Wow! Post #100 today. Thanks for all your help Dr. Dee and James L., and thanks for reading and commenting to all others who've enjoyed Ralph's Place.
Last night I completed viewing my triumvirate of writer movies, which I had planned. It started about a month ago with Wonder Boys, then moved onto Sideways and finished up last night with the Coen brothers' masterpiece Barton Fink. Barton Fink is probably the best of the three - as far as I'm concerned - of course, movies are a very subjective thing. John Turtorro is wonderful in the title role as a self-important writer who wants to be a "man of the people," yet condescends every "common person" he meets. John Goodman, who is equally strong as his psychotic neighbor calls him a "tourist with a typewriter" at one point. Then, they're all these great supporting roles, played with great intensity played by guys like this Tony Shalhoub.
This is probably my second-favorite Coen brothers' flick next to 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, which wins because of the tremendous musical score. But the dark, dark themes and light comedic touch, not to mention some tremendous camera work and acting, make Barton Fink eminently enjoyable. This flick came out in 1991, and I think I saw it in 1992. It's stuck with me all that time as being a great flick. Re-watching it certainly did not disappoint. Have only one question: Was that Brook Shields in a cameo at the end?
Cheers.
Ralph
5 comments:
I find it hard to rate one Coen Bros. movie better than another, b/c they are all great. But one that is often overlooked is the black & white movie called The Man Who Wasn't There. I highly recommend it.
Blood Simple is another good one...and don't forget my all-time favorite comedy, Raising Arizona.
DDDDDDD
Yes, I'll have to do some searching to find those titles in town, but I need to come up with them for fill out my Coen brothers dossier. At some point, I'd like to put together some sort of DVD/Film Festival and screen three or four great flicks in day with a group of people.
Cheers.
I concur with the good Doctor. Raising Arizona is the best comedy every made. Perhaps followed closely by Blazing Saddles.
As a former caddie, I love Caddyshack.
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