durdencommatyler wrote:Verm, I know you've addressed this before but I'm having a hard time finding it... you like Barton Fink right?
It's my favorite Coen movie, and one of my absolute favorite movies, period.
That's what I thought. I just did a search and found your top 25 list and saw it on there. How many times have you seen it?
Hmm, I'm not sure. I'd guess probably 5-10 times?
Do you like it?
I fucking adore it, yeah. I usually say it's my favorite Coen Brothers film, as well. And I really like when we agree so strongly on a film. It's so rare that our aesthetic preferences merge so strongly. I've been trying to figure out and really think about why I like what I like lately. A lot of the conversations we've had have really got me trying to pin things down. Somethings its ineffable but not always.
Anyway, I was just trying to figure out what it is about a movie like Barton Fink that we can both agree so strongly on.
Yeah, there is something ineffable about BF. It's a bit of an enigma. It's one of the few movies I really love that I'd have a hard time explaining what it is I love about it. It definitely has some stylistic/atmospheric quirks that work for me (it's unique brand of low-key surrealism really hits a sweet spot), but clearly it's something deeper than just that.
There are even things about it that seem like they shouldn't work, but do. The whole "artistic integrity" theme seems like it should be beyond trite, but it doesn't feel tired in the context. Perhaps because it is being treated a bit satirically. Or is it, even?
durdencommatyler wrote:Verm, I know you've addressed this before but I'm having a hard time finding it... you like Barton Fink right?
It's my favorite Coen movie, and one of my absolute favorite movies, period.
That's what I thought. I just did a search and found your top 25 list and saw it on there. How many times have you seen it?
Hmm, I'm not sure. I'd guess probably 5-10 times?
Do you like it?
I fucking adore it, yeah. I usually say it's my favorite Coen Brothers film, as well. And I really like when we agree so strongly on a film. It's so rare that our aesthetic preferences merge so strongly. I've been trying to figure out and really think about why I like what I like lately. A lot of the conversations we've had have really got me trying to pin things down. Somethings its ineffable but not always.
Anyway, I was just trying to figure out what it is about a movie like Barton Fink that we can both agree so strongly on.
Yeah, there is something ineffable about BF. It's a bit of an enigma. It's one of the few movies I really love that I'd have a hard time explaining what it is I love about it. It definitely has some stylistic/atmospheric quirks that work for me (it's unique brand of low-key surrealism really hits a sweet spot), but clearly it's something deeper than just that.
There are even things about it that seem like they shouldn't work, but do. The whole "artistic integrity" theme seems like it should be beyond trite, but it doesn't feel tired in the context. Perhaps because it is being treated a bit satirically. Or is it, even?
Exactly! I feel exactly the same way. I don't have a single to add or argue. Which feels .... weird.
But yeah I love how he literally puts his feet in another man's shoes and is suddenly able to write. That's the kind of thing that just shouldn't work at all. It should be beyond trite but it crushes me.
Come to think of it, the Coens, in general, are a tough nut to crack. Just about everyone agrees they're great, but I don't know if I've ever seen anyone convincingly bore into just what it is they're doing, exactly, in any given movie. They are truly odd ducks.
LoathedVermin72 wrote:Come to think of it, the Coens, in general, are a tough nut to crack. Just about everyone agrees they're great, but I don't know if I've ever seen anyone convincingly bore into just what it is they're doing, exactly, in any given movie. They are truly odd ducks.
Maybe one day we can devote a SCV to the Coens. Maybe together we can figure it out. At the very least it would be a great excuse for me to rewatch all their movies.
