I kind of forgot about them, seeing Miller's Crossing and The Hudsucker Proxy, not really noticing either of them. Fargo was released and like just everyone else, I loved it. It was hilarious, well acted, cool photography. It came out about the time I was really starting to get into film. I saw it a few times in the theater, realizing that these were the same guys that made Raising Arizona. I went back and rented all their other films.

Blood Simple is a great little film, and an incredible debut film. There are quite a few tense moments throughout this murder mystery. The sequence where the gun shots are coming through the wall, resulting in a beam of light shining through the wall, is just pure photographic genius. Barton Fink, I've only seen once and that was a few years ago. I felt it was a little boring at the time, but there were some great Coen moments. I really need to see it again. Miller's Crossing I love, one of the best gangster films ever. Up there with Godfather and Goodfellas. Great action sequences, and again great performances. Hudsucker Proxy, this is probably the most hated Coen film. I enjoy it, Tim Robbins goofy performance is fun, I also like Jennifer Jason Leigh's over-the-top acting. Plus it's got cameos by two of my favorite actors Bruce Cambell and now Coen regular Steve Buscemi.

I was eagerly anticipating The Big Lebowski, which most people felt was a big let down after Fargo. I thought the complete opposite, I enjoyed it even more than Fargo. The more I watch it the more I laugh. Everyone in it, is so dead on with their characters. Jeff Bridges as The Dude is classic. The dream sequences are great. I feel that just about every frame of this film is perfect.

I'm dying to see O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a strange title, but I'm sure it will be a wonderful film. An adaption of Homer's Odyssey into a 40's prison escape film. Stars George Clooney, who I like when he's directed by good people, for example I liked him in Out of Sight, loathed him in The Peacemaker. I'm sure the Coens will not disapoint me in the least.

6/6/00: I got a chance to see Blood Simple last night at the Seattle Film Festival. It was so great to see it at the Cinerama. What a difference it makes. Having only seen it in pan and scan on video, I didn't really appreciate this film. It is an amazing film, I just can't believe that this was their first. Great performances from all the leads. The photography is beautiful. Incredible tension throughout the film. Just a great great film. I'm so glad I got to see it there. Now I just wish I could see their other films again on the big screen.

1/22/00: I saw O' Brother about 2 weeks ago when it first opened. I loved it (What a surprise), but I'm waiting to see it again before I write my review of it. The Coens have so much going on in their films that you can't possibly catch it all in the first viewing. This was especially evident with The Big Lebowski which I was sort of disappointed the first time I saw it, but with repeat viewings, many many viewings, I think it may be my favorite film of theirs. Another example, Barton Fink is my least favorite, but I've only seen it once. I'm waiting for the DVD to watch it again.