(Guitar music like “American Idiot” plays as James Faraci and Paulo Fonseca on guitars, Andrew Beach on Bass Guitar, and Nick Lopez on the Drums and the set is like the set of “American Idiot” except the colors are Patriotically Red, White, and Blue)
James Faraci (Singing):
All year we’re cheering American Icons! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) From John Wayne to Rocky Balboa (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Oh, hell yeah, we’re talking about them all! (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues.) We’re going to show off the hard work! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Even if it makes me look like a real jerk. (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Now everyone get ready to celebrate with us! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) And make sure you have a dose of common sense. (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues with a guitar solo.) All year we’re cheering American Icons! Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! Information about them will be a lot, you’re going to know whether you like or not [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues and concludes and the words “Americans Icons” are put up in different styles of text. The scene cuts to James in his office.)
TLOTA:
I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans, the views that I’m about to express are that of my own and some of yours. (A knock on the door as James gets up to answer.) Yes? (Cut to Jessica Lopez-Barkl.)
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
James, I feel we need to apologize for everything we’ve done over the past few months. You stayed the course and have thrived. So, how about this: you talk about the John Wayne movie that made you want to be an actor, and we can all watch it in the lobby. (Cut to James)
TLOTA:
Okay, I’m reasonably fine in watching it with you, as long as you guys can be reasonable. (Cut to Jessica Lopez-Barkl.)
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
Of course, we can! (James steps out of the office to join everyone in the lobby.) So, what is the John Wayne movie that we’re going to endure without jokes at your taste.
TLOTA:
Well, since you asked... (Cut to the title of the 1969 “True Grit” movie then to clips of the 1969 “True Grit” Movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
Released in 1969, and based on the book by Charles Portis, “True Grit” was the movie that made the acting careers of Kim Darby and Glen Campbell (AKA The Rhinestone Cowboy) but gave something John Wayne had earned after a lifetime of great western movies couldn’t do at that point, the Academy Award for Best Actor in a motion picture. It made me aware of what acting was. It made me understand drama, comedy, and emotions I had barely understood as a kid watching it on a VCR. But does this movie still hold up to... (Cut to James physically.)
TLOTA:
You know what, I don’t care about modern standards anymore. I think this movie holds up, it’s a classic, it’s one the greatest movies I’ve ever seen and I’m doing a review, brace yourselves this is the 1969 “True Grit.” (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
The movie opens with Glen Campbell singing the opening song, which is guided by Elmer Bernstein's orchestral work, whose music fits the movie so perfectly that it highlights all the emotional, dramatic, comedic, and inspirational moments. We then come upon the Ross Family homestead as he prepares to make it to Fort Smith to get some horses, and to do so, he needs some money from his favorite bookkeeper. His daughter, Mattie Ross, played by Kim Darby, gives him an allowance to buy the horses, along with two lucky gold pieces. Riding off to Fort Smith with farm hand Tom Chaney, played by Jeff Corey, Mattie isn’t afraid to express her thoughts on Tom. We then come to the night in Fort Smith when Tom Chaney does something that would get him into the villain role of the story! (Cut to the clip of Tom Chaney shooting Frank Ross dead in the streets, taking what he can from the body, and running for his life. Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” Movie as James does a voiceover.) We cut to days later as Mattie and the family, with the help of Yarnell, arrive at Fort Smith to collect Mattie’s father and for Mattie to find someone who can find Tom Chaney. And again, I give praise to Elmer Bernstein's music for punctuating the emotions of the movie's moments. Coming up to the Marshals’ office, the head of the Marshals’ office tells that a man looking like Chaney has joined up with a criminal by the name of Ned Pepper. Mattie asks who the best for the job is, and the head of the Marshals’ office says Rooster Cogburn is the toughest and most likely to be pitiless in finding his prey. Mattie asks where Rooster would be, and the head of the Marshals’ office mentions that he’s bringing in a mess of criminals from the First Nation’s people’s territory. Mattie tells Yarnell to claim the body, and when they get home, they’re to put Frank in a better coffin and to lay him to rest. Mattie is going to stay behind to get Rooster to help find Tom Chaney, and she is staying at a boarding house until she heads out with Rooster to find Tom Chaney. (Cut to James and the team physically.)
TLOTA:
Well, I will give Mattie this; she’s determined to get what she wants and is willing to get whatever she wants. (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
We then find Marshall Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn as he brings in his quarry from the First Nation’s People’s Territory, as Mattie tries to get his attention when he arrives, but his fellow Marshall tells Mattie that it’d be better to wait until after he’s done with Judge Parker in a trial. That night, Mattie decides to rest at the local Bording House as she comes upon Texas Ranger LaBeouf (Though he pronounces it “LeBeef”), played by the Rhinestone Cowboy himself, Glen Campbell. As Mattie excuses herself and LaBeouf admits he knows who she is, Mattie decides to settle in for the night and get her father’s traps. Mattie asks the matron of the Bording House what her thoughts are on Rooster Cogburn. The next morning at the trial, Rooster tells what happened as the defendant’s attorney tries to rebuke all of Rooster’s claims. Dismissed from the trial, Mattie tries to convince Rooster about getting Tom Chaney and how he may have joined in with “Lucky” Ned Pepper in the First Nation’s People’s territory. Intrigued by getting Ned Pepper and noticing the Colt Dragoon revolver, the two decide to head to his home as Mattie is introduced to Chen Lee, played by Hom Wing Gim, and his feline friend “General Sterling Price.” As Mattie sees Rooster take a liking to alcohol and playing cards with Chen Lee, she tries to get him to understand what it means to convince Rooster to help her. Eventually getting tired of watching Rooster as he is, decides to come back after dealing with some business to come back in the morning and try again when he’s somewhat more sober. Coming back to the Boarding house, Mattie and LaBeouf discuss how he discovered who Mattie was and how Chaney is just another identity he goes by, Theron Chelmsford, and with a name like that, I’d change it to Tom Chaney too! LaBeouf tells how he shot a Texas Senator, has been on Chaney’s trail for four months, and is considering riding along with Rooster and Mattie. The two disagree as to what should happen to Chaney, though. The next morning, Mattie comes upon Col. Stonehill, played by Strother Martin, over some ponies that Mattie’s father had bought and is willing to take back as long as he is not responsible for what happened to her father’s horse, and Mattie wants suitable financial compensation. After some negotiations, Mattie gets her money and is back at Rooster and Chen Lee’s to finalize the deal. (Show clip of Rooster and Mattie’s conversation. Cut to James physically.)
TLOTA:
Something tells me that Mattie would make a great manager. (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
After another meeting to take care of the ponies that Frank Ross had made and purchasing a pony of her own named “Little Blackie,” Mattie seems to be ready to go with Rooster into the First Nation’s people’s territory when, Oh Hai LaBeouf! (Cut to the clip between Mattie, Rooster, and LaBeouf at Chen Lee’s, and Mattie storms out, shouting her lawyer’s name. Cut to everyone in the couch.)
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
Damn woman, bite off both their heads, see how far that’ll get you!
Nick Lopez:
Don’t underestimate her.
Rebecca Yaun:
Anyone who can hold their own against John Wayne is okay in my book!
Nick Yaun:
Especially from what has been gathered, Kim and John’s relationship was professional, but they didn’t get along outside of work.
TLOTA:
Really? Why doesn’t that surprise me? (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
The same afternoon, LaBeouf and Rooster make their way across the ferry terminal, and LaBeouf, being the more vocal of Mattie, not joining them, so much so that, even AFTER crossing the water without the ferry and joining them, and then... (Show clip of LaBeouf dismounting Mattie and spanking her. Cut to everyone as they shout their dismay at what LaBeouf is doing. Show Rooster stopping LaBeouf and everyone sighing in relief. Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.) So, after that bit of uncomfortableness, and in protests from LaBeouf, Mattie joins the hunt for Chaney and Pepper. After traveling for a couple of hours, they arrive at a stopping place in the territory and get some stew and information about where Chaney and Pepper are, and that they are looking to get new horses at a dugout point deeper in the territory. Reaching the dugout point, they see the horses and are welcomed not so friendly by two people in the cabin, the dugout, Quincy and Moon, played by Jeremy Slate and Dennis Hopper. (Cut to everyone on the couch.)
Everyone else except for James (In Unison):
DENNIS HOPPER?!
TLOTA:
Yep! (Cut to Paulo Fonseca.)
Paulo Fonseca:
Okay, on the scale of one to ten thousand, how crazy is Dennis’ performance? (Cut to James)
TLOTA:
Actually, he plays it subtle, because when you up against John Wayne, being Dennis Hopper-ed up on so much that he’d tell Rooster that he will summon Satan with Rooster’s freshly ripped out heart and feast upon the flesh of Mattie and the brains of LaBeouf doesn’t seem to be like the way to go, and something tells me that John wouldn’t let Dennis be that way around Kim, even though she and John didn’t get along, I get it, generational differences, even John has some standards. (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
Things get tough as Quincy tries to keep loyal to Pepper, but eventually Moon wants to tell the Marshall when... (Cut to the moment as Quincy chops off Moon’s fingers and stabs him, as Rooster kills Quincy, and Moon tells Rooster why Ned is coming to the dugout before dying. Cut to everyone on the couch.)
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
Well, shit, this got dark!
Nick Lopez:
I would not be surprised if this got the 1960’s equivalent of an R Rating.
TLOTA:
Well, with some minor edits, this got a G Rating!
Everyone else (In Unison):
A G RATING?!
Nick Yaun:
You mean to tell us that people getting shot, fingers getting chopped off, and all that got a G Rating?
Rebecca Yaun:
I heard a couple of “Son Of A Bitch”s, “Damn”s, and other colorful metaphors that would have given the movie a PG-13 by today’s standards. But a G Rating?
TLOTA:
Are we going to continue to harp on the G Rating it got, or by today’s lower-than-ever standards, “PG-13” rating, or may we continue to watch while I review?
Everyone else (In Unison):
Fine! (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
After taking care of the mess, LaBeouf is told to set up across the way from Mattie and Rooster. That night, Rooster and Mattie get into some character development about how Rooster came to be a US Marshall. The next morning Lucky Ned Pepper, played by the late Robert Duvall (Who passed away while I was working on this review), as he calls for Moon and Quincy one shot later and we have a shoot-out in which Ned, a couple of others and a character known as Mexican Bob get out of harm, save for one kid about Mattie’s age who comes back to get Ned out of Harm but is killed in the process. (Cut to the clip in which Rooster says, “They don’t call him 'Lucky' Ned Pepper for nothing!” Mattie replies with “That man gave his life for him, he didn’t even look back!” and Rooster says “Looking back is a... Bad habit, Well....”. Cut to everyone on the couch.)
TLOTA:
And again, Elmer Bernstein’s music highlights every ounce of energy of the shootout. I swear, between John Williams and Elmer Bernstein, it’s like the right composer can help the audience understand a story with a universal language: music. (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
Rooster, Mattie, and LaBeouf clean up and carry the dead from the shootout at the dugout to the next post, which is Macallister’s outpost, where they take care of the bodies, LaBeouf’s hand that got injured in the shootout. As for Rooster, he thinks this is as far as Mattie should go, but she makes it clear she’s here on her own accord and is with them until they either get Pepper and Chaney or the trail goes cold. As they set up camp, we get one of the best combinations of music and humor as we see... (Cut to the movie as Rooster Cogburn takes a swig of alcohol and falls off his horse, and the music highlights the humor of the moment. Cut to everyone as they see Jessica Lopez-Barkl chuckle.)
TLOTA:
Eh, I saw that chuckle; you’re starting to like the movie.
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
I enjoyed John Wayne falling on his butt; I don’t have to explain to anyone about having a moment where I could laugh. (Cut to the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
After a night’s sleep, in which Rooster starts off with a swig or two, realizes that they’re close to returning Mattie to the Macallister’s, so it’s time to sack up. The next morning Mattie takes a trip to get some water when... (The dramatic sting of the music by Elmer Bernstein connects as Mattie comes face-to-face with Tom Chaney.) Coming face to face with Tom Chaney, Tom tells Mattie that she’s coming with him when he gets shot, and that gets both Rooster and Pepper’s attention. Pepper, unfortunately, gets there first as Mattie is now taken hostage by Ned Pepper, giving Rooster five minutes to get over the pass. Ned tells Chaney that he lost his ride. He’s stuck with taking care of Mattie until Pepper and the rest can come back with enough rides. Mattie and Chaney are forced to stay on each other’s good side. What little Chaney has threatens to toss Mattie into a pit with deadly rattlesnakes at the bottom of it. Stuck with each other until LaBeouf comes in a clinch to hold Chaney under arrest and rescue Mattie. Meanwhile, we come to the confrontation that everyone knew was coming, “Lucky” Ned Pepper and his gang versus U.S. Marshall Reuben J “Rooster” Cogburn. (Show the showdown between “Rooster” Cogburn and “Lucky” Ned Pepper as Rooster says “I mean to kill you in one minute Ned, or see you hang at Fort Smith at Judge Parker’s convenience. Which will it be?” Ned replying, “I call that bold talk from a one-eyed fat man!” and Rooster Cogburn replying, “FILL YOUR HAND YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA:
The shootout is one of the best gun fights I’ve seen in cinema as “Rooster” holds his own against most of Ned Pepper’s gang and again the emotions are, again, highlighted by Elmer Bernstein’s work, especially when Rooster’s horse Beau is taken down leaving Rooster a target of a nearly dead (LaBeouf shoots Ned Pepper) Correction Ned is dead at the hands of the Texas Ranger LaBeouf and just as it seems it’s going well, that’s when things get out of hand as Chaney clocks LaBeouf with Rocco’s ancestor and after shooting Chaney again Mattie winding up with a broken arm and a snake looking to get its fangs on Mattie. Chaney thinks he has got the upper hand until one good shot from Rooster sends Chaney to his death. With LaBeouf incapacitated, Rooster tries to get to Mattie quickly and I know I have said this a million times in this review, but the music by Elmer Bernstein heightens everything in this movie. The snake bites Mattie and with his last bits of consciousness, LaBeouf wakes up and helps Rooster and Mattie out, just to die after the two get out. Out of options and time not on either Mattie or Rooster’s side, Rooster must ride “Little Blackie” holding on to Mattie until “Little Blackie” collapses from exhaustion. Mattie now unconscious; Rooster finds a couple of people just traveling through the territory and borrows their wagon to get Mattie to get her the help she needs. We then cut to sometime later as Rooster is playing a friendly game with Chen Lee, Lawyer J. Noble Daggett, played by John Fielder, tells Rooster how Mattie is doing and tends to Mattie’s business affairs paying the rest of the money owed to Rooster and to give him a bonus for saving Mattie's life and to bring her home. And our movie ends as Rooster tells Mattie that he brought LaBeouf home to be buried as a hero and collect the money for Chaney. Mattie showing her father’s headstone as she asks if Rooster would like to be buried alongside her when she passes away, accepting the offer and the Colt’s Dragoon Revolver. Rooster also shows that he has another good horse and shows he’s still got the ability to jump a four-rail fence and Mattie can be at peace herself. (Cut to James and everyone else)
TLOTA:
And that was the 1969 “True Grit,” it remains one of my personal favorite movies of all time and to me it still stands the test of time! (Cut to clips of the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
Call me someone whose taste differs from the rest, but this helped give me the sense of what acting is. This also feels like a character study of what it means to be flawed and to still do what is right. John Wayne and the entire cast performed perfunctorily in this movie. The writing has stood the test of time, the direction worked in everything, and I KNOW I have said it countless times in this review but Elmer Bernstein’s music accentuates all the drama, comedy, and action perfunctory as well. If you haven’t seen this classic, then what in the world are you waiting for? Find it on Physical Media, Blu-Ray, 4K, DVD, Heck even VHS and streaming. However you can, check out this movie and understand how great John Wayne is as an actor. (Cut to clips of the 2010 “True Grit” movie by The Coen Brothers as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA:
Now as for the 2010 Coen Brothers remake of this movie, I have seen it, there are moments that I did like and that I did not. I did not like having Mattie meet with Rooster in an outhouse and don’t even get me started on Matt Damon’s imbecilic take on LaBeouf, it sounded like he was trying too hard to sound Texan. I did not like the ending in which I see Mattie with one arm and bitter, Rooster dead, LaBeouf's fate unknown, I mean yeah, I liked the brief bit with Mountain Man Forrest and the style the Coen brothers brought to the movie but a lot of it feels like it’s trying to say that this is how the 1969 movie should’ve been, not a campy mess of story, plot, characters and their development. It needed to be dark, and, for a lack of better term, “grit-tier” and dirtier. (Cut to clips of the 1969 “True Grit” movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
I’m not sorry for considering the original the better version, it is not campy nor is it a mess! This is something that deserves to be lauded with awards and recognition. It earned John Wayne the long-overdue Academy Award for best actor. It showed that everyone that the western genre did not just fade away. John Wayne’s performance made everyone in the cast and audience care about everything that happened in the movie and again I recommend this movie for even just one watching to see how the human side of all of us. (Cut to everyone on the couch.)
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
There! We’re done with John Wayne, now back to business as usual...
TLOTA:
Hey whoa! Just because we’re done with John Wayne, doesn't mean we’re done with “American Icons,” we’ve got another nine months of this to do! (Jessica and everyone turns to James slowly as it cuts to everyone in the team being carted off with strait jackets as they either cry, laugh insanely or foam at the mouth except for James who stands there with the box in his hands.) Hmm, didn’t expect the team to snap in the ways they did. They’ll be fine quickly, I hope. I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans, and that’s my opinion. (James walks back into the building and it fades to black. Cut to hours later, as James finally looks at the box and sees a pair of boots and a letter that says, “James, seeing you be the way you are reminds me of me. You’ve earned these. John Wayne” James smiles as he puts on the boots and thinks that things are now different. Scene fades to black.)
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