No Country For Old Men

[j_garcia]

Have you seen it? What did you think? I blind bought this one on BD for a good price, so not really complaining. I thought it was a good film, but was a little underwhelmed compared to the hype and the whole Best Picture thing...

[cbraver]

Same here. I thought the movie was entertaining and overall pretty good. Only thing was that I really didn't care about any of the characters other than Tommy Lee Jones and the serial killer.

The guy who played the serial killer did a really good job, that guy was truely spokey. The weapon choices were top notch too, how about the can on that shotgun?!

As far as the soundtrack, the dialog was really well done (clear, didn't hear different noise floors when they switched mics) and the gunshots were top notch. The movie industry is finally figuring out how to do good gunshots (3:10 to Yuma, this movie, Open Range).

For a little side note... we were talking about Trainspotting in that other thread... did you notice the guys wife was the girl from Trainspotting?

[j_garcia]

No, I didn't notice that...I haven't seen Trainspotting in a while. I am going to probably have to break down and buy that one.

I thought the characters were paper thin in NCFOM though. Woody's whole presence was disappointing as well. I actually thought Brolin did a pretty good job as well. Movies that don't tell you everything are fine, but when they don't tell you enough, it makes it harder to really get into it and I think that is what happened here.

[Matt34]

I thought the characters were paper thin in NCFOM though. Woody's whole presence was disappointing as well. I actually thought Brolin did a pretty good job as well. Movies that don't tell you everything are fine, but when they don't tell you enough, it makes it harder to really get into it and I think that is what happened here.

Agreed, when it ended the wife and I looked at each other like :confused:.

[stratman]

The story can be interpreted on so many levels, the last thing this movie wants from the viewer is to be taken at face value. There are some many levels open for interpretation, for instance the hitman/serial killer is seen as the "unstoppable" force of evil and what happens when persons willingly or through no fault of their own (man in dessert with jumper cables) meet evil face to face, it's also a moral play: don't take what isn't yours, good deeds can sometimes backfire (returning to the crime site to bring water to a dying man), arrogance (woody) and innocence (the kids that help the killer escape) are portrayed as well as fate and random chance (killer flips coin), yes I can see where this movie can fall flat on it's face, but I found that if you watch without expectations it unfolds like an ironic play.

[j_garcia]

Yes, I realized when the story didn't seem to be telling the "whole" story, that there were other layers and it was clear that it is some sort of morality play. Each character representes a different aspect of man, and how he reacts in a given situation. The choices made and the way they affect our lives. It didn't fall on its face, but it seemed like the ideas were almost TOO far beyond the surface to make them useful to the story.

[darien87]

I thought it was all right. The killer was deninitely cool. But I kept expecting there to be some showdown between him and Tommy.

On a side note, I was watching The Goonies last weekend, and noticed that the cable guide said Josh Brolin was in the movie. So I kept looking for him to show up. I assumed he must have been one of the dad's or something. Then it hit me, he was the older brother!!!! What a trip.

[stratman]

Yes, I realized when the story didn't seem to be telling the "whole" story, that there were other layers and it was clear that it is some sort of morality play. Each character representes a different aspect of man, and how he reacts in a given situation. The choices made and the way they affect our lives. It didn't fall on its face, but it seemed like the ideas were almost TOO far beyond the surface to make them useful to the story.

Hey J,

That's the beauty of the movie, you expect something, but what you expect isn't obvious, only under the surface. This movie will fall into the like/don't like camp, it has to, just look at the posts, some were expecting shoot outs and explosions, this movie is so far from that, it's like you said, a study in human interaction with the randomness of life, human choices and consequences, it's a moral/ironic play not a shoote'm up. The props (pneumatic gun, shotgun with "silencer") are there to add intensity to the level of evil (like Dracula's black cape or the devil's horns or pitchfork) and the violence it brings, the killer's almost supernatural resilience to bullets, again, to inensify the brutality and resilience of evil (you can squash it, but it comes back again.) My wife didn't care for it, I really enjoyed it.

[jonnythan]

Most people who don't like the movie seem to complain about it not falling down Hollywood norms.

The movie had a fantastic, gritty, real feel to it. Not everything is explained. There's no clear concise wrap-up at the end. There's a lot of anguish, desperation, and greed that the movie captures in a very human way that few movies do. The extremely human feel of the movie is contrasted brilliantly with Chigurh's distinctly non-human actions and manner. The fear his character instills is very real.

The movie was fantastic. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I didn't walk away having learned a lesson, or content to walk away satisfied with the nice Hollywood ending. I kept thinking, especially about Ed Tom and his life and retirement.

The acting was superb all-around, as well. Tommy Lee Jones delivered his character better than I've ever seen him do.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can see that this movie is a literature piece.

But after everything that is said and done, I thought this movie was 100% boring.

I cannot believe it won BEST PICTURE and BEST DIRECTOR?

The villian and his murder weapon were great. That was it.

It's one of those movies where you just want to watch once and put away forever -- actually just rent.:D

AVP Requiem was 100% stupid, but at least it was FUN and I can watch that again.:D

[jonnythan]

I've already watched NCFOM twice.

I'd never put an AVP movie into my DVD player ;)

[j_garcia]

I thought the directing and acting were very good, but it seemed like it was trying too hard to be so smart. I didn't find it boring at all though. Personally, I LIKE movies that don't have a typical Hollywood ending where everyone is happy and all loose ends are tied up... I did however feel that There Will Be Blood was a better movie than this one.

I also had a similar reaction to Monster's Ball - I thought it was good, well acted, well directed, but the movie as a whole didn't strike a chord with me. In that case also, I didn't feel it lived up to the Best Picture status.

On a side note, I was watching The Goonies last weekend, and noticed that the cable guide said Josh Brolin was in the movie. So I kept looking for him to show up. I assumed he must have been one of the dad's or something. Then it hit me, he was the older brother!!!! What a trip.

Hahaha. We were trying to figure out where he was from...that is too funny.

[jonnythan]

I really loved There Will Be Blood, but NCFOM was a better movie.

Monster's Ball did nothing whatsoever for me.

[cbraver]

Movies that don't tell you everything are fine, but when they don't tell you enough, it makes it harder to really get into it and I think that is what happened here.

I completely agree.

(Oh, and PM me after you watch Trainspotting again... I want to hear if you think of it any different after another watching, especially after our conversation in that other thread!!)

[j_garcia]

(Oh, and PM me after you watch Trainspotting again... I want to hear if you think of it any different after another watching, especially after our conversation in that other thread!!)

I'll try to pick it up this weekend.

[dem beats]

I haven't seen this one yet. It looks interesting but I don't need my movies lawyered like onions or anything.

I think classic movies did this much better. Think harvey a drunk who sees a 6' tall bunny. That's what I call deep

=)

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I liked the movie FARGO (also by the Coen Brothers) a lot better.

[j_garcia]

Same here. I don't claim to have understood all of their other movies either... Like Hudsucker Proxy?

[adk highlander]

Watched this tonight and I liked it. It was different, but as usual with a Coen brothers film the dialog was exceptional. All of their movies have great character interaction like the scene with the coin flip in this one.

My wife on the other hand only made it through about 45min and went to bed. She did not like it and felt the pace just did not hold her attention. I thought that was part of what made this movie but oh well to each their own.

I don't know if I will buy it unless I put together a Coen collection. I do have many of their comedy's already.

[corysmith01]

I bought it just last weekend and really liked it. I already own Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, The Man Who Wasn't There, Fargo, and O Brother Where Art Thou, so I figured "why not."

I meant to see it in the theaters but didn't. Did see There Will Be Blood. Having not seen NCFOM prior to the oscars, I was shocked that TWBB didn't win best picture...more shocked PT didn't get best director. However, after seeing it, I can see how it go best picture...but I'm still stumped on the best director. The Coen's always bring a certain touch to the direction of their films, even down to being involved with the cinematography, color correction and look of the film. NCFOM was definitely well directed and looked beautiful, but TWBB was still better in my mind in terms of directorial accomplishment.

I enjoyed NCFOM and am certainly glad I purchased it on DVD. I'm sure I'll watch it more than once.

[Jack Hammer]

...I'd never put an AVP movie into my DVD player ;)
Thats what I thought til I actually saw AVP. Its cheesy and all, but it was entertaining and well done, fairly true to the established Alien and Predator precidents. I have it on dvd and have watched it several times. It's like watching Doom, it'll never win any awards, but you're still entertained.

I still haven't seen NCFOM. I've been waiting to be able to pick it up on BD for ~$18, or until my roommate rents it. After reading these reviews I'm leaning toward the latter first.

Jack

[jostenmeat]

hey guys, another huge Coen Bros fan here. I've seen everything they've made AFAIK.

NCFOM was the first Coen film I didn't see in the theater since discovering them, because I was more disappointed in the their last couple, Intolerable Cruelty and Ladykillers.

Outside of those, I LOVED all of the other Coen films listed in the last few posts.

Others that are unmentioned and definitely worth watching are Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing, Raising Arizona... Blood Simple was their first film, low budget perhaps, but what a clever thriller! Miller's Crossing is one of the best gangster movies made IMO. Ok, not Godfather-level, but excellent nonetheless. ok, ok, Im a fanboy...

[Buckeye_Nut]

I thought 9/10ths of the movie was excellent, but the ending kind of ruined it for me.

[captiankirk28]

I agree with some of the other posts that the movie was ok the ending left you out in the dark, it sucked, for how much hype their was for it it should have been alot better. Woddy Harrison had a big role in it--ha ha.

[Halon451]

Most people who don't like the movie seem to complain about it not falling down Hollywood norms.

The movie had a fantastic, gritty, real feel to it. Not everything is explained. There's no clear concise wrap-up at the end. There's a lot of anguish, desperation, and greed that the movie captures in a very human way that few movies do. The extremely human feel of the movie is contrasted brilliantly with Chigurh's distinctly non-human actions and manner. The fear his character instills is very real.

The movie was fantastic. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I didn't walk away having learned a lesson, or content to walk away satisfied with the nice Hollywood ending. I kept thinking, especially about Ed Tom and his life and retirement.

The acting was superb all-around, as well. Tommy Lee Jones delivered his character better than I've ever seen him do.

I have to agree - I thought the movie was incredible, much because it didn't follow the typical Hollywood format of a movie, which is so hard to do these days. And it's nice to see a movie where the good guys don't always win, it keeps it more realistic. I was honestly spooked by Chigurh's character, in a way that no horror movie has done for a very long time.

TLJ's performance I thought was one of his best so far - he's been rather typecast as of late into the same basic outspoken, loud, bossy character, which is essentially the same in every single movie - this one was much different, this didn't try to make him seem larger than life, it made him seem beaten down by it.

The wife and I immensely enjoyed this flick - and the ending caught us completely off guard. We did a double take at each other, then back at the screen. :confused::D

[j_garcia]

Chigurh was definitely well portrayed as a cold, methodical killer. There wasn't really a "good guy" in this movie. They tried to present pretty much all of the main characters as flawed or at least mulit-faceted. Chigurh was shown to be quite intelligent and he viewed his actions as "right" based on his own code of ethics. Llewelyn's character was basically good, but greed still got to him. Tommy Lee's character was very wise and experienced, but could also see that if this could be his last investigation if he pushed it too hard, so he was a bit non-commital about it. I didn't get from this movie "I need to watch this again..."

[majorloser]

Some friends of our came over last night to watch this. Man, was it slow! The lack of soundtrack also got to me a little.

And I agree with Matt on the ending. We all looked at each other and said WTF :confused:

[jonnythan]

What in life ever has a Hollywood ending?

Nothing does. Lives continue, or they don't. Situations and events don't get neatly wrapped up. This movie bucks the Hollywood convention that you need everything wrapped up perfectly and happily before the credits roll.


The movie ended there because the story was over. No cute morals, no summations, no bizarre cliffhangers. We get to see Ed Tom enter his new life and we get to see Chigurh continue with his.

[stratman]

Some friends of our came over last night to watch this. Man, was it slow! The lack of soundtrack also got to me a little.

And I agree with Matt on the ending. We all looked at each other and said WTF :confused:

Not a shootem' up. A lot of people came in with that expectation, it was the farthest thing this movie wanted to be and in that sense it succeeded.

[mouettus]

Reading the posts here, I really guess it's a hit or miss. Some like it and some don't. Personnaly, I think a story has to have an ending, a punch. Good or bad. eg: the mist. (SPOILER HERE) he shot everyone for nothing... 2 minutes later he would've lived with his son. (/SPOILER HERE)

I guess I'll have to rent it. I'm scared of deception though... along with TWBB, can't be a bad night! :p

[Exit]

Everybody failed to mention the coolest thing in the movie - the new weapon. The tank and pneumatic device the killer hauled along and shot people in the head with and punched out the door locks with was a new one. I am sure it will be added to some video game someday. Overall a pretty good movie.

[jonnythan]

It's not new. People have been using captive bolt pistols to kill for a long time.

[stratman]

Originally invented for the meat slaughter industry, it came in various guises, yes it will pummel a human skull to bits, not practical as a weapon though, I see someone coming up to me with one and I'll take it as a handgun.

[Exit]

Still does anyone remember another movie with a killer using one of those things?

[stratman]

Still does anyone remember another movie with a killer using one of those things?


The following is from wikipedia:


In the novel No Country For Old Men and its Oscar-winning 2007 film adaptation, the killer Anton Chigurh uses a captive bolt pistol to kill several people and to punch out cylinder locks on doors.

The captive bolt stunner is described in Eric Schlosser's 2001 book Fast Food Nation, and footage showing its use in a slaughterhouse appears in the film adaptation.

In the 1983 novel Cal, the IRA 'soldier' Crilly uses a captive bolt pistol to kneecap fellow paramilitaries. The victims subsequently develop a limp, pointing them out as traitors to others. In the novel, the man uses a captive bolt pistol because he believes "it doesn't leave a trace". Ironically this is what leads investigators to him and his paramilitary unit.

A captive bolt pistol is used to commit murder in the book and film adaptation of The Butcher Boy.

The 1992 German film Benny's Video features a captive bolt pistol in the killing of a pig for slaughter and also in the commission of a murder by the title character.

In Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods, Czernobog discusses the use of the captive bolt pistol in a slaughterhouse as part of a history of his work in the meatpacking industry.

In the video game Hitman: Contracts Agent 47 can use a bolt pistol to eliminate his targets in the level 'The Meat King's Party'.

The comic book The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Cut! features an unnamed villain who uses a captive bolt pistol (referred to as a "bolt stunner") to murder one teenager and knock another unconscious.

The Deli Creeps song "Boom Ch Ka," a song written about McDonald's and the slaughter of cattle used in their burgers, is named after the sound created when the bolt is fired.

The television show Bones referenced a bolt pistol as the weapon of choice for a hitman tied to Dr. Temperance Brennan's fugitive parents. The use of the bolt pistol was the unique signature that led to additional charges for this hitman.

One of the first occurrences of the captive bolt pistol in a detective story can be found in the 1935 novel The Unicorn Murders by Carter Dickson (one of the pen names of John Dickson Carr).

[Sheep]

I saw this movie, then I asked the front counter for a portion of my money back. They asked me why, and I replied with "The film didn't have an ending, why should I pay the whole price?"

ZING!

SheepStar

[billy p]

Everyone associated with the deal in the desert died what more do you need? I personally thought the movie was excellent and why should there always be an ending, draw your own conclusion;):p:).

[ParadigmDawg]

I didnt really like it.

[WmAx]

The movie was pretty good until about the last 15 minutes. I thought the ending was worthless. IMO, the ending ruined the entire film.

-Chris

[mouettus]

Wow. I never saw a movie that pissed me off that much as an ending (well... there is no ending!). I read the posts and didn't think it could be that bad. I mean... I like stories with different endings. Not necessarily living happily ever and after but not like this.

I hope the writer dies from the killer he created! lol. Talking about the killer... he's the creepiest guy that I've ever seen in a movie. I could FEEL the fear of the characters. Every tiny bit of him was perfect. His looks, his make up, his acting, his text, his voice, his weapons.

What a movie but god damn give me an end to this pls. Him dying from the car accident at the end would've been a good ending...

I dunno what to say... lol. I'm just still speechless. How can you end something in such a manner!? Very frustrating.

[stratman]

The fact that everyone feels this way proves the movie made it's point....life is not fair, you don't always get what you want, good deeds don't always go rewarded, the innocent suffer through no fault of their own, don't take what isn't yours, don't be haughty or prideful, disaster can come knocking when you least expect it and many times the bad guy wins. The movie is a morality play folks, not Miami Vice. The point of the movie is simple.


If this movie were to end in a Hollywood fashion, it would be a cliché before the DVD hit the market, this movie will be one of those rare gems: hated and loved at the same time.:)

[Jack Hammer]

I liked the movie. At first glance the ending seemed a bit abrupt, and it was. But not as much so as it seems. The sheriff talks about retiring and being done with societal problems, suddenly the credits roll. AIR, all the main characters, except Chugar had a clear ending to their part of the story. He just kinda limped off and we're left not sure of him.

I really think that a lack of a musical score to cue us to the ending being just that, made it seem much worse than it was. Like it or not, I think the ending clearly fit the structure of the film. Meaning a lot was not shown and you were left to assume what happened or figure it out for yourself.

Plus, it's my personal opinion that we're only shown what the Sheriff is able to figure out. A lot of the story seems to be just that, what he imagines to have taken place. Basically it seemed to me like the whole story was the Sheriff telling a tale of events that had happened years ago, hence it being set in the 80's.

Jack

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I saw this movie, then I asked the front counter for a portion of my money back. They asked me why, and I replied with "The film didn't have an ending, why should I pay the whole price?"

ZING!

SheepStar

:D:DLOL:D:D

I agree!

[Griffy]

I liked it!

I would of preferred a nice shoot out near the end, with the Mexicans, the cold hearted killer, Llewelyn and the Sheriff all taking shots at each other, which could of still delivered a weird, thought provoking ending, but with a bit more action :) The ending wasn't the worst but not great either. I was shocked when all of a sudden Llewelyn was dead in the swimming pool! Until then the film seemed to promise a bit of a grand finale in El Paso, and I'm disappointed that it never came :rolleyes:

[jonnythan]

I would of preferred a nice shoot out near the end, with the Mexicans, the cold hearted killer, Llewelyn and the Sheriff all taking shots at each other
That would have ruined the movie. It would have gone contrary to everything about the character of the movie and the goals of the filmmakers.

It would have made the movie much, much more typical and less memorable.

[mouettus]

That would have ruined the movie. It would have gone contrary to everything about the character of the movie and the goals of the filmmakers.

It would have made the movie much, much more typical and less memorable.

What he said.

But I still want an end to that movie!

[Sheep]

The fact that everyone feels this way proves the movie made it's point....life is not fair, you don't always get what you want, good deeds don't always go rewarded, the innocent suffer through no fault of their own, don't take what isn't yours, don't be haughty or prideful, disaster can come knocking when you least expect it and many times the bad guy wins. The movie is a morality play folks, not Miami Vice. The point of the movie is simple.


If this movie were to end in a Hollywood fashion, it would be a cliché before the DVD hit the market, this movie will be one of those rare gems: hated and loved at the same time.:)

Everyone doesn't feel that way. Take me for example.

SheepStar

[stratman]

Everyone doesn't feel that way. Take me for example.

SheepStar

Yes Sheepman, there are two camps, those that feel the director/producers shortchanged them and those that think the movie is brilliant as filmed, so you see the very contradictions in the movie play out with viewers. "You don't always get what you want."

Many think the movie a dud because the ending didn't live up to their expectations, others happen to like the irony at the end.:)

[Rickster71]

The fact that everyone feels this way proves the movie made it's point....life is not fair, you don't always get what you want, good deeds don't always go rewarded, the innocent suffer through no fault of their own, don't take what isn't yours, don't be haughty or prideful, disaster can come knocking when you least expect it and many times the bad guy wins. The movie is a morality play folks, not Miami Vice. The point of the movie is simple.


If this movie were to end in a Hollywood fashion, it would be a cliché before the DVD hit the market, this movie will be one of those rare gems: hated and loved at the same time.:)

I have to agree with Strat.
Also I'll bet this movie will be topic for discussion in many a philosophy class, for years to come.

[zhimbo]

Well, for me, the ending is what made the movie not just well-made, but Great. I very literally got goosebumps head to toe when the screen went black. I think it smacked me upside the head harder than any shootout or confrontation could.

There's no doubt the movie is playing with you the whole time. It lays out at least three possible "standard" endings, and pulls them out from under you one by one. I can see not liking that. But I did.

[mouettus]

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?! lol

find the sweet spot between happy ending and no ending at all or one that lets you at the mercy of this psycho.

[ParadigmDawg]

You should start turning off all the movies you watch 5 minutes before the end so you can enjoy them all as much:DWell, for me, the ending is what made the movie not just well-made, but Great. I very literally got goosebumps head to toe when the screen went black. I think it smacked me upside the head harder than any shootout or confrontation could.

There's no doubt the movie is playing with you the whole time. It lays out at least three possible "standard" endings, and pulls them out from under you one by one. I can see not liking that. But I did.

[Tomorrow]

I didn't want to read this thread until we saw the movie...which we did tonight. Certainly it was the usual off-beat one can expect from the Coens. The movie was about violence and did it accomplish its tale? Oh yeah, it did.

I'll can say one thing about whether or not this is/was a good movie (because not being a movie critic, I don't know)....show me one other movie that has generated a 5 page-and-growing thread on AH. It's like the attention movie stars get...good or bad press is okay...just so long as people keep talking about them. Morality ending or not, people keep watching this flick because people keep talking about it.

Good movie? Dunno. Good for profit? Yessir!

(Okay, if I'm pressed...I'll give 3.5 out of 5 Suns-Ups from Tomorrow's Film Critique Club. ;))

PS: I'm impressed by some of your movie analysis and critic skills, guys. Good work and thanks!

[mouettus]

You should start turning off all the movies you watch 5 minutes before the end so you can enjoy them all as much:D

LOLLL good one

wha-pish!! (sound of a whip lol)

[Gatsby191]

First of all, Just kidding on the title of my reply. My father bought this movie for me as a birthday gift, on Blu-Ray(can't believe at 44 I still get B-day gifts from everyone!) Well, my cousin joined my father and I for the watching of NCFOM. We liked the whole working up of the story, the cinematography really impressed me, and with a guy like Tommy Lee Jones in this film, who in almost every film he has been in, manages to make his charecter seem hard edged and determined, we all felt this movie would have some form of finality to it. But, for some reason, about halfway through the film, I just blurted this out: "Watch and see, they are going to leave it all in the air". (with that whole "Life just sucks sometimes and that's that" kind of message) I read everything about the typical "Hollywood Ending" being absent and that alot of people were looking for that type of ending, and that reason being listed as to why anyone who liked this film, being their reason for liking it (wow! I think I even confused myself with that one) It's not that this film not being typical . that caused me to dislike it, it's the fact that you had Tommy Lee Jones playing the "Old Style" type of law man, who was portrayed as the guy who was going to get his man in the end. The story led you to that, on so many different occasions during this film. But, because it was a COEN brothers film, and more importantly, because the COEN brothers knew it was a COEN brothers film, I feel that they felt like they had to make sure that they left everything to like 20 different possiblities in the end for no other reason but to be different. My feelings are this: BY now, everybody is basically aware of the fact that "Life Sucks" and more times than not, the nice guy does finish last.(Seems I heard that somewhere before). But, when you go out of your way to put the now OLD Tommy Lee Jones, in the OLD law man role, that just happens to be chasing the unstoppable BAD GUY, most people not only expect the typical ending where the old law man gets the "too smart for his own good" BAD GUY in the end, but after that whole "Prelude" to a well deserved painful and merciless *** kicking followed by a bullet to the forehead that the bad guy seemed to be working himself torwards--that this movie prepared us for, again, people (most of them anyway) not only expect that typical ending that I just explained, they really WANTED that kind of ending too! IMHO anyway. BTW, both my cousin, and my father, were very let down by the ending. They just expected something much more explosive to happen after all of those nasty looking murders went un-punished.
Also, in regard to the reply to this thread that asked, When is the last time that a movie that was considered to be bad(not sure he said bad or not), was able to have generated replies that took up as many pages as this one did? I'll throw this reply out there, though it uses a different sort of subject matter. and I quote: The People who like him, say they listen to him because they want to hear what he's going to say next, and the people who say they don't like him say they listen to him because they want to hear what he is going to say next. (That was the programming director's explanation of why HOWARD STERN was doing unbelievable share ratings, when he was so obviously hated by so many) The following week, the programming director for 66 WNBC in New York was fired.
Controversial material, always generates alot of talk, and ink. Both good and bad. NCFOM won best picture, so alot of people who didn't see it in the theater, got it on DVD or BD, as soon as it came out, thus, the controversy began as to why best picture? and why not best picture? That's how it's always seemed to be, to me anyway.
Sorry if I caused any long yawns all.:(

All the best to all. Joe B. :)

[j_garcia]

So maybe the Coens were trying to intentionally make yet another film that more or less forces you to discuss it and try to figure out what it ultimately was about? I like to discuss a good film with deep themes, but I don't like trying to figure out if there was even a point to it.

[mouettus]

People seem to forget that even if the ending kinda sucked, it doesn't mean that the movie wasn't good. I really enjoyed the story, role play and how it was filmed and all. That movie made me go through a great deal of emotions.

[stratman]

People seem to forget that even if the ending kinda sucked, it doesn't mean that the movie wasn't good. I really enjoyed the story, role play and how it was filmed and all. That movie made me go through a great deal of emotions.

Bingo! "The movie made me go through a great deal of emotions." You've captured the essence of the movie.

The movie has succeeded at what the director, writers and producers wanted to achieve.:)

[Gatsby191]

:So maybe the Coens were trying to intentionally make yet another film that more or less forces you to discuss it and try to figure out what it ultimately was about? I like to discuss a good film with deep themes, but I don't like trying to figure out if there was even a point to it.

My feelings exactly. And in response to another post, NO BINGO here! I really feel strongly about the notion, that the Cohen Brothers made this movie different, just to be different, and not to make any sort of specific point what so ever. I remember, back in highschool, when a few guys started to wear their CHAMPION brand sweat shirts inside out, rather than the normal way. There were a number of people, who followed suit, because they thought of it as a fashion statement. I saw it for what it was, a bunch of guys who looked like schmucks because they had their shirts on inside out. (ON PURPOSE NO LESS!)
A box of SH%T, is a box of SH%T, no matter how fancy the wrapping paper is, there is still SH%T inside the box!
So a movie that has no specific ending, is incomplete, no matter how many different conclusions it leads you to assume on your own, it's still a movie without an ENDING. Capeche?! IMHO as usual.:)
Oh, By the way, it turned out that 1st "Wearer" of that INSIDE out CHAMPION sweat shirt, wore it that way because he, being the SLOB that he was, had already worn it that week, and it hadn't been washed yet. So because there was a food stain on it, he just turned it inside out and wore it that way. (And he had a wardrobe that consisted of more clothes than your typical 16 year old high schol girl) That slob, was and still is a friend of mine today. He became a very well groomed and well dressed Doctor! :eek: (Figures right?)
Take it easy all. Joe B. :)

[jonnythan]

The movie had an ending.

I really have trouble understanding the ranting some of you are doing. So you don't get it. You don't have to.

[stratman]

I really find it hard to understand why you guys don't get the ending??? The ending is clear, evil gets another day, period. The idea that the Coen brothers did this movie with a "fashion" statement outlook doesn't wash, just look at their other productions, they've never been into the Hollywood mould.:)

[cbraver]

I really find it hard to understand why you guys don't get the ending??? The ending is clear, evil gets another day, period. The idea that the Coen brothers did this movie with a "fashion" statement outlook doesn't wash, just look at their other productions, they've never been into the Hollywood mould.:)


Yeah, I thought the ending was fairly predicable (not in a bad way, but, I wasn't like 'wow!'). But, maybe that's because I've seen Coen brothers movies before.

[stratman]

Yeah, I thought the ending was fairly predicable (not in a bad way, but, I wasn't like 'wow!'). But, maybe that's because I've seen Coen brothers movies before.

To be frank I don't think I would have liked a different ending, the irony throughout the whole movie culminated at the end.

[Pyrrho]

Have you seen it? What did you think? I blind bought this one on BD for a good price, so not really complaining. I thought it was a good film, but was a little underwhelmed compared to the hype and the whole Best Picture thing...

I really liked it. But regarding your comment about the "Best Picture", I wouldn't let the Academy raise my expectations too much. I have seen too many films that have won "Best Picture", and too many that didn't, to imagine that they are always going to pick the best, or even one that is terribly good (though they are usually better than most films). This time around, though, I think they picked a good one. I can't think of a better film from this past year that I have seen, though I have by no means seen them all, so I can't say whether it deserved to win "Best Picture" or not.

I won't bother saying which films I think were undeserving of the award, or that I thought were bad films (which would be a shorter list, of course), as it makes little difference what one person's opinion is on such matters. Suffice it to say, the award for "Best Picture" goes to whoever gets the most votes in the process designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Whether you or anyone else will agree with their choice is irrelevant to who gets it. With that in mind, you should not expect to always like whatever they select as "Best Picture".