your favorite Coen movie?

[RiverOtter]

Raising AZ

 

[Pen Thrower]

This is an extremely important question that deserves to be looked at more closely. For time's sake I have to immediately narrow the choice down to the three I have seen most often: Raising Arizona, Lebowski and O'Brother. Fargo maybe in the running, but I don't own a copy, so it is off my list....The logical way to decide between the three is to rate them in different categories, add up the total and see who wins.....

Opening sequence-Hands down the best opening credits in any movie is the bowling sequence in the Big Lebowski. Filming fat bowlers in slow motion is pure genius if you ask me. Score one for Lebowski...

Plot-Coen Brother Movies are character driven with the plot really being inconsequential. However, if I had to choose, I would go with the Big Lebowski again because of the twists and turns in the kidnapping conspiracy.

Finale-The Soggy Bottom Boy's concert and the Dapper Dan Bottles floating in the flood are classic....One for O brother

Lead Characters-This is by far the toughest category because you have to choose between an incredible performance by the Dude and a suprsingly comedic showing by Clooney. However, Nicholas Cage is absolutely incredible as H.I. By far his best role, and (if I can offer Nick some advice) please give up the macho, sexy role and stick with the geeky comedian. Big score for Raising Arizona

Supporting Characters--I thought this would be a tougher choice, but after seriously thinking about it for awhile, it really is a no-brainer. Lebowski is packed with a ton of memorable characters. John Gooden is much better in this movie than in O'Brother, but is just barely above his character in Raising Arizona (How you like that? We using code names). The Jesus is probably the best cameo appearance ever. There's also Philip Seymour Hoffman's role, Flea as a nihilist and the narrator guy....Big Lebowski.

Soundtrack--No explanation -Easily O'Brother

Nudity-One of the most important factor in a movie for men. (and possibly women) Only Big Lebowski showed some boobs....

Humor-Even though Lebowski and O Brother are more polished than Raising Arizona,they just don't stack up when you compare the one-liners (less you figure round's funny). If you also factor in the robbery scene for the Huggies, Raising Arizona really stands out--

Tara Reid-I have to subtract one point from Big Lebowski for having her in the movie...

Total--I lost count a few paragraphs ago. I think Lebowskin won, but it is definitely close. Before anyone posts that I need to get a life, let me just say that I agree (but I love the Coen Brothers, and had to get this out of my system).

 

[Ocean Lover]

Tara Reid-I have to subtract one point from Big Lebowski for having her in the movie... :clap_1:

If this was a test...I would say you passed. :clap_1:

 

[Jdarg]

Fine analysis, BrokebackBlueMtn. BTW. I love your name- very clever!

 

[Kurt]

Great job BBBM.

Supporting roles, TBL hands down.

Review from Amazon.com, because I really liked TBL soundtrack but couldn't remember every song:
One of the most inspired cobbled-together-from-a-stack-of-records soundtrack albums since Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski matches the goofily ramshackle spirit of the Dude, the hero of its celluloid companion. While offering Bob Dylan's luv-addled "Man in Me" together with the Gipsy Kings' redefinitive "Hotel California" and the psychedelic-era Kenny Rogers nugget "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," Lebowski also gives longer play to some cuts barely sampled in the film, including Elvis Costello's "My Mood Swings."

Tara Reid was fine in TBL - before anyone knew who she was.

For lead I can't decide, and it feels unfair to pick just one. Goodman was unreal in Barton Fink, as was Turturro. Both performances have to be up there with Bridges as The Dude, Robbins as The Rube, Clooney as the con, and McDormand as the cop. Nicholas in RA was also strong but it is impossible to say it was a better performance than Valley Girl, Vampire's Kiss, Leaving Las Vegas, or even Matchstick Men. He is very good in action roles and is one of the most versatile actors working today. Aside from his completed works, just take a look at what he's working on now:

Electric God (2007) (announced)
Time Share (2006) (announced)
National Treasure 2 (2007) (announced) .... Ben Gates
Next (2007) (pre-production) .... Cris Johnson
Amarillo Slim (2006) (pre-production) .... Amarillo Slim Preston
World Trade Center (2006) (filming) .... Sgt. John McLoughlin
Ant Bully (2006) (filming) (voice) .... Zoc
The Wicker Man (2006) (post-production) .... Sheriff
Ghost Rider (2007) (post-production) .... Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider


As for plot, yes it is quite often irrelevant, so I will go with OB because it is based on The Odyssey. Homer made Shakespeare look like a punk. As for films written by J&E it has to be Blood Simple.

The finale in Barton Fink is the best in my book.

As for nudity, I don't recall any nudity but Catherine Zeta-Jones was so sexy in IC that well, let's just say I was fascinated.

 

[Pen Thrower]

Excellent point about the Big Lebowski soundtrack. However, I still have to give the nod to O brother because the movie was centered around the music......

I did not mean to give the impression that I think Nicholas Cage is a bad actor. I only meant that he is much better playing the lovable loser/geek roles like Raising Arizona and National Treasure. If you don't believe me then I have two words for you: FACE OFF. I recently read an article in Newsweek where the writer thought that Nicholas Cage would be the most remembered actor of our generation because of his movie choices (sorry, don't know what got into me).....

Speaking of incredible actors or actresses---Looking back, how great of a performance was it for Tara Reid to pull off being a virgin in American pie?Hey, I enjoy a rich, blonde bimbo as well as the next guy, but she sucks....

One last argument for the Big Lebowski--did you know there is a festival?
http://www.lebowskifest.com/
How can we get it to come to Seaside?

 

[Kurt]

Excellent point about the Big Lebowski soundtrack. However, I still have to give the nod to O brother because the movie was centered around the music......

I did not mean to give the impression that I think Nicholas Cage is a bad actor. I only meant that he is much better playing the lovable loser/geek roles like Raising Arizona and National Treasure. If you don't believe me then I have two words for you: FACE OFF. I recently read an article in Newsweek where the writer thought that Nicholas Cage would be the most remembered actor of our generation because of his movie choices (sorry, don't know what got into me).....

Speaking of incredible actors or actresses---Looking back, how great of a performance was it for Tara Reid to pull off being a virgin in American pie?Hey, I enjoy a rich, blonde bimbo as well as the next guy, but she sucks....

One last argument for the Big Lebowski--did you know there is a festival?
http://www.lebowskifest.com/
How can we get it to come to Seaside?

It doesn't come to you - you have to go to it. and pack a lot of Kahlua and vodka. Some day . . . . road trip.

 

[scrltbegonya]

One last argument for the Big Lebowski--did you know there is a festival?
http://www.lebowskifest.com/
How can we get it to come to Seaside?

WOW! I signed up to be on the Mailing List and was told...
"You will be notified when new s#@t has come to light."

I can't wait!

 

[Jdarg]

Great shopping on the Lebowski site- get your stickers here!


http://www.lebowskifest.com/stickers.asp

 

[krafty]

We loved "Fargo," in spite of the violence of the deed it was based upon. The story was loosely based on a true occurence in that area. The dialect and lifestyle of the area was so accurate, too. We have seen this movie at least six times.

Obviously, my vote HAS to be for Fargo! ;-)