I watched Blood Simple over the weekend, so I’ve now seen all their movies. I like a bunch of them, and I’d say seven of the 13 are great. But the winner is Lebowski. It’s not really close. Great performances from Bridges and Goodman, a confusing story that feels unique and familiar at the same time, and a hilarious script in which almost every line a potentially good quote. Quite possibly my favorite non-Marx Brothers movie, which would put it high in the running for my favorite worldwide.
It’s pretty much a three way tie between O Brother, The Big Lebowski and The Hudsucker Proxy… but if you back me into a corner and make me pick just one, I’ll have to go with Hudsucker.
It’s just so sweet and earnest and shiny… and I love that about it.
ETA: Intolerable Cruelty is my least favourite. For those who mention upthread that they haven’t seen it yet, I’d say you can pretty safely skip it unless you’re a Coen purist and can’t stand the idea of leaving one movie unwatched. Otherwise, use that valuable time to watch one of the good ones over again.
I have to admit I haven’t seen The Big Lebowski.
I voted for No Country for Old Men, which was absolutely perfect.
Miller’s Crossing closely followed by the Dude.
I just watched Burn After Reading on the weekend and could hardly sit through it. I’m really sick of the conceit of having incredibly (and I mean that in the sense of unbelievably) stupid people caught up in overwhelming events. It was interesting once in Fargo, but then it just got old.
Almost impossible to choose, and why should ya have to? The Big Lebowski is kinda tops here, but I’ll cast the odd vote for Raising Arizona, because, at the time, it really changed the game for film.
Definitely. Well said.
I just saw Intolerable Cruelty for the first time recently, and it was OK, had its moments, but was nowhere near the same league as The Big Lebowski. I was very disappointed by Burn After Reading, and although I know it’s a big fave of many, Fargo just seemed like one loooong Minnesota joke to me (and no, I’m not from there).
The latter two are missable. But the first four, especially Miller’s Crossing and Hudsucker, are required viewing.
Long Live the Hud!
I went with No Country but admittedly have only seen 3 in their entirety; that, Fargo and Arizona. It would appear I need to schedule a couple of dedicated movie weekends.
The Ladykillers is worth watching just for Marlon Wayans.
Oh Brother definitely, but probably because of the music which brought back good memories of times at my grandparents in N. Ga.
I liked Intolerable Cruelty & Ladykillers as well. Just watched Lebowski last weekend, and while ‘The dude abides’ is true, I don’t think it is the best. Still haven’t seen many of them but will as time allows.
You misspelled “J.K. Simmons”.
It’s like asking me which of my children I love the most, but I picked Fargo, barely edging out No Country and O Brother. I also love Raising Arizona and Hudsucker Proxy. Damn you for making me choose!
I love Fargo, O’ Brother was great, and No Country was amazing, but The Big Lebowski is still my easy favorite. It’s just perfect.
What I love about Burn After Reading is that the stupid stuff people do in that movie is so clearly a parody of so many other thrillers, where the leads do comparably (or even more) stupid stuff concerning which we’re expected to suspend disbelief by ignoring how stupid some of what they’re doing is. This leads inexplicably to contrived suspense and unbelievable heroism. Casino Royale, I’m looking at you. In Burn After Reading, the suspense is entirely a result of their stupidity–in fact, there are no overwhelming events, just a lot of bad choices, some large, most kinda small. J.K. Simmons’ character is what sells the movie for me. His reaction to the events as they unfold is just priceless.
In any case, Burn After Reading in my opinion is another Coen bros film that improves after more than one viewing, as Big Lewbowski did for me as well.
Lady Killers is the most skippable Coen bros film, in part because the original (with Alec Guinness, etc.) is so much funnier, imo.
I stand by the dude, as he abides, though. That’s my favorite.
*I did enjoy Casino Royale, even though so much of it is so very dumb. No, it’s plot is in no way similar, other than the aforementioned dumb decisions part.
Great poll! Must update Netflix queue posthaste. I went with The Big Lebowski but I have a major soft spot for Raising Arizona, it was the first movie I saw in a theater.
I picked Fargo almost at random. On another day it might have been any of Miller’s Crossing, The Big Lebowski, O Brother… or No Country for Old Men.
That’s the first tier, with Barton Fink, The Man Who Wasn’t There, Raising Arizona and Blood Simple running very, very close behind them - all great films as well. Hudsucker Proxy is good, standing by its lonesome a hair behind the others.
Burn After Reading had its moments, but was ultimately disappointing. Haven’t seen Intolerable Cruelty or their remake of the The Ladykillers.
Went with Fargo, but depending on the day of the week, cosmic rays and my general mood, I could have easily chosen The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men, Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou, Miller’s Crossing or Barton Fink. I’ve seen all of their movies, and am of the firm opinion that poor Coen Brothers (I’m looking at you, Ladykillers and Intolerable Cruelty) is still better than most directors make on their best days.
Speaking of the Dude, I just attended my first ever Lebowski Fest in Philly last weekend. For any locals who didn’t attend, the movie was at The Electric Factory, and bowling/costume judging/trivia was at North Bowl in Nolibs. Had a blast both places, and the beer was a lot cheaper at North Bowl.
QtM, was this poll inspired by the new movie this weekend? We’ll definitely be seeing A Serious Man sometime over the weekend.
I don’t know if you guys have ever done this or not, but there is a drinking game for “The Big Lebowski”.
Pretty much, its a liver killer, but if you can get through the game (I have with beer) you are a god/goddess among men/women/others.
You drink everytime:
The Dude gets mad
Someone says a cuss word (anything you wouldn’t say to your boss’s boss)
Anytime someone says “Donnie”
You will have to pause the movie a couple times to catch up, but you can pull it off. Its doable. I have done it.
No, it was inspired by the “O Brother” discussion thread in CS. I didn’t even realize their next flick was that close to release! Is it getting any decent reviews? <<runs to check the Tomatometer>>
ETA: 79%!
That’s silly. The only sensible Big Lebowski drinking game is, every time The Dude has a White Russian, you have a White Russian.