Comments on Getafilm: Joel & Ethan Coen: The Third Decade (2006-)

Oh yes of course, and that's as close as he's come...

2009-10-20T12:10:06.839-05:00

Oh yes of course, and that's as close as he's come to an Oscar in like 15 years. That was a great role and a great movie at the time it came out. Might be a little too hot in the current political climate (though Death of a President a couple of years ago somehow made it into theaters), but it was appropriate in the early 90's.

Anyway, it's interesting that Malkovich has only worked with the Coens once.

He was really terrific in In the Line of Fire -- h...

2009-10-19T21:07:50.130-05:00

He was really terrific in In the Line of Fire -- have you seen that one? It's an awesome thriller and Malkovich's performance (Oscar-nominated) is one of the better villains in recent memory. He was also very good in The Great Buck Howard, a film that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks again for following along with this series,...

2009-10-19T15:05:41.870-05:00

Thanks again for following along with this series, Shubhajit. I think you really have a great understanding of the Coens' style, from what you have said here and there - especially here, about the adaptation of No Country. During the dialogue Ethan described how McCarthy's writing really made an adaptation quite easy. I haven't read the book, but he said the characters are described in such detail that it was easy to find ways to portray them on screen.

For example, he talked about the scene in which Llewelyn (Brolin) puts together the stick and string attachment in the hotel room, and how that doesn't just move the story along, but also says a lot about what kind of person he is. They also mentioned that Chigurh is never physically described, and the only hint you have that he is not American is because somebody observes that he smells like a foreign cologne. I find those details really fascinating in the context of what we see on screen in No Country.

Hehe, I'd have to argue about BaR - Clooney's basement creation is the very definition of crass...

Since you mention "deadly serious" movies, I should also add they talked about their next adaptation, True Grit. They claim, half-jokingly, that a true film adaptation has not been done. Which says all that needs to be said about what they think of the John Wayne-starring version, and what we can expect from theirs. Should be awesome.

As I already mentioned in the comments section of ...

2009-10-19T11:54:43.271-05:00

As I already mentioned in the comments section of your last post, No Country for Old Men happens to be one of my favourite movies. I just can't seem to have enough of it. So much so that I recently bought the "celebrated" Cormac McCarthy book it is based on and completed it a few days back. A wonderful book I must say. There's a cinematic feel to the book, which clearly shows the Coens' ability to spot great stories. I'd really want the Coens to make such deadly serious movies more often even though outcome might not necessarily be as brilliant always.

I liked Burn After Reading too. Loved the wry humour and biting cynicism. The scene where George Clooney accidentally shoots Brad Pitt was hilarious. In fact, there are a number of really great comic moments. The humour is understated and intelligent, and never crass.

Looking forward to watching A Serious Man sooner rather than later.

Kudos for covering the Coens' entire filmography!

Malkovich, Malkovich. I wish he would choose his r...

2009-10-19T09:58:28.587-05:00

Malkovich, Malkovich. I wish he would choose his roles a little more carefully. For my money he's great like once every 3.5 movies. Most recently I loved him in The Great Buck Howard. Looks like he has some so-so movies coming up (Jonah Hex? eh. Secretariat? sure.), but the guy could probably land an Oscar without too much effort.

I agree about Burn After Reading. In fact, I think...

2009-10-18T21:19:46.903-05:00

I agree about Burn After Reading. In fact, I think I liked it even more than you. When I finished watching it the first time, I literally rewinded it to the beginning and watched it again. I really like John Malkovich, such a versatile talent.