Best Coen Brothers Movie

[Yerdaddy]

These guys have never made a bad movie. I've seen them all at least five times and I think they're the best film makers working today.

I'm partial to Raising Arizona. I think it's fucking brilliant on so many levels. I have most of the dialogue memorized. It's one of the greatest unknown stoner movies ever. It's a rare truly original movie. And if a frog had wings, it wouldn't bump its ass a-hoppin'.

[Melrapuo]

raising arizona. that has to be one of the greatest movies i have ever seen.












ok maybe im overexaggerating. but outta that list, i think raising arizona is the greatest.

<img src="http://www.hometown.aol.com/falsadvirtizment/images/thething.jpg">

"I feel like I'm Han Solo, and you're Chewie, and she's Ben Kenobi, and we're in that fucked-up bar."

Ah...the greatness of Jay & Silent Bob

[Aggie]

This is a tough one. Raising Arizona is really good and it's kind of funny that my mom is the one that suggested that movie to me.

But I REALLY liked Fargo and Big Lebowski also. So I went with Fargo. There were so many aspects of that movie I just really loved, not to mention the actors.

I think all the stoners should get together and have a Coen brothers movie marathon.

[center]<IMG SRC="http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/aggie2323/car.gif">[center]
PanterA is the shiznit!
New Jersey Devils ~ 2003 Stanley Cup Champions

[Tall_James]

I think all the stoners should get together and have a Coen brothers movie marathon.

Can a former Stoner attend? I love the Coens. It is so hard to pick because each of the these films are unique and incredible.

I think a more interesting poll (with apologies to Yerdaddy) would be the board's "least" favorite Coen Brothers movie.

My least favorite (and this does not mean that I do not like this film) would be "The Big Lebowski".

<img src=http://users.rcn.com/jamespatton/evil.jpg>
pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street...from my window i'm staring while my coffee goes cold

[TheMojoPin]

"Miller's Crossing" all the way. Possibly my favorite film of all time. Completely original, right up to the "30's-sounding" slang the brothers made up for it. Beautifully shot, violent as hell, and the Irish mob kicking ass. Nice.

Hey, you left out "Crimewave". Yeah, it counts.

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[nickeye]

"O Brother", brother....

<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/182800/eyeblink7.gif" width=230 height=100>

[TheMojoPin]

"We're gonna go and sneak into an R-rated movie!"

"What's it called?"

"'Barton Fink'!"

"Eh, I gotta wait for my dad to come pick me up."

"Suit yourself...'BAR-TON-FINK! BAR-TON-FINK! BAR-TON-FINK!'"

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[Crispy123]

I watched Big Lebowski & Raising Arizona this weekend. Those are 1 & 2 for me followed closely by Fargo, Millers Crossing, O Brother and Hud Proxy.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Millers Crossing, by a Mere Margin over Raising Arizona

:king:

[GreatAmericanZero]

i cant choose between Fargo and Big Lebowski!

[CofyCrakCocaine]

I love John Goodman- he's been such a great player in so many of the Coen movies that I'd have to vote for the movie he has the most prominence in. Or am I the only one who gives a shit about the rules around here?!

[thepaulo]

tough,tough,tough,tough question......

this list is far from complete...
Miller's Crossing maybe the best gangster movie ever (take that Godfather/Goodfellas)
Raising Arizona nearly as perfect.....

[drjoek]

Fargo by a nose best of a very deep list

[LiddyRules]

Barton Fink for me.

[hammersavage]

can i vote for 'No Country for Old Men' yet?

[MadMatt]

Damn, I have only seen HALF of those flicks. I love the flicks I have seen, but I don't think I can make a final call until I've seen them all.

However, "Raising Arizona" and "Oh Brother..." are my favorites so far, and each for completely different reasons. And I would say I like "Fargo" the least, but that is mainly because I can't stand the Minnesota accent. It just grates on my ears. The story is great though.

[Doctor Z]

Yeah, the correct answer is clearly Big Lebowski.

That's a scientific fact.

[LiddyRules]

to explain my answer more, Barton Fink is just so intense and deep and the best performances of either John Goodman's or John Tuturro's career. That movie made me wish I had talent so I could actually be a writer.

As for Miller's Crossing? I can understand either Goodfellas or Godfather 1/2 being considered the best mob movie ever. But when you go after those two, Miller Crossing has to be there. Nothing pisses me off more when listing mob movies if people say "Road to Pertition" and completely ignore Miller's Crossing. The Danny Boy scene is so amazing that everytime I watch it, I end up rewinding that scene three or four times.

My least favorite is Intolerable Cruelty, I actually liked Ladykillers.

[TheMojoPin]

My least favorite is Intolerable Cruelty, I actually liked Ladykillers.

I'm the opposite...I think IC gets slammed way too often just because of the stars of the film...hell, I avoided it during its theater run because of that. When I finally saw it, I was really surprised, in a good way. It's not one of their best films, but it's a really good comedy in the "classic" mode of The Hudsucker Proxy, just set in modern day. I think a big thing that keeps it a bit seperate is it's one of their only films that the Brothers didn't come up with or write on their own.

TLK, on the other hand, I was REALLY let down with. I love the original and was really looking forward to see what the Coens did with it...I felt the end was result was really hollow and obnoxious.

I think they're going to get back on track...No Country For Old Men looks to be amazing!

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TzRTujK1Qw4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TzRTujK1Qw4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Then after that within the next 2 years they have Hail Caesar and Burn After Reading both due, both films that are orginal Coen creations.

[Stankfoot]

no love for "Blood Simple", their first?

Frances McDormand and the fabulous M. Emmet Walsh -
"Now, in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else... that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas, an' down here... you're on your own."

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W_xZ3CSwkdw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W_xZ3CSwkdw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[TheMojoPin]

no love for "Blood Simple", their first?

Frances McDormand and the fabulous M. Emmet Walsh -
"Now, in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else... that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas, an' down here... you're on your own."

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W_xZ3CSwkdw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W_xZ3CSwkdw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Plenty of love here! The climax is one of the most intense and well shot things I've seen put to film...noir at its best!

***MAJOR SPOILERS IN CLIP***

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUqqGcZuWbs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUqqGcZuWbs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[epo]

Fuck it, I'm just gonna rank them:

1. Barton Fink
2. Miller's Crossing
3. The Big Lebowski
4. Raising Arizona
5. Fargo
6. O'Brother
7. Hudsucker Proxy
8. Blood Simple
9. Intolerable Cruelty
10. Ladykillers
11. The Man Who Knew

[TheMojoPin]

Damn, do people really not like The Man Who Wasn't There at all? I think it's one of the best examples of film noir ever. The B&W contrasts they use in it are incredible. Great cast, too.

[epo]

Damn, do people really not like The Man Who Wasn't There at all? I think it's one of the best examples of film noir ever. The B&W contrasts they use in it are incredible. Great cast, too.

I've gotta be honest, I just couldn't get into it.

[LiddyRules]

Damn, do people really not like The Man Who Wasn't There at all? I think it's one of the best examples of film noir ever. The B&W contrasts they use in it are incredible. Great cast, too. I loved it! But when we can only choose one it usually doesn't fall near the top of most people's lists.

Fuck it, I'm just gonna rank them:

1. Barton Fink I was wondering who number 2 was.

[drusilla]

i just love the hudsucker proxy. i probably know it best out of all their other films. there is just something about how simple & innocent norville is. i can't explain it. i do also love intolerable cruelty, but they didn't write it together, so i don't know if it counts.

[Crispy123]

no love for "Blood Simple", their first?

Damn, do people really not like The Man Who Wasn't There at all? I think it's one of the best examples of film noir ever. The B&W contrasts they use in it are incredible. Great cast, too.

I've never seen Blood Simple and I didn't watch TMWWT all the way through. With all the Love Ron, Dave and all you guys have given it I will give these 2 a watch. I didn't realize that Intolerable Cruelty was a Coen Bros movie as well...although I thought it was brilliant with a good cast, I should have figgered.

[hedges]

I'ts too hard to pick one, I'm gonna go with two: "Miller's Crossing" and "The Big Lebowski". There all good to great. "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" is incredible...

[GreatAmericanZero]

i like that the poll didnt include "intolerable cruelty". Too bad the rule "the coen brothers never mades a bad movie" isnt strong enough to overtake the rule "cedric the entertainer has never made a good movie". Im one of the few who liked "the Ladykillers" though (but not nearly my favorite, but i found it enjoyable)

[FUNKMAN]

Fargo

"for a little bit of money"

[drusilla]

Im one of the few who liked "the Ladykillers" though (but not nearly my favorite, but i found it enjoyable)


as did i

[Landblast]

GRIMSRUD
Where is Pancakes Hause?

CARL
What?

GRIMSRUD
We stop at Pancakes Hause.

CARL
What're you, nuts? We had
pancakes for breakfast. I gotta
go somewhere I can get a shot
and a beer - and a steak maybe.
Not more fuckin' pancakes. Come
on.
Grimsrud gives him a sour look.

CARL
... Come on, man. Okay, here's
an idea. We'll stop outside of
Brainerd. I know a place there
we can get laid. Wuddya think?

GRIMSRUD
I'm fuckin' hungry now, you know.

CARL
Yeah, yeah, Jesus - I'm sayin',
we'll stop for pancakes, then
we'll get laid. Wuddya think?








CARL
... Look at that. Twin Cities.
IDS Building, the big glass one.
Tallest skyscraper in the Midwest.
After the Sears, uh, Chicago...
You never been to Minneapolis?

GRIMSRUD
No.

CARL
... Would it kill you to say
something?

GRIMSRUD
I did.

CARL
"No." First thing you've said
in the last four hours. That's
a, that's a fountain of conversation,
man. That's a geyser. I mean, whoa,
daddy, stand back, man. Shit, I'm
sittin' here driving, man, doin'
all the driving, whole fuckin' way
from Brainerd, drivin', tryin' to,
you know, tryin' to chat, keep
our spirits up, fight the boredom
of the road, and you can't say one
fucking thing just in the way of
conversation.

Grimsurd smokes, gazing out the window.

CARL
... Well, fuck it, I don't have
to talk either, man. See how
you like it...

He drives.

[IamFogHat]

Oh Jesus, I voted without knowing they made a movie called 'Freddie Prinze Jr. is Great'. :lol:

[A.J.]

Im one of the few who liked "the Ladykillers" though (but not nearly my favorite, but i found it enjoyable)

I liked it too.

"Uh oh. IBS."

[RogerDornShortHops]

I just finished watching Barton Fink for the first time. Fricken incredible movie. I had to go watch it after listening to Ronnie's interview with Turturro today. That's my favorite Turturro role by far.

Favorite has to go to Lebowski probably followed by a Miller's Crossing/Barton Fink tie.

[cougarjake13]

i like that the poll didnt include "intolerable cruelty".

he posted the thread in july 2003
intolerable cruelty was released in october 2003

[TheMojoPin]

I really think No Country For Old Men is going to be near the top for me. (http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/nocountryforoldmen/trailer/)

[Ay Kay Forty2]

I got the book at the library. Haven't read it yet. For books that are being made into movies, I always try to check out the book and see what it's all about. Usually when they announce it or it's in productions. But, I don't know, I kinda just want to see the movie. It looks really great.

[KnoxHarrington]

"The Big Lebowski" is my favorite to watch, but "Barton Fink" is by far their masterwork.

I'll show you the life of the mind!

[Ay Kay Forty2]

I've always wanted to watch that movie. I think when my parents were on vacation, I had full reign over the netflix and i put down a couple of Coen bros movies like Raising Arizona and Barton Fink but I think I moved them or something. I rented Miller's Crossing a while ago, saw half of it, wasn't that excited about it, but I think I should rent it again and give it a second chance.

[DonInNC]

And I would say I like "Fargo" the least, but that is mainly because I can't stand the Minnesota accent. It just grates on my ears.

The accent is my favorite part of the movie. It's only slightly exageratted.

[Reephdweller]

The Big Lebowski has to stand out at the top for me because it's one movie from them that initially was a challenge for me to like. I absolutely love the Coen Brothers movies and most of them I've instantly liked. With Lebowski it took a little longer, I don't think I was in the right frame of mind at the time I first saw it, but I watched it again a day or so after and I loved it. It's one of those odd movies that I see something different each time I watch it.

I've listed them in order below of my favorites, Miller's Crossing without a doubt is amazing a pure classic as is Fargo. The Hudsucker Proxy I thought for the longest time I was the only person who loved the movie. Being a Paul Newman fan instantly made it a favorite movie for me, but the movie is so much more than that. I also love the small tie-in between it and Raising Arizona in that H.I. worked at Hudsucker in the factory...in more modern times.

The Big Lebowski
Miller's Crossing
Fargo
Hudsucker Proxy
Raising Arizona
O'Brother, Where Art Thou
Barton Fink

[moochcassidy]

planning to watch millers crossing and barton fink tonight/tomorrow

i will make my decision then


edit- i had no idea the hudsucker proxy was theirs..my 6th year politics teacher (we were about 17) made us watch that in class one day -still have no idea what political message we were supposed to derive from it.

[ralphbxny]

Its impossible to choose but I have to watch Big Lebowski no matter how many times its on TV cut or uncut!!

Also hearing John Tuturro yesterday (no one fucks with de jesus) makes it fresh in my mind!

[Ay Kay Forty2]

i just saw Barton Fink today. I'm going to have to sit on it for a while. Don't know how to feel. I will say that it's very interesting. I went online to read some "theories" about the movie. It is one of those thinking man's movies. I'll make my final judgement at a different time.

on another note, how are people's opinions of The Man Who wasn't There. I actually saw it in high school to show existentialism and I thought the movie was freaking awesome. Visually and story-wise.

[torker]

Her womb was a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase.

[xample]

raising arizona is classic..

but i just can't get by The Big Lebowski.. a complete work of art.

[scottinnj]

My least favorite (and this does not mean that I do not like this film) would be "The Big Lebowski".




That's a bold statement. How can you fuck with the jesus? He'll stick a gun up your ass, pull the trigger until it goes "click"

[scottinnj]

My favorite has got to be "O Brother Where Art Thou?"
Just the music selection is the greatest of all of them.

Plus the radio station scene where our heroes are walking out as the governor is going in:

Delmar: "Mister, I don't mean to be telling tales outside of school, but there's a man in there'll pay you 10 dollars apiece for singing in his can!"

Pappy O'Daniel: "I'm not here to make a record, ya
dumb cracker, they broadcast me out
on the radio."

Junior: "That's Governor Menelaus 'Pass the
Biscuits, Pappy' O'Daniel, and he'd
sure 'preciate it if you ate his
farina and voted him a second term."

Eckard: "Finest Governor we've ever had in Mississippi"
Spivey: "In any state"

Junior:" Aintcha gonna press the flesh, Pappy,
do a little politickin'?"

Pappy O'Daniel: "I'll press your flesh, you dimwitted
sonofabitch - you don't tell your
pappy how to court the electorate!
We ain't one-at-a-timin' here, we
mass communicatin'!"
Eckard: "Oh, yes, that's a powerful new force!"

[TheMojoPin]

on another note, how are people's opinions of The Man Who wasn't There. I actually saw it in high school to show existentialism and I thought the movie was freaking awesome. Visually and story-wise.

It's probably my 3rd favorite out of all of their films. It really is one of the most beautiful looking films I have ever seen.

[mikeyboy]

GRIMSRUD
Where is Pancakes Hause?

CARL
What?

GRIMSRUD
We stop at Pancakes Hause.

CARL
What're you, nuts? We had
pancakes for breakfast. I gotta
go somewhere I can get a shot
and a beer - and a steak maybe.
Not more fuckin' pancakes. Come
on.
Grimsrud gives him a sour look.

CARL
... Come on, man. Okay, here's
an idea. We'll stop outside of
Brainerd. I know a place there
we can get laid. Wuddya think?

GRIMSRUD
I'm fuckin' hungry now, you know.

CARL
Yeah, yeah, Jesus - I'm sayin',
we'll stop for pancakes, then
we'll get laid. Wuddya think?








CARL
... Look at that. Twin Cities.
IDS Building, the big glass one.
Tallest skyscraper in the Midwest.
After the Sears, uh, Chicago...
You never been to Minneapolis?

GRIMSRUD
No.

CARL
... Would it kill you to say
something?

GRIMSRUD
I did.

CARL
"No." First thing you've said
in the last four hours. That's
a, that's a fountain of conversation,
man. That's a geyser. I mean, whoa,
daddy, stand back, man. Shit, I'm
sittin' here driving, man, doin'
all the driving, whole fuckin' way
from Brainerd, drivin', tryin' to,
you know, tryin' to chat, keep
our spirits up, fight the boredom
of the road, and you can't say one
fucking thing just in the way of
conversation.

Grimsurd smokes, gazing out the window.

CARL
... Well, fuck it, I don't have
to talk either, man. See how
you like it...

He drives.

You forgot the end of it.

"Just total fucking silence, two can play at that game smart guy. We'll just see how you like it, total silence."

[TheMojoPin]

The Onion's AV Club has a decently written "Coen Brothers Primer" just posted...nice to see The Man Who Wasn't There get the props it deserves, though I never agree with people who criticize The Hudsucker Proxy for being too "glossy" and distant...it's supposed to be big and bright and artificial and larger than life. I think it gets funnier every time I watch it...there's so many different things to pick up on throughout it.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D2QlitH4nYY&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D2QlitH4nYY&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Man, I really wish they'd do more commentaries for their DVD's.

[Ocho Cinco]

Gdamn this is tough...

i gotta go No Country for best Coen Bros movie but Big Lebowski for my favorite all time.

but c'mon Mojo you throw out Crimewave? i'm glad you at least made up for that with the money simpsons quote.

Man who wasn't there and Lady killers are very underrated. but anyone who says raising arizona is not wrong

it's crazy when you look at their list of movies and think about 95% of the other garbage that is out there, thank god for directors like this. or thank whoever i don't care, just thank someone

[TeeBone]

"I know your partial to convenience stores, H.I. but the sun don't rise and shine on the corner grocery."

It does not get any better than that.