The Career and Films of the Coen Brothers

Including their upcoming No Country For Old Men, Joel and Ethan Coen have made a dozen fine films, some of them cinematic classics. The two brothers made their strong debut with Blood Simple in 1984, and have rarely let viewers down since. They skip across, combine, and turn upside-down all the genres we thought we knew, they always enlist the help of incredible acting talent, and they put a healthy dose of dark humor into every one of their films. You would be doing yourself a large favor by watching (or re-watching) some of their impressive film catalogue:

BLOOD SIMPLE (1984): The Coen Brothers' first film was a low-budget thriller that introduced Frances McDormand to the screen in a violent and engrossing story of a botched murder plan. Highlights include a scene where a character disposes of a body that he thought was dead and the edge-of-your-seat ending. If a filmmaker has a first movie half as good as Blood Simple, you know they will have a great career.

RAISING ARIZONA (1987): With their next film, Joel and Ethan went to the opposite extreme of genres - the screwball comedy. Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter play a couple hoping to curb their infertility by kidnapping a baby. This film continues the Coen tradition of including a failed crime and creates the staple of having offbeat, colorful characters.

MILLER'S CROSSING (1990): A prohibition-era crime movie like no other, Miller's Crossing is a tight story with some very memorable and tense scenes. John Turturro, Jon Polito, and Steve Buscemi are added to the mix of Coen regulars. Gabriel Byrne plays the protagonist who is tied up in a mess and the audience can't help but root for the flawed hero through his violent misadventure.

BARTON FINK (1991): Based on their frustrations from writing Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink is a story about writing that starts sane but quickly delves into insanity as if David Lynch was at the helm. It won the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival and remains one of the darkest, most discussed, and most interpreted Coen brothers' movie. John Goodman turns in one of the most interesting performances of his career and the creepy atmosphere is bound to give you shivers.

THE HUDSUCKER PROXY (1994): After Barton Fink, they turned around with another quirky screwball comedy that imitates the look and feel of a film from the 30s or 40s. While not as appreciated as their other films, The Hudsucker Proxy is so wild and colorful that you can't help but admire its anarchy. Carter Burwell, music composer and collaborator of the Coen brothers, turns in a fantastic score to accompany the images.

FARGO (1996): This dark, dark, pitch black comedy solidified Joel and Ethan Coen's place in cinematic history and picked up seven Academy Award nominations. Fargo represents the finest example of the botched crime genre that the Coens are obsessed with. This is a morality tale that isn't afraid to shed some blood - in often shocking ways. It is short and somewhat simple, but it holds up as very memorable movie experience.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998): If Fargo was for the critics, The Big Lebowski was for the fans. Few recent movies have built up a cult classic status quite like this one. Jeff Bridges's portrayal of The Dude and John Goodman's Walter make up one of the funniest screen teams in comedy history. The concept of The Big Lebowski was to combine the elements of a stoner comedy, a slew of oddball characters, and a ridiculous film noir-like plot into one hugely enjoyable film. Here's a movie that has wide enough appeal for casual comedy-lovers and is smart enough for the film snobs.

O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU (2000): After two juggernauts, you would think their energy would be lost somewhere, but they bounced right back with this period piece, Odyssey-inspired comedy. It's another wild adventure that only the Coens could hold your hand through. If I haven't mentioned Roger Deakins, their long-time cinematographer, now would be a good time. This movie looks fantastic. The wonderful soundtrack became a phenomenon in its own right.

THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE (2001): There's very little cheer and absolutely no color in this gem. Billy Bob Thornton plays an average, monotone barber who crashes through a series of unfortunate events. This movie takes film noir to a whole new haunting level. The cinematography, the music, and the acting are all impeccable. If you can stomach downward spirals, this film is one to witness.

INTOLERABLE CRUELTY (2003): You may be noticing a pattern now. The Coens seem to move effortlessly from dark, brooding drama to off-the-wall comedy. Intolerable Cruelty, while not one of their most lauded, is no exception. It may be the brothers' work that lacks the most substance, but its wackiness and fast-talking George Clooney may win you over. Film fans may also notice how much the Coens are inspired by the studio era classics of cinema.

THE LADYKILLERS (2004): A remake, but injected with every ounce of quirk that you have come to love, The Ladykillers is another delightfully dark comedy that has little sympathy for its evil-minded characters and doesn't mind making death a joke. Tom Hanks leads a cast of ridiculous characters. While this film and Intolerable Cruelty have been noted as falling short of the quality that the Coens are known for, these two films are still quite enjoyable on their own. It is easy to be spoiled by an entire career's worth of cinematic greatness.

That brings us up to date. No Country For Old Men, based on the Cormac McCarthy novel, will be out in theaters soon and, so far, has been very well received by critics.

If their previous films are any indicator, Joel and Ethan will continue to win us over no matter which genre they decide to revisit. We can only hope that that these two geniuses have at least another dozen more movies left to make.