Rating: 
Summary: Clooney does it again!
Review: The George Clooney you loved in "Three Kings" and "The Perfect Storm" is back and better than ever, playing the role of Ulysses Everett McGill. John Turturro, who you may remember from "The Big Lebowski" and "Quiz Show" adds humor as the character of Pete, and even John Goodman (who recently did the voice of Sully in "Monsters, Inc.") made a small appearance in this film. Playing the man who is engaged to marry Everett's ex-wife Penny (Holly Hunter) is none other than Ray McKinnon, who, in 2002, won an Academy Award for his short fim "The Accountant"This is a truly great fill with a star-studded cast that will keep you laughing until you are in stiches.
Rating:
Summary: R-U-N-N-O-F-T and buy this thing!
Review: If you're thinking that a depression-era adaptation of Homer is going to be like a humidity-soaked 10th grade English lesson, fugheddaboudit. "Brother" just comes alive in your mind as you watch it! The brilliant writing and direction, the genius camera work, the dead-on charicatures, all of it comes together and sucks you in to the Coen's off-kilter world. Clooney is a natural for the silver-tongued Ulysses, and Pete and Delmar are perfectly cast - every subtle shift in their simple thought process is clearly written on their face. Pappy O'Daniel, the Bible salesman, the weasly suitor, each one feeds off of the others to generate a bizarre reality full of omens and prophets and insane cow-killing bank robbers with insecurity complexes. Try it, you'll like it.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A DELIGHTFUL LARK! ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT COMIDIES
Review: Don't take my word for it; read the other five-star reviews. They cover just about all of my observations well and there's no need to repeat them. I am in my 70's and remember the great depression well. It was another world that this flick depicts accurately, albeit without all of the intense sorrow that also went with those hard times. Judging from the automobiles and events depicted in this film it was set in 1938, give or take a year. It brought back many personal memories. There really was a Governor "pappy" Lee O'daniel who was associated with a flour company and a country music group, but the real one was governor of Texas (not Mississippi) from 1939 through 1941, defeating Lyndon Johnson. I can still remember Lee O'Daniel's Light Crust Doughboys on the radio every evening. The catch phrase in their bumper music was "Please pass the biscuits, pappy." Casting in the film was perfect. Many locals were undoubtedly used because no actor could depict the country characters so authentically. The music was as it really sounded back then. It was refreshing to escape to the real thing without today's slick and professionally perfect plastic sounds. The songs were truly representative of the era, as I remember it. This is a relaxing, refreshing, no-think film that works well on many levels. Every time you see it you see something you missed on previous viewings. I completely missed its esoteric parody of Homer's Odyssey the first two times. If you are in the mood for a fast moving, outrageosuly funny comedy that doesn't require delving into heavy, dark, brooding, depressing, and stressful psychological concepts, then this is the film for you. Even the manic-depressive behavior of "Babyface" Nelson was depicted in an hilarious manner. This film consists of many sub-plots, all masterfully woven together into a coherent string, each serving as a vehicle for great comedy and wonderful country music as it was played, sung, and heard in the 1930's. I can't praise this film enough. It should have received many top awards, but we all know that awards are based on advertising budgets and Hollywood politics, not quality of the craft. See this film once and you will want your own copy to view over and over again. The kids will also love it.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing I don't see what the big deal was
Review: I had two people tell me how great this movie was and frankly I don't get it. BASIC STORY
Three convicts escape from prison, with the expectation of finding a buried stash, one of their cohorts says he buried. They travel the countryside of the early 1900s to get to this treasure. On the way they steal, record a record and accompany a bank robber to supplement cash on hand. They come upon various odd others who alternately help or hinder the three hapless criminals. MY COMMENTARY
I found the humor predictable and surprisingly found the movie more violent toward people and animals than I cared to watch. The music (if you like old bluegrass) was nothing special. Now I can't speak to some of the cinematography, as quite frankly unless it adds to the picture noticeably, it is not what I watch a movie for. I look for the entertainment aspects alone. However nothing really stood out in this respect for me. In summary, there were funny spots and some spots (as in the brief violence to animals) I disliked. However, the overwhelming emotion was boredom. I can't recommend this movie to anyone and I will chide those than recommended it to me.
Rating:
Summary: Well, I'm with you guys!
Review: Funny, smart, and clever. A must see for all intelligent viewers.
Rating:
Summary: OH, BOY!
Review: See this movie! But the trick is to see it more than once. That's the only way to pick out all those nifty little nuances that make it so hilarious. Definitely on my "to buy" list.
Rating:
Summary: clever take on Homer's Odyssey
Review: This is Clooney's best performance, not those tough-guy roles he so often plays. As Ulysses Everett McGill, a convict in the 1920s, he convinces his chain-gang-mates to escape with him and collect some loot he's buried (if they don't agree, there's no escape -- they are literaly chained together.) Together they enact Homer's Odyssey, replete with sirens, written in the 1920s. It is clever, witty, funny and touching, with a great soundtrack. And keep an eye out for the incredible John Goodman in a star turn as a nasty Klansman who meets an all-too-fitting demise.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Ever!
Review: This is absolutely the best movie that I have ever seen. I saw it twice in the theater and have watched the video at least five times. I have now ordered the DVD and will continue to enjoy it. The music is spectacular and each of the actors are so perfect for their roles.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie and (gasp!) good Southern accents?
Review: This is an all-around great movie -- music, cinematography, and particularly the acting. As for the people that say the Southern accents are bad, I'm from Mississippi and lived there at the time they filmed the movie. I was pleasantly surprised to hear how authentic the accents were as compared to other Hollywood attempts. In general, people from Mississippi seemed to be very proud of this movie at the time it came out (this should really say something given the manner in which the state has historically been depicted in movies). The cinematography was gorgeous, and the music moved me not only to buy the soundtrack, but also the companion CD "Down From the Mountain" (I also attended the concert). It's been amazing to see the resurgence the film has single-handedly brought bluegrass music. In fact, the film should almost be treated as a musical, because of the important role it plays throughout.
Rating:
Summary: On my Top Five List!
Review: Of all the movies I have seen, which is quite a few, this one is definitely in my top five movies of all time. It is like no movie I've seen before, no matter how intersesting they may be. It is very rich in symbolism and philosophy, two aspects that make this movie very very unique. An excellent storyline that may interest you to the point where you have to see it numerous times! I'm sure once you see it, you will not be dissappointed, no matter your preferences in movies! Full Five stars!!!
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