True Grit (2010)

Fourteen year old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), determined to avenge her dad's demise, decides that Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is the perfect lawman to hunt down her dad's killer.  Cogburn, an ornery sort who's interpretation of the law is suspect, doesn't want to work for the girl, nor take her along for the hunt.    She intends to catch up with the murderer, a petty criminal named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), and put the "eye for an eye" rule into effect.  LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), a Texas Ranger is also on Chaney's trail.  He and Cogburn disagree on how to conduct the search, and LaBoeuf doesn't want Mattie tagging along either.  However, Mattie is articulate, focused, determined, and not one to take no for an answer.  The men have no choice but to take her along.

This version is a little more closer to the tone of the book of the same name than the original version of the film (1969) starring John Wayne.  Bridges' version of Cogburn is much more rougher than Wayne's interpretation of the character.  There is a lot of humor, especially in scenes where Mattie is out-talking people in her quest to get justice for her late dad.  The look of the film is rich in detail; it feels like what the Old West probably was -- dusty, hard, and dangerous.  There is also a nice wrap up at the end of the story featuring a middle aged Mattie (Elizabeth Marvel). 

The Coen brothers, who are known for more quirky and twisted fare such as Fargo (1996), directed this movie.  Mr. Bridges won a Best Actor Oscar for his work in Crazy Heart (2009).  Josh Brolin was a crooked cop in American Gangster (2007).  Matt Damon won a Best Screenplay Oscar (along with Ben Affleck) for Good Will Hunting (1997). 

Crazy Heart (2009)

Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) was once a top country star, but he spent too much time peering out at life from the inside of a bottle.  When we meet him, Blake has been reduced to performing in small venues -- including a bowling alley -- throughout the south.  He still has fans who ask him to sing their favorite songs.  But he can no longer get a record deal, not even on the strength of Tommy (Colin Farrell), a former protege of Blake's who is a superstar.  

While working one gig, he meets Jane (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the niece of a piano player.  She's works for a newspaper, and requests to get an interview with Blake.  There is a mutual attraction, but Jane eases cautiously into a relation with Blake.  She has a divorce behind her, a few failed relationships, and a toddler son (Jack Nation) to look after.  Their relationship appears to produce some change in Blake's cynical outlook on life, but he still has a long road to go.

This film is a solid character study.  Bridges shows the emotional and physical pain that his character has carried around for decades through the way he moves, and the weariness in his voice.

Ms. Gyllenhaal appeared in the movie Secretary (2002), and actor Jake Gyllenhaal is her younger sibling.  Veteran actor Robert Duvall (Tender Mercies, 1983; The Godfather, 1972), has a small pivotal role.  Mr. Bridges is the son of actor Lloyd Bridges (High Noon, 1952; Airplane, 1980), and has been nominated for Oscars for his previous performances (The Last Picture Show, 1971; Starman, 1984).

Iron Man (2008)

Tony Stark is kidnapped while in Afganistan to show off a new weapon his company has made. The rebels who grab him demand that he make a rocket for them. When Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) realizes he'll be killed after he delivers the product, he makes a robot instead. Yelsin (Shaun Taub), who's also a prisoner of the rebels, helps him to build it. Stark stages a daring escape, but unfortunately Yinsen is killed. Before he dies, Yinsen basically tells Stark to think about how he'll live his life from here on in.

As soon as Stark returns to the States, he announces he getting out of the business of being a war profiteer. This does not sit well with either his business partner Obadiah (Jeff Bridges) or his long-time friend, Jim Rhodes (Terrance Howard), who is a military officer. Stark secretly works on another version of the robot he made in Afganistan. The experience over there has made him a changed man in terms of how he'll use his talents for the world.

This is a different type of superhero movie, as the man behind the mask is not completely a good guy. Stark is a mega-rich playboy who drinks too much, and often frustrates and irritates the few people who are closest to him, including his assistant Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). His genius has made Stark a bit arrogant, too. Action is displayed, but the emphasis is more on character than it usually is in films of this genre.

Downey (Chaplin, 1992) and Bridges (Starman, 1984) are Oscar nominated actors. Ms. Paltrow won a Best Actress Oscar for Shakespeare In Love (1998). Howard was in The Brave One (2007), alongside Jodie Foster.

The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)

A bluesy, moody slice of life piece about a pair of siblings who decide to spice up their tired lounge act by hiring a singer. Frank Baker (Beau Bridges) has been content with the mundaness and steadiness of the act for a long time. However, his brother Jack (Jeff Bridges), who appears to be more talented musicially, has been dissatified with their professional life for a long time. When his older brother is not looking, Jack slips off to play jazz in small dives. He gets offers to come and sit in with other musicians, but Jack feels some loyalty to Frank.

When the gigs become hard to come by, the brothers hold auditions for a singer. They end up with Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer), who nearly misses out because she shows up late to try out. She is better than the others they've heard that day. Soon, gigs are plentiful and the money is rolling in. Complications ensue when Jack and Susie develop an attraction to each other, which brings out long-held resentments between the brothers.

Ms. Pfeiffer shows an appropriate world-weariness in her portrayal of Susie, a woman who has seen a lot and is cautious because of it. The Bridges brothers worked so well off of each other that audiences believed they might have real-life sibling rivalry, especially during an intense scene where the Baker brothers have a rough fist fight. Jeff explained that he accidently hurt his older brother Beau's hand during the scene. His brother yelled at him to stop bending his hand, and Jeff thought Beau was doing an excellent acting job.

Michelle Pfeiffer has appeared in numerous films including Married to the Mob (1988) and Scarface (1983), opposite Al Pacino. Jeff and Beau's dad was the late Lloyd Bridges. Jeff was nominated for an Oscar for his roles in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1975) and Starman (1985). Beau is generally considered as one of those actors who should get more credit than he does. He has won Emmy Awards, including for the TV films "Without Warning: The James Brady Story" (1992) and "The Second Civil War" (1997).