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I lied. Just started Barton Fink. I was dying to watch it again.
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I lied. Just started Barton Fink. I was dying to watch it again.
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I have watched both No Country and Barton Fink. Both are perfect films for me. I am going to wait and see what you guys have to say and see if we can get a little conversation going. I am having trouble getting started for some reason.
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Just watched Barton Fink. I'll see if I can get around a write-up later. 
Might watch either The Man Who Wasn't There or No Country today.
Might watch either The Man Who Wasn't There or No Country today.
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MovieMeditation's Cinema Reviews // Film Diary 2015 // Letterboxd Profile // MovieMeditation's Top 50 Horror
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MovieMeditation's Cinema Reviews // Film Diary 2015 // Letterboxd Profile // MovieMeditation's Top 50 Horror
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B A R T O N
F I N K
Before I even start the review, I must tell you that this is my first time watching the movie. I read that both of you, sean and raul, have watched it at least once. I doubt that you are wondering why I'm telling you this, because this movie isn't exactly your typical film. Also, I can definitely understand why you may anticipate a revisit quite a bit, because I might just find this film to be a "No Country" scenario for me, personally... maybe not in a big way, but in some shape or form, for sure.
When I first watched No Country for Old Men I gave it a mere 6/10. I admired the craft, I loved the look and feel of it and there was no denying about the talent of the people who made the flick. But it felt like the movie was "ahead of me" in some way. Like I had to catch up to its greatness to really see it. Feel it. And now, as you all know, it might just be my favorite film and I definitely most certainly rate it a 10/10.
Barton Fink had some of the same vibes going on. And as another film of theirs, The Big Lebowski, it's not exactly a straight forward movie, neither does it necessarily grab your attention through its plot, per say. No, the plot is the character(s). The plot is built, thematically and morally, around the character(s), together with what the Coens want to accomplish with their film. It's not about a A-Z mystery plot written like a novel. It's an idea or a concept, told with and by a character (or characters), whose encounters almost happen as the story is being written - or that's how it feels like. It's a journey into the unknown, full of ideas, messages and enthusiasm, and it's quite an experience to go along with it. And it doesn't make things worse when the case is great too with an excellent (as always) John Goodman!
When watching Barton Fink, I was always engaged and fascinated and I wasn't always sure where things were going or why, but I never got what you would call frustrated. I enjoyed feeling my way through the movie, I enjoyed being stimulated with atmosphere and the writing of the Coens, which eventually left me in a mute state of wonderment when the credits rolled... like, if the Coens had told me something profound, slightly provocative and certainly perplexing. I sat and thought about the film a lot after I finished, as I had definitely done throughout the film as well. Personally, I think the greatest accomplishment of cinema is when it makes you think... no matter how. If it stimulates you in one way or the other, it did cinema right. And Barton Fink did cinema right. At least for me.
This is a movie that says a lot of different things throughout, without necessarily leaving you with an answer to it all or with a point that goes across every visual or written statement. Some of the things doesn't even have enough filmic breadcrumbs laid out to even get half-way to understanding a particular thing, but that's fine. The movie is very lively overall, and often a film can be more fun when you are holding it between your hands until it jumps out and runs away, rather than catching it and putting it in a enclosed glass cage to study. Sure, there were clear points of this being personal work, for one, by the Coens. The thing about making a follow-up to a succes, more so when Hollywood comes knocking and wants to hold down you artistic roots and make something commercial. Something that isn't you. Being stuck in writer's block, while being frustrated, under pressure, fighting inner demons, having the creativeness sucked out of you, and so on... Barton Fink can definitely be seen as a statement to being your own, creative self. Let your art flow, or run wild, as it should. Barton Fink is the blood, sweat and tears almost being literally translated and presented through a picture, while also being a product, in and on itself, of said hard work...
I’m going to rate this, because I rate all the movies I watch, but as it should be clear with my above writing, this is going to be a “gentle ruling” with an allowance of the film to “breathe” and evolve in my head until I watch it again, and again, and perhaps it won’t even extend much in my rating of it, but as of now, this is a “film in progress” for me and it hasn’t settled quite yet.
I'll show you the life of the mind!!!!
you sure did, Ethan and Joel
++
F I N K
Before I even start the review, I must tell you that this is my first time watching the movie. I read that both of you, sean and raul, have watched it at least once. I doubt that you are wondering why I'm telling you this, because this movie isn't exactly your typical film. Also, I can definitely understand why you may anticipate a revisit quite a bit, because I might just find this film to be a "No Country" scenario for me, personally... maybe not in a big way, but in some shape or form, for sure.
When I first watched No Country for Old Men I gave it a mere 6/10. I admired the craft, I loved the look and feel of it and there was no denying about the talent of the people who made the flick. But it felt like the movie was "ahead of me" in some way. Like I had to catch up to its greatness to really see it. Feel it. And now, as you all know, it might just be my favorite film and I definitely most certainly rate it a 10/10.
Barton Fink had some of the same vibes going on. And as another film of theirs, The Big Lebowski, it's not exactly a straight forward movie, neither does it necessarily grab your attention through its plot, per say. No, the plot is the character(s). The plot is built, thematically and morally, around the character(s), together with what the Coens want to accomplish with their film. It's not about a A-Z mystery plot written like a novel. It's an idea or a concept, told with and by a character (or characters), whose encounters almost happen as the story is being written - or that's how it feels like. It's a journey into the unknown, full of ideas, messages and enthusiasm, and it's quite an experience to go along with it. And it doesn't make things worse when the case is great too with an excellent (as always) John Goodman!
When watching Barton Fink, I was always engaged and fascinated and I wasn't always sure where things were going or why, but I never got what you would call frustrated. I enjoyed feeling my way through the movie, I enjoyed being stimulated with atmosphere and the writing of the Coens, which eventually left me in a mute state of wonderment when the credits rolled... like, if the Coens had told me something profound, slightly provocative and certainly perplexing. I sat and thought about the film a lot after I finished, as I had definitely done throughout the film as well. Personally, I think the greatest accomplishment of cinema is when it makes you think... no matter how. If it stimulates you in one way or the other, it did cinema right. And Barton Fink did cinema right. At least for me.
This is a movie that says a lot of different things throughout, without necessarily leaving you with an answer to it all or with a point that goes across every visual or written statement. Some of the things doesn't even have enough filmic breadcrumbs laid out to even get half-way to understanding a particular thing, but that's fine. The movie is very lively overall, and often a film can be more fun when you are holding it between your hands until it jumps out and runs away, rather than catching it and putting it in a enclosed glass cage to study. Sure, there were clear points of this being personal work, for one, by the Coens. The thing about making a follow-up to a succes, more so when Hollywood comes knocking and wants to hold down you artistic roots and make something commercial. Something that isn't you. Being stuck in writer's block, while being frustrated, under pressure, fighting inner demons, having the creativeness sucked out of you, and so on... Barton Fink can definitely be seen as a statement to being your own, creative self. Let your art flow, or run wild, as it should. Barton Fink is the blood, sweat and tears almost being literally translated and presented through a picture, while also being a product, in and on itself, of said hard work...
I’m going to rate this, because I rate all the movies I watch, but as it should be clear with my above writing, this is going to be a “gentle ruling” with an allowance of the film to “breathe” and evolve in my head until I watch it again, and again, and perhaps it won’t even extend much in my rating of it, but as of now, this is a “film in progress” for me and it hasn’t settled quite yet.
I'll show you the life of the mind!!!!
you sure did, Ethan and Joel
++
Last edited by MovieMeditation; 03-26-19 at 06:49 PM.
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I think how you felt matches me almost exactly after first watch MM. Three viewings later and I have it sitting as my favorite movie. I love how personal this film is and how you can relate it to every aspect of life. The fact that they wrote a movie about writer's block while having writer's block is so poetic to me. Once in college I wrote a speech about how frustrating writing speeches and speech class in general was. It was my highest grade of the year.
The frustration Barton feels while struggling with how to relate with those he feels are different than him is I think relatable for anyone who is trying to exhibit any sort of empathy in their life. Them the Coen's perfectly display how we over think our struggle and mostly fail to see the opportunities to relate and empathize that are right in front of us. This film has become, for me, so much about trying to overcome these non-existent struggles in our life instead of just living. I will show you the life of the mind indeed.
Plus Goodman and Tutturo are hilarious, and I could watch them do scenes together infinitley.
The frustration Barton feels while struggling with how to relate with those he feels are different than him is I think relatable for anyone who is trying to exhibit any sort of empathy in their life. Them the Coen's perfectly display how we over think our struggle and mostly fail to see the opportunities to relate and empathize that are right in front of us. This film has become, for me, so much about trying to overcome these non-existent struggles in our life instead of just living. I will show you the life of the mind indeed.
Plus Goodman and Tutturo are hilarious, and I could watch them do scenes together infinitley.
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Barton Fink
Like most Coen films, they create a unique atmosphere that makes you feel as if you are right there with their cooky characters. Turtorro is awesome and plays the lead role of Barton Fink perfectly. John Goodman is probably the true top performance here though, I loved him in this. It's perhaps his best performance for me. Like all Coen films, this one is highly character driven and the dialogue is what keeps you engaged. The eery setting gives me a somewhat uncomfortable vibe too, but in a good way. The film really picks up for me in the last twenty minutes and I love the ending as well on the ocean, just as shown in the picture in the room. This will remain my second favorite Coen film. I wish I had more to say but this is a film that while I enjoy is quite hard for me to "dissect".
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Like most Coen films, they create a unique atmosphere that makes you feel as if you are right there with their cooky characters. Turtorro is awesome and plays the lead role of Barton Fink perfectly. John Goodman is probably the true top performance here though, I loved him in this. It's perhaps his best performance for me. Like all Coen films, this one is highly character driven and the dialogue is what keeps you engaged. The eery setting gives me a somewhat uncomfortable vibe too, but in a good way. The film really picks up for me in the last twenty minutes and I love the ending as well on the ocean, just as shown in the picture in the room. This will remain my second favorite Coen film. I wish I had more to say but this is a film that while I enjoy is quite hard for me to "dissect".
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I should watch Barton Fink. It looks its probably the best of the Coens films I haven't seen yet
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What does the beach pic and ending mean to you guys?
I also still wonder today what's in the box.
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I'm not even sure I know
I also still wonder today what's in the box.
I also still wonder today what's in the box.
You know that's Paltrow's head from our last director.
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This is way too simple, but so is my mind. I think she is looking out at the horizon which seems so close but you can never actually reach. Just emblematic of the theme of trying to make or do something great and feeling so close but never reaching the perfection you think you can.
You know that's Paltrow's head from our last director.
You know that's Paltrow's head from our last director.
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I've written quite a lot stuff today, so I don't feel like doing a huge review right now (maybe some other day)...
But to get something going, No Country for Old Men. Now, really it all comes down to two things for as to why I love it as much as I do. If we say that acting and directing all that is a given, then it's really about these two things for me: atmosphere and suspense.
Yes, there is symbolism, there is dialogue pieces, all this is freaking good. But the atmosphere this movie creates and the suspense is off the charts. I'm constantly focused, uneasy, on the edge of my seat. No matter if Bardem is chasing Brolin through hotels or the characters have a simple conversation. It really draws you in and of course a lot of that is because all the above of which I said was a given. The acting and directing and ALL that contributes to these things. But if you don't know how to put it all together and CREATE something out of it, it doesn't matter. The story is perfect too. Love every beat of it.
You all know this is a full house for me, freaking +++
But to get something going, No Country for Old Men. Now, really it all comes down to two things for as to why I love it as much as I do. If we say that acting and directing all that is a given, then it's really about these two things for me: atmosphere and suspense.
Yes, there is symbolism, there is dialogue pieces, all this is freaking good. But the atmosphere this movie creates and the suspense is off the charts. I'm constantly focused, uneasy, on the edge of my seat. No matter if Bardem is chasing Brolin through hotels or the characters have a simple conversation. It really draws you in and of course a lot of that is because all the above of which I said was a given. The acting and directing and ALL that contributes to these things. But if you don't know how to put it all together and CREATE something out of it, it doesn't matter. The story is perfect too. Love every beat of it.
You all know this is a full house for me, freaking +++
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Miller's Crossing
On the first watch, this seemed to be a tale of two halves. It was hard for me to get into who these people all we're at the beginning. Honestly the first 40 minutes we're tough due to the intricacy of the plot. After that it really opened up. Lots of tense situations, like when Tom was brought back into Miller's Crossing to find Bernie. That scene was really tense and great. I loved all the scenes in Miller's Crossing. The acting was pretty good too, especially Turtorro and Polito. The score didn't always seem prevalent but when it was there it was grand. I think it actually could have been a bit longer and focused on some character development a bit, kind of in the same fashion of how a film like Goodfellas or Casino did. This is certainly a movie that I will have to see again to get a real feel for how I feel about it. I don't think it will get to be up there with Fargo or No Country though.
For now,
On the first watch, this seemed to be a tale of two halves. It was hard for me to get into who these people all we're at the beginning. Honestly the first 40 minutes we're tough due to the intricacy of the plot. After that it really opened up. Lots of tense situations, like when Tom was brought back into Miller's Crossing to find Bernie. That scene was really tense and great. I loved all the scenes in Miller's Crossing. The acting was pretty good too, especially Turtorro and Polito. The score didn't always seem prevalent but when it was there it was grand. I think it actually could have been a bit longer and focused on some character development a bit, kind of in the same fashion of how a film like Goodfellas or Casino did. This is certainly a movie that I will have to see again to get a real feel for how I feel about it. I don't think it will get to be up there with Fargo or No Country though.
For now,
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I too love the suspense in No Country, Meds. I think that is also why it's my favorite Coen, because I thrive on watching drama and suspense flicks.
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I gotta admit that I have felt over matched when it comes time to talk about these films. It often happens to me with my favorite films and favorite directors. My passion for the Coen brothers always comes down to writing and I think that is where they simply excel. Characters and stories are great. Love the scores and cinematography. The writing is what makes them a cut above. So even the next two films I watched that might not be up to even their amazing standards are still better than almost anything else I watch. Can't gush about the Coen brothers enough. Sorry I haven't had more to say boys.
A Serious Man
I forgot how funny this movie is, or I didn't find it funny last watch. I rated this way too low last time around. I love every single interaction. Also love that opening. We have to mention the theme of a spiritual evil that runs through almost everyone of the Coen's films. I think I take it for granted but I love it and I believe the way they subtly slide those themes in is one of the reasons I respond so strongly to them.
The Man Who Wasn't There
Another simple story but the Noir aesthetic and the amazing writing in the narration make it great. I really don't have much else to say. Everything just fits nicely into place and makes it a great watch.
A Serious Man
I forgot how funny this movie is, or I didn't find it funny last watch. I rated this way too low last time around. I love every single interaction. Also love that opening. We have to mention the theme of a spiritual evil that runs through almost everyone of the Coen's films. I think I take it for granted but I love it and I believe the way they subtly slide those themes in is one of the reasons I respond so strongly to them.
The Man Who Wasn't There
Another simple story but the Noir aesthetic and the amazing writing in the narration make it great. I really don't have much else to say. Everything just fits nicely into place and makes it a great watch.
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Favorite Movies
Miller's Crossing
On the first watch, this seemed to be a tale of two halves. It was hard for me to get into who these people all we're at the beginning. Honestly the first 40 minutes we're tough due to the intricacy of the plot. After that it really opened up. Lots of tense situations, like when Tom was brought back into Miller's Crossing to find Bernie. That scene was really tense and great. I loved all the scenes in Miller's Crossing. The acting was pretty good too, especially Turtorro and Polito. The score didn't always seem prevalent but when it was there it was grand. I think it actually could have been a bit longer and focused on some character development a bit, kind of in the same fashion of how a film like Goodfellas or Casino did. This is certainly a movie that I will have to see again to get a real feel for how I feel about it. I don't think it will get to be up there with Fargo or No Country though.
For now,
On the first watch, this seemed to be a tale of two halves. It was hard for me to get into who these people all we're at the beginning. Honestly the first 40 minutes we're tough due to the intricacy of the plot. After that it really opened up. Lots of tense situations, like when Tom was brought back into Miller's Crossing to find Bernie. That scene was really tense and great. I loved all the scenes in Miller's Crossing. The acting was pretty good too, especially Turtorro and Polito. The score didn't always seem prevalent but when it was there it was grand. I think it actually could have been a bit longer and focused on some character development a bit, kind of in the same fashion of how a film like Goodfellas or Casino did. This is certainly a movie that I will have to see again to get a real feel for how I feel about it. I don't think it will get to be up there with Fargo or No Country though.
For now,
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