Okay, HYPE TIME OVER... No Country for Old Men: B-

[The Fake Shemp]

This film is way overhyped.  It really is great for the first hour and a half; it continually ratches up the intensity as the film progresses.  And I mean it's really good.  The problem is that the home stretch relies on a heavyhanded character arc for Tommy Lee Jones, who turns in one of the most forced Oscar "for your consideration" reels I've seen in awhile.  The last part should be a separate movie called Tommy Lee Jones Fishes For an Oscar.  And that sucks, because Javier Bardem is an inspiration in the movie and Josh Brolin's peformance actually makes him relevant in Hollywood again.  I haven't read the Cormac McCarthy novel and my gut feeling is that it likely ends the same way, and if so, then the Coen Bros. should've found another actor to tackle the dénouement other than Tommy Lee Jones (in a performance that feels like every other Tommy Lee peformance, but gentler).

Considering the epic amount of hype this has gotten, from a Maurice Cooks 9.0 rating to the Internet gushing, this fell well short of my expectations.  I have no doubt that this will get a ton of Oscar nominations, many deservedly so (Javier Bardem for President!), but if Tommy Lee manages to weasel his way into one, then it will have been at the cost of making a great movie merely a good one.

[CajoleJuice]

No Country for Old Men = Transformers

[The Fake Shemp]

YES.

Shia LeBouf was better in Transformers than Tommy Lee Jones. Fact.

[The Fake Shemp]

wfederman007: Tommy Lee Jones ruins that movie.
wfederman007: He plays the same character he's ever played
CajoleJuice: really, i could FEEL everyone in the theater thinking "what the fuck is this?"
wfederman007: EXCEPT HE IS TIRED AND SADDENED BY THE WORLD
wfederman007: AND DESERVES AN OSCAR
wfederman007: LOOK AT ME
wfederman007: I AM SAD AND OLD GIMME AN OSCAR

[CajoleJuice]

YES.

Shia LeBouf was better in Transformers than Tommy Lee Jones. Fact.

But Javier Bardem shit all over Shia LeBouf.

[The Fake Shemp]

Javier Bardem is the Optimus Prime of actors.

Also, I just fixed all that's wrong with No Country for Old Men.  I will e-mail this suggestion to the Coen Bros. and have them reshoot the movie with my new edit:

wfederman007: I think the movie would've been better if his part was played by CHRISTOPHER WALKEN
CajoleJuice: you just blew my mind
CajoleJuice: him delivering those solioquies would have been incredible
CajoleJuice: yea, thats spelt wrong
CajoleJuice: lol
wfederman007: SEE

[The Fake Shemp]

The reviews are in - people are demanding my new and improved cut of No Country for Old Men featuring Christopher Walken!

CajoleJuice: but really dude
wfederman007: Christopher Walken
wfederman007: Movie would've been 9.5
wfederman007: MAYBE 10.0
CajoleJuice: im imagining this
CajoleJuice: holy shit
CajoleJuice: holy
CajoleJuice: shit
CajoleJuice: especially the very last one
CajoleJuice: not so much the conversation with that old dude in the wheelchair
CajoleJuice: but the dream
CajoleJuice: christopher walken relating that dream would've been perfect
wfederman007: I know
wfederman007: Coen Bros. are hacks

[TVC15]

Christopher Walken?  Is that a joke? I'll tell you what is a joke:  Christopher Walken circa 2007-8.  He's a shitty comedy actor now, and he hasn't displayed real acting chops in at least a decade. . .maybe 2.  He basically plays a silly SNL version of himself anymore.

[The Fake Shemp]

Since when have the Coen Bros. been super serious?  He's perfect!  Even if he plays a fascimile of himself, it's be better than Tommy Lee Jones.  I'd take Tyler Perry, even.

[BlueTsunami]

Josh Brolin was so awesome in this movie

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, he was really good.  Then the Coen Bros. apparently ran out of good actors, so Tommy Lee Jones carries the film into mediocrity for the last thirty minutes.

[CajoleJuice]

"Alright then. Two of 'em. Both had my father in 'em . It's peculiar. I'm older now then he ever was by twenty years. So in a sense he's the younger man. Anyway, first one I don't remember to well but it was about meeting him in town somewhere, he's gonna give me some money. I think I lost it. The second one, it was like we was both back in older times and I was on horseback goin' through the mountains of a night. Goin' through this pass in the mountains. It was cold and there was snow on the ground and he rode past me and kept on goin'. Never said nothin' goin' by. He just rode on past... and he had his blanket wrapped around him and his head down and when he rode past I seen he was carryin' fire in a horn the way people used to do and I could see the horn from the light inside of it. 'Bout the color of the moon. And in the dream I knew that he was goin' on ahead and he was fixin' to make a fire somewhere out there in all that dark and all that cold, and I knew that whenever I got there he would be there. And then I woke up."

[Solo]

I thought it was pretty middle of the road myself.

[Tauntaun]

I loved it but I have only seen it once and need to rewatch! 

Edit:  I will say the best parts were with Josh and Javier.  They had the best performances bar none.

[Human Snorenado]

Yawn.  Oh Federwang.  Your tastes can be countered by simply saying that you enjoyed Transformers.

[Eric P]

i think burt reynolds as the sheriff, paul ruebens as the killer, jessica simpson as the wife and dane cook as the guy with the money would have made it better

[The Fake Shemp]

I thought it was pretty middle of the road myself.

I don't think I'd say that.  It's pretty good, but nowhere approaching the hype!

Yawn.  Oh Federwang.  Your tastes can be countered by simply saying that you enjoyed Transformers.

Have you even seen No Country for Old Men?

[Himu]

Christopher Walken is a fucking caricature at this point.

[The Fake Shemp]

Again, it would be better than Tommy Lee Jones!

[Himu]

Well that's true. Tommy Lee Jones is awful.

[FlameOfCallandor]

What was the point of Tommy Lee Jones' character?

[The Fake Shemp]

What was the point of Tommy Lee Jones' character?

Tommy Lee Jones' character is aging and becoming disillusioned with the world - especially since this tale shows the kind of violence he is incapable of understanding.  By the end of the film, he's a broken man and yearns for old-timey simplicity.

[FlameOfCallandor]

What was the point of Tommy Lee Jones' character?

Tommy Lee Jones' character is aging and becoming disillusioned with the world - especially since this tale shows the kind of violence he is incapable of understanding.  By the end of the film, he's a broken man and yearns for old-timey simplicity.

Yea I got that, they pretty much hit you with that when he talks to the fat guy in the dinner. But his story goes nowhere and is boring as hell.

[T234]

Yawn.  Oh Federwang.  Your tastes can be countered by simply saying that you enjoyed Transformers.

Waitaminute. WILLCO LIKES TRANSFORMERS (THE NEW MOVIE TRANSFORMERS?)? WILLCO AWEFUL TASTE CONFIRMED

[The Fake Shemp]

It was my crowning achievement on Evilbore in 2007.  I REGRET NOTHING.

Yea I got that, they pretty much hit you with that when he talks to the fat guy in the dinner. But his story goes nowhere and is boring as hell.

It's not that his story is boring, it's that Tommy Lee Jones is boring.  Had a more capable actor tackled the role, instead of Tommy Lee obviously fishing for an Oscar, it would've probably been a pretty powerful ending.  I now understand all the pre-release hype spewed by Tommy Lee Jones, when he went as far as to call the film the best Coen Bros. production ever (it's not).  I'd probably feel that way too if I felt I had a solid 30-minute "for your consideration" reel.

[FlameOfCallandor]

Everyone likes a few shitty movies.

[Bloodwake]

God, I used to think this forum had GOOD taste in movies.

[TVC15]

What was the point of Tommy Lee Jones' character?

The point of Tommy Lee Jones is that he holds the movie rights to all of Cormac McCarthy's books.

[MrAngryFace]

Ah the backlash

[Human Snorenado]

God, I used to think this forum had GOOD taste in movies.

Iknorite?

[MrAngryFace]

Basically if this forum likes a movie, I expect it to tear it down within two weeks.

[Bloodwake]

Sorry, anyone who can put Transformers on the same level as No Country for Old Men needs to have his or her head examined. Transformers was utter shit. No Country was probably one of the better films I've seen this year.

I don't know if people on this forum want to have like weird ass movie tastes that even defy the obscure intelligent film fan people's hype or what, but No Country is a spectacular film. While I do have problems with the ending as well, it is a minor flaw in the overall story, and the end ties in with the rest of the film quite nicely.

Javier Bardem ALONE made this film my choice for best picture in 2007. I haven't seen There Will Be Blood yet, and some other films (Atonement, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Gone Baby Gone) but I'm pretty sure a kickass Daniel Day-Lewis performance is the only thing that might rival Javier Bardem in this film for me. Plus, add that to the fact that the suspense levels in this film are ridiculous (and unexpected), the movie is paced (yes, even the ending) ridiculously well, and the cinematography is to fucking die for.

Tommy Lee Jones doesn't deserve an Oscar. We get that. He won't get one. Everything I've been reading in the hype basically says he won't get one or even fucking nominated for that matter. But shit, his performance was adequate. It wasn't like he was Hayden Christiansen or something.

[Joe Molotov]

Basically if this forum likes a movie, I expect it to tear it down within two weeks.

http://www.evilbore.com/forum/index.php?topic=6120.0

[Bloodwake]

Basically if this forum likes a movie, I expect it to tear it down within two weeks.

Pretty much. Hell, I was about to give PD shit because he only gave it a 9. More like a 9.5 for fuck's sake.

[Joe Molotov]

I haven't seen There Will Be Blood yet, and some other films (Atonement, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Gone Baby Gone) but I'm pretty sure a kickass Daniel Day-Lewis performance is the only thing that might rival Javier Bardem in this film for me.

Daniel Day-Lewis' performance in There Will Be Blood was so kickass, it blew my mind. He should definitely get an Oscar for that. But other than that, No Country For Old Men was a better movie. Best Picture fo sho. And Best Supporting Actor for Javier Bardem.

[Phoenix Dark]

Basically if this forum likes a movie, I expect it to tear it down within two weeks.

Pretty much. Hell, I was about to give PD shit because he only gave it a 9. More like a 9.5 for fuck's sake.

Only gave it a 9? wtf 

[MrAngryFace]

I think more people wanted another Big Lebowski, not another Fargo. I havent seen the movie cause im not in the mood for anything dire, even if it is well done.

[Human Snorenado]

Also, Bardem will be nominated for best supporting actor and DDL will get the nom for best actor.  I know it will be tough for him to beat out Shia Lebouf but I expect he'll manage.

MAF- more like another Miller's Crossing.

[MrAngryFace]

I dont watch their other movies, im one of THOSE Coen bros fans

[demi]

hot fuzz movie of 07

[Bloodwake]

I think more people wanted another Big Lebowski, not another Fargo. I havent seen the movie cause im not in the mood for anything dire, even if it is well done.

Evidently. Even though Big Lebowski


WASN'T THAT GREAT.

[The Fake Shemp]

Sorry, anyone who can put Transformers on the same level as No Country for Old Men...

I never did.

While I do have problems with the ending as well, it is a minor flaw in the overall story...

It's not minor.

But shit, his performance was adequate.

Not really.

[Bloodwake]

Sorry, anyone who can put Transformers on the same level as No Country for Old Men...

I never did.

Didn't you give Transformers a B-?

Sounds like you put it on the same level to me.

[MrAngryFace]

oh wait dude, I was with ya till the Big Lebowski comment. Youre on yer own now.

[MrAngryFace]

Event Horizon > No Country

[demi]

Sorry, anyone who can put Transformers on the same level as No Country for Old Men...

I never did.

Didn't you give Transformers a B-?

Sounds like you put it on the same level to me.

willco said transformers was A POPCORN FLICK and THATS JUST WHAT HE GOT

while this was OVERHYPED AS THE NEXT BEST THING and he got MEN IN BLACK 3 or something more quippy

although i'm with you when you say willco is a fat jew

[Bloodwake]

oh wait dude, I was with ya till the Big Lebowski comment. Youre on yer own now.

Not saying it was bad, just saying it didn't have much of a point really.

Which, I guess, was the point of the entire film?

Eh, whatever.

[MrAngryFace]

Entertainment doesnt always need a point dude

[Robo]

I was expecting this thread.  We can never go too long before a movie PD, Cheebs and the BK Beast rally behind is shat upon for kool points and bonus boners.  There'll be one for There Will Be Blood too, without a doubt.

[FlameOfCallandor]

I like event horizon alot.

[MrAngryFace]

[The Fake Shemp]

Event Horizon > No Country

Yes.

I never said it was on the same level as Transformers.  I jokingly gave No Country for Old Men an arbitrary ranking equal to the infamous score handed to Transformers to knock down its diehard proponents a peg or two, but anyone with half a brain could tell that it wasn't real.  I guess you didn't read my review (the one with no actual score at the end), but instead got caught in a Javier Bardem-type rage and started for your cattlegun because I insulted your precious movie of 2007.  Just deal!

Also, Hot Fuzz was a lot better than No Country for Old Men.

[Bloodwake]

I was expecting this thread.  We can never go too long before a movie PD, Cheebs and the BK Beast rally behind are shat upon for kool points and bonus boners.  There'll be one for There Will Be Blood too, without a doubt.

I believe there was already the rumblings of one because Trahan said that There Will Be Blood would be remembered as an AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSIC (R) for years to come.

[Bloodwake]

Event Horizon 

There ya go.

[MrAngryFace]

[The Fake Shemp]

I was expecting this thread.  We can never go too long before a movie PD, Cheebs and the BK Beast rally behind is shat upon for kool points and bonus boners.  There'll be one for There Will Be Blood too, without a doubt.

One of those three doesn't post here, one of those three thought Enchanted was better and one of those three are homeschooled.  There wasn't the forum overhype groupthink behind this like, say, Juno, so their opinions really had no effect on me.  The hype is more or less from all the critics, award nominations and my personal effection for the Coen Bros.  This just did not live up to the hype.  Everything gets it credit in due time - even Prole admitting to liking Borat after the forum hype died down.  This is just the case of an overhyped, good-at-best film.

[MrAngryFace]

[FlameOfCallandor]

Juno kind of sucked

[The Fake Shemp]

Also, Event Horizon is A+ would watch again

[Van Cruncheon]

holy crap, foc gets one right