Posted on 01/27/2016 12:15:54 PM PST by Cecily
For more than 30 years, Joel and Ethan Coen have created droll spins on classic genres, from the fresh noir of their first film, “Blood Simple,†to the intense newfangled western of “No Country for Old Men†and the goofy, musical Depression-era “O Brother, Where Art Thou?†The Coen brothers’ love of movies finally takes center stage in “Hail, Caesar!â€
Set in early-1950s Hollywood, the comedy follows a fixer at the fictional Capitol Studios (Josh Brolin) who tries to retrieve a kidnapped star (George Clooney). But the film, which opens Feb. 5, is driven by five wildly varied movies-within-the-movie that the fictional characters are making. To create these elaborate set pieces, the Coen brothers drew on their lifelong knowledge of old movies and meticulously researched more.
As a dunderheaded actor named Baird Whitlock, Mr. Clooney is a Roman soldier in a Bible epic, “Hail, Caesar! A Tale of the Christ.†Scarlett Johansson wears a mermaid’s tail as an Esther Williams type in a swimming movie with Busby Berkeley-inspired choreography. Playing a matinee idol, Channing Tatum leaps on tabletops as a sailor dancing his way through a Gene Kelly-style musical. The Coens stayed faithful to the period styles, while approaching them with affectionate tweaks. They also faced plenty of logistical challenges.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
swoon . . . now that is a body. Color me lightheaded
If this is anywhere near as good as “The Big Lebowski” or “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”—two of my all-time faves—it will be well worth watching.
Playing a dunderhead is a natural role for Clooney.
HIs best role was as the voice of Stan's gay dog on "South Park".
Then they do something like Burn After Reading and I just go WTF? Also am not a big fan of France's McDormand.
Burn After Reading was pretty funny. Malkovich, Pitt, Clooney and Swinton playing such dolts was great. I agree with you on McDormand.
‘Burn After Reading’ was awesome. Its’ satire was virtually anthropological. I can’t think of another recent film that indicted the completely self absorbed, mass media driven lives that so many American lead.
Their ‘True Grit’ would have been better if they had dialed back the hick accents their movies are known for.
I believe many of their moves are successful based solely on the exaggerated accents of the characters. But True Grit really didn’t need that schtick.
Don’t forget “Miller’s Crossing”!
Just watched it again a few days ago. Excellent movie. What great dialogue! Still trying to completely figure out the many "hat" metaphors though.
Burn After Reading is so bizarrely quotable, the kind of movie only the Coens could make. I’ve always thought the fact that the Blood Simple director’s cut is actually shorter than the original is the ultimate proof that the Coens just aren’t like other directors.
bump
their True Grit
good flick
Is that what it was? I thought it was a long commentary on the absurdity of modern life.
“Miller’s Crossing”
Probably my favorite one, unless I have watched “O, brother” lately.
Hudsucker Proxy is very good, too.
Well you can say that about a lot of their films.
I still love “ The Big Lebowski”. “ No,man, I’m the Dude or el duderino if you’re not into that whole brevity thing”.
I sure can't ever hear "Danny Boy" again without thinking of it.
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