Ebert’s criticism of the dialogue in “Raising Arizona” was spot on and applies to all of their later comedies, to greater and lesser degrees. It’s their weakest point. On the other hand, their dialogue is what many people love about them, and they’ve had plenty of successes when they refined it and reigned in their worst excesses. Their reliable idiosyncrasies made them among the few movie makers who became a genre unto themselves.
The reason I watched Fargo for the very first time was because of Siskel and Ebert’s glowing review of it. It’s my all-time favorite movie now, ten years after I saw it.
I have not hate for Fargo, but how about millers crossing and Barton fink? Don’t you think they are bit more entertaining, and pretty much just as good (or maybe better)?
Never disagreed with Roger Ebert more on his take on Raising Arizona. Raising Arizona gets better every time I watch it. I think of Raising Arizona as the Coen Bros approaching a Looney Tunes story, writing with their Twain-level flair for dialect and timing, and adding in a dash of Hunter S Thompson style thoughtful and poetic narration that really makes it somehow come together, especially the ending monologue that makes me tear up every god damn time. I love that last song played too. I think this is probably their best, NOT most polished, but best straight comedy.
Shocked! Shocked, I say! Roger Ebert did not recognize Raising Arizona as a modern classic?! Seamless screw-ball comedy from beginning to end. The hold-up with the Huggies makes me laff just thinking about it!! The gun play is just like the 1940's. Nobody gets hurt.
The Dude: “'Scuse me?” Maude Lebowski: “Sex. The physical act of love. Coitus. Do you like it?” The Dude: “I was talking about my rug.” Maude Lebowski: “You're not interested in sex?” The Dude: “You mean coitus?”
It's fun watching Siskel gush over their movies, except for the Big Lebowski. Though I'm more with Ebert on their films. They're very quirky, visually stunning, but not very easily digestible for the masses. None of their films are bad though. Just not for everyone. Man I miss these two. They were much more forgiving than people remember.
Ebert is right and wrong about Miller's Crossing. Yes, the first time you watch it, all of the characters are hard to keep track of, but that's what makes it so enjoyable to watch multiple times. Once you know the characters and the plot, you can really appreciate the movie. I think it's a really underappreciated Coen Bros film.
I couldn't agree more. Miller's crossing is one of my favorite movies. It is complicated but that's part of the beauty of it. So many great scenes..I never get tired of re-watching it.
The Cohen Boys love film noir. It has reversals and Pepsi Twists throughout. Confusing the viewer was part of the game. When Johnny Caspar hits The Dane over the head? I jumped out of my seat! Reagan's double game hit me like a ton of bricks. God, I wish I could go back and watch it the first time.
In general, I've come to think Siskle just doesn't understand Comedy or genre-friendly movies (watch any of his reviews of any random now-classic sci-fi or horror movie, and he completely misses the point every single time), and I think Ebert often has sort of a poor knee-jerk first reaction (which I'm guilty of myself, constantly): with so many of the films he reviewed throughout his career, Ebert's written review years later was far more kind, thoughtful, and balanced.
wrong as I've always though they are at several points with the Coens, I've never been able to enjoy The Hudsucker Proxy (Which paradoxically _sounds_ right up my alley as a story) - Glad they came round on Blood Simple though!
![How the Coen Brothers Direct Comedy & Violence [Directing Styles Explained]](/img/n.gif)
Ebert’s criticism of the dialogue in “Raising Arizona” was spot on and applies to all of their later comedies, to greater and lesser degrees. It’s their weakest point. On the other hand, their dialogue is what many people love about them, and they’ve had plenty of successes when they refined it and reigned in their worst excesses. Their reliable idiosyncrasies made them among the few movie makers who became a genre unto themselves.
The reason I watched Fargo for the very first time was because of Siskel and Ebert’s glowing review of it. It’s my all-time favorite movie now, ten years after I saw it.
I have not hate for Fargo, but how about millers crossing and Barton fink? Don’t you think they are bit more entertaining, and pretty much just as good (or maybe better)?
Fargo is a much watch but my two favorites have more entertainment value while still being art, in my opinion.
My favorite as well. Spending six years living years in Minneapolis may have something to do with it!
Never disagreed with Roger Ebert more on his take on Raising Arizona. Raising Arizona gets better every time I watch it. I think of Raising Arizona as the Coen Bros approaching a Looney Tunes story, writing with their Twain-level flair for dialect and timing, and adding in a dash of Hunter S Thompson style thoughtful and poetic narration that really makes it somehow come together, especially the ending monologue that makes me tear up every god damn time. I love that last song played too. I think this is probably their best, NOT most polished, but best straight comedy.
He probably only reviewed it after watching it once. I bet he enjoys it a lot more today
Shocked! Shocked, I say! Roger Ebert did not recognize Raising Arizona as a modern classic?! Seamless screw-ball comedy from beginning to end. The hold-up with the Huggies makes me laff just thinking about it!! The gun play is just like the 1940's. Nobody gets hurt.
The Hudsucker Proxy gets better each time!!!
All I remember about that film is the great set design.
Dude. The big lebowski is a comedy masterpiece, I don't care what anyone says lol. And Fargo is a masterpiece overall.
'Wtf does any of this have to do with Vietnam, Walter!' Lol. I couldn't agree more. 👍😎
@@waynej2608 he didn't watch his buddies die face down in the muck just so critics can crap on the movie!
I would put millers crossing and Barton fink up against your two favorites. And I love your two too
Obviously you are not a golfer
The Dude: “'Scuse me?” Maude Lebowski: “Sex. The physical act of love. Coitus. Do you like it?” The Dude: “I was talking about my rug.” Maude Lebowski: “You're not interested in sex?” The Dude: “You mean coitus?”
It's fun watching Siskel gush over their movies, except for the Big Lebowski. Though I'm more with Ebert on their films. They're very quirky, visually stunning, but not very easily digestible for the masses. None of their films are bad though. Just not for everyone. Man I miss these two. They were much more forgiving than people remember.
Ebert really missed the mark on "Miller's Crossing". As usual, Siskel scored a bullseye with this brilliant film.
Been waiting for this compilation!!!
Ebert is right and wrong about Miller's Crossing. Yes, the first time you watch it, all of the characters are hard to keep track of, but that's what makes it so enjoyable to watch multiple times. Once you know the characters and the plot, you can really appreciate the movie. I think it's a really underappreciated Coen Bros film.
The movie turned me off when I saw it but I think about revisiting it.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Please do!
I think you and Ebert are both right.
I couldn't agree more. Miller's crossing is one of my favorite movies. It is complicated but that's part of the beauty of it. So many great scenes..I never get tired of re-watching it.
The Cohen Boys love film noir. It has reversals and Pepsi Twists throughout. Confusing the viewer was part of the game. When Johnny Caspar hits The Dane over the head? I jumped out of my seat! Reagan's double game hit me like a ton of bricks. God, I wish I could go back and watch it the first time.
Siskel totally missed how good Lebowski is. I only realized on my last viewing how incredible and screamingly funny it is.
I didn't "get" it the first time. The second time, it became one of my favorites.
Thank you thank you! Would love a compilation of Ron Howard film reviews!
They were soooooo right about Fargo. Much better than the TV show.
Nice! I’ve been waiting for this one. You are awesome 😎
Fargo is a black comic masterpiece and deserves to be placed among the elite of Noir. One of the best of the 1990's and one the best films, ever.
In general, I've come to think Siskle just doesn't understand Comedy or genre-friendly movies (watch any of his reviews of any random now-classic sci-fi or horror movie, and he completely misses the point every single time), and I think Ebert often has sort of a poor knee-jerk first reaction (which I'm guilty of myself, constantly): with so many of the films he reviewed throughout his career, Ebert's written review years later was far more kind, thoughtful, and balanced.
Comedy changes over time. I think Siskel was stuck in the 40's comedy-wise. He would put 3 Marx Bros films in his top ten, right?
Amazing how much Siskel gets a film right off the bat...
I'm surprised you didn't include a clip of Barton Fink saying "I can't start listening to the critics."
Siskel always finds a way to say something insane in these compilations. "Kingpin is a much funnier film about bowling[than The Big Lebowski]"
Just looked it up, to save you time. The Boys Fargo lost to English Patient. Which would you like to watch again?
1996.
Wow, wow, wow. Ebert didn't like Miller's Crossing? I think it is a masterpiece, have it on DVD and have seen it 10+ times. It is their best film.
The Man Who Wasn’t There Michael Phillips AO Scott
ebert got millers crossing wrong too?!
Man, Ebert really took a lot of "L's" on those early movies in the Coen's filmography.
How did you bring these old cuts together, u must have recorded every siskel n e episode ever
Much prefer There will be Blood to No country from old men.
Blood Simple Michael Phillips AO Scott
I'm actually totally with Ebert on Miller's Crossing, I think its the Coen's most overrated film. Never got why its such a critical darling.
Agreed
how can that one clown not like the big lebowski
Is this in chrono order? I like Hudsucker, but Fargo was next? Boffo Blockbuster, dude. the Cohen Bros can do no wrong.
Yep it’s chronological
ebert got AZ so wrong. so surprised
Big Leboski is the most overrated movie ever.
wrong as I've always though they are at several points with the Coens,
I've never been able to enjoy The Hudsucker Proxy (Which paradoxically _sounds_ right up my alley as a story)
- Glad they came round on Blood Simple though!
After watching this, I realized that I agreed with Gene Siskel way more than Ebert.