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‘No Country’ among best Coen brothers movies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The best movie news this week is that the Coen brothers are back in form. “No Country for Old Men,” opening in metro Atlanta on Friday is classic Coen bros. (think violence, intensity and commanding cinematography) and easily one of the best movies of the year.
I am so glad Joel and Ethan Coen are off that muddled comedy kick of a few years ago — the bad “Intolerable Cruelty” and the worse “The Ladykillers.”
Here are my favorite Coen brothers movies:
1. “Fargo” (1996) — Violent as hell. Plus it ranks as one of the best comedies in filmmaking.
2. “Blood Simple” (1984) — The suspense is palpable and orchestrated with the assurance of Hitchcock.
3. “No Country for Old Men” (2007) — Javier Bardem (above) is a formidable psycho killer. Josh Brolin is never overshadowed by the great cinematography. And Tommy Lee Jones is classic Tommy Lee Jones.
4. “Miller’s Crossing” (1990) — Guns, prohibition and gangland killings. What’s not to like?
5. “Raising Arizona” (1987) — Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter are spot on and the comedy works.
Are you excited about the arrival of “No Country for Old Men”? What’s your favorite Coen brothers movie?
Permalink | Comments (25) | Categories: Alan Smithee
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By Matt
November 13, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Though not mentioned, the Dude abides…
By bobby
November 13, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Miller’s Crossing….”give em’ the high hat!”
By Into the Mystic
November 13, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
“O Brother Where Art Thou” is a masterpiece. I can only think that its popularity keeps it off this list… . That movie exists in a timeless place. It was not created. It is self-existent. The Coens downloaded it from the ether, as is true with the greatest of art. It simply IS.
By Eric
November 13, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
As great as Fargo is, Lebowski is even more watchable when they’re both on.
By matt
November 13, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
I think it’s going overboard to call “Cruelty” and “Ladykillers” BAD; they’re just bad as compared to “Fargo” and the GREAT movies they’ve made. I’d still take a bad Coen movie over most anybody else’s best.
Anyway, that’s what Doc Schwartz says.
By scottnjaxbeach
November 13, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
How in the world could you leave off “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”??
My Top Five are as follows:
Oh Brother Where Art Thou
Raising Arizona
The Big Lebowski
Millers Crossing
Blood Simple
The sheer brillance of these two brothers stands alone!
By scottnjaxbeach
November 13, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
How in the world could you leave off “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”??
My Top Five are as follows:
Oh Brother Where Art Thou
Raising Arizona
The Big Lebowski
Millers Crossing
Blood Simple
The sheer brillance of these two brothers stands alone!
By Critic
November 13, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
Thought it is never mentioned, The Hudsucker Proxy was pretty damn funny too. And it should be a law that any household with a DVD player be required to own a copy of Lebowski. (Shut the f* up Donnie)
By steve-o
November 13, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
And it should be a law that any household with a DVD player be required to own a copy of Lebowski.
choo said it, man! nobody f* with the Jesus!
By TCBinATL
November 13, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait for “No Country,” or any other Coen brothers film, for that matter.
Favorite? “Miller’s Crossing.” Fantastic characters, cracker jack dialogue, amazing cinematography…and completely ignored by Hollywood and the Academy Awards. Should have won something just for the “Danny Boy” scene alone.
By Lisa T
November 13, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
My top three -
Raising Arizona Oh Brother Where Art Thou Hudsucker Proxy
Not so fond of their more violent movies but I do admire their brilliance!
By John
November 13, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
I still think the Coens made Drop Dead Gorgeous but used fake names.
By v50
November 13, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
About the time “Raising Arizona” came out on video my husband became disabled. We could only afford to buy 2 movies so we got “RA” and “Ruthless People”. We watched those movies literally everyday for months while we were going through all the mess with doctors, hospitals, tests, etc. I’ve been in love with Holly Hunter and Nicholas Cage ever since. Raising Arizona has got to be my all time favorite comedy.
By v50
November 13, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
About the time “Raising Arizona” came out on video my husband became disabled. We could only afford to buy 2 movies so we got “RA” and “Ruthless People”. We watched those movies literally everyday for months while we were going through all the mess with doctors, hospitals, tests, etc. I’ve been in love with Holly Hunter and Nicholas Cage ever since. Raising Arizona has got to be my all time favorite comedy.
By v50
November 13, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
About the time “Raising Arizona” came out on video my husband became disabled. We could only afford to buy 2 movies so we got “RA” and “Ruthless People”. We watched those movies literally everyday for months while we were going through all the mess with doctors, hospitals, tests, etc. I’ve been in love with Holly Hunter and Nicholas Cage ever since. Raising Arizona has got to be my all time favorite comedy.
By AK-47
November 13, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
scottnjaxbeach is exactly right. O Brother is a work of art. Raising Arizona put them on the map, and is easily the most quotable movie ever made. Lebowski, then Miller’s Crossing (Look into your heart!) and I would put either Blood Simple or Fargo to round out the list.
By Atlanta Pearl Girl
November 13, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
I actually thought Fargo was very funny….I couldn’t get past their accents to consider the violence. Do they really talk like that up there? Holy Cow.
Atlanta Pearl Girl
By Truthman
November 13, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
The Big Lebowski is about as perfect a film noire comedy can be.
The casting, writing, interplay between the actors; it’s amazing they got all that in 100-minute movie.
We all have a bit of “The Dude” in us, (at least the cool folks do).
But, just remember, “I don’t f*ing role on Saturday!”
By Cindy Moore
November 13, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Oh Brother Where Art Thou is one movie I can watch over and over again, and laugh each time. Plus, it is entirely responsible for the resurgence in the popularity of Bluegrass Music. I also love Raising Arizona - it’s one of the great comedies.
By JJ
November 13, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Drop Dead Georgous, was absolutely hysterical. I LOVE that movie……
Raising Arizona, maybe I need to see that one again. The first time I saw it I thought it was the dumbest movie I ever saw.
I love O Brother Where Art Thou……
By ehhhhhhhh.......
November 13, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
O’ Brother Where Art Thou was probably one of the DUMBEST movies I have EVER laid my eyes on. Tried to watch the Big Lewbowski, but couldn’t get through it. Fargo was good, LOVED Raising Arizona. Will have to check out Millers Crossing.
Who knows, maybe this Country movie movie will be a little better than some???
By Native
November 13, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
When Raising Arizona came out, my girlfriend had a friend who was a film student at UGA. The two of them decided that the three of us should go see this film together. I wasn’t too amused, as some of the other films that he had recommended to us to rent were totally forgettable for me, not to mention painful. But being the dutiful boyfriend, I sucked it up and went. About 5 minutes into the film, I think everybody in the whole theatre was staring at us because I was laughing so hard I was about to wet my pants. My wife (not that girlfriend)and myself quote from RA often.
By Bob
November 13, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
“The old man’s a real artist with a Tommygun” Perfect film. Perfect Coen Brothers “Millers Crossing”.
By der hut tuh, tuh
November 13, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
That none of you chose Barton Fink is embarrassing.
By lovelyliz
November 13, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
O’ Brother, Where Art Thou The Hudsucker Proxy Intolerable Cruelty
Absolutely Brilliant!!!