Friday, December 24, 2010

Sgt. Pepper

In this morning's Ransom Notes post, I'm a bit afeared I sound like a grump, but don't cry for me, Argentina, I actually like Christmas. Thirteen holiday seasons in retail hell couldn't squeeze all the joy from me, it just takes a while to get the crankies out first thing in the morning. Still, I do plan on reading Jim Nisbet's The Damned Don't Die. It's perfect single day reading size and should go a ways to making me thankful that my life doesn't resemble any of his characters'.

I did go see True Grit this week and wow, Bob, wow - it was a blast. At once a typically Coen Brothers genre subversive and a western that delivers the goods. Among all the fine performances, I'd like to single out Barry Pepper as Lucky Ned Pepper, (no relation), as one I'd like to have spent even more time with. He keeps quietly delivering great roles that never overshadow the leads, but that I recall later and focus on in repeat viewings, making up for Battlefield Earth one film at a time. Check out The Twenty-Fifth Hour and The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada for some of his best work.

Enjoy the shit out of your Christmas holiday.

8 comments:

Chris said...

I love that The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada flick. Thanks for reminding me.

And you have yourself a merry little christmas, Jed. By the way, do you sport a size L or size XL?

jedidiah ayres said...

Chris - Dunno. XL? Thankss

Sean Patrick Reardon said...

Thanks for the good word on True Great!

pattinase (abbott) said...

We liked it too, but maybe I was a bit surprised at how straight they played it. They didn't imbue it with their style the way they usually do.
Barry needs some bigger parts. I saw a trailer for a movie where it looks like he may have one. Did he play Roger Maris or Mickey Mantle in an HBO movie? I think so.

jedidiah ayres said...

Was that 61? I didn't see that one. Any good? I know he's in the last George Hickenlooper film Casino Jack alongside Kevin Spacey. A big St. Louis adios to George. Miss ya.

Scott Phillips said...

Patti, he did play Mantle. And everybody seems to have that same reaction to him in True Grit.

Anonymous said...

Just saw True Grit today; wowza! Loved all the cast members; wonderful film. I'd see it again.

Anonymous said...

It's been a long while since I've seen the John Wayne version, so I'm hazy on the particulars, but did he play quite the drunk as portrayed by Bridges?

I really liked Barry Pepper's role also. He owned his moment of the film. I've been a fan since Saving Private Ryan. I guess it's a good thing I've never seen Battlefield Earth.

He was great in 61* as Maris. Thomas Jane played Mantle.