Hail, Caesar!

Coens salute themselves with completely unedited brainstorm session.  Deliberately over-long sequences beautifully mirror 50s films but get lost amidst endless other scenes of ludicrous length.  Neither outstanding cast and characteristic Coen comedy, nor tacky narration and contrived confessionals can hold together a tossed salad of unempathetic characters and poor plotting.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Barton Fink’s tone, A Serious-ly deep and narratively ambiguous character study, and O Brother, what folk music.  Perhaps the most Coen-y Coen brothers film yet, blending the quips of their comedies with the depth of their dramas.  Oscar Isaac helms his meandering odyssey majestically amidst questionably relevant supporting bit parts.

True Grit

Coens become man-killers with first successful remake. Bridges and Steinfeld fill the shoes of their predecessors and Damon fills out Campbell’s comedically bad performance in a film that takes its subject matter more seriously than original. Pepper plays his namesake well though Brolin feels about as unenthusiastic as bookend segments.

Burn After Reading

Coens, Clooney, and Swinton agree this is No Movie for Michael Clayton as they revisit jovial O’ Lebowski days. Arsenal of Oscar nominees join silly fray while pursued by dude-like CIA and its Jonah Jameson leader. Surprisingly brilliant movie about stupid people including mad Malkovich, prettified Pitt and jealous McDormand.

A Serious Man

Unrelated Yiddish segment. Typical Coen Brothers witty dialogue without their standard high concept plot. Loosely parallels story of Job and is therefore somewhat depressing and redundant. Nuanced performances from leads maintain interest through sometimes monotonous film. Compelling look at American Jewish culture from directors and cast who know it well.