Re-Watching--a Mini Steve Martinfest

                                                                                

As well as re-reading favorite books, I like to re-watch certain films--all of Monty Python (Life of Brian, The Holy Grail, The Meaning of Life,) most of the Coen Brothers, especially Raising Arizona, Fargo, and O Brother, Where Art Thou.

When Justin was home sick for much of second grade, The Empire Strikes Back and The Everlasting Story were on constant replay. The Pirates of Penzance, was another popular favorite.

Recently I developed a longing to see two Steve Martin movies that I remembered fondly--and, lo and behold, my wish was granted.

L.A. Story is great fun, especially with Sara Jessica Parker's great energetic turn as SaNDee* who loves to twirl.  And Patrick Stewart, in a brief appearance as the supercilious maitre d' of L'Idiot ("You think you can 'ave ze duck? With a portfolio like zat? You can have ze chicken") is memorable.

Even better is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Martin is at his comic best, Michael Caine is wonderful, and the plot, involving the two as con men in competition is hilarious. 

Two evening of laugh out loud pleasure. . . better than a trip to a spa.

What do you watch for light entertainment?

                                                

Vintage Binge

No 3-D glasses were involved. And we for sure weren't in a theater. Last time for that was probably Dances with Wolves.

But for the past several nights we've been enjoying some of my old favorites: A Fish Called Wanda, The In-Laws, The Big 

Leibowski, Raising Arizona, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life . . . movies, not films. And all capable of making me laugh.

Times like these . . . well, these are my equivalent of comfort reads. 

Now I need to find some Cheech and Chong. More Monty Python. And Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. And LA Story. And . . .

Do you have some favorites you'd like to rewatch for fun?

 

The Amazing Coen Brothers

These guys are magic. Ethan and Joel Coen have made some of my favorite movies of all time. 

I first fell in love with the boys' over-the-top movie-making style when a friend told me about "Raising Arizona" -- a film I've seen now approximately twenty-five times.  The dialogue and the voice-over narration are so witty, so articulate that I'd be happy just to listen to this flick -- but then I'd  miss Nicholas's Cage's loose-limbed physical humor or the innumerable 'bits' that make me grin just thinking about them.

"Fargo," "Burn After Reading," "O Brother, Where Art Thou, "The Big Lebowski" -- these, too, are all part of my short list of films to rewatch yearly.  Or more. Sometimes I just need to see the Jesus section of "The Big Lebowski" one more time.  John Tuturro and his purple jumpsuit -- words fail me.

When the Coen brothers'  "A Serious Man"  came out, the reviews I read were lack lustre and  the entire premise just didn't entice me. A Jewish college teacher has a lot of bad things happen to him and he tries to make sense of his trials.

Meh. Didn't grab me.

Then I heard an interview with the Coens and they talked about "A Serious Man" and I realized I'd made a serious mistake.

We watched the movie and I adored it. And for those critics who didn't like the ending -- they should consider the Book of Job.

It really ties the whole thing together.

Looking forward to seeing what the boys have done with "True Grit."