This weekend, Hail, Caesar!, the latest Coen brothers movie, comes out in cinemas across the UK. Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson and Jonah Hill, Hail, Caesar! follows the fictional story of Eddie Mannix, a real-life Hollywood fixer working in the film industry during the 1950s who is tasked with discovering what’s happened to a missing cast member.
To get you in the mood, here are our three Coen brothers favourites:
The Big Lebowski
Perhaps one of the brothers’ most famous films, The Big Lebowski has gained cult status among film fans. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore and Steve Buscemi, The Big Lebowski is a story of mistaken identify. Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire by the same name, and falls victim to an assault, resulting in the destruction of his favourite rug. In an attempt to get restitution for his soiled rug, he enlists the help of his bowling friends.
The Blu-ray edition comes with a number of special features, including a look at the dream sequences of The Dude, a making-of feature and an interactive map.
Unbroken
Unbroken is based on a true story, which the Coen brothers adapted for the big screen before enlisting Angelina Jolie as director. It tells the harrowing story of Louis Zamperini, an American Olympic athlete who is drafted to fight for the US Air Force during World War II. When his plane is downed during a mission, Zamperini and his crew survive in a raft at sea for 42 days, before being captured by the Japanese and sent to prisoner of war camps.
Special features include deleted scenes, a look at the real Louis Zamperini and a look at the making of the movie.
No Country for Old Men
Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Woody Harrelson star in this modern-day western. Vietnam veteran Llewelyn Moss accidentally finds himself becoming involved in a drug deal gone awry while out hunting. After taking off with two million dollars, Moss hits the road, pursued by a murderous hitman who will stop at nothing to catch him.
The Blu-ray comes with a number three bonus extras: a making-of documentary, a look Sherriff Bell as a character, and reflections from the cast and crew on what it was like working with the Coen brothers. This is a must-watch for fans of their work!
