Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU, 4/1, 9:30 pm ET
Moderators: Shirley, Sabo, brian, rass, DaveInSeattle
Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU, 4/1, 9:30 pm ET
Let's set this bad boy up.
What I'm thinking is maybe we can do a Monday night screening, and then have the discussion for the rest of the week. If you wouldn't be able to do the group screening, then you could try and check it out on your own.
So the first Coen Brothers movie is Blood Simple (1984). It's streaming on FuckZaslav, sorry, HBO Max. Say preliminarily we can make the first group viewing night Monday 2/12.
What I'm thinking is maybe we can do a Monday night screening, and then have the discussion for the rest of the week. If you wouldn't be able to do the group screening, then you could try and check it out on your own.
So the first Coen Brothers movie is Blood Simple (1984). It's streaming on FuckZaslav, sorry, HBO Max. Say preliminarily we can make the first group viewing night Monday 2/12.
Last edited by L-Jam3 on Mon Apr 01, 2024 4:44 pm, edited 11 times in total.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, Blood Simple date TBD
I like the suggestion of scheduling a due date. Like, give folks a week and say watch it by this day (one-ish week out) and we'll start discussing the next day.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, Blood Simple date TBD
This is a great idea. Like others said, I can't commit to a set time, but I'm down with a book club type discussion.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, Blood Simple date TBD
Can’t remember if I’ve seen this one and the library has the dvd so I’m in.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, Blood Simple, 2/12, 9:30 ET
It looks like we can get some traction on this, so let's go with it.
The idea is we have a group viewing night of the Coen Brothers canon, in order, making it Monday nights. You can watch it prior if you don't think you can make it. And then use this thread to discuss. Here's the preliminary schedule through early April:
2/12: Blood Simple
2/19: Raising Arizona
2/27: Miller's Crossing
3/4: Barton Fink
3/11: The Hudsucker Proxy
3/18: Fargo
3/25: The Big Lebowski
4/1: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
4/8: No viewing, it's the NCAA Final
I don't remember who handled the Google meetup screens for group watching, but if you're him and you're up for it, send me a line.
And can I request a sticky here?
The idea is we have a group viewing night of the Coen Brothers canon, in order, making it Monday nights. You can watch it prior if you don't think you can make it. And then use this thread to discuss. Here's the preliminary schedule through early April:
2/12: Blood Simple
2/19: Raising Arizona
2/27: Miller's Crossing
3/4: Barton Fink
3/11: The Hudsucker Proxy
3/18: Fargo
3/25: The Big Lebowski
4/1: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
4/8: No viewing, it's the NCAA Final
I don't remember who handled the Google meetup screens for group watching, but if you're him and you're up for it, send me a line.
And can I request a sticky here?
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I can't see "Barton Fink" without reading the name in a cheer.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I saw Blood Simple decades ago and remember very little of it. I ordered the dvd from my county library system, and will have it in a couple days, so I’m in.
I’ve seen Raising Arizona literally dozens of times and own the dvd. I love it and can recite the lines along with the characters. So you know I’m looking forward to that one.
I’ve seen Raising Arizona literally dozens of times and own the dvd. I love it and can recite the lines along with the characters. So you know I’m looking forward to that one.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
Don't know if I'll watch it live with y'all, but I'll try to get a rewatch in before then. I've seen this one once, many years ago. It's not one of their absolute bests, but it's still quite good.
BTW, while No Country may be the Coen's "best" movie, Raising Arizona will always be my favorite.
BTW, while No Country may be the Coen's "best" movie, Raising Arizona will always be my favorite.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
Quasi-Pro Tip: If you have Prime and you have racked up some credit, you can rent this pretty cheap. (It was $0.00 for me because my wife is fastidious racking up credit with them.) We just canceled Max, so that wasn't an option for me.
Just finished watching. Looking forward to the discussion. (Confession: I had to go back and read a good summary because I was folding laundry and some of the plot points got missed. Definitely hadn't seen this one, which made it fun, nonetheless.)
Just finished watching. Looking forward to the discussion. (Confession: I had to go back and read a good summary because I was folding laundry and some of the plot points got missed. Definitely hadn't seen this one, which made it fun, nonetheless.)
You can lead a horse to fish, but you can't fish out a horse.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I haven’t seen Blood Simple in many years, and I don’t have Max, so I rented a dvd of the film from the library. The dvd is a restored version with an improved digital transfer and a bonus dvd full of interviews and discussions. It also includes an interesting essay about the film and all the Coen Brothers’ works, by film critic and novelist Nathaniel Rich. I think it’s a good essay. If you want to read it, I found a link to it on the internet, HERE.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
So I'm going to start watching now. I haven't taken the time to review how to do a Google meeting for more than an hour. If you guys want to do a meeting, I'll keep an eye on this board.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I rewatched it and really enjoyed it. Amazing to think that was released 40 years ago.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I watched it again last night as well. It's certainly not as polished as later Coen works, but it kind of gets better and better as it goes along. Definitely a slow, but satisfying burn.
I didn't really care for some of M Emmet Walsh's acting - his random laughing seemed forced - but otherwise he and most others were great.
It's interesting to think about how Joel Coen married Frances McDormand and she's in so many of their movies. She's awesome. Would their movies have been as good if he'd married a lesser actor?
I didn't really care for some of M Emmet Walsh's acting - his random laughing seemed forced - but otherwise he and most others were great.
It's interesting to think about how Joel Coen married Frances McDormand and she's in so many of their movies. She's awesome. Would their movies have been as good if he'd married a lesser actor?
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
BTW, whenever I see Walsh, I picture him as his character in Raising Arizona - forever chewing gum and talking incessantly at work.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I'm off to a great start, completely forgot to watch. Looks like I'm not too late to catch up with the discussion.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
Well, I thought this was a good idea. It seems like not a lot of folks agreed.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
I watched Monday night, and I was a little busy earlier this week, so here are my thoughts on Blood Simple:
1. Frances McDormand. Man. She could act from Day One.
2. I like that Dan Hedeya has been the same face for the last forty years, simply aging. I like to think he had that look at birth.
3. The burial scene. It was about 15 minutes long, with no dialogue or score except for the radio. And yet totally engrossing. Just a great piece of camera work.
I can see already that these guys had a great style. I've always been a sucker for neo-noir, so I certainly enjoyed it. Solid B+.
1. Frances McDormand. Man. She could act from Day One.
2. I like that Dan Hedeya has been the same face for the last forty years, simply aging. I like to think he had that look at birth.
3. The burial scene. It was about 15 minutes long, with no dialogue or score except for the radio. And yet totally engrossing. Just a great piece of camera work.
I can see already that these guys had a great style. I've always been a sucker for neo-noir, so I certainly enjoyed it. Solid B+.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
So next on the list is Raising Arizona. It'll be a good refresher for me. It's been decades since I saw it, so I'm looking forward to it.
Does anyone know how to have a Google meeting last more than an hour? If people are good, I'll learn to host it.
Does anyone know how to have a Google meeting last more than an hour? If people are good, I'll learn to host it.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
I’ll try to make a meeting. I can damn near recite the whole movie along with the cast. So much great deadpan humor. Holly Hunter is super cute, and Nicholas Cage was way funnier here than ever again. John Goodman, William Forsyth, Sam McMurray, Trey Wilson, and Frances McDormand all great in supporting roles.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, BLOOD SIMPLE, 2/12, 9:30 pm ET
Loved the shirtless pic of him. Looked like he was wearing a rug.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
I don't know if I'll be able to start this at 9:30. I'm over my parents' for some things, and I'm nor sure I can stream here. Still looking forward to rewatching this.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
I'm not sure it's included for free in any streaming services. At least not ones I have. It's $4 on Amazon Prime though.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Yeah, I'm doing the rental option. Money well spent.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Raising Arizona may not be one of the Coens’ five best films, but it’s one of my three favorites.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
I'd be curious to see your top 5 is RA isn't in it.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
It is in MY personal top five, but I meant that I’d guess many critics prefer (not necessarily in order) No Country, O Brother, Fargo, True Grit, Miller’s, Lebowski…)
Last edited by sancarlos on Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
I just rewatched it about a month ago. Maybe on HBO Max?
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
If you dont' have JustWatch installed or first stop (https://www.justwatch.com/) for where to watch stuff you are making a mistake. Tells you what services you can watch most stuff on.
Currently streaming via youtube (subscription), hoopa, directv, starz, appleTV
Currently streaming via youtube (subscription), hoopa, directv, starz, appleTV
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
So, any new reviews?
Personally, very few movies make me laugh as much. So many great lines.
Personally, very few movies make me laugh as much. So many great lines.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Google search has that info as well, fyi.wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 5:31 pm If you dont' have JustWatch installed or first stop (https://www.justwatch.com/) for where to watch stuff you are making a mistake. Tells you what services you can watch most stuff on.
Currently streaming via youtube (subscription), hoopa, directv, starz, appleTV
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
So, I just finished my rewatch. Still just a brilliant movie. I've seen it many, many times and I love it every time. Watching again, I realized that among the many great lines ("her insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase"), there are a couple that I regularly use. The most common is "Well, okay then" in that same inflection that the parole board guy (and at least two others) uses. The other one, since this term comes up in programming from time-to-time, is "you hear that hayseeds? We're using codenames."
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Just seeing you quote them makes me giggle.Shirley wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:03 pm So, I just finished my rewatch. Still just a brilliant movie. I've seen it many, many times and I love it every time. Watching again, I realized that among the many great lines ("her insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase"), there are a couple that I regularly use. The most common is "Well, okay then" in that same inflection that the parole board guy (and at least two others) uses. The other one, since this term comes up in programming from time-to-time, is "you hear that hayseeds? We're using codenames."
When I eat cereal, I often say to my wife, "Tasty cereal flakes, Miz McDonough!" And, if she's cutting something, "Mind ya don't cut yourself, Mordecai!"
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
It’s amazing they stay with us. I fixed something the other day and threw my hands in the air and said O’Doyle rules! The look in my daughter’s face… my wife appreciates it though.sancarlos wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:27 pmJust seeing you quote them makes me giggle.Shirley wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:03 pm So, I just finished my rewatch. Still just a brilliant movie. I've seen it many, many times and I love it every time. Watching again, I realized that among the many great lines ("her insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase"), there are a couple that I regularly use. The most common is "Well, okay then" in that same inflection that the parole board guy (and at least two others) uses. The other one, since this term comes up in programming from time-to-time, is "you hear that hayseeds? We're using codenames."
When I eat cereal, I often say to my wife, "Tasty cereal flakes, Miz McDonough!" And, if she's cutting something, "Mind ya don't cut yourself, Mordecai!"
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
-Pruitt
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Probably the tightest intro/backstory sequence of any movie. Could teach a whole film class on that alone.
New favorite shot: the low-angle motorcycle perspective when the bounty hunter is ripping through the bank and the slow yokels are suddenly ninja-rolling out of the way. Slayed me.
New favorite shot: the low-angle motorcycle perspective when the bounty hunter is ripping through the bank and the slow yokels are suddenly ninja-rolling out of the way. Slayed me.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Really great movie. Glad I caught it again after all these years. Couple points:
1. Nicolas Cage gets ragged on, but he is a damn good actor, albeit a little over the top at times. For a screwball comedy like this he’s perfect.
2. Holly Hunter. She looks great in this. I’m trying to think of where she looked better and I can’t come up with one besides the obvious The Incredibles. I like butts.
3. The prison escape scene where John Goodman and William Forsythe emerge from the sewer and exalt in the pouring rain, and only now I realized that’s where Shawshank got it from.
4. The camera work. I love the low shots. For all their skill in writing plot and dialogue, these guys are really phenomenal with the camera.
5. And their change in tone from their first one. For a movie where a guy gets grenaded, it’s really kind-hearted. The fact that they can change genres basically at will. What talent.
I’m going to give this one a strong A.
1. Nicolas Cage gets ragged on, but he is a damn good actor, albeit a little over the top at times. For a screwball comedy like this he’s perfect.
2. Holly Hunter. She looks great in this. I’m trying to think of where she looked better and I can’t come up with one besides the obvious The Incredibles. I like butts.
3. The prison escape scene where John Goodman and William Forsythe emerge from the sewer and exalt in the pouring rain, and only now I realized that’s where Shawshank got it from.
4. The camera work. I love the low shots. For all their skill in writing plot and dialogue, these guys are really phenomenal with the camera.
5. And their change in tone from their first one. For a movie where a guy gets grenaded, it’s really kind-hearted. The fact that they can change genres basically at will. What talent.
I’m going to give this one a strong A.
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
Absolutely. The pre-credits stuff with Hi and Cage's narration is just incredible. When the credits finally kick in - it's probably more than 10 minutes into the movie - it just cracks you up because you've forgotten that they haven't shown the title yet.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
That's a great point. Other than the crime subplot, these two movies couldn't be more different. That's a hell of a start to a career.
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Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
And when it breaks into that cowboy/yodel music, its hilarious.
Re: Swamp Movie Club: The Coen Brothers, RAISING ARIZONA, 2/19, 9:30 pm ET
I haven't re-watched either yet dammit. Hope to change that this weekend.
well this is gonna be someone's new signature - bronto