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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Matthew_S on November 06, 2009, 03:54:09 PM

Title: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Matthew_S on November 06, 2009, 03:54:09 PM
Changing it up a bit this time.  Switching to movies and switching to top two faves.

Thought Coen oeuvre was apt choice as (a) their films are frequently mentioned/discussed on the show, (b) their latest, A Serious Man seems like another interesting creation and (c) I recently read someone's argument that The Man Who Wasn't There was their best, a position I'd never heard before.

Enjoy!


Past "favorite" polls:

Favorite song on Neil Young's On the Beach
http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,6059.msg134445.html (http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,6059.msg134445.html)

Favorite song on Purple Rain
http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,5989.0.html


PS - Is there a simple html-code way to include the title of the thread as linkable instead of, as above, the title and then the URL?
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Christina on November 06, 2009, 03:57:36 PM
I haven't seen Ladykillers or this new one Serious Man, but I have maintained for years that their best one is Miller's Crossing.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on November 06, 2009, 04:32:52 PM
No Country For Old Men.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Martin on November 06, 2009, 06:09:53 PM
Miller's Xing / Big Lebow.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: crumbum on November 06, 2009, 07:57:24 PM
I feel confident that my choices -- Lebowski and No Country -- will be the champions, only because they seem to be the ones even non Coen Bros. fans can agree on. My next choice would be A Serious Man.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Matthew_S on November 06, 2009, 08:32:12 PM
I feel confident that my choices -- Lebowski and No Country -- will be the champions, only because they seem to be the ones even non Coen Bros. fans can agree on. My next choice would be A Serious Man.

I switched to top two as I suspected Big Lebowski might dominate.    Should I have gone to top three?
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: not that clay on November 06, 2009, 08:35:42 PM
I haven't seen Ladykillers or this new one Serious Man, but I have maintained for years that their best one is Miller's Crossing.

I'd say Miller's Crossing is their best too, but my favorite is Intolerable Cruelty. I can't defend it, it just cracks me up.

Blood Simple is underrated.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Christina on November 06, 2009, 08:45:55 PM

I'd say Miller's Crossing is their best too, but my favorite is Intolerable Cruelty. I can't defend it, it just cracks me up.


Yeah, MC I think is sort of a best all-around ... it's got everything from comedy to tragedy, and even bit parts are completely great. I liked Intolerable too - I think it's a bit of a return to form, going back to their earlier, loonier stuff.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Matt on November 06, 2009, 09:47:07 PM
MILLER'S CROSSING and BARTON FINK. Obvious choices, I know, but to my mind as good a cinematic one-two punch as there's ever been.

Rounding out my top five would be THE HUDSUCKER PROXY, A SERIOUS MAN and FARGO.

Looking at their credits makes me wonder - how are there people in the world who DON'T like these guys?
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: nec13 on November 06, 2009, 09:51:30 PM
No Country For Old Men.

I strongly agree.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: jbissell on November 06, 2009, 09:55:07 PM
Haven't seen A Serious Man yet but my top 2 would be Fargo and Lebowski, with the major caveat that it's been a really long time since I've seen Miller's Crossing.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Reeleyes on November 06, 2009, 09:56:26 PM
Raising Arizona is one of my all time favs.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Barry Egan on November 06, 2009, 10:14:35 PM
Raising Arizona and Fargo, though I almost gave the nod to Miller's Crossing.

Most overrated:  Blood Simple
Most underrated: Intolerable Cruelty
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Barry Egan on November 06, 2009, 10:15:25 PM
I haven't seen Ladykillers.

Good call.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: masterofsparks on November 06, 2009, 10:54:53 PM
I haven't seen Ladykillers.

Good call.

Yeah, it's not good. I love the Ealing original and in the first 10 minutes or so of the Coens remake I had high hopes because their idea is good, but it just doesn't work. Tom Hanks is really the wrong person for that role.

I chose Lebowski and Miller's Crossing. Lebowski was obvious but I had a really tough time with the second. I considered Raising Arizona but it didn't seem right to pick those two and as much as I love so many of the others, it had to be Miller's Crossing. One of the best opening scenes ever, and the "Danny Boy" scene is about as great as it gets.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: dave from knoxville on November 06, 2009, 10:56:24 PM
Miller's Crossing and No Country
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Gilly on November 06, 2009, 11:26:35 PM
Oh Brother and Big Lebowski.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Christina on November 06, 2009, 11:42:02 PM
Miller's Xing / Big Lebow.

Gasp! My other self.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Christina on November 06, 2009, 11:46:10 PM
I chose Lebowski and Miller's Crossing. Lebowski was obvious but I had a really tough time with the second. I considered Raising Arizona but it didn't seem right to pick those two and as much as I love so many of the others, it had to be Miller's Crossing. One of the best opening scenes ever, and the "Danny Boy" scene is about as great as it gets.

My other, other self!

Yeah, RA is pretty danged good, and has some almost lyrical moments, but MC hits the high mark in so many ways across the board. In addition to the the parts you mentioned, there's all the by-play between Marcia Gay Harden and Gabriel Byrne. I don't think he's been better -- have to admit I haven't seen her in Pollock & I hear she won a statue or something for that one.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Reeleyes on November 07, 2009, 12:08:52 AM
I knew Lebowski was one but it was between Arizona and Hudsucker (You know, for kids) for the other and I chose Arizona due to the fact that I've just seen it so many times and even right now as I write this I'm thinking of lines from it that are cracking me up. Oh and in my opinion it's the best thing that Nick Cage has ever done.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Christina on November 07, 2009, 12:24:29 AM
I knew Lebowski was one but it was between Arizona and Hudsucker (You know, for kids) for the other and I chose Arizona due to the fact that I've just seen it so many times and even right now as I write this I'm thinking of lines from it that are cracking me up. Oh and in my opinion it's the best thing that Nick Cage has ever done.

I really loved both these movies too, it's just that for me MC was the clear choice. have I said this enough, in a shitload of posts already?

Hudsucker is terrific, and I couldn't believe the flack it took when it came out -- Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular.

Remember when Nick Cage was interesting in movies? Member?
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: oncegompedtwiceshy on November 07, 2009, 02:49:38 PM
Blood Simple & Millers Crossing
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: eastgrandforks on November 07, 2009, 03:01:04 PM
Miller's Crossing and Lebowski. MC rules because I watch it about once a year to refresh my memory on how Tom (Gabriel Byrne) was able to work that octuple-cross on everyone.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: buffcoat on November 07, 2009, 03:40:53 PM
Miller's Crossing and No Country for Old Men.

I find Blood Simple and (especially) Barton Fink overrated.  Barton Fink just gets stupid at the end.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Reeleyes on November 07, 2009, 04:40:26 PM
I knew Lebowski was one but it was between Arizona and Hudsucker (You know, for kids) for the other and I chose Arizona due to the fact that I've just seen it so many times and even right now as I write this I'm thinking of lines from it that are cracking me up. Oh and in my opinion it's the best thing that Nick Cage has ever done.

I really loved both these movies too, it's just that for me MC was the clear choice. have I said this enough, in a shitload of posts already?

Hudsucker is terrific, and I couldn't believe the flack it took when it came out -- Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular.

Remember when Nick Cage was interesting in movies? Member?

I do 'member. The first thing I ever saw him in was Wild At Heart and never thought I'd see him doing all this crappy mainstream stuff.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: fonpr on November 07, 2009, 09:57:36 PM
Miller's Crossing and No Country for Old Men.

I find Blood Simple and (especially) Barton Fink overrated.  Barton Fink just gets stupid at the end.
I have a soft-spot for Blood Simple.  First Coen film I saw.  Felt so fresh, raw and absurdly real.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: buffcoat on November 07, 2009, 10:22:57 PM
I knew Lebowski was one but it was between Arizona and Hudsucker (You know, for kids) for the other and I chose Arizona due to the fact that I've just seen it so many times and even right now as I write this I'm thinking of lines from it that are cracking me up. Oh and in my opinion it's the best thing that Nick Cage has ever done.

I really loved both these movies too, it's just that for me MC was the clear choice. have I said this enough, in a shitload of posts already?

Hudsucker is terrific, and I couldn't believe the flack it took when it came out -- Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular.

Remember when Nick Cage was interesting in movies? Member?


I believe it's "Nic."
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Chris L on November 07, 2009, 11:00:00 PM
Blood Simple is only one of the great thrillers of the 80's.   With their first, low-budget film they came up with something more tense, original and funny than someone like Brian DePalma managed the entire decade.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on November 07, 2009, 11:25:44 PM
Just got back from seeing "A Serious Man" and liked it a lot more than I expected. Tricia from Maplewood votes for it as one of her two favorites.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Martin on November 07, 2009, 11:28:07 PM
You leave DePalma out of this, Chris.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: buffcoat on November 08, 2009, 12:13:43 AM
Monk's dad and Carla's husband teamed up as a bad Texas dude.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Christina on November 08, 2009, 01:29:48 AM
You leave DePalma out of this, Chris.


oooooo! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: scratchbomb on November 08, 2009, 09:47:20 AM
Big Lebowski and No Country for Old Men. I hate to be obvious, but I couldn't think of an argument against picking them other than "everyone else will pick them".
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: whaleplane on November 08, 2009, 06:20:14 PM
A Serious Man is one of the best movies I've seen this year. It's too close to call between that and Inglourious Basterds for my favorite movie of '09, with The Informant bringing up the rear with a strong bronze. Either way, I voted for No Country and Fargo because those two, especially, are untouchable. Barton Fink, Burn After Reading, Raising Arizona, Lebowski are good too. So are the rest of them oh my god don't make me choose.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Jack from Arkansas on November 08, 2009, 07:04:56 PM
I can't believe I gave my Dad grief for taking me to see Raising Arizona instead of Spaceballs at the theater.  Raising Arizona is like a diamond mine and Barton Fink has the greatest atmosphere.  It's hard to pick favorites with the C-Bros.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Wes on November 08, 2009, 07:48:32 PM
I haven't seen A Serious Man yet, and will probably never see their Ladykillers. My votes went to Raising Arizona and Miller's Crossing. I think The Dane is their best antagonist, and they've created some of the best villains in movie history.

I was talking about their movies with a fellow FOT the other day and decided I wanted to see a Crisis on Infinite Earths-style Coens movie where all the leads from their films are brought together, though I couldn't come up with what they'd actually do. He countered that the movie should be a Wacky Races/Laff-A-Lympics /Cannonball Run kind of movie. We were undecided as to whether the Dude's Torino or The Lone Biker Of The Apocalypse would be the favorite to win.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Chris L on November 08, 2009, 08:04:23 PM
I haven't seen A Serious Man yet, and will probably never see their Ladykillers. My votes went to Raising Arizona and Miller's Crossing. I think The Dane is their best antagonist, and they've created some of the best villains in movie history.

I was talking about their movies with a fellow FOT the other day and decided I wanted to see a Crisis on Infinite Earths-style Coens movie where all the leads from their films are brought together, though I couldn't come up with what they'd actually do. He countered that the movie should be a Wacky Races/Laff-A-Lympics /Cannonball Run kind of movie. We were undecided as to whether the Dude's Torino or The Lone Biker Of The Apocalypse would be the favorite to win.

Yes, they would be looking for the money Buscemi buried in Fargo.  Don't know if it'd be worth traversing time and space for that amount, but who am I to say.   
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: fletcher munson on November 08, 2009, 09:05:32 PM
Yeah, what happened to Buscemi's career?  I don't really watch 30 Rock, so I haven't seen him in anything since The Sopranos.  
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Pat K on November 09, 2009, 01:17:06 PM
What a tough call. This will be the hardest decision I make all day.  I'm so tempted to give reactionary votes to The Man Who Wasn't There and Barton Fink, just to shore up their numbers. But if I've gotta be honest, the only correct answer is Raising Arizona and No Country.  When you want Funny Coens, it don't get no funnier than Raising Arizona. And when you want Scary, Hardcore, Badass Coens, it don't get no more hardcore than No Country.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Chris L on November 09, 2009, 01:21:25 PM
Fargo and Lebowski would be the two I'd miss most if all of them dropped off the face of the earth.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Pat K on November 09, 2009, 01:29:14 PM
I was talking about their movies with a fellow FOT the other day and decided I wanted to see a Crisis on Infinite Earths-style Coens movie where all the leads from their films are brought together, though I couldn't come up with what they'd actually do. He countered that the movie should be a Wacky Races/Laff-A-Lympics /Cannonball Run kind of movie. We were undecided as to whether the Dude's Torino or The Lone Biker Of The Apocalypse would be the favorite to win.

Yes, they would be looking for the money Buscemi buried in Fargo. 

This is so funny I can't stand it. I'm thinking about some wacky It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World-type comic pairings, like where Larry Gopnik and Anton Chighur comandeer an old biplane, while Barton Fink and William H Macy have to drive an old model T or something.
Title: Re: Coen Brothers Movies - Pick Your Top Two Faves
Post by: Jouster on November 09, 2009, 05:02:59 PM
Yeah, what happened to Buscemi's career?  I don't really watch 30 Rock, so I haven't seen him in anything since The Sopranos.  

Seems like he's focusing more on directing.  He's done two feature films and a bunch of TV (Sopranos, 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie) in the last few years.  I do know he's in the upcoming Youth in Revolt adaptation with Michael Cera.