DH and I watched the original True Grit last night, which I'd never seen before. Has anyone here read the original novel? I wasn't expecting so much of the dialogue in the Coen bros version to be in the original, and I'm wondering how much of it's lifted verbatim from the book.

Aside from the stylistic differences, I was also struck by just how much lens & lighting technology has changed to allow for actual night shoots as opposed to the absurdly unconvincing day-for-night scenes in the original. It makes such a huge difference to the atmosphere of the whole story.

and I'm wondering how much of it's lifted verbatim from the book.

From what I've read in interviews, a lot. They're both really fans of the book.

I was also struck by just how much lens & lighting technology has changed

I'd like to find a concise history of these changes. It really affects movie history but I don't know where I can look up something like, "And then Kodak brought a new high grain, black and white, high contrast film to the market and Film Noir happened."

Timeline of Technical Filming Innovations please.

So sad to see the Black Swan disappointment. I am dying to see it, but trying to lower my expectations. Also want to see True Grit and Despicable Me. I was excited to finally see The Kids are Alright, but like most of the lesbians I know, I didn't like it at all.

RIP Pete Postlethwaite.

He was one fine actor.

I was excited to finally see The Kids are Alright, but like most of the lesbians I know, I didn't like it at all.

::highfives GC::

So sad to see the Black Swan disappointment. I am dying to see it, but trying to lower my expectations.

It's very well done, but it's not exactly mindblowing. I liked it, though.

RIP Pete Postlethwaite.

He was one fine actor.

I remember being surprised and pleased to see him in Inception.

I just read this morning that he was in Inception. Always nice to see the old guard working. Apparently he has another film coming out Killing Bono.

Except for Strother Martin, I can't think of another actor who was so, incredibly evocative. He made my skin crawl in so many creepy roles. And warmed my heart in others.

Despite his small role in The Lost World, I felt he owned that movie.

Always nice to see the old guard working.

He wasn't old! Or maybe I am. He was only 64.

No, of course you are right.

I wasn't referring to his age...tragically young. But, rather, to that well seasoned cadre of English actors who can always be counted on to give a world class performance.

I remember a particular scene in one of the early Sharpe films where Postlewaite was uber-uber creepy. His enraged fit (with bits of boiled egg on his face) truly turned my stomach. I thought he must be an awful person until I saw an interview with him. He was, in fact, soft-spoken, kind-hearted and impressively well-read.

Bless him.

Good thing actors don't have to be like their characters. or we'd have too few villains. And probably too few heroes.