Ian, Chris, and Travis discuss the 15th film in the Coen Brothers filmography: True Grit. this crowd pleaser is, to this date, the Coens' greatest financial success; and their first foray into a straightforward western. we all agree that it is fun, well made, and wonderfully acted; while lacking in a lot of what makes a Coen Brothers movie feel like a Coen Brothers movie. we also get into genre movies in general and whether westerns are inherently conservative.

Travis, Chris, and Ian talk about the Coen Brothers exploration into faith. This Parable was under seen and very unlike any movie that ever comes out from any director, but it is incredibly worthwhile and there is a lot of discussion that comes from it.

The Coen's follow up their Oscar winning No Country for Old Men with a star studded comedy about the stupidity and self grandiosity of people at every level in Washington. from the heads of the CIA to the trainers at the gym that their housekeepers go to. Travis and Ian found a lot to love in this movie, Chris not so much. it's a great talk and the Coen's maintain what feels like their. new mastery in directing style.

artwork by Travis White

Theme Song by Ian Hinkley

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Want to hear what it sounds like when three people watch a terrible movie, made by great directors? This is the episode for you! The ladykillers is offensive, and unfunny, and bewildering. based on a classic dark comedy that we appreciate and (some of us) love. so we break our brains to try to figure out how the Coen Brothers missed the mark so terribly in their 11th outing as filmmakers.

artwork by Travis White

Theme Song by Ian Hinkley

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Ian, Travis, and Chris get into the 10th feature from the Coen Brothers, Intolerable Cruelty. a lot of time is spent trying to figure out where they went wrong and why it feels like this movie missed the mark in every way. it's a lot of laughing in this one. it's fun to talk about terrible bullshit.

song by Ian Hinkley

Art by Travis White

The Man who Wasn't There, we all agree, is an under seen and underrated classic. a throwback to the film noirs and melodramas of the 1940's and 50's filmed in stunning black and white; the film is a visual playground for the Coen Brothers. it is also a palette for them to explore some of their most interesting takes on philosophy...and according to what we talk about, maybe a lot more than is on the screen.

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artwork by Travis White

Theme song by Ian Hinkley

Travis, Ian, and Chris talk about the 8th film by The Coen Brothers: O Brother, Where Art Thou. the musical homeric odyssey through the depression era south sparks a big debate about what works, what doesn't, and the surprising cultural movement that happened surrounding the films soundtrack.

trigger warning: there is a very frank and tricky conversation about race and representation in the last half hour of the episode in which we try to get into how inappropriate the Coens can be with their black characters. it's never an easy topic to cover but I think it's a necessary conversation, especially in regard to this film, and if you're up for it, listen along; if you're not or if it's triggering, please feel free to skip the last third of the episode

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artwork by travis white

theme song by Ian Hinkley

Ian, Travis, and Chris discuss the Coen's stoner, serpentine noir, brilliant buddy comedy in this episode. and dig into their human avatar for the constant motif that runs through their filmography; as the dude rolls through the chaos of the world with a confused by acquiescing smirk. we all abide by this movie.

artwork by travis white

theme song by Ian Hinkley

moving on from the experimental and masturbatory work of the last couple movies; the Coen Brothers scaled it back and delivered a masterpiece of independent crime cinema. Travis, Ian, and Chris discuss the movie and how it changed the landscape of indie films to come. also, marveling at how much of the Coen aesthetic, motifs, and narrative devices play out so naturally and concisely here.

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