Rating: 
Summary: The sheer ignorance...
Review: What boggles the mind when reading the first page of reviews is that not a single person has mentioned that the entire movie is based off of an intellectual staple in the literaty world, Homer's Odyssey. Sure it was a great portraite of the American south during the depression, but the cleverness of weaving such an intelectuals story into an accurate historcal comedy/drama is astounding. This was a plot of pure wit, and each scene had its equil in the epic peom. See or buy this movie if you are one who enjoys the pleasures of the intelectual pursuit. Buy this movie if you are one who wants a good laugh, but appriciate for what it is!
Rating:
Summary: R-U-N-N-O-F-T and see this film!
Review: If I had only has this film during my World Lit class my freshman year of college I might have enjoyed the Oddessey more. I've seen O Brother four times already, and I can't wait for the DVD. I was recently introduced to Cohen films by a good friend who knows just about everything about film. He slips the Cohens into our movie nights--- I haven't been disappointed yet. The Cohens have crafted a film that is both entertaining and cognitive- I laugh until I cry yet I am made to think- two things you don't often get in the same movie. To say that this film is boring translates into the ideas that there is nothing intruiging about human nature, that life deserves no more than a sigh, and that there is nothing funny about existence and the paths that we take. Human nature is and always will be something to be pondered and something to be smiled at. The Cohens have given us another chance to do that. It's dangerous ground to mess with a classic, but they have pulled it off beautifully with a tale that I think even Homer himself would approve of.
Rating: 
Summary: A hand for the Coen brothers
Review: I have to admit it, George Clooney was very funny. Three prisoners, they are 'forced' to break out of prison together, he and John Tuturro, and another convict are all chained together. They escape through the deep south, hooking up with a blues guitar player who has sold his soul to the devil for the ability to play the guitar. They go on to record a hit song, and become stars, playing Mississippi delta blues. Very, very, very funny. If you like this one, check out Millers Crossing.
Rating:
Summary: King Coens
Review: I won't get into how great the story and acting is in this movie. I'll just be repeating what everyone else states. I do want to emphasize the cinematography. It beat out any film this year. The use of light and color as well as sets and even physical types of everyone in the film (including extras) gives this film an incredible visual feel. Watch PBS documentaries of the era (minus the color experience), and I think you will see to what I am refering. I have even sent for compact discs featuring Lonnie Johnston, Ry Cooder, the soundtrack to this film, etc. Like someone else more or less said, see this movie, and, when you feel stressed, think of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" I have never looked so forward to purchasing a film.
Rating:
Summary: Genuinely funny
Review: The movie is based loosely off the plot and incidents in Homer's Odyssey. The events in the movie that parallel Ulysses' journey are recognizable but not pathetically obvious. My boyfriend and I saw this movie when he was visiting me from Sweden. We picked it up on a bored Sunday afternoon, and we spent the rest of the week talking about how it was one of the funniest movies we'd seen. That we both enjoyed it seems to suggest that the humor was decently intellectual and very genuine.
Rating:
Summary: Down to the river to pray in the beautiful south
Review: The Coen brothers serve up a beautifully filmed and nearly perfectly executed movie with many scenes and songs that linger in ones head. It shows both the dark and light of the South in the depression, and reminds us of the power of the music that tried to help everyone get through the rough times. The warmer sounds of songs like "Big Rock Candy Mountain" and "I'll Fly Away" are yearnings for that better place far away. The premier song, "Man of constant sorrow", is a great blues\bluegrass piece, with both performances by Clooney and Cohorts being enjoyably funny. But perhaps the most impressive song and visual in this film is the baptism scene, when our heroes are suddenly surrounded by white clad Christians floating through the beautiful Southern woods like fireflies all singing a building gospel hymn "Down to the river" - a very mesmerizing moment.The performances are great. Clooney has an energetic wild eyed zeal and pulls of some great rapid dialog as Ulysses. Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro do well as the slow witted traveling companions. Daniel von Bargen (probably known best currently for his role as the Commandant at the military school on "Malcom in the Middle") fits the old image of the sherrif perfectly with his cool mannerisms, black outfit, sunglasses (the only person wearing them) and black hat. While generally funny, the film also has reminders of the effects of the depression on already poor farmers. It also doesn't forget racial issues in the form of the KKK and how many of its members could make themselves out to be "normal decent folk" during the day when they weren't hiding in bedsheets carrying silly names. Some people take offense at the KKK scene in the movie, but I thought it pointed out the silliness of these people dressing in these costumes and thinking they were superior while also showing that enough stupidity gathered together can do some pretty terrible things. It can be an uncomfortable scene, but it does contribute to the story (and shows, through our heroes, that not *every* white person in the south was a bigot). Ultimately, this movie was an enjoyable experience for me. I could even call it uplifting, as it's beautiful photography and soundtrack have caused me to start liking the South again and appeciate more of the Gospel and Bluegrass from the time. I love listening to "I'll Fly Away" from the soundtrack and picturing soaring up over the dusty roads and fields through gold tinted lenses.
Rating:
Summary: Film making at its finest
Review: If you don't like this film, you either have no taste or you don't understand the concept. This is as good as gets in cinematography, direction, story and anything else you can think of. The Coen Brothers are in my opinion the greatest film makers in "hollywood". Get this as soon as possible, you will not regret it. If you don't believe me, just wait until the academy awards roll around.
Rating:
Summary: oh, brother, where art thou
Review: This was the BEST movie I've seen- EVER! And the Soundtrack , is just as GREAT! I play it all the time and remember those funny scenes from the movie! I can't wait ... [to] own a copy! I've never been this excited over a movie, ever!
Rating:
Summary: Come on down . . .
Review: Witty, funny, incredibly clever. If you are familiar with the Odyssey, it adds another deminsion; however, this movie can stand alone. It has music that begs you to sing along especially if you are on the older end of the "baby boom" - however, resist the temptation in the theater. Also... discuss the symbolism after the movie. Better yet- purchase a copy so that you can watch it whenever life becomes too stressful! I am not a person to pay to see movies twice but I can't wait to go a third time. Clooney proves his acting ability and the supporting cast is awesome - I don't want to spoil any surprises - it is quirky in a "Raising Arizona" way, but really good fun for all. Any fan of the Cohen brothers cannot miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: This is the Coen's best film
Review: There are so many funny moments in this movie that I can't remember them all. My favorite character is Delmer, played by Tim Blake Nelson. He was a wonderfully lovable guy, and he actually sang "In the Jailhouse Now." This is a sentimental, affectionate comedy. I've always been a Coen brothers fan. This film should have been up for best picture, but it's a rare day when a comedy is up for best picture. It was also nice to see Southern people (with the exception of the kkk) depicted in a positive light. They weren't all racists in the 30's, which is the prevailing notion. If you want to be entertained, if you want to laugh, then you should order this movie.
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