All that aside, Arizona still works like a charm: it really is the ideal hybrid of a vintage Preston Sturges picture and a vintage Looney Tune. The question of whether the Coens “love” or “hate” their characters—a question I always found beside the point, if not poorly put—is largely overwhelmed by the tidal wave of hilarity. The fact that they have the film’s object lesson of mercy and kindness delivered by its most ostensibly venal character is a testimony to the essential fluidity of their approach, or maybe their genuinely ironical worldview.
“Down With O.P.E.”: Glenn Kenny talks about Raising Arizona.
Source: somecamerunning.typepad.com
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no one.
True Grit (2010)
Having read the original novel (but not seen the first film adaptation), I think this is a perfect fit for the Coens. The mixture of offbeat humour and dark violence is very much their style, plus I don’t think they’ve done a proper Western before (aside from nods to the form in No Country For Old Men, and others). Can’t wait to see this.
Mindless Ones: Half formed musings on the Coens, Fargo, and inexplicability
I’m always up for discussion of the Coen brothers’ films.
Cool Stuff: The Dude Abides T-Shirt (via @slashfilm)
Source: alexsegura
