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08th FEB 06
   I meant to post this the other day but the below news was way more exciting. Anyhow, Empire magazine polled it's readership during November and December of last year as to which were the 201 (it was issue 201 of the magazine) Greatest Movies Of All Time. Well I'm sure it'll come as no surprise that the Coen brothers had a couple of entries there. Coming in at number 120 was Fargo and at the dizzying, nosebleed-inducing height of number 25 was, of course, The Big Lebowksi. The top five reads thus; #5- The Godfather, #4- Star Wars, #3- The Fellowship Of The Ring, #2- The Empire Strikes Back and #1- The Shawshank Redemption. Oh, and the original The Ladykillers came in at #183 which is nice.  
   
06th FEB 06
   The Coen news wire is positively alight! Over at AICN they've got a brief interview with George Clooney where he mentions the fact that he's making a movie entitled BURN AFTER READING with the Coens in Spring!!! Now I don't know if this is a new title for Suburbicon or what but if it isn't that makes THREE projects the Coens and Clooney are collaborating on simultaneously. It could also be that Clooney is having us on- he is famed for his practical jokes after all. If this is true and it is shooting in Spring what effect does it have on No Country For Old Men which did look like it was shaping up to be the next Coen movie. Who knows?!??! More when I have it.

Thanks to Finishdish for the link		  
   
02nd FEB 06
   Like buses you wait ages and then two come along at once! News gathers apace on No Country For Old Men, more from Empire Online...

We reported yesterday that the Coen Brothers No Country For Old Men was due to go into production in May. Today comes the news that Javier Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones are in talks to lead the cast.

The story of a young man who takes a fortune in cash from a dead body he finds near the Rio Grande, only to find himself at risk from drug dealers and hit men. We're guessing that Bardem and Jones are down to play the bad guy and local sheriff respectively, but we'll keep you up to date as we learn more.

Bardem is predominantly known for his excellent dramatic work in Before Night Falls and The Sea Inside, but he had some comedy roles earlier in his career, so the Coens could really bring out his lighter side.

Recently the Coens have been skewing a little too close to mainstream - not that popularity and quality are mutually exclusive but bigger budgets seem to have diluted the creativity they had when they were working with a 48p and as much John Turturro as they could carry. Here's hoping this sees them back on form.		  
   
02nd FEB 06
   The same casting news is also reported over at Guardian Film but they also state the size of the budget, which is a handsome $30m.  
   
01st FEB 06
   Finally some concrete news about the Coen's next movie. Looks like it is going to be No Country For Old Men. This from Empire Online...

Joel and Ethan Coen are set to make No Country For Old Men, based on the novel by Cormac "All The Pretty Horses" McCarthy.

The story is set in Texas, where Llewellyn Moss, a young farmhand hunting antelope near the Rio Grande, stumbles across some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and a suitcase full of money. He takes the money and runs. But after two more men are murdered, the local sheriff gets involved and an ex-Special Forces hitman is called in to retrieve the money, things get dangerous for young Moss.

The Coens have adapted the script from McCarthy's novel. Scott Rudin is producing the film, and it is due to start shooting in Texas and New Mexico in May. 		 
   
09th JAN 06
   A slow, slow news time so I thought I'd mention that in, yet another, poll in Empire magazine, this time "the 200 things that rocked Empire's world" in it's 16 year (200 issue) life, the Coen brothers made it in at the dizzying height of number 7!  
   
23rd NOV 05
   More on Suburbicon, this time something from the horses mouth- Clooney: "“I’m going to do a comedy with Joel and Ethan in around a year. I really like working with them and I like doing comedy with them. They offered me a part in Suburbicon a long time ago, and since then decided they have other projects they want to work on, so I called them up and said 'How about me taking a spin at it?' Because it's a really interesting, really funny, very dark comedy." This one seems like a go picture but, as we all know, anything can happen in movie land!  
   
21st NOV 05
   Apparenlty George Clooney is looking to direct the Coen-penned, Suburbicon (or is it Suburbacon?). Clooney's directing debut, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, showed a lot of promise and his second movie as director, Goodnight And Good Luck, is getting great reviews so this, if it comes off, could be very good indeed.

This is what I already knew about Suburbicon (from the Future Projects page;

"A murder mystery the Coens started writing shortly after Ethan moved to New York. This one still may be a going concern in some sense, as George Clooney has mentioned that it was going to be his first film with the Coens until they decided to offer him 'O Brother Where Art Thou.'"It was a small part and I was going to get beaten to death with a shovel. I liked it. It was a great part". Thanks to Ciaran Cassidy for supplying the info."

Thanks to Matt for the nod..		  
   
31st OCT 05
   The Guardian had a great review of Cormac McCarthy's book, No Country For Old Men on Saturday which you can read by hitting the link on the right. Just from reading this review and, of course, knowing that the Coen brothers may be making a movie of it, was enough for me to have ordered the book which is out in the UK on November 4th. Sounds like it's right up the Coen's alley, let's hope it comes off unlike To The White Sea.  
   
31st OCT 05
   I thought I'd let you all know that the trailer for the John Turturro, Coen executive produced, Romance & Cigareattes is online. Hit the link, enjoy. Looks great fun although it's bizarre to hear Winslet speak with an accent that sounds Lancastrian...  
   
19th OCT 05
   Just a quick note to alert you to the fact that The Big Lebowski DVD website is now live. Unfortunately it's a little underwhelming.

Thanks to Joseph for the tip off.		  
   
05th OCT 05
   So, I've finally gotton my act together and completed the ON DVD section. Why not go take a peek and let me know what you think by dropping me an email?  
   
15th SEP 05
   Sawbones is now here for download!!! Simply right-click and select "save as" on the two links below...

Sawbones Part One

Sawbones Part Two

Enjoy!!!

Thanks to Anna B for the original file!!!		  
   
15th SEP 05
   YAY! Some amazingly kind and dedicated Coen nut has sent me an MP3 of the tremendous Sawbones, the Coen's part of the Theater of the New Ear. I am not selfishly guarding it, it's just the file is 17meg which is too big for me to upload (I have a 10meg file size limit). I will split it or post some kind of link as soon as I can.  
   
12th SEP 05
   Wouldn't you know it, the ONE week I'm away on holiday all manner of things happen in the world of the Coen brothers! First and most importantly is the revelation that the IMDB has "Hail, Caesar" as being IN PRODUCTION. This pretty much confirms that this is the Coens next movie. Information will start dripping through I'm sure.

Thanks to "Bunnie Lebowski", Stephen Glitheroe and Chris Savino for alerting me to this by leaving nice emails for me to read upon my return.		  
   
12th SEP 05
   The second piece of information for today is that biglebowskidvd.com has finally been updated. However don't rush on over as there is no information at all and the rather stupid, comedy disclaimer- "Be sure to watch with snacks in hand, because The Big Lebowski might give you a giddy case of the munchies." Kinda missing the point of the movie I'm sure you'll agree. Cheech and Chong it is not.

Thanks to "finishdish" for the heads up!		  
   
12th SEP 05
   According to a Variety article dated 28th August the brothers Coen have also agreed to write and direct an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's new novel, "No Country for Old Men." You can read the synopsis of said book over at Amazon but I wouldn't hold my breath on this one..

Thanks to Stephen Glitheroe (again).		  
   
30th AUG 05
   The cover artwork for the Collector's Edition DVD release of The Big Lebowski has been released. Click HERE to view it. Beautiful I'm sure you'll agree.  
   
25th AUG 05
   Anyone reading this on a Mac might be interested to know that an artist by the name of Aurélien Le Roux has created sytlised icons of movie directors in what he calls his Masters of Cinema series. Part 4 of said series contains the Coen brothers. I don't have a Mac so I can't use them but for those who can follow the link on the right. If, like me you have only a PC you can see the Coen icon HERE.

Thanks to "finishdish" for the nod.		  
   
25th AUG 05
   To be filed in the "about time" category- Universal have finally, officially revealed the specifications of the forthcoming The Big Lebowski Collector's Edition DVD and the artwork for the "Achiever's Edition" box set. The DVD will comprise; English and French DD5.1 soundtracks; Spanish DD2.0 Stereo track; English, French and Spanish subtitles; a Coen scripted introduction by Mortimer Young (played by George Ives who did the same thing on the Blood Simple Director's Cut DVD); a selection of Jeff Bridges' on set photography; a "making of" documentary and production notes. As we know the Achiever's Edition will contain the self same disc plus some of Briges' photos on card, a Lebowski bolwing ball shammy/chamois and some character related drinks coasters. Whether you feel these gimmicky things are worth twice the price is up to you. Click HERE to see the artwork for the Achiever's Edition- it's pretty damn lovely!!!  
   
24th AUG 05
   Blood Simple has been named the 15th Greatest Independent Movie of All Time in Empire Online's list of 50. They had this to say about it....

"The Coen Brothers launched themselves upon an unsuspecting world with this noir throwback in 1984, and they haven't looked back. But all their subsequent success - and many of their trademark flourishes - can be dated back to this Texas-set tale of private eyes, murder most foul and more double (triple, and quadruple) crosses than you can count. The style is present and correct in the almost black-and-white locations and bright red blood, but it's the tone that stands out. Like Fargo without the warmth of Marge Gunderson, or Miller's Crossing without the qualms of conscience, Blood Simple is the darkest, and arguably up there with the best, of the Coens' films."		  
   
19th AUG 05
   A couple of menu screens from the forthcoming The Big Lebowski Collector's Edition DVD (out R1 on 18th October). You can see them by clicking here and here. They're pretty unimaginative if you ask me.  
   
18th AUG 05
   As Bunnie mentioned on the forums the LA performance of Theater of the New Ear will NOT include the Coen brother's "Sawbones". This is confirmed by Carter Burwell's website, The Body. It is being replaced by an act by Francis Fregolli. No reason is given, I can only assume that one or more of the actors have a schedule snafu.  
   
15th AUG 05
   Sirius radio's website now has a complete list of broadcast times and dates for Theater of the New Ear. It is to be broadcast six times in total during the first weekend of Septemeber. For more details follow the link on the right.  
   
09th AUG 05
   I was just checking to see if biglebowskidvd.com was active yet and it still is not, but further exploration has throw up the release of a R1 Coen Brother's Collection boxset, due out on 18th October. It has VERY similar artwork to the R2 release but completely different movies!!! In it will be the new special edition Big Lebowski, Blood Simple Director's Cut, Intolerable Crualty and The Man Who Wasn't There. A strange mix to be sure. RRP is set ar $39.98.  
   
03rd AUG 05
   While we wait for Joel and Ethan to officially announce what it is they're working on next and, since it's a slow news period I thought I'd post up the script for the Coen produced and script-doctored Bad Santa. Why not? If any of you are yet to see this movie, I highly recommend it- it's really very funny indeed. Click the link on the right to launch the script.  
   
01st AUG 05
   FINALLY The Theater of the New Ear has a Sirius Radio broadcast date- SEPTEMBER 2nd - 5th, it will be showing on Channell 148, Talk Central. Most of us don't have access to Sirius so, if you do and you can record it somehow and then encode it to MP3 please let me know- every Coen brothers and Charlie Kaufman fan will be forever in your debt.  
   
01st AUG 05
   It's quite possibly the most ridiculous piece of movie related merchandise ever produced- the FARGO RUG!!! That's right, a Fargo themed rug. It looks like a snow bank has been blown against your wall. It's so unpractical. It's the frist in a series of movie themed products. It's rubbish! It definitely does NOT tie the room together! Check it out for yourself- link on the right.

Dubious thanks to "finishdish" for pointing this bizarre item out to me.		  
   
20th JUL 05
   It has been brought to my attention that the R2 version of The Big Lebowski Special Edition DVD now has a release date. According to Play.com it is due for release on 7th November with no mention (yet) of the Achiever's Gift Set. For some reason Play's US website doesn't have the earlier R1 version up yet, though Amazon.com does.

Thanks to Stephen Glitheroe for the nod.		  
   
15th JUL 05
   Did you ever wonder what it would be like to work for the Coen brothers? Well, now you can find out! I have posted up an article written by one Alex Belth who served as Assistant Editior on The Big Lebowski for one whole year. He wrote the article, originally for Projections #8, but has kindly allowed me to add it to You Know, For Kids! You can read it by following the link on the right. Enjoy.  
   
15th JUL 05
   Some more details about the forthcoming The Big Lebowski Special Edition DVD have emerged. The aforementioned "gift set", now known to be called the "Achiever's Edition Gift Set" will include The Big Lebowski Bowling Shammy Towel, Coasters that include photos and quotable lines from the movie and Photo Cards from Jeff Bridges’ personal collection. All versions of the DVD are also to have newly remastered picture and sound. I can't wait!!!!  
   
11th JUL 05
   I'm a bit late on this one but I only found out today (thanks Joseph), but the Coen brothers made an appearance at the Soho Apple Store in New York on Tuesday 10th May (yeah, I know) to discuss their usage of Apple's Final Cut Pro to edit both Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers. You can also read a great article about the Coen brother's use of said software HERE and see a (dodgy) photo from the event HERE.

Thanks to Joseph Kinney for the heads-up.		  
   
07th JUL 05
   The Big Lebowski Collector's/Special Edition DVD now has a release date- 18th October for the Region 1 version. It is set to be sold in seperate widescreen and fullscreen (pan and scan) versions, with the widescreen version also available as some kind of "giftbox". I don't know if this is a box set of Coen movies or a box set particular to Lebowski. I'm hoping the latter... more as I get it.  
   
07th JUL 05
   Well it seems the Coen brother's next film is to be "Hail, Caesar"! George Clooney is to star and couldn't resist spilling the beans. He is to play the leader of a 1920's theatre troup who are putting on a production of "Julius Caesar". Clooney is quoted as saying, "The star would have an idiot toga and a pencil mustache." and describes his character as "an absolute jackass." Sounds good to me! This would mark Clooney's third collaboration with the Coens and the final part of what he calls his "Idiot Trilogy" following O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Intolerable Cruelty. "Hail, Caesar" is just one of the many scripts the Coen brothers have worked on over the years, you can read about some of the others in the Future Projects section.  
   
05th JUL 05
   I've just recieved an email from Brad C, the guy who bought the R1 Casino DVD containing a Big Lebowski Special Edition DVD trailer. Well he's managed to send some screen captures of the bowling pin animation. I've popped one up here. CHECK IT OUT. Proof if proof be needed.

Thanks again to Brad C		  
   
JUL 05
   The news page was getting VERY long so I've archived it HERE just in case some of you like reading old news.  
   
   
   

 

 

"They'll be wrapping fish in it in the morning so I guess it's not a total waste"- Barton Fink