like me, you cannot make it to WWOHP, you can make your own version of this juice. There is a wealth of recipes available on line, a few of which I will share below. 

PUMPKIN JUICE RECIPES

There are many types of pumpkin juice recipes available, you will certainly have your pick. There are recipes that really do seem like real pumpkin juice. I cannot imagine any juice more real than a recipe that starts with a real pumpkin. From there you will go to the other extreme with recipes that include mixes like iced tea. If neither one of those ideas appeals to you, you are bound to find a great recipe somewhere in the middle.

Pumpkin Juice Recipe (Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice) - Sunday Supper Movement
Pumpkin Juice Recipe, for all the Harry Potter lovers out there! This is a quick and fun drink for Halloween or Fall celebrations.

Harry Potter's Pumpkin Juice - Where Is My Spoon
Harry Potter's pumpkin juice, the most popular beverage in Hogwarts. Perfect for a wizarding party, this drink comes together in 10 minutes.

Pumpkin Juice {from Harry Potter World} | Favorite Family Recipes
Have you ever wondered how Harry Potter's delicious Pumpkin Juice is made at Hogwarts? Here are the recipe and instructions on how to make it!

Harry Potter's Pumpkin Juice (Copycat Recipe) | Goodnature
Bring the wizarding world into your kitchen with Harry Potter' Pumpkin Juice recipe! Our juicer-made version has 0 added sugar and gets an A+ for taste.

Harry Potter's Pumpkin Juice Mix Recipe
Enjoy Harry Potter's pumpkin juice from food.com.

The New York Times said, "Pumpkin juice in a cute, pumpkin-topped bottle is far more interesting than the park's butterbeer, perhaps because the actual pumpkin content seems minimal. It is more like a feisty apple cider with a little pumpkin thrown in." 

MORE HARRY POTTER RECIPES 

More recipes can be found in The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes to Knickerbocker Glory--More Than 150 Magical Recipes for Wizards and Non-Wizards Alike. Unfortunately, there is not a butterbeer recipe. Find your copy of this cookbook here on Amazon.

Have you heard of pumpkin juice? Have you ever had pumpkin juice? Have you had The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's pumpkin juice?

See you at the movies! Brenda 

MORE HARRY POTTER READING:

Discover the Harry Potter Merchandise in my eBay store!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Movie with Exclusive Dobby Bookend 

Harry Potter Movie List and Marathon 

Harry Potter Pop-Up Book

Cartoon Network Lego

Fantastic Cartoon Network Lego Sets For Kids

Do you remember the good old days sitting down in front of the TV watching all of your favorite cartoons? Maybe you are young enough to have done so on the Cartoon Network or maybe that is where your children find their favorite cartoons. Did you know that you can purchase and build Cartoon Network-themed Lego sets?

Your children will enjoy building with these sets. Join me here as I check out a few of them.

HOW ABOUT A MIXELS SET?

Suitable for Children Aged 6 and Up 

Have you seen the Cartoon Network program, the Mixels? The Mixels are comical characters made up of the basic building blocks of LEGO matter: Fire, Rock, Electricity and so on. The sets shown at the top of this page and just above as well as the other Mixel Lego sets shown here are available from Amazon by clicking right here!

HOW ABOUT A SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS SET?

Suitable for kids aged 6 to 12.

This  SpongeBob SquarePants Lego set, Krusty Krab Adventures 3833, is a very interesting set for any child who loves SpongeBob. As a matter of fact, I bet that if you love SpongeBob, you would not mind building this Lego set either. It contains 209 pieces of Lego and comes with SpongeBob, Patrick and Mr. Krabs minifigures.

UPDATE: This SpongeBob set has been retired. It is still available from Amazon by clicking right here at the following link but be aware that retired sets often sell at a premium.

HOW ABOUT A BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE SET?

Suitable for Children Aged 5 to 12

This Ben 10 Alien Force Spidermonkey set (8409) is based on the popular cartoon where 10-year old Ben Tennyson discovers a mysterious device which gives him the power to transform into different alien heroes. It is probably one of the most popular Ben 10 Lego sets. 

There are six Ben 10 Alien Force Cartoon Alien Lego Sets to collect. This set builds a four-armed Blue Alien with glow-in-the-dark eyes and includes the Chest Omnitrix. It has 21 pieces.

Collect all six of the aliens to make your very own super alien. As is often the case, these sets are completely interchangeable and compatible with one another.

Children don't have to be into the Ben 10 Alien Force cartoon to build this or even want it and many kids who own and collect these sets don't actually watch the cartoon. Find your Ben 10 Alien Force Lego set here on Amazon.

See you

at the toy store!

Brenda

MORE LEGO READING

Discover the retired LEGO in my eBay store.

The Best Lego Gift Ideas that Aren't Lego Sets
If you're looking for a great Lego gift idea that is not a Lego set, you will find some of the best choices here on this page.

Lego Harry Potter Motorized Hogwarts Express Train Set (10132)
Love Harry Potter? Check out the Hogwarts Express Train set.

Lego Brick Calendar (853195)

Build yourself a calendar out of Lego bricks!

LEGO Ideas Typewriter Set (21327)

Remember typewriters? Here's a vintage inspired set for those who do!